Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

If you know or suspect your teen is using drugs or want to prevent them, this episode is for you. More than half of teens surveyed said they have experimented with substances such as alcohol, marijuana, vaping, and prescription drugs. Some are able to stop easily, some are not, some have no interest in even trying.  In this episode I’m joined by KL Wells, the Founder of Voices InCourage, to help p...

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently declared adolescent mental health a national emergency , as rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal thoughts continue to skyrocket. The pandemic brought this serious issue to the forefront, but this uptick started years before COVID arrived on the scene.   Sadly, and too often, the parents of these teens are the last to learn about their chi...

If you’re uncomfortable or unsure about how to talk to your teen daughter about periods, sex, or personal hygiene this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, a board-certified OB-GYN who is passionate about helping girls, women, and those assigned female at birth understand their bodies and feel empowered to advocate for themselves. Dr. Lincoln is going to help us tackle “th...

If your teen is a target of bullying, the instigator, or even a witness to bullying, this episode is for you. One out of every five students report being bullied based on their physical appearance, race/ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. In other words, prejudice. The bullying behavior can range from verbal and physical assault to casual, yet hurtful comments. In all c...

If your teen is involved in sports, this episode is for you. We encourage our children to get involved in sports for many reasons: have fun, meet friends, get exercise, and learn valuable skills like teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Unfortunately, there is also an epidemic of abuse as well—not just at the Olympic and college level, but in our middle and high schools too. In this episode...

This week, in recognition of pride month, we’re talking about how to better understand and support our non-binary and transgender children.  Although the LGBTQ+ community has gained more acceptance and support over the years, statistics show that most remain closeted in fear of discrimination. They are also at far more serious risk for depression, suicide, and victimization. My goal is to answer q...

This week, in recognition of pride month, we’re talking about how to better understand and support our non-binary and transgender children.  Although the LGBTQ+ community has gained more acceptance and support over the years, statistics show that most remain closeted in fear of discrimination. They are also at far more serious risk for depression, suicide, and victimization. My goal is to answer q...

If you’re worried about what your teen is doing online, concerned they’ll fall prey to predators, and can’t seem to get through to them how dangerous the internet can be, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Safety and Security Influencer Cathy Pedrayes to share tips for keeping our teens safe online.    Resources Mentioned in This Episode Get Cathy’s free ebook: The Mom Friend Guide to Everyday...

If you’re frustrated because your teen refuses to talk to you, wants little to do with you or the rest of family, or snaps at you when you provide guidance, this episode is for you. I’m joined by former middle school teacher turned coach Elise Knox. She shares tips on how to connect with our teens with her three steps to listening without judgment.  Key Takeaways If we haven't healed our past trau...

In this episode, I answer the following parent question: Nothing we do makes our daughter happy. Why can’t she just accept a comment, advice, suggestion without complaining and pushing back? How can I make her listen and accept what she is being told without an argument?    Key Takeaways Allow them to voice their opinions without retribution.  Rather than getting mad that they are resistant, get c...

In this episode, I provide tips for  addressing teen anger. This is in response to the following parent questions:  What is the best way to diffuse a teen who is in the middle of a temper flare-up?  How should a parent respond in the moment of frustration (both on the part of the parent and teen)?   Key Takeaways Your teen’s emotions/meltdowns are a response to their brain’s fire alarm alerting th...

In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Otis, the founder of the personal leadership platform, Project OTY. Jeff is going to clue us in to why teens may resist taking accountability, how to encourage them to take more accountability, and how to help them uncover a sense of purpose and own their future.   Key Takeaways The three O’s: Own your time, own your education, and own your organization We need...

Episode Summary In this episode, I’m joined by sleep physician and youth psychiatrist Dr. Cara Ooi. Dr. Ooi is going to clue us in to why the teen years are a perfect storm for insomnia, the most common mistakes parents make when trying to get their teen’s sleep back on track and the three things we can do instead.     Key Takeaways The teen years create the perfect storm for insomnia. There is a...

Disrespect, backtalk, and lying are just a few of the problematic teen behaviors many parents are trying to deal with. What do you do when you’ve tried everything, and nothing seems to work? That’s what we’re going to tackle in today’s episode. I’m joined by Kimball Lewis, the CEO of EmpoweringParents.com (@ParentingAdvice). In addition to his leadership and management roles, he contributes as an...

Navigating divorce and stepparenting is challenging for everyone involved, but statistics show it’s particularly difficult for teen-aged children. Fortunately, there are things we can do to ease the transition and even thrive. Today I’m joined by authors of @ourhappydivorce Nikki DeBartolo and Ben Heldfond. Although their marriage has been over for nearly a decade, Nikki and Ben have learned how t...

Is your teen’s fear of being around a lot of people, getting called on in class, or having to talk to someone new making it feel impossible to go to school or out in public? Are you worried that they are becoming too isolated but don’t know how to help? Then this episode is for you. I’m joined by Mark Metry, a 24-year-old mental health advocate, Forbes featured TEDx keynote speaker, host of the So...

Did you know that almost half of our kids have been exposed to sexting by the time they were 14 and that number continues to grow? As a mom of a 15-year-old daughter that scares me. That’s why I’ve invited Sean Clifford, CEO and Founder of Canopy to join me today. A father of 4 young children, Sean founded Canopy in 2019 to protect children from pornography and help families take advantage of what...

If your teen is miserable and making everyone around them miserable and you don’t know how to break them out of it, this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Chris DT Gordon (@chrisdt.gordon.5), an international speaker, teacher, and survivor of the flesh-eating bacteria necrotizing fasciitis. After his recovery, this teacher from Minnesota chose to rise above his circumstances to help others....

If you have an overachieving, stressed out teen who is crumbling under the weight of their own high expectations and self-inflicted pressure, this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Teen Takeoff Coach Donovan Dreyer, who specializes in preparing highly driven teens to accomplish their lofty life goals. Through his organization Get Ready Coaching, Donovan helps overachieving students get clari...

I’ve been inviting several experts on recently to talk about Teen Anxiety. It’s something I see a lot in my practice, and the statistics support the growing problem. According to Pew Research three-in-ten teens say they feel tense or nervous about their day every or almost every day. Seven-in-ten say anxiety and depression is a major problem among people their age in the community where they live....

Did you know that one out of three kids between the ages of 13 and 18 will find themselves in an abusive relationship this year? That statistic is terrifying to us parents, which is why I’ve invited Nenia Corcoran (@neniacorcoranauthor) to teach us what we need to know about Teen Dating Violence. Nenia combines her own experiences as a sexual assault survivor with her decade of training as a polic...

If your teen is stressed out trying to do it all but struggling to stay focused and motivated, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Oie Dobier, the founder of Project Who Am I (@projWhoAmI), is a mom of 2 teenagers and a nature loving, bubble tea fanatic. Her mission in life is to help people pay attention to their true self so they can intentionally fill their day with things that leverage thei...

If you or your teen experiences days filled with anxiety and overwhelm, this episode is for you. I’m joined by George Kalantzis (@Theartoftoughtransitions), author of NOWHERE TO GO, combat veteran, coach, and dad. He empowers people to overcome the toughest days of their lives. Outside of coaching and writing, you can find him hiking and eating ice cream with his daughter. Today, George is going t...

If your teen is struggling with poor body image, body dysmorphia, or an eating disorder, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Jillian Walsh, the founder, Clinical Director and Nova Scotia Team Lead at Change Creates Change Eating Disorder Care (@changecreateschange). Jillian is both a Registered Dietitian and a Registered Psychotherapist. For the past 8 years, she has been helping children and a...

If you’re struggling with your teen’s behavior and nothing seems to work, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Adele Spraggon, an award-winning author, a thought leader, international speaker and trainer. She has been awarded the 2020, Woman of Inspiration Award, and in 2021, she was recognized as the Top Behavioural Expert of the Year. Her book Shift: 4 Steps to Personal Empowerment has won thr...