Help! I Have A Teenager

As our kids grow into teens they’re bound to test their limits. It’s normal! But how far do we let them go before we draw the line? This week Ginni and Jo hear from a parent who thinks their teen may have pushed their boundaries too far. Plus, we give advice to a parent who is concerned that their child is too shy to talk to other adults, including their own grandparents. THE END BITS  Subscribe t...

The cost of living crisis is hitting hard and unfortunately that means most of us are having to make tough decisions about what is and isn’t affordable for our families moving forward. This week Ginni and Jo have advice on how to talk to your kids about cutting back the extracurricular activities. Plus, they’ve tips on dealing with angry outbursts and what to say when other parents chime in with t...

As parents we know our kids won’t always have the same views as us, but what if their opinions really don’t sit right with you? Even border on offensive and misogynistic? This week Ginni and Jo hear from a listener whose son is starting to show signs of being an Andrew Tate follower. Plus, we hear from a parent who’s struggling to connect with their passive-aggressive teen. THE END BITS  Subscribe...

Have you heard of creatine before? It's the supplement widely used in sport that many teens are starting to use, but is it actually safe? Plus, what happens if your teen starts hanging out with a 'bad crowd'. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a question via our new anonymous form here Got a question? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@m...

"Both my teens have told me they want to be a bit less sensible and start taking some risks (eg getting drunk, trying vaping, sky-diving etc). How can I help them explore these urges without their health and safety being compromised?" This is the dilemma a listener emailed us about this week, and Ginni and Jo have some sage advice for nurturing your teen's risk taking behaviour, while keeping them...

Dealing with your teens first relationships are an almost inevitable part of parenting, but what if even the idea of it makes you uncomfortable? This week Ginni and Jo hear from a listener who's husband refuses to talk to their daughter about dating, and she's not sure what to do. Plus, is a lock on a teen's bedroom door a good idea? THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a questi...

Co-parenting is not easy at the best of times, so how do you move forward if your ex-partner was abusive? Ginni and Jo address this heartbreaking and sensitive topic on today episode. Plus, has a fellow parent ever offered your teen alcohol? That's what a listener is dealing with and they are not happy. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a question via our new anonymous form h...

Has your teen ever cheated on a test? This week we hear from a parent who is concerned after her teen was caught cheating, but Ginni and Jo aren't sure it's something to be too worried about. Plus, we hear from a parent who is concerned with how many nights her daughter is out socialising a week. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Submit a question via our new anonymous form here Got...

We hate to break it to you, but the teen-age can last a lot longer than up to age eighteen. That's what a listener has found with their 20-year-old, and wants to know how to manage their mess, backchat and lack of direction, without them necessarily moving out. Plus, Ginni and Jo have some advice for a parent who is concerned that her son doesn't have any close friends, and explains the benefits o...

Does your teen trust you? And if not, how can you regain that trust? That's the dilemma Ginni and Jo are discussing this week after getting a question from a listener who says her son said he won’t tell her things as he thinks they'll be used against him. Plus, we hear from a parent who has a list of rules around phone use for their teen, but wants to know if they're appropriate for a 16 year old....

Bullying is such a huge issue among teens, and Ginni and Jo have spoken at length on this podcast about how to handle your teen being bullied. But what if your child is on the other side, and might be bullying someone else? Today, they answer a question from a listener who needs some advice on cyber-bullying. Plus, if you suspect your child might have ADHD, what are the next steps? And how can you...

Panic attacks can be scary - especially if you're not sure what they are. But the good news is that they're totally manageable, and Ginni and Jo have some practical advice for helping your teen through them. Plus, we hear from a listener who's teen daughter's motto is  'life's for living and having fun to the fullest',  so how can they encourage her daughter to be herself, while also making sure s...

If your teen has ever struggled to make (or keep) friends, you'll know how distressing this can be. Ginni and Jo have some sage advice for a parent who is concerned their son's behaviour has ostracised him amongst his peers.  Plus, they discuss a dilemma from a listener who wants to know if a local club is an appropriate first job for their daughter. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH...

Have you ever seen small silver canisters discarded on the street, and wondered why someone was consuming so much whipped cream at night? Well, they're actually nitrous oxide, and teens are using them as a cheap and easy way to feel high. So how worried should parents be? Plus, Ginni and Jo have some advice for a parent who is sick of their daughter's backchat. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia G...

So the time has come that your teen has brought home a special someone, but there's only one problem - you don't like them. But of course, your teen really really does. This is the relatable problem a parent is dealing with on today's episode, and Ginni and Jo have some advice to help get through this period, without damaging their relationship with their son. Plus, has your child ever faked being...

Has your teen ever stolen from you? It's actually more common than you might think, but it's still a problem that needs to be addressed. This week, Ginni and Jo hear from a parent who realised money is going missing from her partner's wallet, and doesn't know what to do. Plus, we hear from an exasperated aunt who wants to be there to support her niece, but is becoming increasingly frustrated by he...

When a teen transitions or is non-binary, one thing to keep in mind is their pronouns changing. So how do you wrap your head around a big change like that, so your teen feels affirmed and supported? Ginni and Jo have some sage advice for a listener struggling to understand. Plus, we hear from a LGBTQIA+ teen listener who doesn't always feel comfortable at home so spends a lot of time at friend's p...

Talking with your mouth full, putting your elbows on the table, not using a knife and fork, and eating with your mouth closed. These are all considered 'bad manners' when eating, but are they really that important to drill into your teen these days? Plus we hear from a heartbroken parents who's teen has run away from home to stay with a friend's family. Ginni and Jo have some practical advice to g...

If your teen told you they were bisexual, how would you react? This week we were contacted by a teenager who listens to the show, and want to know how to come out to her parents without it being a 'big deal'. Plus, Ginni and Jo give some advice to a parent who's concerned about the types of photos their tween is posting online, but doesn't want to body shame her. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia...

The decision to put your child on medication for ADHD is a very personal one. But what do you do if you and your partner don't agree on it? Ginni and Jo have some advice on how to work through this discussion together, so you can make the right choice for your teen. Plus, we hear from a mum who has itchy feet and wants to move overseas, but is unsure if it's the right move for her teenagers. THE E...

It's normal for kids to get frustrated, but today Ginni and Jo hear from a parent who's worried her son's anger issues is losing him friendships, and doesn't know how to handle it. Plus, a loving parent wants to support their trans teen but now they want to move schools, isn't sure it's the right move. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about the Living With Teens Summit GET IN TOUCH...

All kids tend to tell fibs, but what happens when they turn into constant lies? That's what a concerned parent is dealing with this week, and Ginni and Jo have some advice. Plus, we tackle a tough dilemma from a Mum of teens who is worried about her kid's safety after leaving an abusive relationship involving their father. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia Find out more about the Living With Teen...

The average teenage boy sees porn for the first time at age 11. So if you find out your teen son is looking at graphic images, do you need to freak out? Ginni and Jo have some sage advice for worried parents. Plus, we hear from a listener who is in a happy blended family, but often doesn't agree with how her partner parents his kids. So how does she navigate this tricky situation? THE END BITS  Su...

On New Year's Eve, it's pretty safe to say your teen will probably want to stay out past midnight. But with an extended curfew, how can you make sure they are partying safely and making good choices? Plus, Ginni and Jo give advice to a worried parent about self-harm, and how to interact with your teen's psychologist without breaking their trust. THE END BITS  Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Sub...

The holidays can be a stressful time of year for many reasons, and are often compounded if you have a blended family. This week, we hear from a listener who is worried that Christmas Day is ruined for her kids by trying to rush around to other peoples houses and see everyone, and Ginni and Jo have some advice. Plus, they break down 'present envy', and why your teens almost definitely experience it...