Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

When a teen gets defiant or starts with the back talk, most of us push harder. More rules, louder voice, fewer explanations. And the harder we push, the further they pull away or shut down completely. José Rolón, known as NYC Gay Dad, raised his son and twin daughters as a single dad for ten years. He’s the first LGBTQ dad on the cover of Parents Latina and co-host of the Love Take Two podcast, and he shares how he stays strict and fair without the yelling.

How to Stay Connected With Your Teen Without Smothering Them | Zara Kadir Does it feel like the more you try to protect your teen, the more they pull away? Finding the balance between staying involved and giving teens independence can be challenging. In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist Zara Kadir to explore why strict parenting can create secrecy and how collaboration can build trust. They discuss giving teens freedom safely, responding to mistakes without punishment, and becoming the person your teen feels comfortable calling when something goes wrong. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE Why strict rules and punishment can make teens more secretive How to give your teen independence while remaining their safe home base Why collaboration builds responsibility better than automatically saying ”no” How to respond to mistakes in ways that strengthen trust 🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫 🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌 **RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE** Zara Kadir’s Courses on Awkward Conversations Discount Code: CAM for 20% off upcoming courses Dr. Cam’s Free Masterclass: The Connection Reset askdrcam.com/reset CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Zara Kadir Instagram: @thetherapyshed CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell Website: askdrcam.com Instagram: @DrCamCaswell TikTok: @the.teen.translator YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Facebook: @DrCamCaswell EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Parenting Teens and Zara’s Background 02:47 Common Misconceptions About Teenagers 05:01 The Problem with Overprotecting Teens 07:02 Changing Parenting Strategies 09:39 Parenting in the Digital Age 12:18 Supporting Teen Identity and Exploration 15:24 Teen Behaviors and Parental Reactions 18:09 Teen Decision-Making 20:09 Supporting Teens Through Mistakes 22:09 Creating a Safe Space for Exploration 23:10 Balancing Freedom and Connection 25:00 The Power of Thoughtful Responses 26:19 Understanding Teen Brain Development 27:23 Teaching Respect and Empathy Online 28:09 Changing Parent-Teen Relationships 29:08 Engaging in Teen Interests 30:09 Relationship as the Foundation 31:04 Collaborative Parenting and Dialogue 32:00 Resources and Final Tips ABOUT THE SHOW The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. #theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #TeenIndependence #TeenConnection