Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

Do you find yourself reacting quickly when your teen makes a mistake, talks back, or seems unprepared for adulthood? It’s easy for fear and frustration to take over, especially when you’re worried about your teen’s future. But those reactionary moments can make it harder for teens to feel understood, develop confidence, and come to you when they need help. In this episode, Dr. Cam sits down with triple board-certified psychiatrist, pediatrician, and Navy veteran **Dr. R.J. Ledet** to explore how parents can move from reacting to connecting. Together, they discuss why teens still need help learning emotional regulation, how our own childhood experiences influence the way we parent, and why modeling the behavior we expect from our teens matters more than simply demanding it. If you’re ready to communicate with your teen more effectively, reduce unnecessary conflict, and build a relationship rooted in love, respect, and understanding, this episode offers practical strategies to help you get there. **WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE** Why parenting from fear and panic can make communication with your teen more difficult How your own childhood experiences and emotional triggers may influence the way you respond to your teen Why modeling respect and emotional regulation is more powerful than simply demanding it from your teen How pausing, listening, and getting curious can strengthen connection while still maintaining clear expectations 🎧❤️ **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** Dr. Cam’s Free MasterClass: *The Connection Reset* September 17 askdoctorcam.com/reset **CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST:** Dr. R.J. Ledet Website: russolidea.com Instagram: @DrRussellLedet Social Media: @DrRussellLedet Organization: 15 White Coats **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 Modern Parenting Challenges 02:10 Dr. Ledet’s Background and Approach 03:51 Common Mistakes Parents Make with Teens 06:00 The Importance of Self-Awareness in Parenting 08:06 Parenting from a Place of Stress and Responsibility 10:01 Understanding Developmental Stages of Children and Teens 12:09 The Impact of Past Parenting on Current Behavior 14:01 The Role of Modeling and Communication 16:02 The Influence of Social Media and Screens 18:12 Building Trust and Connection with Teens 19:58 Taking Responsibility and Self-Care as a Parent 22:04 The Power of Pausing and Reflection 24:00 Managing Expectations and Responsibility 26:01 Love, Respect, and Understanding in Parenting 27:59 Changing the Narrative: From Control to Connection 29:56 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways **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 parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. 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. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together. #theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #TeenCommunication #ParentingTeens

Parents obsess over teen phone usage, but experts Dr. Cam and Dr. Roseann Capana Hodge reveal the real problem isn’t the device—it’s emotional dysregulation. Teens spend an average of 7.25 hours daily on phones, yet 37 states banning phones in schools misses the point entirely. The core issue: teens use phones to self-soothe and avoid uncomfortable emotions rather than developing genuine coping skills. Passive scrolling, doom-scrolling, and emotional numbing through devices create nervous system dysregulation that worsens mental health long-term—but confiscating phones doesn’t teach kids to regulate themselves.

If your teen argues about everything, it might not be defiance, it might be healthy brain development. Dr. Cam explains why “talking back” can be a sign of critical thinking and connection, plus what to say to keep disagreements respectful without losing your authority.

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If your teen’s “nasty attitude” instantly makes you think disrespect, defiance, or this needs to stop now, this episode will change how you see everything. In this episode, I don’t just explain why this happens, I walk you through the critical choice every parent faces in those heated moments… and how one response builds walls while the other builds trust.