Parenting teenagers untangled. 🏆 Your Weekly Hug

• Drugs: How and why it's vital to talk about them now, with Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?To lose a child is one of the worst things any of us an imagine. To lose him at 16 to a recreational drug is an unbearable pain. That's what happened to Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE, but she has turned her pain into an incredible quest to turn her 'I wish I'd known', suffering into a book, a drugs education foundation, and support for all of us parents so we never have to go through the pain she has suffered. In this incredible conversation, Fiona discusses the importance of drug education, the prevalence of drug use among youth, and the need for better parental awareness and conversations. She emphasizes the significance of understanding drug effects, the rise of synthetic drugs like spice and THC vapes, and the impact of drug use on mental health and addiction. Fiona also highlights the role of peer influence and the importance of providing youth with positive alternatives to drug use, such as sports and community activities.Fiona Spargo-Mabbs OBE: www.dsmfoundation.org.ukIf you would like more detail, including a printable PDF covering the important lessons of this episode, join The Big Hug community at: teenagersuntangled.substack.comHere are just 10 of the things we discuss in this episode:Most teenagers will face a drug-related decision by age 15, even if they don't use drugs themselvesThe adolescent brain is more vulnerable to drug harm and addiction because it's arleady undergoing to rigorous rewiringModern drugs are significantly stronger and more dangerous than in previous generationsPeer pressure can be positive - teens can help each other make safer choicesHaving pre-planned "escape strategies" and reasons to say no can help teenagers avoid risky situationsConnection and positive activities (sports, music, volunteering) are powerful alternatives to drug useParents should have frequent, short conversations about drugs rather than one big intimidating talkSynthetic drugs like spice can be extremely dangerous, with one in six school vapes potentially containing harmful substancesUnderstanding how drugs actually work in the brain helps teenagers make more informed decisionsThe most effective approach is being a supportive, non-judgmental parent who provides reliable information and creates a safe space for honest conversationsCTA - Follow, Five Stars, ReviewSupport the showPlease hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

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• Grief, university, rules and consequences, raising boys, chores and phones. Community Catch Up

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?For this Sunday catch up I was joined by Susie Asli to discuss the challenges of parenting during times of personal loss, such as the death of a pet or a parent. We share our experiences of our children’s different reactions to grief and the importance of allowing them to grieve in their own ways. We also talk about the transition to university, the generational differences in parenting, and the importance of respecting teenagers’ independence.I introduced a new app called Foqos, which helps manage device usage, and emphasised the need for parents to model good behavior and maintain open communication with their children.Full episode links, and other details, will be available to Substack subscribersteenagersuntangled.substack.comCTA - Follow, Five Stars, ReviewSupport the showPlease hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

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• Preventing our kids from developing eating disorders, with food psychologist Dr Anna Colton. 162

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Whatever food fears we've inherited, or learned, will be passed on to our kids unless we understand and challenge our beliefs, according to food psychologist, Dr Anna Colton. As she rightly points out, fear-mongering about killer bars or toxic foods is way more dangerous, long-term, than the food itself.In this episode we talk openly about my own struggles with my family's attitude to food, and Dr Colton explains in detail why it's way better to prevent our kids developing issues than it is to deal with the terrifying results of an eating disorder.As she says: 'Eating disorders really do kill.'She wants to help us parents raise a generation that trusts their bodies and enjoys food without guilt, fear or shame.In this episode we talk about how to:Recognize early signs of disordered eatingSpeak neutrally about food and body imageProtect your children from harmful diet culture messagingUnderstand the complex factors behind eating disordersCreate a supportive home environment that promotes healthy eating habitsThe shocking study that proved anorexia is cause by weight loss.Whether you're parenting teens, tweens, or younger children, this episode offers practical strategies to help your kids develop a positive relationship with food and their bodies. Dr. Colton's expert advice will empower you to break generational cycles of unhealthy attitudes about eating and self-image.Dr Anna Coltonhttps://www.dranna.co.ukhttps://www.instagram.com/the_food_psychologist/BOOKS:  How to Talk to Children about Food by Dr Anna ColtonAnorexia and Other Eating Disorders: How to Help Your Child Eat Well and be Well by Eva MusbyGood Girl by Hadley FreemanEPISODES:Body image: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/body-image-and-chores-helping-teenagers-to-develop-a-positive-body-image-also-getting-your-teena/Healthy Eating:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/screens-and-teens-heres-how-to-help-them-and-yourself-manage-your-time-also-can-we-talk-about-h/Bigorexia: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/feeding-your-teen-control-issues-and-bigorexia/Does my teen need to lose weight: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/diet-does-my-teen-need-to-lose-weight-how-to-navigate-diet-culture-with-elyse-resch/Eating Disorders: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/eating-disorders-an-interview-with-beat-representative-umairah-malik-what-we-parents-need-to-know/Support the showPlease hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

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• Oxford University, Screen Time, Homework and Listener Letter: School Refusal

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?teenagersuntangled.substack.comScreen Time Study:https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-24348-001.htmlDr Naomi Fisher:https://naomifisher.co.uk/School Avoidance:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/school-avoidance-what-to-do-if-your-teen-is-missing-school/The Disengaged Teen:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/122-how-to-get-our-teens-to-love-learning-and-why-parents-are-the-missing-piece-of-the-puzzle/Anxiety:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/anxiety-in-teenagers-also-rules-and-how-to-set-ones-your-teens-will-follow/Andrew Hampton:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/114-friendships-frenemies-and-boy-banter-parenting-our-teens-through-the-relationship-pitfalls/Ned Johnson:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/stop-pushing-your-kids-the-link-to-success-resilience-and-reduced-stress-with-ned-johnson/Dr Greg Walton:https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/145-spot-magic-moments-that-can-set-up-a-lifetime-of-success-with-advice-from-one-of-psychology/Support the showPlease hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

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• Stop pushing your kids: The science of success, resilience, and reduced stress with Ned Johnson. 161

  What do you think of this episode? Do you have any topics you'd like me to cover?Is your kid stressed or lacking motivation? What if the antidote was pushing them less and giving them more of a sense of control over their lives? It doesn't mean giving up your authority as a parent. As elite teen coach, Ned Johnson, explains the science tells us we can help our child sculpt a brain that is resilient, and ready to take on new challenges if we stop taking over.In his practice he uses science, behavioural therapy and extensive case studies to offer help kids who're struggling with stress, anxiety, or lack of motivation.His mantra is that as parents, we need to get out of our kids' way. We can only drive our kids so far. At some point, they will have to take control over their own path and our job is to help them develop the skills to do that. Introducing technology to teenagers: My Substack Big Hug GuideLearned Helplessness at Fifty: Insights from Neurosciencehttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4920136/Failure to Launch: Ken Rabow https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/failure-to-launch-what-we-can-learn-from-struggling-young-adults-about-how-to-help-our-teens/Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by Dr. John Ratey.The Tech Exit book: https://www.sheldonpress.co.uk/titles/clare-morell/the-tech-exit/9781399828208/Never Enough book: https://www.jenniferbwallace.com/about-never-enough10-25: The Science of Motivating Young People: https://www.teenagersuntangled.com/motivation-how-to-motivate-your-teenager-and-why-blame-and-shame-doesnt-work/Intrinsic Motivation and Positive Development: Reed Larson https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23259190/Default Mode Network:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26168472/Ned on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theothernedjohnson/video/7005943445646855429?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=enSupport the showPlease hit the follow button if you like the podcast, and share it with anyone who might benefit. You can review us on Apple podcasts by going to the show page, scrolling down to the bottom where you can click on a star then you can leave your message. I don't have medical training so please seek the advice of a specialist if you're not coping. My email is [email protected] And my website has a blog, searchable episodes, and ways to contact me:www.teenagersuntangled.com Find me on Substack Teenagersuntangled.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/teenagersuntangled/Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/teenagersuntangled/You can reach Susie at www.amindful-life.co.uk

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