Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

In this episode we dive into a concerning trend: teen school refusal. Following the pandemic, school avoidance cases have doubled, escalating into a crisis that affects families across the nation. If you're worried that your teen’s increasing absences will impact their academic performance, social development, and mental well-being, you’re in the right place. Joining us is an esteemed expert, Dr. Jennifer Bienstock. As a licensed psychologist and Director of Clinical Training at the Center for Anxiety & Behavioral Change in Rockville, MD, Dr. Bienstock is here to explain this concerning issue, and how parents can best support teenagers struggling with school avoidance.   Resources Mentioned in This Episode FREE Guide: Dr. Cam’s 10 Pro Tips for Raising Teens   Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.

If you are worried or fed up with your teen’s digital addiction, this episode is for you. We are all painfully aware of the impact that excessive screen time and constant connectivity has on our teen’s mental health, focus, and resiliency. However, we also know that technology is tightly woven into every aspect of our lives and has transformed the way we live, work, learn, and connect. Our job as parents is to find the balance between embracing the benefits of technology and safeguarding our children’s mental and emotional well-being. Not an easy line to walk! In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by school principal Dr. Michael Gaskell to discuss how we can help our teens navigate through the digital noise and reverse its impact on their wellness, focus, and resilience.  Dr. Gaskell has written several articles on the topic of digital disruption and its effects on students. He has also discussed the importance of supporting teachers in dealing with the disruptions caused by technology and how administrators can help them in this regard. He currently writes a monthly column in ASCD Smartbrief, presents at national conferences, and has published three books: Radical Principals, Leading Schools Through Trauma, and Microstrategy Magic.    Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.

To the horror of parents worldwide, human trafficking is a growing problem. According to the latest stats, 400,000 minors are trafficked annually. Those at most risk are adolescent girls who are craving attention or have low self-esteem. In this episode we talk about how to keep our daughters safe. Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. John DeGarmo, the founder and director of The Foster Care Institute. As foster parents, he and his wife have had over 60 children come through their home. He is also an international consultant to schools, legal firms, and foster care agencies and the author of several books, including The Little Book of Foster Care Wisdom. Dr. John has appeared on Good Morning, America, CNN, NBC, and FOX.  He and his wife have received many awards, including the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award. Dr. John tells us parents what we need to know about human trafficking and keeping our kids safe.    Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.

Do you dread your teen’s emotional outbursts? Is it difficult to calm them down once they get riled up? Do you want to end the exhausting fights and power struggles? Then this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Lawyer-Turned-Peacemaker, Douglas E. Noll. Doug is the co-founder of Prison of Peace, author of several books including De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less, and the creator of the Noll Affect Labeling System. He currently trains inmates in maximum-security prisons to be peacemakers and mediators.  Douglas is going to teach us how to use his method with our teenagers so we can have some peace at home once and for all.    Resources Mentioned in This Episode FREE eBOOK: How to Listen Others Into Existence  FREE Guide: Dr. Cam’s 10 Pro Tips for Raising Teens   Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.

Dr. Cam talks with Ivy, a college student and artist who identifies as nonbinary. They discuss the challenges faced by nonbinary teens, including mental health issues and lack of support. Ivy emphasizes the importance of finding solace within LGBTQ+ communities and engaging in activism. The podcast explores the significance of listening without judgment and supporting kids' gender identity. It also highlights the role of open conversations and parental support in creating a safe environment for nonbinary teens.

Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of teenagers coming out as transgender. To skeptical parents, this is often perceived as a concerning trend fueled by social media and easily influenced teenage brains. To gender identity experts, it is attributed to increased awareness and understanding of gender diversity and the growing platforms that enable teens to find resources, support, and connections with others who have similar experiences. Regardless of what you believe, if your teen is questioning their identity, how you respond as a parent can have an enormous impact on their long-term mental health and well-being. In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. Ronnie Gladden, an international speaker, actor, and tenured college professor who speaks regularly about identity, diversity, and inclusion for K-12 schools, universities, and nonprofits. They are also the author of White Girl Within: Letters of Self-Discovery Between a Transgender and Transracial Black Man and His Inner Female. Dr. Ronnie helps us navigate some of the complexities of gender identity and provides guidance on how to best support teens who identify as transgender. Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe

Teen’s are infamous for their risky behavior and questionable choices. It actually reflects healthy brain development (believe it or not). But when it comes to behavior that has serious repercussions like substance use, fighting, shoplifting, and truancy, we need to step in. Our instinct is to lay down the law and pile on the restrictions. But more often than not, that strategy backfires in the long run. So what do we do to keep our kids safe?  In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Bobby Huntley, the Superintendent and Pastor of Test of Faith Ministries in Virginia Beach. He served in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 19 years as a Security Assistant, In School Suspension Coordinator and Dean of Students / Work Adjustment Teacher. He was also the Director of The Gentlemen's Club, an after school mentoring program for boys. Bobby provides guidance for addressing risky teen behavior in a way that keeps them safe AND builds trust, connection, and respect.   Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it with a friend.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast right here on YouTube!

Is your teen’s self-esteem in the dumps? Do your attempts to build up their confidence often land flat? If so, this episode is for you. In this episode, Dr. Cam is joined by Dr. Shainna, a mental health counselor and the author of The Self-Love Workbook for Teens. Dr. Shainna is passionate about destigmatizing mental health counseling and helping individuals worldwide recognize the importance of fostering mental wellness. She has been featured on ABC, CBS, NPR, the Washington Post, to name a few. Dr. Shainna teaches us some strategies for cultivating our children’s self-worth.   Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Mental Wellness Practice podcast   The Self Love Workbook for Teens The Self Love Workbook  Dr. Cam’s Top 10 Secrets for Raising Teens   Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.

Does the amount of time your teenager spends on their phone, playing video games, or scrolling through Tik Tok drive you mad? Do they go ballistic when you try to pry them away or even hint at doing something different? Then this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Amanda Giordano, Associate Professor of Counseling at the University of Georgia and author of A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions and Addictions Counseling: A Practical Approach. Dr. Giordano is a prolific scholar in the field of addictions counseling and currently has authored 58 journal articles and book chapters. In addition, Dr. Giordano frequently presents on topics related to behavioral addictions both domestically and internationally.  Dr. Giordano tells us what parents need to know about adolescent behavioral addiction and provides tips on how to address it. Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.

If your teen gets easily overwhelmed or freezes when they need to make a decision, this episode is for you. In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Juliana Negreiros and Dr. Katherine Martinez, psychologists and co-authors of Your anxious mind: A teen’s guide to anxiety and panic and Getting uncomfortable with uncertainty for Teens. We’re going to discuss how we can help our teens learn to manage their anxiety and stress through coping, problem-solving, and focusing on where they want to go.      3 Big Takeaways: Understanding that uncertainty takes the central stage of a teen’s life is key to helping them make room for and cope with it.  Teens need validation before we start problem-solving.  When our kids understand their passions, being brave and facing their fears becomes a lot easier Effective parenting starts with the end: we need to take the time to understand where we want our kids to end up so we can know where to begin.  Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.