logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
54m 44s

Raw and Refreshing Advice on Navigating ...

Mel Robbins
About this episode

Lately, I’ve been getting a ton of questions from listeners about how to best support high schoolers and 20-somethings. There are lots of questions about anxiety, peer pressure, and getting young adults to open up. 

So, in this episode, I have a pile of your questions in front of me as my son, Oakley, and I go through them rapid-fire style, so you get both of our perspectives on the topics everyone worries about but is too afraid to talk about.

I have to say, Oakley really showed up for this conversation for you. He has hilarious and heartfelt thoughts on topics he has first-hand experience with. 

We cover it all. From academic pressure to body image to bullying, this conversation is full of tools and strategies and is raw, unfiltered, and filled with relatable stories (and only a few f-bombs).

You will learn:

  • What teens and 20-somethings really need (and don’t need) from their parents.
  • (If you only get one thing from this episode, make it this…) How to encourage the young men in your life to open up.
  • The ONLY thing you need to do when your young adults come home in a bad mood.
  • How to get unhooked from toxic popularity and cliques and find your people in school or in life.
  • 3 smart strategies to use when your child is getting bullied that will strengthen your bond with your kid.
  • An 18-year-old's surprising take on when to give your kid a cellphone.
  • The must-use hacks for introverts who want to be more confident in school.
  • How to get your kid to do chores (and still like you).
  • Strategies for handling your kid’s anxiety without yelling or freaking out.
  • The best way to navigate curfews and late-night parties with your teen.

 

I can’t wait for you to hear this. I loved the questions and the advice. And as a mom, I couldn’t be more proud of Oak for how much wisdom he shared.

I’d love for you to listen with your teens and 20-somethings. In fact, at the end of the episode, Oakley gives specific advice (including exactly what to say) to get your kids to listen. 

Xo, Mel

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • 1:20: Why is it so hard to get my teen to open up to me?
  • 4:00: Your kids need quiet time at these two times of the day.
  • 7:22: Here’s what to say to start a conversation with your child.
  • 9:30: How should your kids handle clique groups?
  • 11:00: How can you tell who "your" people are?
  • 12:15: Three strategies to help your kid deal with hurtful behaviors.
  • 17:30: What teens need (and don’t need) from their parents.
  • 21:45: At what age do you think your teen should have a phone?
  • 23:30: My high school senior has no idea what she wants to major in.
  • 26:00: Two best hacks for introverted teens everywhere.
  • 28:45: How can you help your kids find their friends?
  • 34:00: My teen is a senior in high school, but he still has chores at home.
  • 36:30: Oakley gives you a peek into his own anxiety to help your anxious teen.
  • 41:20: How do you reassure your kid when he’s dyslexic?
  • 42:45: The gold-standard tutoring program we used to help Oakley with his dyslexia.
  • 44:20: Two simple hacks that have made a big difference for Oakley in school.
  • 45:30: The two qualities I think of first when it comes to curfews.
  • 47:00: Here was my #1 desire for my Vermont home when it came to my kids.
  • 49:40: I literally sat Oakley’s friends down and laid down two rules for hanging out.
  • 52:40: So how do you get your teen to listen to this interview?

 

 

Want more resources? Go to my podcast resource page at melrobbins.com/podcast.

 

 

Disclaimer

Up next
Today
You Can Change Your Brain: Neuroscientist Explains How to Rewire Your Mind & Stop Negative Thoughts
After listening to this episode, your brain will not be the same. In this episode, you’ll learn how to stop negative thoughts, heal from past trauma, and reset your mind for peace, focus, and resilience. Today, neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf is here to share her evidence-based, ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 7
Don’t Learn This Too Late: 5 Things Top Heart Surgeon Says You Must Avoid to Live Longer
You’re about to hear what a heart surgeon wishes you knew sooner. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on inside your body, or what habits are silently destroying your heart, this episode could be a lifesaver. Dr. Jeremy London is a renowned heart surgeon with 25 years of ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 3
How to Talk to Difficult People: Proven Strategies to Stop Arguments & Feel Connected Again
This episode is your playbook for having saner, smarter, and more successful conversations, even when you disagree. If every dinner turns into a debate… If you feel like you're having the same argument on repeat… If you're avoiding certain topics, work events, or even your family ... Show More
1h 11m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2023
AP 533: Perfectionism in Parenting Teens: How to Help your Perfectionist Kids, Better Handle your Own Mistakes, and What to do When your Kids Notice That you’re Human || co-interview with Heather Fraz
This week I have a co-interview between me and Heather Frazier, host of the Pivot Parenting podcast. First, I share how I've seen perfectionism affect my experience raising children and also as a middle school teacher. Then, Heather teaches how we can better handle when our teens ... Show More
57 m
May 2023
How to help your kids be more CONFIDENT...
Are you struggling to connect with your children and help them become more confident?  If so, then this episode is for you.As parents, navigating this world of raising kids in the era of TikTok, Instagram and snapchat - can feel overwhelming af. And I get so many messages from pa ... Show More
31m 19s
Jan 2023
What's The Hardest Job of Parenthood? Raising Your Teens to Become Independent
Dr. Mark McConville, author of "Failure to Launch: Why Your Twentysomething Hasn't Grown Up and What to Do About It" shares his wisdom on how to prepare your high schooler to succeed in life.In this episode we talk about...  When to let go of managing your child’s academic perfor ... Show More
43m 20s
Jul 2024
2229: 5 Skills Teens Need For Adulthood & How To Teach Them by Dr. Susan Chanderbhan of ChandPsych on Parenting
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2229:Dr. Susan Chanderbhan offers valuable insights for parents on teaching essential life skills to teens, focusing on budg ... Show More
11m 11s
Apr 2021
Jessica Lahey on Preventing Substance Abuse in Kids
How do we equip kids with the tools they need to avoid substance abuse? How can we identify a teen who is at risk? And what can be done to prevent our young ones from developing dependency issues?Every parent is haunted by these questions, myself included. To get answers, I did w ... Show More
2h 15m
Jun 2021
How to Help our Kids Make Decisions Without Giving Advice with Blimie from Unconditional Parenting
There are going to be many times while raising our kids that they come to us with their problems, and we as parents might feel the need to immediately jump in as Mama Bear and tell them exactly what they need to do. But what if that isn’t what they really need? In this episode, I ... Show More
37m 44s
Mar 2021
Connecting with Our Teenagers with Guest Kirsten Cobabe
I love all things teenager and so does my guest Kristen Cobabe the “teen whisperer”. When I first became a teen I found myself at a loss as to what to do and how to interact with my daughter. It was murky water and I struggled to say the least. But I have found my way and now I a ... Show More
31m 38s
Apr 2019
Lisa Damour, PhD On Parenting Teens Under Pressure
“We run the risk now of raising a generation that is stressed about being stressed, and anxious about being anxious.”Lisa Damour, PhD Today’s expedition takes us into the beautifully mysterious world of parenting, with a specific lens on navigating the perplexing vicissitudes of ... Show More
2h 18m