Navigating Hard Conversations: Talking to Teens About Family Illnesses

Teenagers are incredible observers — even when we think they’re not noticing, they probably are. In this heartfelt episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, we explore the importance of honest, relationship-building conversations when a parent or family member faces a significant medical illness.

Join us as we discuss:

💬 Why being transparent with teens about health issues can foster trust and connection
🤔 How to approach tough conversations with clarity and care, especially around diagnoses like Parkinson’s or other serious conditions
💡 The benefits of sharing age-appropriate information and inviting questions—helping your teen feel less alone and more supported
🌱 Why embracing the hard moments and talking openly can strengthen family bonds and build resilience

Whether you’re navigating a health crisis or just want to learn how to talk to your teen about difficult topics, this episode offers practical tips and compassionate insights to guide you through those challenging discussions.

Tune in for honest advice, real stories, and a reminder that even the hardest conversations can bring us closer together.

🎧 Listen now and discover how to turn tough talks into opportunities for connection and growth.

In this essential episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen tackle one of the most difficult—and important—questions parents ask: What should I do if my teen talks about suicide?

Drawing on clinical expertise, they break down:

• Why talking about suicide doesn’t increase risk—and how it can actually be protective.
• Common signs that a teen may be struggling, even if they don’t say the word “suicide”.
• What to say in the moment if you are concerned or your teen shares this with you.
• How to offer presence, hope, and support without needing all the answers.
• The power of circling back if a first conversation didn’t go well.

This conversation is about building greater understanding, openness and connection—so you can show up for your teen when it matters most.

Important Reminder: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you’re concerned about your child’s safety or mental health, seek support from a qualified professional.

In this insightful and down-to-earth episode, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen tackle a question that resonates with many parents of tweens and teens: "Why should I give my teenager more freedom and autonomy when they don’t seem responsible yet?"

Through relatable stories, real-life examples, and evidence-based psychology, Annalise and Suzanne explore the tension between a teen's need for independence and a parent's instinct to protect and control. They offer a compelling breakdown of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional autonomy, and how fostering each one can strengthen your relationship and support your teen’s development.

Listeners will learn:

• The difference between authoritative and authoritarian parenting—and why the former is linked to better outcomes.
• How to build trust and guide teens without defaulting to “yes” or “no” answers.
• How to use everyday conversations to nurture independence in safe, manageable ways.
• Why respecting your teen’s thoughts and emotions matters just as much as setting clear boundaries.
• Practical takeaways to support your teen’s decision-making and self-reliance.

This episode offers a roadmap for encouraging autonomy while still staying connected, involved, and supportive. Whether you're negotiating curfews, driving privileges, or the teen social scene, this is essential listening for parents navigating the complex terrain of adolescence.

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Listener Question?

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Teens make mistakes. Adults do too! But why do these slip-ups hit us parents so hard?

In this episode, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen unpack the root causes of teenage missteps—and the often emotional responses parents have in return. With clinical wisdom and a hilarious personal story involving used cigarette butts, they help us reframe these moments not as crises, but as crucial parts of development.

You’ll learn:

• Why your teen’s risky or confusing behavior is often developmentally normal.
• How parental anxiety and societal pressure crank up our reactions.
• How to ground yourself with compassion instead of control.
• What to do when mistakes feel overwhelming—or public.

This episode helps you zoom out, breathe, and respond with clarity and care so that you can provide effective support to your teen while building your relationship.

Want More?

Follow us on Instagram for more practical parenting insights: @theparentingpair

Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.theparentingpair.com for more support and resources.

Listener Question?

We’d love to hear from you: hello@theparentingpair.com

In this inaugural episode, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen—both child and adolescent clinical psychologists—take a fresh look at adolescence. They challenge the cultural narrative that the teen years are inherently difficult and reframe it through a compassionate, developmentally informed lens. With personal anecdotes, clinical wisdom, and a touch of humor, the hosts set the tone for what’s to come: practical, science-backed parenting insights for raising tweens and teens.

In this episode, they will discuss:

• How fear or worry can lead parents to jump to unhelpful conclusions about their teens
• Why understanding adolescent development helps parents stay more regulated
• Viewing teenagers through a developmental lens to help support their growth
• How knowledge can reduce parenting burnout and lead to more grounded, intentional responses
• How to respond to our fears as parents with curiosity and fewer overreactions

Follow us on Instagram for more practical parenting insights: @theparentingpair

Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter at www.theparentingpair.com for more support and resources.

Have a question that you would love to hear us address? Email us at hello@theparentingpair.com