Podcasts by Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting

69 Encore: Lying, Sneaking, Cheating. What Keeps Kids from Being Honest? from 2022-02-22T08:00:27

Nobody likes being lied to especially, especially by our own children. Why do kids lie? Dr. Lisa looks at lying from a developmental standpoint and points out that when a child asks for more pri...

68: How Should Step-Parents Fit In? from 2022-02-15T08:00:47

A step-parent asks for Dr. Lisa’s help as she finds herself parenting three kids under eight, two of them step-children. Should step-parents discipline differently? Dr. Lisa talks about what par...

67: Should My Teen Go to a Sleepover with Her Boyfriend? from 2022-02-08T08:00:24

A parent from Connecticut wants to know if it’s acceptable for her teen to spend the night at her boyfriend’s house. How should parents approach a conversation like this one? What do you do if y...

66: Should I Bribe My Kid? from 2022-02-01T08:00:52

No one wants to be that nagging parent. Dr. Lisa explains how the trickiest transition in parenting might be when nagging no longer works with your teen. At these times, is bribing a good s...

65: My Depressed Teen Refuses Therapy. How Do I Help? from 2022-01-25T08:00:12

What are the signs a teen is suffering from depression and needs help? Dr. Lisa explains what you need to watch for. Reena asks what parents should do if their teen refuses help, and how parents...

64: How Do I Build My Kids' Confidence and Self-Esteem? from 2022-01-18T08:00:39

How do you build confidence in kids? How do you lay the groundwork for better self-esteem? What age does confidence start to plummet in girls? Dr. Lisa and Reena tackle these questions, explain ...

63: Raising an Athlete? Advice from an Olympic Mom. from 2022-01-11T08:00:39

Three-time Olympian and mom of three, Lauren Regula joins Dr. Lisa and Reena to talk about what kids should really be getting out of athletics. How do you help kids make the most of their sports...

62: How Do I Boost Mental Health in 2022? from 2022-01-04T08:00:03

What’s the best way to help boost mental health in 2022? Dr. Lisa walks us through her five mental health resolutions for the new year. Reena asks how we can rethink mental welln...

61: Encore: My Kid Looked at Porn. What Should I Do? from 2021-12-28T08:00:11

This week we present an encore episode of one of our top performing shows. American singer Billi Eilish recently spoke about the devastating effects porn had on her when she was exposed at eleve...

60: How Do We Help Kids Through Divorce? from 2021-12-14T08:00

As divorce numbers rise in the pandemic, we take a closer look at how divorce affects children. Dr. Lisa walks us through how children at different ages process their parents' separation. H...

59: My Daughter Is the Mean Girl. What Do I Do? from 2021-12-07T08:00:29

What if your child is the one who is hurting other kids feelings at school? A concerned mom discovers that her daughter, who has been struggling socially, is pushing peers away by being too...

58: Does My Child Have OCD? from 2021-11-30T08:00:42

How do you know if your child has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? A parent writes in worried about her daughter’s compulsive behavior and anxiety around germs. Dr. Lisa describes OCD, how i...

57: Happy Holidays? Dealing with Difficult Relatives. from 2021-11-23T08:00:41

As we reconnect with family over the holidays how do we deal with difficult relatives? Dr. Lisa explains the importance of crafting a plan that can help navigate what should be a happy time of y...

56: Encore - My Child is Turning Into a Teenager. How Do I Handle It? from 2021-11-16T08:00:54

Managing the teenage years can be overwhelming. Dr. Lisa explains what the toughest year is for teens and why. When kids hit thirteen they often become highly emotional. What happens in the...

55: How Do I Keep My Kids Grounded in a Materialistic World? from 2021-11-09T08:00:18

What should parents do when their kids want to own the same luxury goods that belong to some of their friends and classmates? Dr. Lisa explains how we can respond to requests for expensive ...

54: How and When Do I Give My Kid a Phone? from 2021-11-02T07:00:58

What’s the right age to get your kid a cell phone? Dr. Lisa and Reena look at the research on both sides of the debate. When a parent writes in asking if thirteen might be the right age, Lisa sh...

53: Should I Comment on My Child’s Weight? from 2021-10-26T07:00:03

How do we teach kids healthy eating habits without focusing on calories or portion size? A parent writes in asking for advice about whether she should say something about her daughter's increasi...

Welcome to Ask Lisa! from 2021-10-14T14:20:10

Raising kids can be a bumpy, stressful, and uncertain process – which is why Lisa’s podcast brings her sane, informed, and practical perspective to your timely and timeless parenting questions. ...

Welcome to Ask Lisa! from 2021-10-14T14:20:10

Raising kids can be a bumpy, stressful, and uncertain process – which is why Lisa’s podcast brings her sane, informed, and practical perspective to your timely and timeless parenting questions. ...

51: I Hate Nagging My Kids. What Else Works? from 2021-10-12T07:00:14

At what age should kids be expected to manage their responsibilities without constant reminders? Dr. Lisa explains how parents can help kids remember to do things on their own. What else works b...

50: How Do I Build My Kid’s Confidence and Self-Esteem? from 2021-10-05T07:00:21

Where do confidence and self-esteem come from? What contributes to kids' highs and lows and how can parents help kids build a sturdy sense of self-esteem? Dr. Lisa describes the age at whic...

49: Should My Teen Socialize With Unvaccinated Friends? from 2021-09-28T07:00:21

A Mom writes in from the deep South with concerns about whether to allow her daughter to socialize with a good friend who is unvaccinated. Dr. Lisa discusses the importance of framing the issue ...

48: How Often Should I Be in Touch with My College Freshman? from 2021-09-21T07:00

Getting into college is hard work. So how do you raise kids who will thrive once they get there? Dr. Lisa explains how parents can prepare their kids to succeed when they become independent...

47: Should Teens Be Allowed to Drink at Home? from 2021-09-14T07:00

Dr. Lisa and Reena get a letter from parents who are torn about allowing their underaged child to drink in their home. Dad wants the child to feel comfortable around alcohol, but Mom is not comfort...

46: How Do You Help a Kid Who Shuts You Out? from 2021-09-07T07:00

You’ve heard people say, “I want to get this off my chest,” but what if your kid doesn’t know how to express emotion? How do you get children and teenagers to talk? Dr. Lisa explains the term "e...

45: I Don't Like My Kid's Friends. What Do I Do? from 2021-08-31T07:00

Is it ever too late to help your child rethink a friendship? How do you lay the groundwork to help children choose the right people to be in their lives? Dr. Lisa explains how the friends our ki...

44: Seriously?! How Do I Face Back-to-School 2021? from 2021-08-24T07:00

Dr. Lisa Damour and Reena Ninan kick off Season Two of Ask Lisa by talking about how to cope with another school year under Covid-19. They tackle a letter from a parent seeking advice on how to ...

43: What Should My Kids Do This Summer? from 2021-06-08T07:00

Should we be pushing children and teens to make up for lost learning this summer? Or should we let them call the shots on how they spend their time? What really matters most? Dr. Lisa has advice...

42: How Do I Talk to My Child About Racism? With Special Guest: Emmanuel Acho from 2021-06-01T07:00

Lisa and Reena are joined by guest Emmanuel Acho, former NFL linebacker, current FoxSports analyst, host of the YouTube hit "Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man," and author of a book b...

41: How Do I Help My Kid Find Friends Again? from 2021-05-25T07:00

The pandemic has disrupted our kids' social lives. What can parents do to help a child make new friends if they've withdrawn from their peers? How do we help kids who are reluctant to reach out,...

40: My Kid’s Room Is a Hot Mess. What Should I Do? from 2021-05-18T07:00

Should you be concerned if your child has a messy, disorganized room? A mom emails asking for advice on how to handle a kid's room that feels out of control. Dr. Lisa introduces us to the t...

39: How Do I Get My Kids to Stop Fighting? from 2021-05-11T07:00

After more than a year of being stuck at home in a pandemic, it’s no surprise siblings are getting on each other's nerves. Should parents step in - or step back - when kids start fighting? ...

38: How Do I Teach My Kids About Consent? from 2021-05-04T07:00

Talking to kids about their love lives can be uncomfortable, but discussing consent is one of the most important conversations to have with our children. Dr. Lisa explains why she feels that whe...

37: How Do I Know If My Child Has an Eating Disorder? from 2021-04-27T07:00

Experts are finding that the pandemic has led to an alarming rise in eating disorders. Dr. Lisa explains how eating disorders can sneak up on families and why they can be incredibly harmful. Lis...

36: Helping Kids Manage Grief and Loss from 2021-04-20T07:00

"If the pandemic is about anything, it's about loss,” says Dr. Lisa Damour. Grief can come in different forms - from losing a loved one, to mourning the loss of senior year in high school, to no...

35: Sexy Social Media. Where Should Parents Draw the Line? from 2021-04-13T07:00

How do you talk to kids about social media postings that might cross a line? What's the best way to start a conversation with your sons and daughters about what's too sexy for public consum...

34: How to Raise an Adult from 2021-04-06T07:00

How do you prepare kids for life in the real world? Author Julie Lythcott-Haims joins Lisa and Reena for a conversation on the non-academic skills your children need to succeed as they move into...

33: Encore Podcast: Toolbox for Terrible Times from 2021-03-30T07:00

As we move into the next phase of this pandemic we take listeners back to an encore presentation of "Toolbox for Terrible Times: How to Manage Hopelessness and Helplessness." Lisa offe...

32: Lying, Sneaking, Cheating. What Keeps Kids From Being Honest? from 2021-03-23T07:00

There are many reasons why kids lie to parents. Dr. Lisa gives several explanations for why kids sometimes don’t tell the truth and shares stories from her practice of the difficult scenarios sh...

31: My Kid Looked at Porn. What Should I Do? from 2021-03-16T07:00

Talking to a child about pornography might not be a conversation most parents think of having. However, by the age of sixteen, 90% of kids have looked at porn. Dr. Lisa Damour explains that kids...

30: My Kids & I Have Hit a Wall. How Do We Keep Going? from 2021-03-09T08:00

With the one year anniversary of the pandemic approaching there are reasons to be hopeful. The infection rates are dropping and more vaccines are being distributed. So why do so many people stil...

29: How Do I Get My Kid Into Mindfulness? from 2021-03-02T08:00

Finding time to quiet your mind can have real benefits for you and your child. Author, instructor, mom, and entrepreneur Mallika Chopra is our special guest. She says that meditation isn’t just ...

28: Bored, Sad, & Smoking Weed: How Do We Talk to Kids About Drug Use? from 2021-02-23T08:00

A parent writes in asking for help to address a teenager's marijuana use. Some teens are turning to drugs in this pandemic as they are looking for ways to cope with the sadness and boredom. Dr. ...

27: What Do I Do When Friends and Family Don't Share Our Covid Rules? from 2021-02-16T08:00

Should you speak up when you disagree with the approach other families are taking with their Covid rules? Reena discusses the latest news on the spread of the British mutation and Dr. Lisa descr...

26: My Child is Turning Into a Teenager. How Do I Handle It? from 2021-02-09T08:00

When kids hit thirteen they often become highly emotional. What happens in the brain and the body during this time? Dr. Lisa explains and also talks about the process of "separation-individuatio...

25: How Do I Get My Smelly Teen to Shower? from 2021-02-02T08:00

How do you get kids to understand the importance of hygiene? A mom writes in that her son is making life unbearable at home because he refuses to take regular showers since he has spent much of ...

24: My Daughter Is Questioning Her Gender. What Do I Do? from 2021-01-26T08:00

A single mom writes in feeling worried because her daughter is questioning her gender. Dr. Lisa explains what we understand about gender identity and sexual orientation, and offers advice on wha...

23: I Can’t Make Sense of America. What Do I Tell My Kids? from 2021-01-19T08:00

It’s not always easy to be the grownup in the room. What are the teachable moments for our children as we watch alarming events unfold in Washington DC?

How do you move beyond intense pola...

22: My Kid Hates Remote Learning. What Do I Do? from 2021-01-12T08:00

Parents are finding it hard to get their children to feel motivated about school, especially when they are learning remotely. Dr. Lisa explains strategies that might help and how parents can hel...

21: How Do I Hit the Reset Button for 2021? from 2021-01-05T08:00

Lisa and Reena kick off the new year with a look at positive psychology. What is it and how exactly does it work? How do you stay positive when things aren’t rosy? Reena asks about the psycholog...

20: Kids & Covid: Pediatrician & Covid-19 Expert Dr. Cara Natterson Answers Your Questions from 2020-12-22T08:00

When can your kids get vaccinated? If my child has recovered from Covid-19, how long does immunity last? How do you know when it’s really safe to send your kids back to school?  Lisa and Re...

19: How Will the Pandemic Affect my Child Long-term? from 2020-12-15T08:00

We like to think that time can heal a lot, but when do we need to worry about the pandemic's lasting impact on our children? Lisa introduces us to the concept of “ordinary magic” - protecti...

18: Can Online Socializing Go Too Far? from 2020-12-08T08:00

What’s the limit for children socializing online? Many kids use social media to connect with their friends and as an escape from the monotony of this pandemic. Lisa walks us through the pros and...

17: How Do I Get My Kid To Open Up? from 2020-12-01T08:00

How do you approach your child when you know they may be struggling but won’t open up? Lisa shares what she learned when she asked teens why they sometimes clam up around their parents. Lisa and...

16: How Do You Handle Holidays in a Pandemic? from 2020-11-24T08:00

Navigating the holidays under Covid has its own pressures. A season that should be marked by joy is being met with sadness and loss by so many. Lisa explains how taking time to mourn the tempora...

15: How Has the Pandemic Changed College Admissions? from 2020-11-17T08:00

High school seniors are feeling the disruption of the pandemic as they tackle the college admissions process.  How do we help them manage these uncertain times while they plan the next chap...

14: Dads & Daughters, Mothers & Sons: How Does Gender Shape Parenting? from 2020-11-10T08:00

How do dads differ from moms when it comes to raising kids? Lisa unpacks the research on the different roles each parent plays while pointing out that there are no hard and fast gender lines in ...

13: How Do I Motivate My Kid to Do Homework? from 2020-11-03T08:00

Students are finding it hard to focus on school in the midst of a pandemic. But laying a good foundation for how homework gets done is a skill that can be carried into adulthood. Lisa explains t...

12: What Can Kids Learn from a Tense Election? from 2020-10-27T07:00

How can parents help children cultivate the ability to have tough conversations? How do we teach tolerance? Lisa explains the building blocks of civil discourse and the emotional and development...

11: Where's the Line Between Being Healthy and Having an Eating Disorder? from 2020-10-20T07:00

Eating concerns are an issue in many families, especially during the Coronavirus pandemic. What should a parent look out for? When is it time to be concerned? And what happens in the mind of som...

10: How Do I Parent When I Feel Like I’m Drowning? from 2020-10-13T07:00

Parents are faced with new pressures under Covid-19, and many of us are barely holding it together. When does having personal struggles translate into bad parenting? While it's importa...

9: What to Do When Kids Don’t Listen: Advice for Threenagers to Teenagers from 2020-10-06T07:00

What really works when kids just won’t listen? Dr. Lisa explains there are two different mental states that parents should toggle between — warm parent and robot parent. She explains how cultiva...

8: Apathetic, Cranky, Frustrated: Dealing with Kids' Distress About School from 2020-09-29T07:00

What should parents do when their kids are fed up and unhappy about school? Psychologists are witnessing the rise of emotional distress in children as they try to manage their disrupted academic...

7: When Is Anxiety a Disorder? When Does Sadness Become Depression? from 2020-09-22T07:00

Anxiety often serves as a normal and useful warning system - an emotional alarm that rings when something isn't right. Lisa discusses the difference between healthy and unhealthy anxiety, and ex...

6: Will the Pandemic Disrupt My Kid’s Social Development? from 2020-09-15T07:00

When should parents hit the panic button over their child’s social development? A mom writes in about her shy, introverted teen, wondering if her daughter has enough contact with friends. What k...

5: Toolbox for Terrible Times: Managing Helplessness and Hopelessness from 2020-09-08T07:00

How do we get through the pandemic without losing our minds? Lisa offers parents four distinct tools to help ourselves and our children through these challenging times. The specific tools are "f...

4: Helping Kids Eat Well and Stay Active Under Covid-19 from 2020-09-01T09:00

How do we encourage our kids to be active when they want to couch surf? Lisa tackles a listener’s question about a tween who has become sedentary during the pandemic. As much of the U.S. is gett...

3: How to Deal with Conflict While Stuck at Home from 2020-08-28T07:00

Conflict is unavoidable. Having a strategy can help. Divorce rates have increased in some countries under lockdown from Covid-19. When can a relationship not be repaired? How do we teach our kid...

2: Back to School During Coronavirus from 2020-08-24T07:00

Uncertainty surrounds this school year amid all the Covid-19 news. Dr. Lisa talks about what families need most as they juggle working from home and school. How do you respond when everything se...

1: Parenting During a Pandemic from 2020-08-24T07:00

How can you tell when your child is not coping well during this Covid-19 pandemic? Dr. Lisa breaks down what to watch for in a child’s behavior. How much screen time is bad for a child’s brain? ...

Trailer from 2020-07-29T20:32:15

Welcome to ASK LISA: The parenting podcast co-hosted by psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour and journalist Reena Ninan.

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