Christina King: Parenting Tween Girls
As a teenager, Christina King looked like she was doing everything right — she had good grades, played sports, took advanced classes. But when her mom paused during an argument and asked, “Are you happy?” it changed the course of her life. Today, Christina is a therapist specializing in tween and teen girls, and she shares what’s really happening in the teenage brain, why emotional ups and downs are often developmentally normal, and how parents can stay connected during one of the most intense seasons of growing up.
Note: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. It includes discussion of teen mental health, including self-harm, in the context of helping parents understand and respond.
Hear Christina talk about:
The question that led her to therapy as a teen
What "all gas, no brakes" means for the adolescent brain
Why emotional volatility can be a healthy sign
Tween girl friendship dynamics and indirect aggression
Social media, comparison culture, and feeling left out
The difference between venting mode and problem-solving mode
Why parents should depersonalize their teen's emotions
Mentioned in this episode:
Inside Out 2 (when discussing adolescent emotions)
“I say with teens that sometimes it’s like all gas, no brakes.”
Episode 28 Notes
Coming soon.