Middle schoolers are like toddlers: developmental empathy for teens
Jenny shares a Psychology Today-style insight that middle schoolers grow as fast as toddlers, so misbehavior often means they need a snack or a nap, illustrated by her son Silas and a camp kid who calmed down after being fed. Emily adds that angsty teens provoke shock-and-awe to get attention and need to be heard; she tells of defusing a group by sharing her own high-school story. The hosts agree not to talk down to teens, and a host tells the story of a youth-group kid who stole seven sodas and was met with level, expectant love instead of shaming.
More on Parenting
-
Dear LFTP: Champ the untrained dog and holding boundaries with your son
- How do I handle my son bringing his untrained dog Champ on our weekend grandson visits?
Mike reads the second letter: the writer hosts weekend grandson visits where her son Dennis brings Champ, an untrained destructive puppy that runs wild, barks, and digs.
From No. 586 · Nothing Personal
-
Dear LFTP: wife mocks husband's bladder problem in public
- How should I respond when my wife mocks me and my bladder problem in public?
Mike reads a letter from a man married three years whose wife calls him vulgar names in public and makes his bladder-control problem into comedy.
-
Dear LFTP: the birthday invitations
- Should parents be allowed to send birthday invitations to school when only select students are invited?
Mike reads the second letter: the parent of a special-needs pre-K child saw a Facebook group post exposing that her daughter was excluded from a birthday party.
From No. 574 · Starring Ted Danson as Joab
-
Dear LFTP: Cindy's baby name ideas
- What should I do about my friend's terrible baby name choices?
Mike reads a letter from Dave about his longtime friend Cindy, six months pregnant, who keeps proposing names like chlamydia, bidet, chalet, and cliche because they sound pretty regardless of meaning.