Are today’s teenagers really as disconnected, anxious, and screen-addicted as the headlines make them seem? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith take a more hopeful look at what is going well with this generation and why the kids really are alright. They discuss declining rates of risky behavior, the ways young people are becoming more open about mental health, and how today’s teens are often more comfortable talking about identity, inclusion, and social responsibility. They also explore how teenagers today are often more connected to their parents, more willing to have real conversations, and more interested in making a difference than simply chasing money or status. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about why parents, educators, and anyone working with teenagers should pause to notice what is working, and remember that there is still plenty of hope for the future.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:01:25] The motivation behind today’s topic: what is going well with teens today.
• [0:03:03] How risky behaviors like drinking, drug use, sex, and teen pregnancy have declined.
• [0:06:01] Hear how teens are more open about mental health and learning differences.
• [0:06:43] Find out how teens are more aware of identity and inclusion.
• [0:08:13] Understand how young people see justice, equity, and accessibility.
• [0:09:24] Discover why teens see fewer barriers to investing and business.
• [0:10:34] Explore how the internet has helped teens find and create opportunities.
• [0:11:05] Learn why community engagement is common for many teens.
• [0:12:34] Unpack why teens today are closer to their parents.
• [0:14:58] Simple actions for parents to highlight their teen’s positive behaviour.
• [0:16:20] Uncover how college pressure can make parents overlook what is going well.
• [0:17:36] Why Cathy and Meredith feel hopeful about today’s teenagers.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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One of the biggest parts of the college application process is the personal statement, and it has the potential to cause the most amount of stress for students! Today on Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we are giving you a behind-the-scenes look into our Summer College Essay Intensive. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about why the states are high for this assignment, why we have decided to do a workshop to support students with their essays, what the workshop entails, and so much more! We delve into why we get students to look at case studies before breaking down the different ways Meredith and Cathy approach college essays and how they make such a great team. We even touch on the importance of making this essay personal and how we help the students make it unique. Finally, we explain why we make our students revise their essays multiple times until they’re strong personal statements that will help them get into college. To hear all this and find out how to join the workshop, be sure to press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:01:22] Today’s topic: Insight into the Summer College Essay Intensive.
• [0:03:40] Why we do a workshop for kids to help them with essay writing.
• [0:06:59] Breaking down the structure of this workshop from days one to four.
• [0:10:34] How we help the students come up with a topic and why it’s difficult.
• [0:16:00] Why Meredith and Cathy are the ‘Yin and Yang’ of college essay writing.
• [0:18:50] The importance of making this statement deeply personal.
• [0:23:36] Why the strength in essays comes out through repetition.
• [0:28:23] How to enroll your kids in the workshop.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Summer College Essay Intensive

Email us: hello@wespeakteen.com

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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We’re told to pump up teens’ self-esteem—but that stuff is flimsy, more like a quick dopamine snack than a solid meal. One bad grade or missed hangout and poof, it’s gone. What actually sticks? Self-worth—the quiet, stubborn belief that they matter no matter what. Join Meredith and Cathy on today’s episode as they dig into managing a child who doesn’t seem to like themselves. They look at the difference between self-esteem and self-worth, unpack the signs of a child with an underdeveloped sense of self-worth, and share examples of how people-pleasing behaviors show up in adolescence. They also examine how well-meaning parenting can accidentally reinforce low self-worth and share thoughtful ways to help kids develop self-worth that holds steady through life’s ups and downs.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:00:50] Introduction and welcome to another episode!
• [0:01:30] A thought exercise to kick off today’s topic.
• [0:02:40] Today’s focus: managing a child with low self-esteem.
• [0:03:45] The difference between self-esteem and self-worth.
• [0:06:50] Signs that a child has an underdeveloped sense of self-worth.
• [0:11:30] How people-pleasing behaviors can show up in adolescence.
• [0:13:45] Examples of parental participation that reinforce low self-worth.
• [0:19:25] Praising your child for who they are (not what they did/do).
• [0:20:00] What parents can do to build self-worth.
• [0:27:50] The importance of paying close attention to your child’s temperament.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Mental Health Red Flags (Episode with Cristina Perez)

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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