How do we help our high-achieving teens navigate the relentless pressure and beauty standards of a digital world? Between academic demands, athletic performance, and the curated perfection of social media, today’s teenagers face unprecedented challenges regarding their body image and self-esteem.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we sit down with Leslie Rose-Dethloff, a master-certified health, life, and nutrition coach specializing in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Leslie shares her expert insights on how parents can support their teens and college students in building a foundation of confidence and sustainable health.

• The Impact of Technology and Social Media: Explore how a highly technical world and constant exposure to screens affect teen body image, self-esteem, and confidence.
• Identifying Disordered Eating: Learn to recognize abnormal behaviors like restrictive dieting, binging, or cutting out entire food groups to control weight.
• The Shift from Manager to Mentor: Discover how to transition your parenting style from managing your teen's life to walking side-by-side with them as they gain independence.
• The Freshman Formula: Essential preparation for high school seniors to manage lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and dining hall options before launching into college.

How do I know if my teen's sugar consumption is a problem? It becomes a concern when the behavior is frequent, consistent, and begins replacing normal, healthy meals. Rather than strictly taking sugar away, parents should focus on shifting a teen's mindset to see food as nourishment and fuel.

What should I say if I notice my teen is dieting or cutting out food? Step in early and create a safe, non-judgmental space by using curious language. You might say, "I noticed you’ve been eating differently lately and cutting out carbohydrates; I’m curious what’s going on and how I can support you?"

Meet Our Expert:

Leslie Rose-Dethloff is a master-certified health, life, and nutrition coach who helps teens, college students, and parents overcome challenges related to weight, eating, and negative body image. Through approachable mindset shifts and sustainable lifestyle practices, she empowers the next generation to launch into adulthood with confidence.

• Website: LeslieRoseCoaching
• Instagram: @leslierosecoaching
• Freshman Formula: Healthy Lifestyle Habits To Thrive At College

Connect with Laura:

• Free Webinar: Get Through May Without Losing Your Joy, Your Mind, Or Yourself
• Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching
• Rate this podcast!

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom podcast, host Laura Ollinger explores the critical need for mental health literacy to support the emotional well-being of today's teenagers. You will learn how to distinguish between normal adolescent stress and clinical symptoms, providing a roadmap for parents and educators to foster resilience and grit in their children.

Discover actionable strategies for breaking the silence around suicide prevention and removing the stigma of asking for help. We also introduce the MindMap app, a free tool thanks to the generosity of Engage and Heal, designed to give teens and parents immediate access to evidence-based mental health resources and local professional support.

• Defining Mental Health Literacy: Understanding the difference between a temporary feeling, like test anxiety, and a clinical diagnosis.
• The Power of Resilience: Why moving away from "lawnmower parenting" helps teenagers learn from mistakes and build essential life skills.
• Identifying Red Flags: How to spot "triggers" in high-achieving teens, such as sudden changes in athletic status or academic performance.
• Effective Communication: Techniques for active listening that ensure your teenager actually feels heard.
• The MindMap App: How this digital platform provides free, evidence-based modules on coping and thriving for teens.

• What is the difference between a teen being "anxious" and having an anxiety disorder?
• How should a parent respond when a teenager starts sharing their feelings?
• Does talking about suicide "give" a teenager the idea?

Kathleen Hassenfratz is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and co-founder of Engage and Heal. She is a leading advocate for mental health literacy in Texas, serving on the Mental Health Literacy Collaborative’s Interstate Workgroup to integrate these vital concepts into schools and communities.

• Website: engageandheal.org
• Instagram: @engageandheal
• App: Download the MindMap App for free mental health modules and resources.

Resources From Laura Ollinger

• Free Webinar: Get Through May Without Losing Your Joy, Your Mind, Or Yourself
• Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching
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Is your high-conflict divorce taking a toll on your relationship with your child? It is heartbreaking for any parent of a teen to feel like they are being pushed out of their child's life, especially when it feels like the other parent is pulling the strings. In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, host Laura Olinger—a dedicated teen and parent well-being coach—interviews groundbreaking expert Ginger Gentile to uncover the painful reality of child estrangement and how to find a path back to connection.

Laura knows that the teen years are already a whirlwind of identity seeking and social pressure. When a difficult split adds emotional triangulation to the mix, the results can be devastating. She sits down with Ginger to provide parents with a toolkit for navigating these "resist and refuse" dynamics and breaking the cycle of family conflict.

In this episode of The Positively Healthy Mom, we discuss:

• The Alienation Spectrum: Identifying parental alienation, emotional triangulation, and the subtle "micro-actions" that cause a teen to pull away.
• The Victim Trap: How the "spiral of instability" can make a rejected parent look "unstable" in the eyes of the court and professionals.
• The "Unbothered" Strategy: Why processing your pain in private and staying calm in public is the most effective way to protect your parental rights.
• Why Teenagers Take Sides: The specific reasons older children are often easier to alienate, including the "reward" of a lack of rules or the material item they’ve been wanting.

Why do teenagers take sides in divorce? Teenagers often take sides due to a combination of social pressure and a search for autonomy. In high-conflict situations, a teen may align with one parent to simplify a complex emotional environment or because they receive "rewards," such as fewer boundaries or more freedom.

What are the signs of parental alienation? Parental alienation often manifests through "micro-actions" rather than one single event. Signs include a teen calling a parent by their first name instead of "Mom" or "Dad," a parent hiding gifts or letters from the other side, or one parent constantly pointing out the other’s flaws to the teen.

How can I stop my teenager from pulling away after a divorce? To stop a teen from pulling away, a parent must pivot from a "fix-it" or "victim" mindset to an "unbothered" approach. This involves regulating your own emotional pain response so that you remain a calm, safe harbor for your child.

Ginger Gentile is a groundbreaking expert and the director of the documentary Erasing Family. Her mission is to provide proven strategies and compassionate guidance to help parents heal and reconnect with their children.

Learn more about about Ginger Gentile at: https://reversingparentalalienation.com
Connect with Ginger on Instagram @erasingfamily
Watch Ginger on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@erasingfamily

Connect with Laura:

• Free Webinar: Get Through May Without Losing Your Joy, Your Mind, Or Yourself
• Instagram: @positivelyhealthycoaching
• Rate This Podcast!