What Teens Wish Their Parents Knew: Creating Open Dialogues

In this episode of theWhere Parents Talk podcast, host Lianne Castelino speaks to Michael Chiasson — speaker, musician, writer, and author of Things We Wish Our Parents Knew.

Drawing on 20+ years of speaking to youth across North America, Chiasson shares lessons from thousands of anonymous letters written by teens about what they wish their parents understood.

Discover what today’s young people are truly trying to say — about love, loneliness, expectations, and the need to be seen and heard. Learn how to build emotional safety, encourage open communication, and nurture deeper connection with your tween, teen, or young adult.

Takeaways:

• Navigating the complexities of parenting today requires acknowledging the significant hormonal changes teens undergo, impacting their emotional health and communication.
• Understanding device usage and its impact on emotional health is crucial for fostering independence and healthy relationships among young people.
• Creating open lines of communication is key to combating bullying and ensuring teens feel safe discussing consent and relationships with their parents.
• Parents must recognize that social media plays a substantial role in their children's lives, influencing their mental health and self-esteem.
• Discipline should be balanced with empathy, allowing space for teens to express their feelings and fostering an environment of trust and understanding.
• Encouraging teens to share their thoughts anonymously can yield insights into their emotional struggles, helping parents guide them through challenging times.

Links referenced in this episode:

• whereparentstalk.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Things We Wish Our Parents Knew

This podcast is for parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to learn proven strategies and trusted tips on raising kids, teens and young adults based on science, evidenced and lived experience.

You’ll learn the latest on topics like managing bullying, consent, fostering healthy relationships, and the interconnectedness of mental, emotional and physical health.