Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

If it feels like every conversation with your teen turns into a debate… you’re not alone.

In this episode, Dr. Cam flips the script on what “talking back” really means. What if your teen’s arguing isn’t disrespect… but development? What if those debates are actually signs of growing critical thinking, identity formation, and moral reasoning?

You’ll learn why shutting down arguments with “because I said so” may create more power struggles, not fewer—and how to transform daily battles into opportunities to build confidence, connection, and real-life skills.

If you’re tired of feeling like the bad guy every time your teen pushes back, this episode will help you respond with clarity, authority, and calm—without losing your leadership.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why teen arguing is often a sign of healthy brain development—not defiance

The hidden cost of “because I said so” parenting

How to separate disagreement from disrespect

The difference between debatable topics and non-negotiable boundaries

Phrases that keep conversations open without giving up authority

How healthy arguing prepares teens to resist peer pressure and advocate for themselves

 

RELATED EPISODES IN THIS SERIES
This episode is part of the series:

“7 Teen Behaviors Parents Often Punish That Are Actually Signs of Healthy Development.”

Be sure to check out:

Episode 269: Attitude, eye rolls, and tone as signs of developing nervous systems

Episode 271: Why teens resist chores (missing skills vs. laziness)

Upcoming: Acting selfish and entitled as healthy development

RESOURCE MENTIONED
The COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program
A step-by-step system for parents who are tired of constant power struggles and second-guessing themselves.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

Stay in charge without escalating

Allow disagreements without losing authority

Respond with clarity instead of reacting in frustration

Learn more at:
https://www.askdrcam.com/collaboratemethod

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?

Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫
🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam

EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Healthy Development Behaviors
01:18 Why Arguing Feels So Frustrating
03:56 Arguing as Executive Function Development
06:36 Teaching Respectful Disagreement
09:51 Debatable vs. Non-Negotiable Topics
12:09 The COLLABORATE Method™

ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tools to make parenting teens easier—and more connected.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #TeenDevelopment #ParentingTeens

Fighting with your teen about screens doesn’t mean you’re failing. It usually means you’re focusing on the wrong thing.

In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I’m joined by Stephen Balkam, Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, who brings 30 years of experience helping families navigate online safety without fear or power struggles.

We break down why traditional screen time rules backfire, why screen use matters more than minutes, and how parents can stay influential in a world where teens are using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude for school, problem-solving, and decision-making.

If you want to protect your teen online without losing trust or connection, this episode will help you rethink your approach.

What You’ll Learn

The biggest screen time mistake parents make (and what works better)

Why quality of screen use matters more than quantity

How the “co-pilot” approach keeps you involved without controlling

Why involving teens in rule-setting increases follow-through

What parents need to know about AI and critical thinking

Simple boundaries that protect both safety and connection

Resources Mentioned

Family Online Safety Institute: https://www.fosi.org

Seven Steps to Good Digital Parenting

Digital Parenting Contract Template

FOSI YouTube Channel

AI tools discussed: ChatGPT, Claude
Apps referenced: Pokémon Go, nature and star identification apps

About the Guest
Stephen Balkam is the Founder and CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, a nonprofit working with major tech companies to make the online world safer for kids and families. He has been at the forefront of online safety for three decades and has witnessed the evolution from the early web to social media to today’s AI age.

About the Show
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam helps parents stay calm, connected, and confident while navigating the challenges of raising teens. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach.

👉 Learn more and access free resources at AskDrCam.com
📱 For daily parenting tools, follow @DrCamCaswell on Instagram

If you’ve asked your teen to do a chore and they responded like you just requested a kidney… welcome. 🫠

Because here’s the thing: the chore battle usually isn’t about the chore. It’s about what happens after you ask—the stalling, the eye rolls, the “in a minute,” the sudden deep commitment to scrolling, and you repeating yourself until your voice hits a pitch only dogs can hear.

In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, Dr. Cam breaks down the real reason chores blow up in so many homes—and why most of the common fixes (punishment, consequences, rewards, bribing, threatening, lecturing) often backfire long-term.

You’ll learn the simple shift that can turn chores from a power struggle into cooperation—without begging, nagging, or doing it all yourself—plus the one mistake that accidentally teaches teens to avoid chores (and you) even more.

If chores have become the hill your household dies on… this episode will change how you look at it—and what you do next.

This is Part 2 of the series: 7 Behaviors Parents Often Punish That Are Actually Signs of Healthy Development.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why “clean your room” can feel impossible to a teen brain (even when they want to do it)

The hidden reason punishment makes chore resistance worse over time

The mindset shift that gets teens to help without the constant reminders

How to build responsibility in a way that doesn’t destroy your relationship

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! 🙏💫
🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Website: https://www.askdrcam.com

The COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program – A step-by-step approach that helps you respond confidently to any teen struggle (chores, motivation, attitude, school stress, and more): https://www.askdrcam.com/collab

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell 
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam 

EPISODE CHAPTERS:

Why chores trigger so many power struggles

The surprising reason your teen avoids starting (even when it’s simple)

The parenting response that quietly increases resistance

The “nag-free” strategy that changes cooperation

How to build responsibility without resentment

ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenchores #parentingteens

A lot of parents see the hours, hear the headphones, and picture the worst: strangers, predators, secret chats, and “Is my kid addicted to this?!”

So in this episode, I brought in someone who actually knows what’s happening behind the scenes at Roblox: Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Civility and Partnerships at Roblox. And let me tell you—this conversation will either calm your nervous system… or at least give you a real plan.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

The one thing most parents misunderstand about Roblox… and why it matters for safety

A major safety feature rolling out that could change how teens connect with others online

The screen-time question parents obsess over—and what actually signals a real problem

Why “play with your teen” isn’t cheesy advice… it’s a shortcut to better conversations and more honesty

How to set limits that don’t instantly trigger eye rolls, blowups, or shutdowns

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫

🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌

 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Roblox Safety Center: https://corp.roblox.com/safety
Parental controls, safety guides, video tutorials, and wellbeing resources for families.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Tami Bhaumik
Vice President of Civility and Partnerships, Roblox
LinkedIn: @tamibhaumik

 

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: https://AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam 

EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 – Roblox: What It Really Is (And Why Parents Misread It)
05:41 – The Safety Stuff You Actually Need to Know
11:47 – The Parenting Move That Changes Everything
16:49 – Screen Time: What’s Normal vs. What’s Not
22:38 – How to Work With Your Teen on Safety
28:18 – Tools, Next Steps, and Where Parents Should Start

 

ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this show gives you science-backed insights and real-life parenting tools you can actually use—so you can stop second-guessing yourself and start leading with more calm, clarity, and connection.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #Roblox #onlinesafety #digitalliteracy

Eye rolls.
Heavy sighs.
That sharp, snarky tone that flips your nervous system in half a second.

If your teen’s “nasty attitude” instantly makes you think disrespect, defiance, or this needs to stop now, this episode will change how you see everything.

In Episode #269 of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I kick off a brand-new series unpacking teen behaviors parents punish — even though they’re often signs of healthy development. And we’re starting with the one that triggers parents the fastest: attitude.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth most parents were never told: What feels like disrespect in the moment is often your teen’s nervous system in overload, paired with a brain that’s wired for emotion but still learning regulation. When we shut it down with consequences or lectures, we don’t teach respect — we teach defense.

And that’s where the power struggles, shutdowns, and distance begin.

In this episode, I don’t just explain why this happens, I walk you through the critical choice every parent faces in those heated moments… and how one response builds walls while the other builds trust.

I also introduce the response framework I teach parents inside my COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program — the approach that helps you hold boundaries without escalating, shutting down, or saying something you regret five minutes later.

If you’ve ever wondered:

Why does my teen get snarky over the smallest things?

Am I accidentally making the attitude worse?

How do I stop the tone without starting a war?

This episode is your wake-up call.

Because tonight’s “attitude” isn’t just about tonight.
It’s shaping how safe your teen feels communicating with you tomorrow.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

Why teen “attitude” often usually has nothing to do with disrespect — and everything to do with brain development

The hidden reason even well-intended questions can trigger snark and shutdown

The parenting response that escalates attitude (most parents default to it without realizing)

The moment-by-moment choice that determines whether your teen opens up… or closes off 

WHY THIS MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK
Every time your teen gets mouthy, snappy, or sarcastic, one of two things happens. You either:

reinforce fear, control, and emotional shutdown or

teach regulation, communication, and real respect

Most parents were taught the first path.

In this episode, I show you the second and explain why it works even when your teen is not at their best.

 

🔑 WANT A STEP-BY-STEP PLAN FOR THESE MOMENTS?
This episode gives you the why. The COLLABORATE Method™ Parenting Program gives you the how — across every teen challenge, not just attitude.

Inside the program, parents learn how to:

Stay calm and grounded when emotions run high

Respond instead of react — even in triggering moments

Hold boundaries without power struggles

Build respect that actually lasts

If you’re done guessing what to say and want a clear, repeatable system you can trust in real life, this is where to start.

👉 Learn more here: https://askdrcam.com/collaboratemethod

UPCOMING EPISODE
Next up in this series: Why “Not Doing Chores” Is Rarely About Laziness
(and how nagging accidentally trains teens to avoid responsibility)

ABOUT THE SHOW
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is your go-to podcast for understanding teen behavior and responding in ways that build connection not conflict. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist, parenting coach, and “The Teen Translator,” each episode delivers science-backed insight and real-life parenting tools you can actually use. 

Instagram: @drcamcaswell

Website: askdrcam.com