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.

• 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

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.

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

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

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

Generative AI like ChatGPT is now woven into nearly every part of teen life, and many parents feel unsettled by how fast it all happened. Are teens using AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to learn, to cheat, or something in between? Are they turning to AI for emotional support? And what should parents actually be worried about versus reacting out of fear?

In this episode, Dr. Cam pulls back the curtain on how teens are really using generative AI. You will hear what teens told researchers directly, what surprised even the experts, and why most parents are focusing on the wrong risks.

Dr. Cam is joined by Alanna Powers-O’Brien, Research and Program Specialist at the Family Online Safety Institute and co-author of the national report Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier. Together, they break down what teen AI use looks like in real life, why many teens do not want to cheat, why 42% are using AI to talk through emotions, and what teens wish parents understood before reacting.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• How teens are actually using ChatGPT and generative AI tools for school, learning, and everyday problem-solving

• Why many teens feel genuinely confused about what counts as cheating with AI

• The real reasons teens turn to AI for emotional support and what it does and does not replace

• Teens’ top concern about AI use and why it is not what most parents assume

Want support navigating tech, AI, and tough conversations with your teen?

The Parenting Teens Academy gives you practical scripts, science-backed tools, and clear guidance to help you stay calm, confident, and connected, even when parenting feels overwhelming. 👉 Learn more at AskDrCam.com

🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW? Share this episode with another parent who is worried about AI, screens, or tech. Leaving a rating and review helps more families find support and real answers. 🔔 Hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss an episode packed with practical strategies for modern parenting.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Generative AI in Uncertain Times: How Teens Are Navigating a New Digital Frontier https://www.fosi.org/research

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

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Alanna Powers-O’Brien

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

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: https://www.askdrcam.com Instagram: @DrCamCaswell TikTok: @the.teen.translator YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Teens and Generative AI Explained 01:03 Inside the Research on Teen AI Use 02:40 How Teens Use ChatGPT and AI Tools 05:22 AI and Cheating Concerns 08:22 Ethical Gray Areas Parents Should Understand 10:13 Teens’ Fears About Losing Critical Thinking Skills 12:05 AI and the Future Job Market 12:59 Why Teens Talk to AI About Their Feelings 15:59 Why AI Feels Human to Teens 17:16 Data Privacy and Safety Concerns 18:40 Why AI Is So Appealing to Teens 20:52 AI Dependency and Social Connection 24:16 Accessibility and Emotional Support 25:54 What Teens Wish Parents Knew 27:56 Practical Advice for Parents

ABOUT THE SHOW

The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers in today’s world. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, the show delivers real-world strategies, expert insight, and practical tools to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen.

Each episode helps parents respond with confidence, reduce power struggles, and support teens’ emotional growth without shame or fear-based parenting.

👉 Learn more and explore resources at https://www.askdrcam.com/parenting-teens-podcast

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #ChatGPTandTeens #AIParenting #DigitalParenting

Struggling with your teen’s late nights, groggy mornings, and endless battles over bedtime? You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining it. In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, certified Ayurvedic practitioner Nidhi Pandya breaks down why traditional sleep rules fail with teenagers and reveals a compassionate, science-backed approach that finally works. She explains how teen circadian rhythms shift during adolescence, why the 11 PM–2 AM “power hours” matter more than total sleep, and how stress—not screens—is the real culprit behind poor sleep. Nidhi shares practical tools rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and modern neurobiology, giving parents simple ways to reduce resistance, build connection, and help their teens naturally reset their sleep schedule—without nagging, yelling, or forcing bedtime.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why your teen's late nights are biological—not behavioral—and how to work with their changing circadian rhythm instead of fighting it
• The real reason screens aren’t the biggest sleep disruptor for teens (and what is sabotaging their rest instead)
• How to create calming evening rituals that reduce stress, strengthen connection, and help your teen unwind naturally
• The counterintuitive morning strategy that builds responsibility—and why parents must stop being the household alarm clock

🎧❤️ 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

• Whoop – Biometric tracker for sleep, stress, and recovery
• Resonance Breathing – Nasal breathwork with longer exhales
• Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani)
• Chamomile tea, magnesium balm, lavender essential oil
• NYT Crossword – Parent–teen connection activity

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Nidhi Pandya

Website: nidhipandya.com Instagram: @my_ayurvedic_life Focus Areas: Ayurvedic wellness, nutrition, lifestyle practices, meditation, breathwork Framework: Inner Climate Framework – Rhythms-based Ayurvedic approach for families

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell

Website: AskDrCam.com Instagram: @DrCamCaswell TikTok: @the.teen.translator YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

EPISODE CHAPTERS

00:00 Understanding Teen Sleep Challenges 02:53 The Importance of Circadian Rhythms 05:39 Creating Healthy Sleep Environments 08:40 Negotiating Bedtime with Teens 11:28 Tools for Better Sleep 14:18 Building Trust and Cooperation 17:16 Morning Routines and Responsibility 20:03 The Role of Parental Influence 22:55 Practical Tips for Better Sleep 26:00 Creating a Supportive Home Environment

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 insights, and real-world tools to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.

Whether you’re struggling with communication, motivation, behavior, or confidence, each episode is filled with actionable tips to make parenting easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the skills and confidence to thrive during the teen years.

#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teensleep #ayurvedaforteens