1,018 — Raising Teenagers

It’s never too early to start preparing yourself for your children’s teenage years – or is it? Find out in this episode.
Slow dialog: 1:31
Explanations: 3:41
Fast dialog: 18:34
Carl: Hi Marla, I’m really surprised to see you here. I didn’t know you had kids attending this high school.
Marla: I don’t – not yet. I heard about this meeting and decided to attend. It’s best to be ready for those teenage years, don’t you think?
Carl: Sure.
Marla: I heard that the principal is going to talk about different ways to handle our teenagers as they start asserting their independence. I want to be prepared.
Carl: That makes sense, I guess.
Marla: I mean, more and more teenagers are rebelling by getting tattoos and piercings and experimenting with drugs.
Carl: You’ve clearly done a lot of thinking about this.
Marla: I’ve read a few books on the topic, about kids having to deal with peer pressure. It’s my job as a parent to set boundaries and be stricter if it’s called for and ease up when my child needs space.
Carl: That’s all very insightful, but you have some time before all that comes into play, right?
Marla: My little Lucas is already four years old. Who knows when he might start hanging out with the wrong crowd and being led astray. A parent has to be vigilant.
Carl: Right.
Script by Dr. Lucy Tse