Key Takeaways:

Influence of Self Talk: The constant internal chatter significantly impacts our emotions, behaviors, and overall well-being, with both positive and negative aspects.

Parental Responsibility: The manner in which parents talk to their children can shape their children’s inner voices, underlining the importance of mindful and compassionate communication.

Recognition and Awareness: Encouraging teens to recognize and articulate their negative self talk can diminish its impact and pave the way for positive thinking.

Challenging Negative Thoughts: Teaching teens to question the validity of their negative self talk and to reframe it in a constructive, supportive manner is crucial for mental resilience.

Impact of Media and Social Influences: Monitoring media consumption and discussing its impact helps teens understand and mitigate negative influences on their mental health.

Notable Quotes:

"Our voice will become our child's inner voice."

"Negative self talk can often be the loudest and most constant voice in our heads."

"Saying sorry teaches kindness, humility, and empathy."

"Helping teens challenge their thoughts by asking, 'Is this actually true?'"

"Respond to negative self talk as you would to a friend—with kindness and support."

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to a Past Episode from Dr. Veya Seekis here - TikTok and Body Image

To learn about Dr. Veya's work, at Griffith University or her Paper on TikTok

This episode, Collett Smart teams up with Dr. Veya Seekis from Griffith University to discuss the transformative power of self-compassion in raising teens. Delve into actionable insights on acknowledging emotions, soothing techniques, and the difference between self-compassion and self-esteem. Listen as they explore practical steps for parents and teens to foster self-compassion, ensuring healthier emotional development and well-being.

Key Takeaways:

Definition of Self-Compassion: Self-compassion involves acknowledging one's pain, recognising it as a shared human experience, and offering oneself kindness, as one would to a friend.

Comparison with Self-Esteem: While self-esteem is contingent on success and external validation, self-compassion provides a stable, internal framework for managing stress and emotions.

Traffic Light System: This practical approach uses red for stopping and acknowledging feelings (mindfulness), amber for recognising shared humanity, and green for practicing self-kindness.

Benefits for Teens: Practicing self-compassion helps mitigate stress, prevents rumination, and may alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, making it a vital skill for teenagers.

Pilot Program Insights: Dr. Seekis’ school program shows that self-compassion techniques can be successfully integrated into the curriculum and can impact teens' ability to manage stress effectively.

Notable Quotes:

"In a nutshell, self-compassion is really just learning to be your own best friend."

"When we are being self-compassionate, we are acknowledging that we're in pain, understanding that this pain is not unique to us, and showing ourselves some kindness."

"Self-compassion is an emotion regulation strategy. It helps us in those moments when we're stressed, disappointed, or in pain."

"The traffic light system uses red to stop and acknowledge feelings, amber to recognise shared humanity, and green to practice self-kindness."

"Self-esteem can only be high during positive outcomes, whereas self-compassion offers a way to manage emotions irrespective of external success or failure."

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways:

Open Communication: Essential for integrating tracking apps harmoniously within the family. Parents should discuss and agree with their teens on how and why apps are used.

Modelling Healthy Tech Use: Parents should exemplify balanced, respectful tech habits, reinforcing mutual trust in the family.

Evaluate Pros and Cons: Weigh the benefits and concerns of tracking apps with your teens to ensure their comfort and privacy are considered.

Regular Review and Adjustment: Periodically reassess the necessity and impact of these apps to adapt to your teen’s growing need for independence.

Focus on Mutual Trust: These tools should foster trust and respect, not control; ensuring healthy emotional and developmental growth for teens.

Notable Quotes:

"Our children don't live in the same time as we grew up in, and so we have to parent differently for a different time."

"Boundaries are always about love and support and age-appropriate safety."

"Family use of the location apps doesn't imply mistrust, but rather reflects our commitment to their well-being and that we love them."

"It's very healthy for children to express these feelings and want some independence."

"This is just one small aspect of teaching children the importance of mutual respect and open communication, because those are the foundations of healthy relationships."

Past Episodes Mentioned in Episode

Digital Nutrition - Listen on Spotify

Internet Gaming Disorder - Listen on Spotify

Click here to contact Collett or ask her a question or Click here to contact the Raising Teens team.

Collett is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, with 25 years' experience working in private and public schools, as well as in private practice.

Visit Raising Teens for more resources, click here for Collett's books, or join the discussion on Facebook.

Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.

Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.