Show Notes
TW: Self-harm
Ad: This episode is sponsored by training provider Flourish [https://flourish.co.uk/], and my guest today is an expert in supporting teenagers with the emotional challenges that often come with adolescence. Charlotte Gordon is a nationally recognised youth worker and trainer who has deep expertise in addressing anxiety, depression and distress, and empowers those who work with teenagers to have the practical life skills they need to help young people develop emotional resilience and well-being. Her approaches are especially effective in supporting neurodiverse young people.
As a single mother, Charlotte founded KIP Education to reach the young people who often fall through the cracks in traditional educational settings. Her programmes aim to cultivate self-awareness, mindfulness, critical thinking, communication skills and social empathy, empowering young people to manage stress and develop a strong sense of social consciousness and human values.
She talks to us about a parenting course that offers practical advice and the opportunity to improve our knowledge around mental health, wellbeing and safety. The Flourish Empowered parenting course bundle [https://flourish.co.uk/parent-bundle-launch/] covers topics such as vaping, gang violence and supporting LGBTQIA+ children. Listeners can get a 15% discount on the course by using code KICKS15 at checkout.
USEFUL LINKS
* Flourish Empowered Parenting Course Bundle [https://flourish.co.uk/bundles/parenting/] - used code KICKS15 * Flourish's Empowered Parenting courses bundle offers practical advice and the chance to test and improve your knowledge, helping you address challenges around mental health, wellbeing and safety. It also covers specialist topics such as vaping, gang violence and supporting LGBTQIA+ children. Written by child development and education specialists, these courses empower you to approach modern parenting with confidence. Each course lasts around 30 minutes and can be taken in your own time, with our without your child. * Find out more about Charlotte at K [http://www.kipeducation.com/]ip Education [http://www.kipeducation.com/].
More teenage parenting from Helen Wills
* Helen Wills Counselling and Parent Coaching [https://helenwills.com/] * Actually Mummy parenting teens blog [https://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/] * Helen on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamhelenwills/]
Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the Teenage Kicks podcast to hear new episodes. If you have a suggestion for the podcast please email [email protected].
For information on your data privacy please visit Zencastr's policy page [https://zencastr.com/privacy-policy]
Please note that Helen Wills is not a medical expert, and nothing in the podcast should be taken as medical advice. If you're worried about yourself or a teenager, please seek support from a medical professional.
Episode produced by Michael J Cunningham [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-cunningham-245586266/]
More from Teenage Kicks Podcast
Owen Wood suffered from anxiety as a young teenager. He tells me how he coped, what his parents did to support him, and what helped him at school during those years. We talk about how travelling on a budget during Race Across The World taught him to have faith in himself, and how he copes with the nerves of travelling alone now.
Evan Transue started suffering with panic attacks at the age of 5. He had no family history of trauma, and due to his seemingly great life, his panic attacks went misdiagnosed for over 10 years. During this time, he developed other mental health conditions, and eventually turned to substances to numb the pain. Eventually he was diagnosed with panic disorder, and had an aha moment that changed his life.
Parents often worry about the teenage years. The term 'threenager' is frequently used to describe the toddler tantrums that leave parents tearing their hair out. I used it myself, with an eyeroll and a wry smile, but now that I've been through the teenage years I'm apologetic about that. I think it's patronising, and it doesn't help our relationships with our teens.
Today's guest is content creator and copywriter Tom Pinks, who is The number of teenagers saying they don't drink alcohol is 39% [https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/news/huge-rise-in-low-and-no-alcohol-consumption-among-young-adults-yougov-poll-shows/686689.article#:~:text=Nearly%20four%20in%2010%20(39,from%20drinking%20alcohol%20at%20all.].
My guest today has written a book about how much we underestimate teenage girls, and why we'd do well as parents to listen more to what they have to say. Chelsey Goodan has interviewed dozens of teenage girls about what's going on in their lives, and what they need from adults in order to thrive. We talk about perfectionism and self-esteem, shame around sexuality, and the best way to get teenagers to develop a healthy relationship with their phones and social media – spoiler alert, it doesn't involve banning apps and confiscating their phones.