What Today’s Girls Are Up Against

What Today’s Girls Are Up Against

Tweens and teens today are growing up without something many of us took for granted: an off switch. No break from comparison. No break from group chats, social pressure, performance, opinions, or the feeling of always being “on.” This week, Dr. Sheryl talks with producer, writer, and Amy Poehler's Smart Girls [https://amysmartgirls.com/] co-founder Meredith Walker about what years of listening to girls has taught her about confidence, belonging, perfectionism, identity, and the exhausting pressure so many girls feel to get everything “right.” They talk about: * why “just be yourself” can feel impossible for teens * what social media has changed about growing up * how girls learn to trust themselves * why experimentation and awkwardness are actually healthy * the importance of self-compassion * and what happens when kids feel genuinely listened to Thank you to our partners for making this episode possible: * Kt by Knix [https://knixteen.com]: Use the code GOODINSIDE for 15% off period underwear Follow Dr. Sheryl on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drsherylatgoodinside/] Learn more about Good Inside [https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Trait That Drives You Crazy Might Be Their Superpower

You ask your kid to do something simple — put their shoes away, come downstairs, stop snapping at their sibling — and suddenly you’re in a full blown argument about your tone, your words, or whether you’re being “mean.” In this episode, Dr. Sheryl sits down with Emily, a mom of five navigating life with her 12-year-old son, Cooper, who was recently diagnosed with ADHD. But what starts as a conversation about missing assignments and emotional reactions becomes something much deeper: a conversation about sensitivity, literal thinking, overwhelm, repair, and what happens when a parent realizes they might actually share their child’s brain. Together, they unpack: * why some kids seem to hear criticism everywhere * what “deeply feeling” can actually look like in tweens * why ADHD doesn’t always look hyperactive * how overwhelm changes the way both kids and parents communicate * and how repair — even after the hardest moments — can become the foundation of connection If you’ve ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells with your tween, this episode will help you understand what may really be happening underneath the conflict. Looking for more support navigating the tween and teen years? Good Inside Teen [https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting?utm_source=podcast_teen&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=traffic_evergreen_podcast&utm_content=shownotes_20260520_expert_sheryl] gives you practical tools, scripts, and expert guidance for the moments that feel hardest at home. Thank you to our partners for making this episode possible: * Kt by Knix [https://www.knixteen.com/]: Use the code GOODINSIDE for 15% off period underwear Follow Dr. Sheryl on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drsherylatgoodinside/] Learn more about Good Inside [https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

I Care About You Right Now: The Period Doctor Talks Puberty

When should you start talking to your child about puberty and periods? What’s actually normal when it comes to cramps, mood changes, and cycle symptoms — and what’s not? In this episode, Dr. Sheryl sits down with pediatric and adolescent gynecologist Dr. Charis Chambers, also known as “The Period Doctor,” for a conversation that every parent of a tween or teen needs to hear. Together, they talk about: * why puberty conversations need to start earlier than most parents think * the signs puberty has already begun * how to talk about periods without shame or fear * what severe period pain can signal * the truth about endometriosis in adolescents * the myths we’ve inherited about girls’ bodies * how parents can help kids feel informed, calm, and connected to their changing bodies This episode is both deeply practical and unexpectedly emotional — especially for parents realizing how little support they themselves received growing up. Dr. Charis Chambers's new book is called The Period & Puberty Parenting Revolution [https://www.amazon.com/Period-Puberty-Parenting-Revolution-Conversation/dp/1464233802]. Thank you to our partners for making this episode possible:  Equip [https://equip.health/goodinside]: Learn about Equip's at-home eating disorder treatment at equip.health/goodinside [https://equip.health/goodinside] Follow Dr. Sheryl on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drsherylatgoodinside/] Learn more about Good Inside [https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sibling Drama Isn’t A Problem. It’s Practice.

One minute they're playing, the next they're snapping or shutting down. When your kids are fighting, it’s easy to wonder: What am I doing wrong? Should I step in… or stay out of it? In this episode, Dr. Sheryl sits down with therapist and mom of seven Bridget KerMorris to unpack what’s really happening between siblings — especially when one child is entering the tween years and everything starts to shift. Together, they explore: * Why your older child may suddenly seem mean, distant, or unpredictable * What younger siblings are actually experiencing (and often not saying) * The difference between a pattern and a moment * How to respond without taking sides or shutting things down * What “repair” looks like, and why it matters more than getting it right You’ll also hear simple, real-life language you can use in the moment—especially when your child says things like “It’s not fair” or “You love them more.” Sibling conflict isn’t a sign that something is wrong — it’s where your kids are learning how relationships actually work. Thank you to our partners for making this episode possible: * Equip [https://equip.health/goodinside]: Learn about Equip's at-home eating disorder treatment at equip.health/goodinside [https://equip.health/goodinside] Follow Dr. Sheryl on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drsherylatgoodinside/] Learn more about Good Inside [https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Parenting Guilt Trap

You know the feeling. You replay something you said. You second-guess a decision. You wonder, “Did I mess that up?” That’s parental guilt—and for most of us, it shows up a lot more than we talk about. In this episode, Dr. Sheryl is joined by psychologist Dr. Juli Fraga, who has spent years studying the emotional lives of parents. Together, they unpack why guilt shows up so quickly in parenting—and why it’s often pointing us in the wrong direction. You’ll learn: * The difference between actually doing something wrong and just feeling like you did * Why your child’s discomfort can trigger guilt (and what to do instead) * How guilt quietly leads to overgiving, overthinking, and burnout * A simple way to respond when guilt hits—so it helps instead of hurts This isn’t about getting rid of guilt. It’s about understanding it—so you can stop spiraling and start showing up with more clarity, steadiness, and confidence. Learn more about Good Inside for Teens & Tweens [https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl]. Follow Dr. Sheryl on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drsherylatgoodinside/] Learn more about Good Inside [https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.