The Real College Conversation: What Every Parent Needs to Know Before (and After) Freshman Year

The Real College Conversation: What Every Parent Needs to Know Before (and After) Freshman Year

Starting college is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming for both young people and parents. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen are joined by clinical psychologists and college transition experts, Dr. Liz Seidler and Dr. Sarah Olivo to discuss what really happens when teens leave home and begin living on their own. From homesickness and making friends to executive functioning, self-advocacy, managing emotions, and navigating newfound independence, they share practical, evidence-based strategies to help families prepare for one of life's biggest transitions. Whether your child is heading off to a dorm, moving away for the first time, or simply preparing for college life, this conversation offers actionable advice that can reduce stress and set both parents and students up for success. In this episode, you'll learn: 🎓 How to prepare teens for the transition to college 🏠 Common challenges students face when living independently 💬 Why self-advocacy is one of the most important college skills 🧠 How executive functioning impacts college success ❤️ Ways parents can support without becoming overinvolved 📚 Practical tips for fostering resilience and confidence Highlights from this episode: 00:00 Why Meaningful Connection Is All Your College Student Needs 01:05 Meet Dr. Liz Seidler & Dr. Sarah Olivo 01:42 Helping Teens Transition to College Independence 04:44 The Biggest Challenges Students Face During Freshman Year 08:44 How Parents Can Best Support Teens Starting College 10:07 4 Ways Parents Can Help: Mind the Story You Tell About College 12:13 4 Ways Parents Can Help: Ask Better Questions & Invite Conversation 15:39 4 Ways Parents Can Help: Create an Emotional Plan Before Move-In 18:42 4 Ways Parents Can Help: Listen Before You Problem-Solve 22:12 Parent Group Chats: Helpful Resource or Hidden Pitfall? 26:35 What College Students Actually Find Most Helpful 28:46 Why Meaningful Campus Connections Matter for Student Success 31:44 Listen to the “College Is Fine, Everything's Fine" Podcast If you're getting ready to send your child to college or you have a college student who has just returned home, this episode is one you won't want to miss. To learn more about Dr. Liz Seidler and Dr. Sarah Olivo, please visit their “College is Fine, Everything’s Fine” podcast website, YouTube channel or individual practice websites: Listen to “College Is Fine, Everything's Fine” Podcast here: https://www.collegeisfinepodcast.com/ [https://www.collegeisfinepodcast.com/] “College is Fine, Everything's Fine” YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@CollegeIsFinePodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@CollegeIsFinePodcast] Dr. Liz Seidler’s website:  https://www.cbtridgefield.com/ [https://www.cbtridgefield.com/] Dr. Sarah Olivio’s website: https://www.drsaraholivo.com/ [https://www.drsaraholivo.com/] Additional Resources Discussed in this episode: Mental Health in College: What Research Tells Us About Supporting Students by Alexis Redding https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Health-College-Research-Supporting/dp/B0FQ9HXNB6 👍 If you found this helpful, subscribe to The Parenting Pair Podcast and share this episode with another parent preparing for college season. 🎙️ Hosted by Clinical Psychologists Annalise Caron and Suzanne Allen. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss one. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com [https://drscaronandallen.com/]  📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

Why Women Struggle With Sleep: From Adolescence to Menopause | Dr. Shelby Harris

Sleep problems are incredibly common among women—but they're often misunderstood. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Annalise Caron and Suzanne Allen sit down with renowned sleep expert and board certified behavior sleep medicine specialist Dr. Shelby Harris to explore why women experience unique sleep challenges throughout their lives, from adolescence and parenthood to perimenopause and menopause. Together, they unpack the biological, hormonal, emotional, and lifestyle factors that contribute to insomnia and sleep disruption, while offering practical, evidence-based strategies to improve sleep quality and overall well-being. Whether you're a parent struggling with sleep, supporting a teen with sleep challenges, navigating midlife hormonal changes, or simply wondering why a good night's rest feels so elusive, this conversation is filled with actionable insights and hope. In this episode, we discuss: ✔️ Why insomnia is more common in women ✔️ Hormones, sleep, and life transitions ✔️ The impact of stress, anxiety, and caregiving responsibilities ✔️ Sleep challenges during pregnancy, parenthood, perimenopause, and menopause ✔️ Common misconceptions about insomnia ✔️ Evidence-based strategies for improving sleep ✔️ When to seek professional support Highlights from this episode: 00:00 Introduction: Why Women Struggle With Sleep 00:46 Meet Dr. Shelby Harris, clinical psychologist and Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine 03:10 Book Recommendation: The Women's Guide to Overcoming Insomnia 03:52 How Women's Sleep Changes Across the Lifespan 07:31 How Sleep Differs Between Women and Men 09:04 Trouble Sleeping? Why You Should Get Evaluated 09:39 What Insomnia Really Is (And What It Looks Like) 13:56 Why Women Often Delay Seeking Help for Sleep Problems 14:56 When and Where to Get Your Sleep Evaluated 20:53 CBT-I Explained: The Gold Standard for Insomnia Treatment 24:47 Sleep Apnea and Weight: Are They Related? 27:02 Sleep Apnea in Women: What the Research Shows 32:20 Revenge Bedtime Procrastination or "Momsomnia" 38:15 Follow Dr. Shelby Harris for More Sleep Tips 40:26 Dr. Shelby Harris's Top Recommendations for Better Sleep Sleep affects every aspect of our lives—from emotional regulation and mental health to parenting, relationships, and physical health. Understanding how sleep changes across the lifespan can help you make informed decisions and develop healthier habits. Resources discussed in this episode: Where to find Dr. Shelby Harris: https://www.drshelbyharris.com/ @sleepdocshelby The Women's Guide to Overcoming Insomnia, Dr. Shelby Harris https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393711615 The Essential Guide To Children's Sleep: A Tired Caregiver's Workbook for Every Age and Stage, Dr. Andrea Roth, Dr. Allison Shele & Dr. Shelby Harris https://www.apa.org/pubs/books/essential-guide-childrens-sleep The Parenting Pair Podcast: Why Teens Don't Sleep (and What Parents Can Do About It) https://drscaronandallen.com/podcast/episode/why-teens-dont-sleep-and-what-parents-can-do-about-it/ The Parenting Pair Podcast: Sleep Struggles in Tweens and Teens: Insomnia, Nightmares and When Parents Should Seek Help https://drscaronandallen.com/podcast/episode/sleep-struggles-in-tweens-and-teens-insomnia-nightmares-and-when-parents-should-seek-help/   If you found this episode helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who could benefit from this conversation. 🎙️ Hosted by Clinical Psychologists Annalise Caron and Suzanne Allen. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss one. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com [https://drscaronandallen.com/]  📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

Why Your Teen Is Always Late: Time Blindness, ADHD, and What Helps

Does your teen constantly run late, underestimate how long tasks will take, or seem completely unaware of how much time has passed? It might be time blindness. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore time blindness — a common but often misunderstood executive functioning challenge that affects tweens, teens, and young adults. Many parents interpret these struggles as laziness, avoidance, or irresponsibility. But for many teens, time blindness is connected to real differences in brain functioning, ADHD, and executive functioning. In this episode, we cover: * What time blindness actually is * Why some teens genuinely struggle to "feel" time passing * How ADHD and executive functioning are connected to time blindness * Why lateness triggers panic, frustration, and family conflict * "Waiting mode" and why teens get stuck before tasks * Why shame and punishment often backfire * Practical strategies parents can use at home — timers, visual calendars, clocks, task chunking, and more Highlights from this episode: 00:00 — What Time Blindness Really Feels Like 01:36 — What Is Time Blindness? Signs Parents Should Know 06:06 — How Time Blindness Impacts Family Life 06:14 — Why Teens With Time Blindness Are Often Late 08:14 — The Big Emotions Behind Time Blindness: Panic, Stress & Frustration 09:36 — “Waiting Mode” and Why Teens Get Stuck 13:07 — Time Blindness Is a Brain-Based Challenge, Not a Character Flaw 14:48 — Practical Strategies That Help With Time Blindness 15:04 — Strategy 1- Building Understanding and Compassion at Home 16:01 — Strategy 2- How Alarms Can Support Teens With Time Blindness 17:28 — Strategy 3- Why Visible Clocks Matter More Than You Think 18:11 — Strategy 4- Using Countdown Timers to Improve Time Awareness 18:23 — Strategy 5- Visual Calendars That Actually Help Teens Stay Organized 19:22 — Strategy 6- Why Start Timers Help Teens Begin Tasks 19:54 — Strategy 7- Time Tracking and “Backing Out” of Time Explained 21:28 — Strategy 8- Why Teens Need Scheduled “Free Brain Time” 23:32 — Strategy 9- Breaking Big Tasks Into Smaller Daily Steps 24:12 — Can ADHD Medication Help With Time Blindness? 25:03 — Final Thoughts: Supporting Teens With Time Blindness Whether you're parenting a tween, teen, or college student, this conversation offers practical, compassionate guidance grounded in adolescent psychology. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss one. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com [https://drscaronandallen.com/]  📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely on the information presented in this podcast as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

Why Teen Breakups Feel So Intense — And How Parents Can Help

Teen breakups can feel overwhelming, heartbreaking, and all-consuming — not only for teens, but for parents watching their child struggle through intense emotions for the first time. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore what first heartbreaks are really like for tweens, teens, and young adults, and how parents can respond in ways that build trust, resilience, and ultimately healing. We discuss why teen relationships matter so deeply, how heartbreak can deeply impact teenagers, and what supportive parenting looks like during emotional crises. From validating emotions without escalating them, to knowing when to step in if your teen becomes stuck in rumination or distress, this conversation offers practical and compassionate guidance for parents navigating one of the most emotionally charged parts of adolescence. We also explore: * Why teen heartbreak should not be minimized * How grief and loss show up after a breakup * What helps teens emotionally recover * When boundaries may be necessary * How to avoid accidentally dismissing your teen’s pain * Signs your teen may need additional mental health support If you are parenting a tween, teen, or college-aged child through friendship loss, rejection, or a relationship breakup, this episode will help you better understand their emotional world — and how to support them through it. Here are some highlights from the episode: 00:00 — Teen Breakups: When First Love Feels Devastating 00:41 — Helping Your Teen Through a Painful Breakup 02:21 — Teen Heartbreak + School, Friends & Social Pressure 04:01 — What Parents Can Do: Supporting the Grief Without Fixing It 06:38 — Why “Doing” Can Help More Than Talking After a Breakup 08:16 — When Teens Get Stuck in Heartbreak and Rumination 10:54 — When Parents Should Step In to Stop the Overthinking Spiral 16:16 — When Boundaries Are Necessary After a Teen Breakup 18:10 — Signs Your Teen May Need Extra Mental Health Support 19:48 — Final Thoughts: Helping Teens Heal After Heartbreak 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss one. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com [https://drscaronandallen.com/]  📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely  on the information presented in this podcast as as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.

How to Support a Grieving Teen or Child | Parenting Through Loss

Grief can look very different in children, tweens, and teens — and many parents are left wondering how to best support their child while navigating their own loss at the same time. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen sit down with grief expert Dr. Julie Kaplow to discuss how grief shows up in adolescents and families, what healthy grieving can look like, and how parents can respond with compassion, flexibility, and support. Together, they explore: * How grief presents differently in kids, tweens, and teens * Why there is no “right way” or timeline for grieving * When therapy may or may not be necessary * How parents can support grieving children while managing their own emotions * What happens when family members grieve differently * Why some teens hide their distress to protect their parents * Community grief and collective trauma * Signs a child or teen may need additional mental health support * Helpful coping strategies and grief resources for families Highlights from this episode: 00:00 — Everyone Grieves Differently: Understanding Loss as a Family 00:25 — Parenting Through Grief: Supporting Kids After Loss 01:07 — Meet National Grief Expert and clinical psychologist Dr. Julie Kaplow 02:04 — How Grief Shows Up in Children, Tweens, and Teens 04:43 — Does Every Grieving Child Need Therapy? 06:43 — How Parents Can Support Kids Through Grief and Loss 09:55 — Practical Ways to Help Children Cope With Grief 12:33 — When Family Members Grieve on Different Timelines 15:01 — Letting Go of Pressure During the Grieving Process 17:15 — When Parents Are Grieving Too: Supporting Your Child While Struggling Yourself 20:23 — Healthy Coping Strategies for Grieving Children and Teens 22:17 — Why Teens May Hide Their Grief From Parents 27:15 — Navigating Community Grief and Collective Loss 29:35 — Signs a Grieving Child or Teen May Need Extra Support 31:37 — Helpful Grief Resources for Parents and Families 33:46 — What If You Feel Like You Handled Grief “Wrong”? This conversation offers practical parenting guidance, emotional reassurance, and evidence-based insight for families coping with loss, grief, trauma, and major life transitions. Whether your family is navigating the death of a loved one, community tragedy, divorce, illness, or another profound loss, this episode aims to help parents feel more supported and less alone. Resources discussed in this episode: TAG Center Virtual Learning Library- contains a number of free webinars and resources for parents (including the Power of Parenting series designed to help parents support their children after various types of deaths):   https://mmhpi.org/work/trauma-grief-center/virtual-learning-library/ [https://url.emailprotection.link/?bZpHzQvaCRYO3mvddSbs5DIFZCTDZHowU5fJVt5riQr3O9mNtekBvDuBOWDmlnwv0UWHax1vDnC4h7e3GP10NA90WIk6-pM-iwHcnclld1rIE93TF7QB2FsFRB-dQePvI] Lucine Center for Trauma and Grief- provides teletherapy to children and adolescents who have experienced trauma or loss:   https://lucinecenter.com/ [https://url.emailprotection.link/?bQc1SLNicq-YhUfaGRtZiHa0ivDCyJ_M-Pd_JPb1wt1dTCfLJGFyhj7yc2f5sxoT7kljs1R1M2_HQIjRMqhJHIA~~] The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute works at the intersection of policy and programs to create equitable systemic changes so all people in Texas, the nation, and the world can obtain the health care they need. https://mmhpi.org/ [https://mmhpi.org/] The Hackett Center’s mission is to provide independent, non-partisan, and trusted policy and program guidance in Greater Houston and the Gulf Coast region to improve services and systems so that all Texans can obtain effective mental health care. https://mmhpi.org/work/the-hackett-center/ [https://mmhpi.org/work/the-hackett-center/] 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss one. ✉️ Newsletter: https://drscaronandallen.com [https://drscaronandallen.com/]  📱 Instagram: @theparentingpair  💬 Questions or topic suggestions: hello@theparentingpair.com DISCLAIMER: The Parenting Pair Podcast is designed for informational and educational purposes only. Do not rely  on the information presented in this podcast as as a substitute or replacement for professional -- psychological or medical -- advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about you or a family member's well being, please contact a licensed mental health professional or physician.