Actually Human

Actually Human

The Simple Mindset Shift That Makes Raising Teenagers Way Less Stressful

New psychology research finds tweaking how parents think about teens helps kids behave in healthier, happier, less boneheaded ways.

Jessica Stillman's avatar
Jessica Stillman
Mar 26, 2026
∙ Paid
Photo by Robson Hatsukami Morgan on Unsplash

My daughter recently turned 11, and while she is not a teenager yet, she’s also not the sweet, unselfconscious kid she was just a couple of years ago. Her moods are stormier, her bonds with her friends more intense, and her eye rolls in my direction more dramatic. I am suddenly, hopelessly “cringe.”

I love her …

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