Episode 50 -What’s Really Going On When Your Teen Pushes You Away?
When your affectionate child suddenly transforms into a teenager who rolls their eyes, snaps back, or avoids you completely, it can feel painful and personal. In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Bettina Hohnen speaks with journalist, mother of four, and bestselling author Lorraine Candy about why teenagers often act like they “hate” their parents — and how understanding what’s happening in their developing brains can make all the difference. Lorraine reflects on her own experience of raising four children through adolescence, and how learning about the neuroscience of the teenage years helped her stop taking their behaviour so personally. Together, she and Bettina explore the physiological and emotional shifts that happen between 12 and 25, when the teenage brain is being taken apart and rebuilt, and why this process can leave young people overwhelmed, irritable, or quick to anger. They also discuss the power of recognising what Lorraine calls the “rupture and repair” cycle – the inevitable conflicts that arise in family life, and the vital opportunity to reconnect and rebuild afterwards. Lorraine offers reassurance that this stage, though challenging, is both normal and necessary for teenagers to become independent, emotionally intelligent adults. This episode is a reminder to parents that the teenage years are not about losing connection, but reshaping it.
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Episode 49 - Is Praise Helping or Hurting Your Child’s Motivation? with Dr Barry Hymer
We often use praise as a way to boost our children’s confidence — but does it always have the effect we hope for? In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Dr Bettina Hohnen speaks with Dr Barry Hymer, teacher, academic and author, about why feedback may be a far more powerful parenting tool than praise. Drawing on decades of research, Barry shares how praise, though well-intentioned, can sometimes chip away at a child’s motivation and resilience. He explains the famous Stanford study showing how rewards can dampen children’s intrinsic drive, and explores what happens when our words of encouragement shift from genuine feedback to subtle forms of judgement. We talk about what it really means to nurture a growth mindset, how parents can model resilience when things go wrong, and the small changes that make a big difference — like noticing effort, curiosity and persistence instead of simply saying “well done.” Barry also reflects on his own experiences as a father, and how learning to replace praise with thoughtful feedback helped his children grow in confidence and self-belief.
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Episode 48: Supporting Teen Independence: Finding the Balance Between Safety and Freedom
Teenagers are wired to explore the world — but for parents, that can feel terrifying. How do you let your teen take healthy risks without putting them in danger? In this episode, Dr Bettina Hohnen is joined by Professor Deborah Christie, a leading expert in adolescent health at UCL. Together, they explore the delicate balance between keeping teenagers safe and giving them the freedom they need to grow. Drawing on her extensive professional experience and her personal insights as a parent and grandparent, Deborah explains why risk-taking is not only normal but necessary, and how parents can reframe it as exploration rather than danger. Their conversation covers how to manage parental fear, keep communication open, and recognise that our own backgrounds shape the way we perceive risk. They also discuss how to balance consequences with connection, so teenagers can develop the judgment and confidence they need to become capable young adults. This discussion offers practical ways to stay steady through the ups and downs of adolescence, reminding parents that bravery, patience and perspective go a long way — and that this phase, too, will pass. Here is a link to Deborah Christie’s website where she shares many useful resources for free: https://www.deborahchristieconsulting.com/
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Episode 47: Food, Bodies and Self-Worth: Talking to Children Without Passing on Our Issues
How can parents support their children to eat healthily without slipping into diet talk or passing on their own body worries? In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, Dr Anna Colton — clinical psychologist and eating disorder specialist — shares what decades of experience have taught her about food, families and children’s wellbeing. We talk about: - Why the language we use about food matters more than we think - How to model a balanced, relaxed approach at mealtimes - Supporting children and teens to self-regulate, rather than laying down rigid rules - Why acceptance, not body positivity, is the goal that helps children thrive Anna also shares her “one shift that changes everything”: becoming aware of your own patterns around food and body image, so you have the choice not to pass them on. Listen now to hear how you can raise children with a healthy, confident relationship to eating.
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Episode 46: Autism and the Social Battery: Helping Kids Balance Energy to Manage Day To Day Life with Dr Alex Leedham
In this episode of Just One Thing for Parents, I’m joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr Alex Leedham to explore the idea of the “social battery” in autism — a simple but powerful way of understanding why children with autism can so easily become overwhelmed. Alex explains how everyday demands, from noisy classrooms to social chit-chat, can drain energy far more quickly for autistic children than for their peers. She introduces the idea of creating a battery-draining list and a battery-charging list - practical tools families can use to spot triggers, plan ahead, and build in restorative breaks. We talk about how parents can help children tune into their own needs, develop emotional literacy, and learn what really recharges them — whether that’s quiet time with headphones, preparing in advance for transitions, or connecting with close friends over a shared interest. It's different for everyone. If you’ve ever wondered how to protect your autistic child’s energy and prevent overwhelm, this episode offers both clarity and practical strategies you can start using straight away.
About Just One Thing for Parents with Dr Bettina Hohnen
Welcome to Just One Thing for Parents, the podcast designed for busy parents supporting young minds. In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, these quick, 5-7 minute episodes offer a powerful daily reminder of what truly matters when it comes to your kids.
Hosted by clinical psychologist Dr. Bettina Hohnen, each episode brings you expert insights from renowned guests such as Dawn Heuber, David Trickey, and Anita Cleare. These professionals, including authors, parent coaches, psychotherapists, and parenting experts, share science-backed advice and real-life experiences to help you navigate the challenges of raising children.
What to Expect:
Short and Digestible: Episodes are crafted to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule. Take just a few minutes every day—whether it's after dropping the kids at school, during your commute, or before diving into family life after a hectic day.
Actionable Insights: Distilled complex concepts into easy-to-understand nuggets, providing you with practical tips and tools grounded in both scientific research and real-world parenting expertise.
Daily Focus: Each episode presents Just One Thing for you to focus on, simplifying the overwhelming demands of parenting and allowing you to approach each day with clarity and purpose.
Connect with Us:
Subscribe, leave a review, and share the wisdom with fellow parents. Join the conversation using #JustOneThingforParetings and visit @DrBettinaHohnen for additional resources.
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