Ep. 23: Creating Resilience in Teens with Becky Goddard Hill

Do you think your teenager is moody and negative? Becky Goddard Hill is co-author of Be Happy, Be You - a teenage guide to happiness [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/the-secret-to-raising-confident-teenagers/]. Her book - and this podcast episode - is packed with small tips that teens can easily fit into their lives to help improve how they're feeling. Our teens are happier than we think they are However, beneath the sometimes surly demeanor, Becky says our teenagers are coping really well with the stress in their lives. During lockdown children's charity Childline had a 40% increase in calls from under 11's, but calls from teenagers reduced. The assumption is that the reduced burden of schoolwork and real-time relationship pressures meant that teens actually felt calmer than usual during lockdown. In contrast, re-entering the new normal of Covid life has found teenagers more worried than they were before, so Becky's tips on helping them to cope are super relevant right now. Accepting that teens have a different reality What I loved most about my chat with Becky though was how she puts into perspective the frustrations I might have with my own teenagers, and helps me to understand that they're coming at life from a totally different place to me! She says we're all born with negativity bias, and that giving into that as parents could be a modelling behaviour we need to address in ourselves. Becky made me think about role modelling positivity and optimism with my kids, because it will be contagious - especially during the pandemic! Why teens make us despair! There's also a reason why our teenagers indulge in risky behaviours. Apparently dopamine levels are reduced in the teenage years, meaning that young people start to up their risk factors in order to get the happiness hit they're looking for. Who knew! Have a listen to the episode for more brilliant nuggets of information and advice from Becky. Useful links to things we spoke about: * News from Childline [https://www.childline.org.uk/] about the increase in calls from under 11s [https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/53355529#:~:text=Childline%20reports%2037%25%20increase%20in%20contacts%20from%20kids%20aged%2011%20and%20under,-16%20Jul%202020&text=The%20charity%20reports%20that%20counselling,of%20sessions%20before%20lockdown%20began.] * Paul Dolan - Happiness by Design [https://pauldolan.co.uk/happiness-by-design-finding-pleasure-and-purpose-in-everyday-life] * Rainy Day Mum's bread recipe [https://rainydaymum.co.uk/easy-bread-dough-cooking-with-kids/] Where to find more from Becky: * Becky's books - Be Happy Be You [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Happy-You-Teenage-Guide/dp/0008367566/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=be+happy+be+you&qid=1605104310&sr=8-1], Create Your Own Calm [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Create-Your-Calm-Becky-Goddard-Hill/dp/0008367582/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=create+your+own+calm&qid=1605104404&sr=8-1], and you can pre-order Create Your Own Kindness [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Create-your-own-kindness-Activities/dp/0008439583/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=create+your+own+kindness&qid=1604939451&sr=8-1] on Amazon. * Becky is also on Twitter [https://twitter.com/BeckyGoddardH], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beckygoddardhill/], and has her own website A Beautiful Space [https://abeautifulspace.co.uk/]. More teenage parenting tips: There are lots more episodes of the Teenage Kicks podcast. You can email me on 

Om Podcasten

Welcome to the Teenage Kicks podcast, where we take the fear out of parenting - or becoming - a teenager. The internet is full of parenting advice, from when you feel those first baby kicks, until they reach secondary school. And then it stops. No one is talking about teen parenting problems; so we’re going to. Essential listening for teenagers and their parents, as well as those who work with young adults; Teenage Kicks has teen mental health at its core, and each episode will empower young people to tackle their own problems, and give parents the guidance to know how to help them. Each week Helen speaks to real individuals who've experienced the issues that young people are dealing with now, and they don't sugar-coat it. From exam nerves and career worries to issues around sexuality and consent, we get tips and advice from expert guests who understand what it’s like to be a teenager today. Helen will also be chatting about tough teenage problems like cyberbullying and self-harm, drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy, all with a heavy dose of reality from someone who's been there and made it through to the other side. Teenage Kicks for Parents: As parents, we understand some of our kids’ struggles, but let’s face it, it’s been a while, and things have moved on since we last panicked over a detention! Teenage choices today can seem alien to their parents because teenage life has changed so dramatically since we were young. Teenage Kicks helps you unravel topics like social media, sexting and teen self-esteem so that you can figure out what your child needs support with, and what’s just normal teenage behaviour.   Teenage Kicks for Teens: Teenagers and parents come at things from different angles, we know. But teenage life can be challenging, and the support of your parents can make navigating tricky dilemmas easier. Teenage Kicks guests aren’t adults who’ve read a textbook; nor are they heavily invested in your day-to-day safety, like your mum and dad. They are real people who’ve been through what you’re dealing with, and they have the inspiration and advice you need to handle it yourself. Join Helen each week as she chats to a different guest about topics affecting teenagers in 2020, and helps parents and teens to open up a dialogue that will make life easier to navigate on all sides. You'll also find me chatting about teen parenting here: * Actually Mummy [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/] - my personal blog * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamhelenwills/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/iamhelenwills] Useful websites: * The Mix [https://www.themix.org.uk/]- good information for under 25's * Shout [https://www.giveusashout.org/] - for anyone struggling with anxiety or depression This series of the Teenage Kicks Podcast is sponsored by Blue Microphones [https://www.blue-designs.co.uk/], who gave me the fabulous Yeticaster mic for all my recordings. It's really straightforward to use, and gives me great sound quality without too much editing.