Search | UNICEF Parenting

UNICEF Parenting is now on WhatsApp

Join

Available in:
English
Français
Español
العربية
中文

29 November 2023

3 ways to help motivate your teen

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/3-ways-help-motivate-teens

Is your teen struggling with motivation? Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, mother and best-selling author, shares three ways you can help your teen feel motivated. Watch the video or read the tips below

06 October 2023

Teen mental health and social media

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/social-media-teens

If you have a teen who seems attached to a screen all day, you’re not alone. Social media is a big part of daily life for many teens. While there are so many benefits to being online and connected, a lot of parents struggle with how to navigate some of the risks and worry about how their children’s well-being can be affected. We spoke with three psychologists about how they approached social media use in their own families. Andrew Greenfield, Lisa Damour and Pam Tudin-Buchalter share what works well for their families and practical tips for other parents. Like notifications

Teens and risky behaviour

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/teens-risky-behaviours

Teenagers’ interest in new experiences is natural and a key part of what helps them grow. By pushing boundaries, teens develop independence and become increasingly self-reliant. But sometimes teenagers can take risks that put their safety and those around them in danger. It can be a worrisome time for parents, but it’s important to remember that teens are built to seek independence and freedom. It's a sign of their healthy development. We spoke with adolescent psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour about how parents can best navigate this time, providing teens with opportunities to grow and engage in new experiences, while helping them to stay safe. “While the longing for excitement rises quickly in adolescents, their capacity for suppressing impulses develops more slowly. The spike we see in teenage risk-taking can be partially accounted for by the fact that, neurologically speaking, teenagers can be all gas and no brakes.” Dr. Lisa Damour Arrow What's covered Why are teens drawn to risky behaviours? How do teens think about risks? How can parents help keep teens safe? When should parents worry about risk-taking behaviour? What can I do if I’m worried my teen is endangering themself?   When should parents seek professional help?  

How to protect your family's mental health

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/how-to-protect-family-mental-health

How do I keep my child motivated? What can I do to help protect my child's mental health? Psychologist and child development expert Dr. Lisa Damour answers these questions and more.

3 ways to help get your teen to open up

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/3-ways-help-teen-open-up

It's not always easy to get teens to share their feelings. Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, mother and best-selling author, shares three tips that can help make a big difference. Watch the video or read the tips below

3 ways you can help your teen express emotions

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/3-ways-help-teens-express-emotions

It's healthy and important for teens to express their emotions. Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, mother and best-selling author, shares three ways you can help support your teen. Watch the video or read the tips below

05 October 2022

Self-care for parents

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/parent-self-care-tips

Parenting is hard. It’s a full-time job and many parents find themselves prioritizing their family’s well-being before their own. When we are able to meet our own mental and physical needs, it not only benefits our well-being, but our children’s as well. But how do you make it happen? We asked three mental health experts, who are also parents, how they do it. Hear from Dr. Lisa Damour, Sonali Gupta and Dr. Hina Talib on how they prioritize self-care, the activities they practice and the benefits they have witnessed for their families. Jump to: Thought bubbles with hearts inside. Jump to lessons Self-care lessons A heart with music and sleeping "zzz's" Jump to Practice Ways to practice self-care A heart next to a calendar Jump to Time How to make time for yourself A house illustration with hearts surrounding it Jump to Benefits How your family benefits when you practice self-care Thought bubbles with hearts inside

3 ways you can help your teen build self-confidence

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/3-ways-help-your-teen-build-self-confidence

Self-confidence in teenage years can lay the foundation for a happy and fulfilling life. Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, mother and best-selling author, shares her insights here on how parents can help their teens build and strengthen self-confidence.

How to help your teenager manage a meltdown

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/help-your-teenager-manage-meltdown

Being a teenager comes with a lot of big emotions – and they can sometimes be tough to handle. We spoke with expert adolescent psychologist, best-selling author, regular New York Times contributor and mother of two Dr. Lisa Damour about how parents can support their children in navigating difficult or strong feelings. Note: This general guidance will support most parents in these difficult situations, but some tantrums or emotional outbursts are associated with developmental disorders, such as delayed language skills, hearing or vision difficulties or behavioral issues, which may need more focused support with the aid of a child or adolescent professional. Please reach out to a specialist if you are worried your child’s strong emotions might be an indication of something deeper.

What are eating disorders?

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/what-are-eating-disorders

What happens when a person’s relationship with food, weight or exercise becomes unhealthy? Dr. Lisa Damour, psychologist, mother and best-selling author, takes us through the causes of eating disorders and what parents can do to encourage a healthy food-body relationship with their children.

What is toxic stress?

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/mental-health/what-is-toxic-stress

If your family has endured a serious adversity or is going through a particularly stressful time, toxic stress may be a concern. The effects can be lasting: toxic stress has the potential to impact a child’s learning, behaviour and health long after childhood. Dr. Lisa Damour — an expert adolescent psychologist, best-selling author, regular New York Times contributor and mother of two — explains what toxic stress is, how to spot the signs, ways you can help your child cope and how to seek support. The topic of experiencing mental health challenges may be difficult for some readers. If you or a loved one is experiencing poor mental health, please seek support by accessing the following resources: United for Global Mental Health and Open Counseling Suicide Hotline Database . If your country does not have a national helpline please seek professional support from a trained carer, especially before making any decisions on treatment. Jump to: What is stress? What is toxic stress? What effects can toxic stress have on a child? What are some signs of a child experiencing toxic stress? What is the best way for an adult to provide support? What to do if you are struggling How to seek support mental health - question mark - illustration

22 January 2021

How to build your baby's mental health: Mini Parenting Master Class

https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/building-your-babys-mental-health

When should I start thinking about my baby's mental health? How can I promote positive mental health in my family? Psychologist and child development expert Dr. Lisa Damour answers these questions and more.