Raising Teens with Collett Smart

Collett Smart wraps up the year with one of her most honest episodes yet. After taking time away from the podcast, she's back to share what really happened during her break – and it's not the polished story you might expect. In this vulnerable ep, Collett opens up about the reality of juggling her work as a psychologist, caring for elderly family members, and keeping her marriage strong after three decades together. She's refreshingly honest about not getting everything right and the importance of hitting pause when life demands it. For parents trying to balance caring for teens whilst managing their own challenges, Collett's candid reflections will resonate. This episode isn't just about Collett's personal journey – it's about the power of community and the impact your stories have had on families across Australia. Collett shares heartfelt feedback from listeners and how your questions and experiences have shaped the podcast into something truly meaningful. But here's the exciting bit: Collett reveals what's coming in 2026. The new season kicks off in the first quarter with impressive guests, insightful mini-episodes, and answers to your burning questions about raising teenagers. She's calling on parents, educators, and caregivers to keep sharing their stories because this podcast thrives on the wisdom of the village raising teens together. It's a genuine conversation about nurturing responsible, happy young adults whilst looking after yourself in the process.Have a great end of the year Raising Teens Family!Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Collett sits with the host of Troubleshooting (a podcast for the 20-35 year olds for all things technology) and discuss the social media ban which has come into effect recently. Key Takeaways: Legislative Impact: Australia's new laws ban under 16-year-olds from accessing many social media platforms, intending to offer kids more time for childhood development away from digital distractions. Platform Responsibility: The legislation places responsibility on big social media companies to ensure compliance, threatening fines for continued underage access. Balanced Approach: Colette advocates for the careful balance between digital interaction and real-world activities essential for kids’ growth, promoting delayed technology exposure. Community Alternative: While online communities serve as a meaningful outlet for many young people, especially in rural areas, the challenge is to find or create those networks safely outside digital confines. Parental Support: These laws support parents in setting boundaries, fostering conversations about screen time, and promoting mindful technology use among adults and children alike. Notable Quotes: "I really just want to also kind of end with saying, I see this as an opportunity to give children time to be children." "The social media giants, they are the ones who will face a penalty… if they don't take steps to prevent underage accounts." "It's now part of the law… it gives parents another tool to help their children delay social media use." "There has been this enormous shift in my own family of the way phones are used, technology is used and social media has been used." "It's not that we are just banning social media, we are actually encouraging a delay." Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key Takeaways: Parents should model emotional regulation and prioritize checking in on their own mental health to support their children effectively. Engage in open yet age-appropriate dialogues with children, allowing them to process their emotions and ask questions about the crisis. Limit media consumption to protect mental health, as repeated exposure to distressing news can exacerbate anxiety and fear. Maintain normalcy through regular activities while providing psychological first aid to comfort and reassure children. Seek professional help promptly if a child exhibits prolonged signs of distress, leveraging community resources like helplines. Notable Quotes: "It's very normal to feel overwhelmed at this stage, even as adults." "This is an opportunity to teach our children that we are all part of one world and that we actually all need to help each other." "Your children will learn how to deal with emotions and these events by watching how you approach it." "We can give them that kind of psychological first aid for where they are there and then with you." "Please consider seeking professional support. Get support from Helplines, Lifelines, Beyond Blue Childline." Resources: Beyond Blue: Website Lifeline: Website Colette Smart's Professional Profiles: Website | Instagram | Twitter Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FREE GIFT - Exclusive to Raising Teens and Hope1032 listeners - StrongHER Side podcast is offering this resource Planning Calm For Christmas Christmas brings joy, but it can also bring pressure, grief, and exhaustion. Collett shares practical mental health strategies for parents navigating tricky family dynamics, financial stress, and the weight of loss during the holidays. Drawing on insights from Graeme Cowan (co-founder of RU OK?) and Hannah Gair (advocate for mums raising kids with disability), she explores realistic self-care practices that actually fit into real life. From setting boundaries to adopting a "just one thing" approach, this mini-episode offers permission to protect your peace and embrace imperfection this Christmas season. Key Takeaways: Holiday stress can amplify emotional challenges; hence, setting realistic expectations is crucial. Establishing healthy boundaries can protect your mental well-being during the festive season. Practicing gratitude and engaging in activities like volunteering can shift focus away from materialistic comparisons. The importance of maintaining personal well-being routines amid holiday busyness is emphasized. Concepts like the "just one thing" philosophy can simplify stress and encourage peace during this period. Notable Quotes: "Your well-being, not always being polite, is your first priority." "Choose peace over this invisible pressure to make everything perfect." "You just need to take one step towards protecting your peace." "Practicing gratitude changes the brain pathways." "Cultivate kindness for yourself, especially during stressful times." Resources: Graeme Cowan: Co-Founder of RU OK? Hannah Gair: Host of "StrongHer Side" Podcast, advocate for mothers raising children with disabilities 1300Respect - If you need help with Domestic, Family or Sexual Violence Llifeline - Crisis Support and Suicide Prevention Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing She Wasn't Born Yesterday (SWBY) a podcast for women 40+ fabulous! SWBY is hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Jenni Woodhouse a semi retired social worker. This episode which chat about teen axiety. About the Guest: Lyn Worsley is a renowned clinical psychologist and the director of the Resilience Centre. With nearly 30 years of experience, Lyn has contributed significantly to understanding and promoting mental health and resilience across various groups. Her approach often involves solution-oriented therapies, focusing on building resilience and leveraging existing strengths in individuals. Lyn is also recognised for developing the internationally acclaimed Resilience Doughnut model, which aims to identify and strengthen key resources within individuals and communities to enhance resilience. Key Takeaways: The "imaginary audience" phenomenon is crucial in understanding why adolescents are highly self-conscious and anxious about fitting in with peers. Resilience can be nurtured by identifying and leveraging three key resources from the Resilience Doughnut: personal competencies, social ecology, and overcoming adversity. Parents are encouraged to engage with their teens' interests, such as gaming or fashion, to foster better communication and connection. Anxiety is a common part of development, but when it impairs daily functioning, it may require intervention and professional support. Key indicators of anxiety disorders include withdrawal from social situations, circular thinking, and avoidance of school and activities. Notable Quotes: Lyn Worsley: "Anxiety is a symptom that there is something going on in the brain that's in conflict, and it's just trying to work out how to reconcile whatever that is." Lyn Worsley: "When they're recoiling, not wanting to go to school, or having circular thinking—that's when you need to be alerted." Lyn Worsley: "Medication can aid, but therapy should never be excluded for adolescent anxiety; they should work together." Lyn Worsley: "Resilience involves personal and social competence, navigating social ecologies, and going through adversity." Resources: The Resilience Centre Murdoch Children's Research Institute Black Dog Institute She Wasn’t Born Yesterday, hosted by Janet Evans, a senior advertising creative and Jenni Woodhouse a semi retired social worker Join the discussion of being 40+ faaabulous on Facebook. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.Support the show: https://hope1032.com.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.