Parenting is hard. Being human is hard. And sometimes the most important reminder is this: we are all just doing the best we can.

In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen step away from theory and lean into humanity. Through personal (and very relatable) stories — from accidentally hitting a grocery truck after a distracted moment to signing up for a pet dental subscription only to later learn the dog needed some of his teeth removed — they reflect on what it means to make mistakes, laugh at ourselves, and accept that we don’t always have everything under control.

This conversation isn’t about perfect parenting strategies. It’s about self-compassion, perspective, and remembering that even highly trained psychologists are still human. They encourage us to stop comparing ourselves to others and lean into reality: Life is busy. We get distracted. We misjudge things. We react imperfectly. And none of that means we’re failing.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to hold it all together — at home, at work, or as a parent — this episode offers a powerful reminder: doing the best you can in the moment is enough – even if it means you run into a delivery truck, your dog loses their teeth or you just aren’t sure what the next best step is for your teen! Be kind to yourself. Be patient with yourself. No one has it “all together” all of the time. And when you can, allow yourself to laugh a bit. Life is stressful enough without the parenting comparison trap and pressure for perfection.

Here are some highlights from the episode:

00:00 — We Do the Best We Can

02:33 — The Truck Incident – Suzanne hits a delivery truck

06:58 — Feeling Out of Control

07:45 — Sometimes It’s Just Hard Being Human

08:18 — The Pet Teeth-Cleaning Anecdote – Annalise’s dog’s dental decline

10:46 — The Running Late Story

13:19 — The Importance of Laughter

14:06 — Let’s Be Real and Take the Pressure Off

Watch this episode here on YouTube

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Sleep problems are one of the most common—and most stressful—concerns parents bring up when raising tweens and teens. From bedtime battles and nighttime anxiety to insomnia, nightmares, and middle-of-the-night visits to a parent’s bedroom, sleep challenges can leave families exhausted, worried, and unsure of what’s normal.

In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen welcome back Dr. Andrea Roth and Dr. Allison Shale to talk about sleep challenges in tweens and teens, including insomnia, parasomnias, nightmares, and ongoing sleep disruptions. They break down how chronic sleep difficulties can impact emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, and daily functioning—while also explaining what’s developmentally typical and what deserves closer attention.

This conversation also addresses teens seeking comfort in a parent’s bedroom at night, sleep differences in neurodivergent kids, and how parents can respond without increasing shame or fear. Dr. Roth and Dr. Shale offer clear guidance on sleep hygiene, clinical red flags, and how to find qualified behavioral sleep specialists when additional support is needed. This episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance for parents navigating sleep challenges while supporting their child’s emotional and mental well-being.

Here are some highlights from the episode:

00:00 Why Sleep Matters for Kids and Teens

01:30 What Insomnia Really Is

02:41 How Insomnia Affects Daily Functioning

05:47 How Chronic Sleep Problems Impact Mental Health

06:54 When Teens Still Go to Their Parents’ Bedroom

09:26 How to Address Clinical Sleep Concerns

11:35 When to Seek Medical Advice About Sleep Concerns and Bed Wetting

12:42 Common Parasomnias in Tweens and Teens

14:40 When Should Parents Be Concerned About Behaviors like Sleep Walking or Talking?

16:28 Nightmares During the Middle School Years

18:13 Sleep Hygiene Explained by Two Experts

20:44 Sleep in Neurodivergent Kids (e.g., ADHD, Autism): What It Can Look Like

27:19 How to Find a Behavioral Sleep Specialist

31:26 Book Recommendation: The Essential Guide to Children’s Sleep

If your child is struggling with sleep—and you’re feeling unsure about what’s normal or what to do next—this episode provides expert insight, reassurance, and actionable guidance.

Prefer Video? Watch this episode Here on YouTube.

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When kids start saying school feels pointless, parents are often left wondering how to respond without lecturing, minimizing, or making things worse. How we respond in those moments can either shut kids down—or help them re-engage with learning and with us.

In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen explore what’s really happening when tweens and teens lose interest in school. They unpack why disengagement is so common during these developmental years, how pressure and “motivational speeches” often backfire, and what actually helps kids feel understood and supported.

Drawing from clinical psychology, developmental science, and years of work with families, Dr. Caron and Dr. Allen walk parents through a clear, compassionate framework for responding when kids say they don’t care about school anymore. They discuss why validation is not the same as agreement, how curiosity opens the door to connection, and how parents can offer perspective and boundaries without escalating conflict.

Together, they explore:

• Why kids disengage from school and learning
• What validation really looks like (and what it’s not)
• How curiosity builds trust and keeps conversations going
• A powerful analogy for understanding effort and growth
• Balancing empathy with realistic expectations
• When it may be time to involve professional support
• How to move from frustration to collaborative problem-solving

Here are some highlights from the episode:

00:00 The Last Thing Kids Want to Hear When School Feels Pointless

01:09 POV: Your Child Is Losing Interest in School

04:57 Step 1: Validate How Your Child Feels

06:35 What Validation Really Means

07:42 How Validation Builds Curiosity and Openness

08:04 Step 2: The Mr. Miyagi Analogy Explained

12:27 Offering a New Perspective on School and Learning

13:31 Step 3: Why Learning Isn’t Supposed to Be Easy

15:39 The Role of Effort and the Satisfaction of Accomplishment

16:44 Finding the Sweet Spot Between Support and Challenge

17:08 What Parents Need to Watch for Along the Way

19:38 When It’s Time to Check In With a Professional

21:03 How to Offer a Gentle Reality Check

22:26 Giving Kids Information to Make Better Decisions

25:42 Next Steps: Moving Into Problem-Solving Together

28:17 Holding Boundaries While Still Being Supportive

If you’re parenting a child or teen who seems checked out, discouraged, or resistant around school—and you’re not sure how to help without damaging your relationship—this episode offers grounded, practical guidance to help you respond with clarity, confidence, and care.

Watch this episode here on YouTube

🔔 Subscribe to The Parenting Pair Podcast for more science-based conversations on raising confident, resilient tweens, teens, and young adults.

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https://drscaronandallen.com/