Ask Lisa

When teens falter and opt out of an obligation, how do we best support them—by honoring their withdrawal, or by urging them to work past inner misgivings and fulfill their original goals? That’s the question behind a parent’s concern: My 14-year-old recently…

Is it possible for parents to engage their teen children in real conversations? One parent wrote me: We have two teens, ages 14 and 16. They are good kids (so far!), but I am sad that they have no interest in hearing…

Ask Lisa: Guidance on Weight Gain This month’s column addresses a challenging issue. A parent writes: My daughter, a recent college graduate, has put on a lot of weight (upwards of 50 pounds) over the last several years. I realize this is…

A parent reached out to me with a question concerning her college sophomore: “His freshman year didn’t go well academically. My husband and I chalked it up to the inevitable challenges of adjusting to college. But we just reviewed his latest grades,…

Raising a family is daunting at the best of times. Juggling work, housework, and kids’ activities can be exhausting. Managing a long-term illness on top of this adds a unique set of challenges. One parent, who was diagnosed with a chronic illness…

With the holidays upon us and the flurry of social gatherings and activities, many parents may find themselves worried about their teen’s social life — or lack thereof. One parent recently shared this concern: “My son is a junior in high school…

Fall is here, and with it comes colorful leaves, crisp air, pumpkins, and for high school seniors — the college application process. A parent recently wrote me: “My senior has become increasingly stressed out about college applications. He is consumed with ‘acceptance…

With Belmont High School instituting a ban on cell phone use in the classroom this year, many parents are still grappling with how to help their teens develop healthy screen time habits outside of school. A parent recently asked me: “This past…