Podcasts › The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens
Screens All Summer? How to Avoid Constant Fights With Your Tween or Teen
What's in this episode
Summer break is supposed to be relaxing—but for many parents of tweens and teens, it quickly turns into a battle over screens, video games, YouTube, and endless hours indoors. In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, clinical psychologists Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen tackle a question many parents are asking right now: "What do I do if my teen wants to spend the entire summer gaming or watching TV?" Whether your child is too old for traditional summer camps, too young for a job, or simply facing weeks of unstructured time, it can be incredibly stressful to watch screens become the default activity. Parents often find themselves worrying that they're failing, arguing constantly about technology, or wondering if their child is missing out on important developmental experiences. In this practical and compassionate conversation, Annalise and Suzanne discuss how parents can approach summer differently—moving away from power struggles and toward collaboration, curiosity, and realistic expectations. You'll learn: ✔️ Why many parents feel guilty about summer screen time ✔️ How anxiety and catastrophizing can make screen conflicts worse ✔️ Ways to collaborate with your tw