Podcasts › The Parenting Pair | Teens & Tweens
When Your Teen Becomes Physically Aggressive: What Parents Need to Know and Do
What's in this episode
What should parents do when a teen becomes aggressive — or even physically threatening? In this episode of The Parenting Pair Podcast, Dr. Annalise Caron and Dr. Suzanne Allen address one of the most difficult and rarely talked-about experiences in parenting: feeling afraid of your own child. They break down why explosive or aggressive behavior can emerge in teens, and how parents can respond in ways that prioritize safety, de-escalation, and long-term connection. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ Why teen aggression can happen — from brain development to individual vulnerabilities ✔️ The difference between isolated incidents and genuinely concerning patterns ✔️ Key warning signs parents should not ignore ✔️ How to de-escalate intense situations safely (and what not to do) ✔️ When to involve a trusted adult, therapist, or support system ✔️ How to create a simple, realistic safety plan for your family ✔️ When it may be necessary to call mobile crisis or 911 ✔️ How to reconnect and move forward after a difficult incident Whether this has happened once or is becoming a pattern, this episode offers clear, compassionate, and practical guidance — and reminds parents: you are not alone. �