The Teen Doctor

Answers to your questions about adolescents.

by Barbara Greenberg, Ph.D.

Are These Red Flags or Red Herrings?

I am a single mum and my daughter is an only child, up until she was around 10 years old we had a fantastic relationship, friends as mum and daughter. There are various issues I am so concerned about as a mother,but to keep it short she has very low self esteem. Read More

My Son Was Rejected

My 17-year-old son came home yesterday with a rather interesting story and I'm trying to put some thoughts together on what the best course of action is for him. He was chatting up a girl he is interested in and all was going well until he decided to pay her a "compliment" by telling her that she had "awesome curves". Read More

My Mother Thinks I'm a Witch

Dear Dr. G.,

I know that you are going to think that I am teasing you with this letter but I kid you not when I tell you that my teenager went to a sweet sixteen and colored condoms were in all of the kids' goody bags. I have heard of sweatshirts, balloons, candy, and maybe even other sorts of fun items but condoms? Read More

Why is Public and Private Behavior so Different?

What to do when public and private behavior differ. Read More

I Can't Stop Thinking About My Husband With his Ex-Wife

What to do when you fell like the second-hand wife. Read More

Mother's Day Is So Stressful

Mother's Day is approaching and this is not an easy time for me. Since my parents got divorced last year they fight all the time and they ask me questions about each other. My mother drives me crazy. Read More

My Son Is the Bully

How bullying and bullfighting are similar. Read More

My Teen Hates Her Body and I Don't Love Mine

What to do when your teen dislikes her body. Read More

My Son Was Rejected and I Can't Sleep

What to do when your child is rejected Read More

My Teen Says All the Other Parents Are Allowing This

What to do when you are the only parent saying no. Read More

My Teen Daughter Loves "Bad" Boys

"I am the proud but frustrated mother of three kids. My oldest is a 17-year-old girl and the other two are 10-year-old twin girls. My 17-year-old, who I was hoping would be the role model for the younger ones, has this fascination with dating "bad" boys." Read More

My Daughter is a Wimp

How to help your kids not get too stressed by bullies Read More

The Urban Dictionary, Lorena Bobbit, and My Teen

What to do when your teen asks you to explain "Bobbit." Read More

Is Worrying About Your Teens Healthy?

What is the normal amount of parental worry? Read More

Party Invitations Are Arriving with Goodies

What to do when goodies in school lead to feeling excluded. Read More

I Don't Want My Teen Hanging Around Gay Parents

What to do if your teen's friend's parents are gay men. Read More

My Wife Acts Like a Teenager

What to do when your wife gets younger? Read More

My Husband Told My Son to Punch the Bully

What to do when your husband encourages fighting. Read More

My Teenager Wants to Be a Housewife

What to do if your daughter aspires to be a housewife Read More

My Daughter Can't Deal with Sexual Comments

What to do if your teen is being sexually harassed. Read More

The School Bus Is Making My Daughter Sick

What to do if your child is getting teased on the school bus Read More

My Teenager Told Me About My Husband's Affair

What to do if your teen tells you about an affair Read More

My Daughter Has A Dirty Little Secret

What to do when you find out that your teen cuts Read More

I Want to Say No to the New Year's Eve Party

What to Do When Your Teen Says You Don't Trust Her Read More

My Teenage Son's Walls are Covered with Sexy Posters

What to do about your teen son's sexy posters Read More

My Daughter Is Asking Me About My Sexual History

What to do when your kids ask about your sex history Read More

I Want the Party at My House

What to do about teen parties Read More

Should I Let My 17 Year Old Go to Coed Sleepovers?

What to do about coed teen sleepovers Read More

Is Bathing Your Teen Son Okay

Sorting out what is appropriate between teen sons and moms Read More

Barbara Greenberg, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of adolescents and their well-intentioned but exhausted parents.

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About The Teen Doctor

Dr. Barbara Greenberg is the co-author of Teenage as a Second Language-A Parents Guide to Becoming Bilingual (Adams Media) and the co-creator of the interactional website talkingteenage.com. She is in private practice in Fairfield County CT and is the Adolescent Consultant at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan CT.