The Secret To Truly Connecting With Your Teen (From a Foster Dad of 47)
If your teen feels distant, defiant, or shuts you out, you’re not alone — and there’s hope. In this powerful episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, foster and adoptive dad Peter Mutabazi shares life-changing strategies for reconnecting with even the most resistant teenagers.
A survivor of childhood abuse and homelessness who’s since fostered 47 children, Peter explains why teens are actually “easier” to parent than younger kids and how shifting from an authoritarian approach to a mentorship mindset transforms relationships.
You’ll discover practical, trauma-informed parenting tools that help you lower conflict, rebuild trust, and guide your teen without power struggles. Whether you’re overwhelmed by defiance, craving deeper connection, or simply want to better understand your teen, this episode gives you the roadmap to start fresh and help your teen thrive.
📚 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
How a foster dad successfully parents 47 teenagers using mentorship instead of control.
Why your teen’s “acting out” isn’t about you — and how understanding hormones, trauma, and development changes your response.
Simple daily habits that build trust and confidence in defiant or withdrawn teens.
The “three-person approach” to teen behavior that makes even tough parenting moments feel manageable.
🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! Thanks so much for your support! 🙏💫
🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌
đź› RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
@fosterdadflipps
Facebook: Foster Dad Flipper
TikTok: Now I Am Known
🧑‍⚕️ CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: askdrcam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
⏱ EPISODE CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Parenting Challenges with Teens
01:20 Peter’s Inspiring Journey from Uganda
06:50 The Impact of Being Seen and Known
09:55 Navigating the Foster Care System
12:09 Building Trust with Foster Teens
13:35 Mentorship vs. Parenting: A New Approach
17:41 Understanding Teen Trauma and Behavior
20:21 The Importance of Not Projecting Past Experiences
23:50 Celebrating Small Wins in Parenting
28:14 Finding Time and Patience in a Busy Household
29:57 Using Social Media to Change Narratives
35:01 Finding Joy in Parenting
38:38 Key Takeaways for Parents
đź’ˇ 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS
Start Fresh Daily – Treat each incident as new and avoid bringing up past mistakes.
Celebrate Small Wins – Notice and praise even minor positive behaviors to build momentum.
Schedule Individual Connection Time – One-on-one outings strengthen trust without distractions.
Apply the Three-Person Approach – View your teen as a mix of hormones, trauma, and typical development to respond with empathy.
Shift from Parent to Mentor – Guide rather than control, meeting your teen where they are emotionally and developmentally.
📝 ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth.
Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #traumainformedparenting #teenmentorship
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42:26
Why Your Teen Stinks (and Doesn’t Seem to Care)—and How to Fix It Without Nagging
Struggling with your teen’s hygiene habits? You’re not alone. Many parents face daily battles over showers, deodorant, and brushing teeth—leaving everyone frustrated. In this episode of Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam, I sit down with Carly Broderick, founder of Myles Personal Care, a gender-inclusive hygiene brand created just for teens and tweens.
Carly shares how her own experience parenting through puberty inspired her to create practical solutions for families. We dive into the real reasons teens resist basic hygiene—from puberty’s “hurricane effect” to product sensitivities and even rebellion. More importantly, Carly provides science-backed strategies and her simple SSB routine that transforms daily fights into lasting healthy habits.
Whether your teen is entering puberty or in the thick of it, this episode will give you compassionate, effective strategies to replace nagging and shaming with empowering routines that help your teen feel confident in their own skin.
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WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE
Why nagging and shaming actually backfire when it comes to teen hygiene
The science behind why teens often don’t notice their own body odor
Carly’s proven SSB routine that makes hygiene habits stick
How to reframe hygiene as confidence and maturity—not just compliance
🎧❤️ ENJOYING THE SHOW?
Don’t keep it to yourself! Share your favorite episode and leave a rating and review to help other parents find the support they need. Your feedback helps me create even more episodes filled with practical tips for you and your family! 🙏💫
🔔 Remember to hit SUBSCRIBE so you never miss another solution-packed episode! 🙌
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Myles Personal Care Amazon Store – Use code DRCAMFAN20 for 20% off
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CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Carly Broderick
Website: hey-miles.com
Facebook: @hey.miles.teen
Instagram: @heymilesbrand
LinkedIn: Carly Broderick
TikTok: @heymilesbrand
Amazon Store: Myles Personal Care (use code DRCAMFAN20 for 20% off)
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CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell
Website: AskDrCam.com
Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
TikTok: @the.teen.translator
YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam
Facebook: @DrCamCaswell
EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00 Understanding Teen Hygiene Resistance
02:41 Creating Inclusive Personal Care Products
05:34 The Importance of Effective Deodorants
08:36 Navigating the Spectrum of Masculinity and Femininity
11:30 Building Healthy Hygiene Routines
14:18 Addressing Social Pressures and Body Odor Awareness
17:05 Encouraging Ownership of Personal Care
19:51 Simplifying Shower Routines
22:40 Final Thoughts and Practical Tips
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ABOUT THE SHOW
The Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Podcast is your go-to resource for navigating the challenges of raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach, this podcast offers practical parenting strategies, expert advice, and real-world insights to help you build a stronger relationship with your teen and support their emotional growth. Whether you’re struggling with teenage behavior or looking to improve communication, each episode provides actionable tips to make parenting teens easier and more rewarding. Perfect for both new and seasoned parents, this podcast helps you build the confidence to handle teen challenges and thrive together.
#theteentranslator #drcamcaswell #parentingteenswithdrcam #teenhygiene #parentingtips
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How to Talk to Your Teen About Porn Before the Internet Does
Parenting Teens Got You Stressed? 🎙️ Dr. Cam—The Teen Translator—Has Answers!
Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is the go-to podcast for parents who are ready to get real about raising teenagers. Hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell—adolescent psychologist, certified parenting coach, and mom of a teen—this podcast is all about honest conversations that dive deep into the challenges parents face and providing actionable solutions that actually work.
Dr. Cam doesn’t just talk theories—she shares real-life insights and strategies based on over a decade of experience and the struggles she faces as a mom herself. Every episode offers practical, science-backed solutions to help you understand your teen, improve communication, and build a stronger relationship. Whether you’re dealing with mood swings, defiance, anxiety, or social media issues, you’ll find easy-to-apply advice that makes a difference.
No interviews here—just authentic conversations that get to the heart of what parents are really dealing with. With a mix of expert tips and Dr. Cam’s own relatable stories, you’ll walk away with the tools you need to tackle even the toughest teen challenges with confidence.
#Parenting #ParentingTips #ParentingAdvice #ParentingLife #ParentingSupport #TeenParenting #Teenagers #RaisingTeens #ParentingTeens #TeenBehavior #TeenCommunication #TeenMotivation #TeenDevelopment #AdolescentDevelopment #ParentTeenConnection #TeenMentalHealth #DrCam #TheTeenTranslator