Why Your Teenager Won't Listen to You (It's Not Defiance)

Does it feel like you're talking to a wall? You ask, remind, repeat, and still nothing. It's easy to decide your teen is being defiant. But often, something else is going on.

👉 Tired of repeating yourself? Inside Parenting Teens Academy, parents learn to get through without nagging, stay calm instead of reactive, and get their teen talking and listening again. Try it free for 7 days

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. R.J. Ledet, a psychiatrist trained in pediatrics, adult psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry, a Navy veteran, and co-founder of The 15 White Coats. We talk about why teens tune us out, how our stress shortens our fuse, and why so much of the disrespect we dislike starts with what teens hear at home.

The fix isn't stricter rules. It's pausing before we react, building responsibility step by step, and getting curious about how our teen thinks, not how we think they should.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why your teen isn't ignoring you on purpose
• The simple pause that keeps you from reacting and lecturing
• Why modeling teaches more than lectures, and where disrespect comes from
• How asking your teen to define "respect" helps your expectations land
• How to build responsibility step by step instead of all at once

 

EPISODE CHAPTERS

• 00:00 The challenges of parenting teens today
• 02:10 Meet Dr. R.J. Ledet
• 03:51 Common mistakes parents make with teens
• 06:00 Why self-awareness matters in parenting
• 08:06 Parenting under stress
• 10:01 The developmental stages of kids and teens
• 12:09 How your own upbringing shapes your parenting
• 14:01 Modeling and communication at home
• 16:02 Social media and screens
• 18:12 Building trust and connection with teens
• 19:58 Taking responsibility and caring for yourself
• 22:04 The power of pausing
• 24:00 Managing expectations and responsibility
• 26:01 Love, respect, and understanding
• 27:59 From control to connection
• 29:56 Final thoughts and key takeaways

 

CONNECT WITH DR. R.J. LEDET

• Instagram: @DrRussellLedet
• Organization: The 15 White Coats

 

CONNECT WITH DR. CAM CASWELL

• Website: AskDrCam.com
• Instagram: @DrCamCaswell
• Parenting Teens Academy

 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam is hosted by Dr. Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and certified parenting coach. Each episode gives you practical strategies, expert advice, and real-world insight to build a stronger relationship with your teen.

⭐ If this episode helped, share it with a parent who needs it and leave a rating and review. It helps other parents find the show.

🔔 Follow the show so you never miss an episode.