The Parenting Shift Nobody Prepares You For

This episode marks the launch of Good Inside’s new podcast, The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl — a show about raising tweens and teens. To kick things off, Dr. Becky sits down with the show’s host, clinical psychologist Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, to talk about the parenting shift that catches so many families off guard when kids enter the tween years. One day your child wants you for everything. The next, they’re shutting their bedroom door, wearing AirPods, and suddenly the strategies that used to work… don’t. In this conversation, Becky and Sheryl unpack what’s actually happening during this stage — and why it can feel so destabilizing for parents. They explore: - why tweens start pulling away - the parenting role shift that many parents struggle with - the difference between pursuing your kid and becoming a steady anchor - how to stay connected when your child seems more distant - and why this stage isn’t a rupture in your relationship, but a transition New episodes of The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl — will drop every Wednesday, exploring the emotional, social, and developmental realities of raising tweens and teens. Because your kid doesn’t need you less. They just need you differently. Follow Dr. Sheryl on IG: @DrSherylatGoodInside Follow Dr. Becky on IG: @DrBeckyatGoodInside Let us know what you think! podcast@goodinside.com

Dr. Sheryl Zieglerguest

Mar 12, 202632mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: March 12, 2026
Duration: 32m
Channel: Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

This episode marks the launch of Good Inside’s new podcast, The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl — a show about raising tweens and teens. To kick things off, Dr. Becky sits down with the show’s host, clinical psychologist Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, to talk about the parenting shift that catches so many families off guard when kids enter the tween years. One day your child wants you for everything. The next, they’re shutting their bedroom door, wearing AirPods, and suddenly the strategies that used to work… don’t. In this conversation, Becky and Sheryl unpack what’s actually happening during this stage — and why it can feel so destabilizing for parents. They explore:
why tweens start pulling away
the parenting role shift that many parents struggle with
the difference between pursuing your kid and becoming a steady anchor
how to stay connected when your child seems more distant
and why this stage isn’t a rupture in your relationship, but a transition
New episodes of The In-Between Years with Dr. Sheryl — will drop every Wednesday, exploring the emotional, social, and developmental realities of raising tweens and teens. Because your kid doesn’t need you less. They just need you differently. Follow Dr. Sheryl on IG: @DrSherylatGoodInside Follow Dr. Becky on IG: @DrBeckyatGoodInside Let us know what you think! podcast@goodinside.com

SPEAKERS

Dr. Sheryl Ziegler
guest
Clinical psychologist focused on tweens/teens and family dynamics; host of “The In-Between Years.”

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Good Inside with Dr. Becky, featuring Dr. Becky and Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, The Parenting Shift Nobody Prepares You For explores parenting tweens and teens requires steadier presence, less control, more repair. Tween/teen development can make familiar parenting instincts (comforting, questioning, physical affection) suddenly feel intrusive, leaving parents feeling loss, rejection, anger, and confusion.

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