Discover why your teen isn’t lazy but overwhelmed. Learn how to deal with difficult teenage behaviour and rebuild calm, trust, and motivation at home.

Netflix’s new thriller Wayward is more than edge-of-your-seat drama. On the surface, it’s about a picturesque town, a charismatic leader (played by Toni Collette), and a therapeutic school for troubled teens hiding dark secrets.

Hello, I’m Pei I , founder of Rainbow Parenting Practice . For over three decades I’ve worked with families of the most vulnerable and challenging teenagers. I understand what it’s like to feel completely stuck, to try everything and still watch your teen spiral deeper into crisis. When families are overwhelmed and desperate, the first instinct is often to ask for more tips or strategies. But what actually helps is not more advice. What helps is someone who can walk alongside

Inspired by Netflix series Ginny and Georgia  Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia struck a nerve for many viewers—not because of its dramatic twists, but because of how deeply it mirrors the emotional weight so many modern mothers carry. While the story centres on a mother and daughter navigating life after trauma, what resonates most isn’t the plot—it’s the pattern. The invisible legacy of survival. How the pain we’ve endured becomes the parenting script we follow—whether we mean to o

Sibling relationships are among the most enduring and emotionally charged bonds in our lives. They can be sources of profound support, deep understanding, and lifelong friendship. Yet, they can also harbour intense rivalry, unresolved resentment, and painful estrangement. As a family therapist specialising in adolescent behaviour and systemic family patterns, I've observed that the dynamics between siblings are often shaped long before any overt conflict arises. These dynamic

The concept of “reparenting yourself”  has become a popular buzzword in personal growth circles. It suggests that by healing your inner child, you can overcome adult challenges. There’s some truth here — our childhood experiences do  shape who we are. But what's often overlooked is that they're not the only  thing  that shapes who we are. There are many forces at play: The family system we grew up in The culture that raised us The relationships that formed our self-worth The

They Don’t Listen. You’ve Tried Everything. And Nothing Works. You ask them to turn the game off. They ignore you. You remind them again—now they’re shouting. You shout back. Now no one is listening. Again. If this is what your home sounds like, you’re not alone. And you’re not failing. Every week, I work with parents who say: “I talk and talk, but nothing lands.” “Every conversation ends in conflict.” “They listen to everyone else—but not me.” You’ve probably felt all the th

Blog inspired by Netflix Series - Adolescence The Silence of Our Sons In homes across the world, teenage boys are retreating into silence or erupting in rage. Parents watch, bewildered, as their once communicative sons become distant, volatile, or both. This isn't a phase or mere teenage angst. It’s the culmination of unseen emotional wounds  — shaped by societal expectations, reinforced within family systems, and magnified by how different cultures and communities view emoti

Balancing Technology and Creativity: Navigating Social Media with Your Teenager. In the Netflix series Adolescence , we witness a raw portrayal of teenage volatility: online obsessions, social media spirals, and digital personas formed in place of identity. It’s dramatic, yes — but it’s also frighteningly close to reality. For many families, watching the show feels eerily familiar. The sudden mood shifts. The late-night scrolling. The child who once shared everything now hidi

The Netflix series Adolescence  attempts to raise awareness of social influences on the teenage mind and maybe also with the hope to show us the chaos of their mind — but for me watching as a Family Therapist, I don't just see the influence of the social media, but more complex issues that have not been shown or voiced in the series. Let's start with the violence, when-masculinity-turns-violent-what-the-netflix-series-adolescence-gets-right-and-what-it-doesn-tthe breakdowns,

Blending two families into one is a deeply complex and emotional process. While parents often approach this transition with the best intentions—hoping to create love, stability, and security for their children—blended families rarely come together seamlessly. For children, this isn’t a change they asked for, and it often disrupts their sense of identity, loyalty, and belonging. Unlike traditional families, where relationships develop organically over time, blended families mu

Imagine your teenager has a list. Not a bucket list or a to-do list — but a private, invisible log of every moment they’ve felt dismissed, unheard, or misunderstood. Every broken promise. Every eye-roll at their emotions. Every time they were told to "calm down" instead of being asked what was wrong. This isn’t a list of grudges. It’s a list of ruptures. And whether you’ve seen it or not — it’s shaping the emotional climate in your home. But here’s the powerful part: if we’re

If you’re struggling with your teenager’s behaviour — explosive outbursts, defiance, school refusal, or emotional shutdown — you’ve...

In my recent appearance on UK National TV- GB News, I argued against the notion that teenagers are inherently more disruptive today. Instead, I believe the narrative needs to shift. Teenage behaviour hasn't worsened; the way we approach their upbringing and education simply hasn't kept pace with their evolving needs. Here's why: New-Found Voices & Rights: Teenagers are increasingly aware of their rights and empowered to express themselves. This newfound voice is fuelled by a

I struggled to speak in a group setting or in public because I was worried that people would think what I said was stupid and a complete waste of their time. Once, I received feedback from my tutors in university saying that I was always quiet and hardly shared my thoughts and views (you wouldn’t think so now if you know me). You are probably thinking - why this was the case and what brought about the transformative change in me being able to speak my mind on UK National TV  

Navigating difficult teen behaviour can make the most Successful Parents Feel Powerless at Home It goes without saying that anyone . can be the victims of domestic violence experience trauma be brought up by abusive parents  have a horrendous childhood  can be subjected to abuse and neglect  can struggle with mental health challenges regardless of  your class or status…. Jane, the judge, was in an abusive relationship for years.  Mike, the doctor, was emotionally abused by hi

Adolescence is a crucial period in human development marked by rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive changes. The teenage brain undergoes significant transformations, impacting decision-making, emotional regulation, and risk perception. This intricate interplay of biological and environmental factors often leads to risky behaviours among teenagers. In this blog post, I will delve into the fascinating world of teen brain development, shedding light on the neurological basis

Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and forging connections with peers, but not all associations are positive. When parents notice their teenagers associating with negative or toxic influences, it can be a cause for concern. In this blog post, we'll explore the whys, and effective strategies for parents to support and guide their teenagers through these challenging situations. As a parent, it can be frustrating and concerning to see your teen surrounded by friends who see

The digital era has transformed the way teenagers communicate, share, and connect with the world, and at the heart of this transformation is social media. As parents, navigating the digital landscape with your teenager can be both exciting and challenging. In this blog post, we'll explore the role of social media in a teenager's life, potential concerns, and how parents can foster a healthy online environment and keep your teen safe. Let's start with the effects and impact of

(And why what you’ve been told might be missing the full picture) Aggression in teenagers is one of the most confronting — and misunderstood — experiences families can go through. It doesn’t just “happen.” It doesn’t always respond to consequences. And it often leaves parents carrying two weights at once: The pain of what’s happening, and the guilt of believing it’s their fault. So instead of offering advice or strategies in this post, we’re going deeper — to unpack the why