Stress, screens, shifting hormones, and early puberty: Why parenting 6-12 year olds is more important now than ever with Dr. Sheryl Ziegler

In this episode, psychologist and author of The Crucial Years Dr. Sheryl Ziegler joins me to shine a light on the unique needs and challenges of raising 6-12 year olds - a period often overlooked in parenting conversations, despite being a period of massive emotional, social, and biological development.

Together we explore:

• Why puberty is starting younger than ever, what's driving this trend, and how stress and environment play a critical role.

• How to tell when your child's "teenage" behaviors (like slamming doors or talking back) are developmentally normal versus when they may be signaling something more.

• How to foster self-esteem and emotional regulation using Erik Erikson's psychosocial stages as a framework.

• What "industriousness" versus "inferiority" means for kids—and why understanding this distinction matters so much for healthy development.

• How parenting styles are being shaped by the internet, social norms, and cultural messaging—and how to stay grounded in what your individual child needs.

• Why the pandemic had a unique impact on kids in this age range and how that continues to show up in surprising ways.

• Actionable strategies for parents of middle-year kids, including emotional attunement, helping them name and understand nuanced feelings, and how to have brave conversations about tough topics.

With humor, warmth, and deep clinical insight, Dr. Ziegler offers a compassionate reminder that while the middle years may fly under the radar, they are foundational—and your presence during this time matters more than you think.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY GUEST:

👉🏻 https://drsherylziegler.com/

📚 The Crucial Years: The Essential Guide to Mental Health and Modern Puberty in Middle Childhood (Ages 6-12)

📚 Mommy Burnout: How to Reclaim Your Life and Raise Healthier Children in the Process

🎧 Dr. Sheryl's PodCouch

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:

📱 @drsherylziegler

📱 @drsarahbren

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES AND RESOURCES:

👉🏻 May 2021 : Declaration of a National Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health

👉🏻 Erik Erikson's Stages of Development

👉🏻 The Step-Father Effect

CHECK OUT ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES YOU MAY LIKE:

🎧 263. BTS: How do I respond to my daughter's "mean girl" behaviors? Is she a bully?

🎧 How to handle peer rejection in early adolescence with Dr. Emily Upshur

🎧 238. Temperament, personality, and parenting: What you do (and don't) have control over as a parent with Dr. Koraly Pérez-Edgar