33: Understanding How the Teen Brain Actually Works

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr. John B. Molidor,</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">CEO & President of the Brain Based Leadership Institute,</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">works with people to better understand how their brains work. He guides his clients towards using their brains more efficiently and to help them make better decisions. In this episode, he explains why it can be so frustrating working with your teen as they begin to enter adulthood. Your brain doesn’t fully form until you’re 25 years old, so it’s important for parents to practice a bit of grace when your child makes illogical mistakes.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Key Takeaways</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Why do teenagers do some of the most ridiculous things sometimes?</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Chances are that teenagers don’t really have a good reason for some of the actions they do. Their brain is not fully formed. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">We’re asking our teenagers to grow up faster than what their brains will allow. Brains don’t fully form until about 25 years old, however our teenagers can start driving at 16. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How can we get our teens to follow simple directions? It’s not always them being defiant! </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">How can parents help their teens better develop a healthy brain? </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The brain is the only thing in our bodies that can change and get rewired. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Let’s talk about the importance of sleep for your teen. </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="