Help. My teens aren't interested in me. What do I do?
This Complex Life · Marie Vakakis
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Show Notes
It can feel heartbreaking when your teenager pulls away, shows little interest in your life, or seems dismissive of family connections. This is a common experience for many parents, and while it can feel personal, it’s often just part of healthy adolescent development.
In this episode, I talk through what’s happening for teens at this stage, and what parents can do to stay connected without pushing their kids further away.
You’ll hear about:
- Why teenagers turn toward peers and away from parents
- How to avoid taking their changes personally
- Moving from “manager” to “consultant” in your parenting role
- Why empathy is key (even when you disagree)
- The problem with angry pursuit and guilt-driven connection
- How to invite closeness without criticism
- Practical ideas for spending meaningful time together
- Why listening and curiosity matter more than fixing
This episode is all about finding ways to feel connected, even when your teen seems uninterested in you.
Resources:
- Submit a question for a future episode: https://forms.gle/6GJsNv9MeppUvw5j8
- Connected Teens Program: https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/
- Grab my free ebook https://marievakakis.com.au/my-teen-wont-talk-to-me/
Connect with Marie
https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/
Submit a question to the Podcast
https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6
Mentioned in this episode:
Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset https://marievakakis.com.au/relationship-new-year-reset-2026/