Welcome beloved nurturers. Today we're going to California to meet Denise and Ryan, a

homemaker and a pipeline inspector who started their family when they were teenagers. Their

kids are now 14 and 9, and they proudly wave a family flag of humor.

Mom and dad's chronic sore spot, not being teen parents, not financial issues, but how

to parent when their philosophies differ. If Denise came home with a C, her sweet dad

said, it's okay, you're still good, you still passed. If Ryan got in trouble for skateboarding

instead of studying, he got a tough punishment along with a reminder that boys don't cry.

Denise and Ryan, straight A student son, just came home with an F in geometry. Mom blames

herself. Dad blames his son's laziness. During our conversation, we came up with a context

for Ryan's dilemma and Denise adopts a cat phrase. That's all I took. Today's new words

teach us how Japanese youth challenge themselves on Halloween and about an ancient use of the

tambourine. First, a disclaimer. What you are about to listen to is not a professional

counseling session. Each episode is a one time conversation and the advice I offer does

not constitute psychological treatment or services substitute for professional diagnosis,

intervention, or behavioral health care. In order to protect their privacy, our guests

have been given pseudonyms and some personal details have been changed. If you have concerns

about your child's well-being or your own, seek out guidance from a medical or mental

health professional, good places to start, your child's pediatrician, the counseling staff

at your child's school, and the American Psychological Association's Comprehensive Guide

to Finding Resources in your State. And now, onto the fun.

Good morning. Hi, Ryan. Good morning, Michelle. Thank you both for joining me this morning.

Thank you. Here's what I know. You have a son, Anthony, who is 14 and Taylor is 9. She's

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