Parenting is a wild ride, but parenting tweens and teens? That’s a whole different level. In the latest episode of the Woke Mommy Chatter Podcast, we dive into the unique challenges of raising Black children in their tween and teen years—those years where they are testing boundaries, forming identities, and, let’s be honest, sometimes making us question everything.
I sat down with two incredible guests who bring both expertise and lived experience to this conversation:
• Dr. Ashley Maxie-Moreman—a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in teens and young adults, who also researches online racism and its impact on Black youth. You can connect with her here: Dr. Maxie Moreman
• Nicole Emmanuel—a fellow Black mom, parenting expert, and writer behind the Parenting While Black blog. She shares insights on navigating the joys and struggles of raising Black teens. Check out her blog here: Parenting While Black
Raising Black Tweens & Teens: More Than Just Mood Swings
Let’s be real—Black parents don’t get the luxury of just worrying about attitude and hormones. We’re raising our kids in a world that sees them differently, and that adds layers to our parenting. Our conversation on this episode covers:
✔ Why tweens & teens act the way they do—Dr. Maxie breaks down the science behind the emotional rollercoaster (hint: their brains are still under construction).
✔ How to set boundaries & foster independence—Nicole shares her approach to letting her kids grow while keeping the communication open.
✔ Gentle parenting vs. the Black parenting experience—How do we move away from authoritarian styles while still maintaining respect and discipline?
✔ Race, identity & preparing Black kids for bias—How much is too much when it comes to preparing our kids for racism? How do we teach awareness without making them anxious?
✔ The impact of social media—Dr. Maxie breaks down how TikTok, Snapchat, and gaming culture affect Black teens’ mental health—and what parents can do.
The Talk We All Need
One of the most powerful parts of this episode was the discussion on how we were raised vs. how we want to raise our kids. Many of us grew up in homes where parents never apologized, where “Because I said so” was the rule, and where questioning authority wasn’t allowed. But what does that look like when our kids need more than just compliance? How do we get them to commit to making good decisions instead of just following orders?
As Nicole put it,
“We can’t keep them safe by sheltering them. But we CAN build trust so they know they can come to us when it really matters.”
Why Every Black Parent Needs to Hear This Episode
Black parents are raising kids who are navigating a world that wasn’t built with them in mind. We need conversations like this—real, unfiltered, and rooted in our lived experience.
If you’re parenting a Black tween or teen—or about to enter that stage—you need to listen to this one. It’s full of wisdom, strategies, and real talk that will leave you feeling seen, heard, and maybe even a little less alone in this journey.
🎧 Listen now: Navigating the Tween & Teen Years as Black Parents
And don’t forget to subscribe to Woke Mommy Chatter on your favorite podcast platform and share this episode with other Black parents in your circle. We need to have these conversations together.
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