I’m not being dramatic: Navigating shutdowns, and the everyday battle over chores, with empathy, humour, and a whole lot of real talk.

When your teen says, “You’re not listening,” or your parent says, “Why do I have to nag?”, it’s time for a deeper look. In this episode, Tammy and Carolyn answer two raw and relatable questions about emotional shutdowns and chore-related standoffs, and share ways to build connection without all the yelling.

In this episode of This Might Get Awkward, Tammy and Carolyn tackle two all-too-familiar challenges in the parent-teen universe:

1. “I hate it when my parents talk over me or say I’m just being emotional. It makes me want to shut down.”
   

2. “We argue constantly over chores and responsibilities. How do I communicate expectations without being seen as a nag?”
   

With warmth and honesty, they explore how dismissing emotions can lead to disconnection, and how teens can gently advocate for themselves without escalating conflict. For parents, they unpack how timing, tone, and old habits can shape our reactions, and why "nagging" often comes from burnout and overload.

You’ll hear:

• How to signal “now’s not a good time” without shutting down the convo completely
  

• Ways teens can name their emotions and ask for space or clarity
  

• Why parents sometimes repeat patterns without realising it
  

• Simple mindset shifts to reduce the eye rolls during chore talks
  

• How to gamify responsibility and bring a bit of fun to everyday tensions
  

• That yes, we’ve all been there, and it’s okay to laugh about it afterward
  

This one’s for anyone who’s ever stormed off mid-conversation... or thought about hiding in the laundry cupboard to avoid another talk about dishes.