Hormones, Mood Swings & Meltdowns: A Parent’s Guide to the Puberty Years

Welcome back to the Dr. Kinney Show!
In this solo episode, I’m diving into a topic that hits close to home—how to support your tweens and teens as they navigate the wild ride of puberty. As a mom of five, I’m no stranger to mood swings, hormonal shifts, and dinner table meltdowns. This episode was inspired by a recent conversation with my kids that reminded me just how intense and important this phase can be for both kids and parents.

In this episode, I share:

• What’s actually going on in the brain during puberty
• Practical tools to help balance hormones and moods
• The role of nutrition, blood sugar, and gut health
• My favorite simple remedies (hello, Epsom salt baths!)
• How to use love languages to reconnect with your child
• Why xenoestrogens might be making things worse—and how to avoid them
• The “downstairs brain” vs. “upstairs brain” and why emotional safety matters

If you’re raising a tween or teen (or are about to), this episode will give you insight, support, and some of my go-to holistic strategies to help your family ride the puberty wave with more confidence and connection.