Browse Resources

Discover practical advice and research-backed guidance that addresses the big and small challenges that come with family life.

Start browsing

Search with Rosalie

My AI-powered librarian Rosalie is here to make it easy to search for answers to your questions about raising 10-to-20-year-olds.

Search or ask a question

Download Bookmarks

My series of 6 free bookmarks offer practical guidance and helpful techniques to manage a variety of common situations.

Get started

And if you’re in search of more timely resources, Untangling 10 to 20 is my new digital subscription offering a dynamic library of video content and articles for parents, caregivers, and teens.

Become a member

The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

Lisa's latest New York Times best seller is an urgently needed guide to help parents understand their teenagers’ intense and often fraught emotional lives—and how to support them through this critical developmental stage.

Under Pressure

Lisa’s second New York Times best seller is a celebrated guide to addressing the alarming increase in anxiety and stress in girls from elementary school through college.

Untangled

Lisa’s award-winning New York Times best seller–now available in nineteen languages–is a sane, informed, and engaging guide for parents of teenage girls.

Join today

Untangling 10 to 20 is a dynamic library of premium content designed to support anyone who is raising, working with, or caring for tweens and teens.

Become a member

Already a member?

December 3, 2020

New York Times

How Teens Use Downtime to Connect, Distract or Reflect

Stress & Coping

When pandemic-weary adolescents get to take a break, what should they do with themselves? The main aim, of course, should be to feel better after the break than before it. But different downtime choices lead to different kinds of relief. Adolescents (and adults) might want to reflect on the options for how they spend their free time — whether they’ve got 20 spare minutes today or can anticipate more unscheduled time in the weeks ahead.

Here’s a look at three ways teenagers tend to spend their downtime, and the particular benefits and challenges that come with each.

Read article

More resources

November 15, 2017 New York Times Why Your Grumpy Teenager Doesn’t Want to Talk to You Read

August 1, 2023 New York Times Raising Teens Is Hard. Lisa Damour Has Some Answers. Read

January 2, 2018 New York Times Teenagers, Stop Asking for Nude Photos Read

July 4, 2019 New York Times What Do Teenagers Need? Ask the Family Dog Read

September 12, 2019 New York Times We Know It Harms Kids to See Smoking on TV. What About Rape? Read

February 14, 2018 New York Times How to Talk With Teenagers About Vaping Read

November 14, 2018 New York Times Why Teenagers Mix Drinking and Sex Read

July 18, 2018 New York Times Getting ‘Consent’ for Sex Is Too Low a Bar Read

April 21, 2020 New York Times Helping Teens Make Room for Uncomfortable Emotions Read

June 1, 2021 New York Times Why Teens Need a Break This Summer Read

See all

The advice provided here by Dr. Damour and the resources shared by her AI-powered librarian, Rosalie, will not and do not constitute - or serve as a substitute for - professional psychological treatment, therapy, or other types of professional advice or intervention. If you have concerns about your child’s well-being, consult a physician or mental health professional.