Dr. Willough Jenkins

Dr. Willough Jenkins Board Certified Child Psychiatrist

You are trying so hard. You deserve advice that actually helps. Child and Teen Mental Health | WHO Advocate | TV Expert

09/08/2026

Boys feel deeply. They just learn early to hide it. Let’s change that. .fides

09/08/2026

Be the mom that gets your hair wet” has been trending, but can we take a breath? You’re allowed to sit poolside. You’re allowed to watch your kids play and enjoy the moment without diving in. You don’t have to perform to be a good parent. Sometimes I get in the pool. Sometimes I sit, talk with my friends, and rest. Both are good. Both matter. Follow to join other parents taking the pressure off and focusing on what actually matters.

09/08/2026

10 Things I’d Tell Working Moms 1. You can’t do it all and that’s okay. 2. Short quality time matters more than long stretches of distracted time. 3. Be there for the small moments and the big ones. You will miss things, but the post game pizza and the recital both count. 4. Talk about your work and let your kids know what you do. 5. You are not choosing work over your kids. You are showing them purpose and balance. 6. Some balls will drop and life will keep moving. 7. Get help when you can. You are not meant to do this alone. Help cleaning has saved my sanity. 8. Push for better policies and flexibility at work. Change happens when we speak up. 9. Let your kids see you rest and recharge. 10. You are already showing them strength just by showing up. You don’t have to do it all. I don’t. What matters most is being present when it counts and letting your kids see the meaning in your work. Share what you do and why it matters. Those conversations build pride and connection. 💬 Comment freebie to get my teen parenting guide for moms who want to stay connected and balanced.

09/08/2026

It actually isn’t simple to do, but the concepts themselves are basic. Presume competence and intelligence. Teens are smart. Have you seen the incredible things they are doing? They just are not motivated by the same things adults are, and that difference often gets misunderstood as “their brains are not developed enough.” I show up authentically as myself. I am open about my intentions. I emphasize confidentiality. I show respect and genuine interest. I understand that social belonging, peer acceptance, and feeling respected matter most to teens. Only after that can real conversation happen. Do you do this? Would examples help?

09/08/2026

First, ask yourself this BIG question. If this behavior happened in a workplace, would HR need to get involved? Harassment. Intimidation. Ongoing exclusion. Public humiliation. Abusive messages. If the answer is yes, then adults should step and support and look at getting school involved too. Next, ask a second question. If this behavior happened in a workplace, would the police get involved? Threats. Violence. Sextortion. Abuse. Stalking. If the answer is yes, this is no longer “teen drama.” This is a safety issue. Most peer conflict can be coached from the sidelines, with support and guidance behind the scenes. But safety, abuse, and ation are not learning moments. I know teens resist involvement because of fears things might get worse but when it’s safety related we have to - could range from talking to school and switching classes all the way up to police involvement - and always coupled with your full support. These are moments for adult protection.

09/07/2026

Have you seen an adult do this? One of the easiest mistakes to make with teenagers is confusing inexperience with inability.
Your teen is going to make decisions that leave you completely baffled, miss things that feel incredibly obvious to you, and sometimes need you to explain something you could swear you have already explained ten times. That doesn’t mean they aren’t smart or capable. It means they are still developing judgment, perspective, emotional regulation, and the ability to think through consequences, often while navigating situations they have quite literally never encountered before.
What matters is how we respond while they are learning.
If a teenager repeatedly hears that they are irresponsible, immature, clueless, or incapable, those messages can start to shape the way they see themselves. Correcting a bad decision is very different from making your teen feel like they are simply a person who makes bad decisions.
We can expect more from our teenagers without talking down to them, and we can hold boundaries, point out mistakes, and help them understand consequences while still communicating that we trust their ability to learn and grow.
Sometimes that means resisting the urge to immediately tell them what they should have done and instead asking what they think happened, what they might do differently next time, or what they need to figure it out.
Teenagers are still learning, but they are also far more capable than we sometimes give them credit for. How we speak to them while they are figuring things out can become part of how they learn to speak to themselves.
Save this for the next time your teenager does something that makes you wonder what on earth they were thinking.

09/07/2026

✨ Does Homework Really Help in Elementary School? ✨ Studies show the academic benefits of homework in young kids are… limited. 📚 While homework might help build time management skills, it doesn’t necessarily lead to better grades before middle school. Plus, too much can take away from free play, which is crucial for development! Some schools are shifting to shorter or even no-homework policies to keep learning fun and balanced. 🧩 How do you feel about homework for young kids? 💬 with Sports Why is a child psychiatrist weighing in on homework? Because it absolutely affects kids and families.

09/07/2026

What would you have done in this situation? with Duet with who is taking a more unusual approach to teen parenting (while I suspect this might have been made as a joke and definitely a sense of humor is needed for parenting ~ I’m not sure the teens were in on it) Navigating teen relationships can feel like walking a tightrope. While setting house rules is essential, it’s equally important to maintain connection and trust with your teen. 💬 If rules come across as too rigid or disconnected from their world, you risk pushing them away at a time when they need your guidance the most. Instead, focus on fostering open communication and understanding their perspective. Balance structure with empathy—your teen is figuring out life, and your connection is their anchor. Keep the conversation going, and remember: rules work best when they strengthen, not sever, relationships. Willough Psychiatrist

09/07/2026

with parenting is tough, I’ll be the first to tell you but our job as parents is to always do our best and grow because words and outdated parenting practices are harmful. I always ask parents who get stuck in this parenting style / is this how you were patented? / do you want your children to fear you? / if you fear someone that relationship is always going to affected by fear and you will never be close unless fear is removed. Full stop.

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Orange County, CA

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