Hot Topics     Home and Family     Teen Health    

Laughter still the best medicine



A father focuses on humor to help navigate his daughter’s teen years

A father focuses on humor to help navigate his daughter’s teen years


In the newsroom – be it online, network, newspaper, or just “the grapevine” – the adage “if it bleeds, it leads” still holds a lot of truth. Meaning, the harsh stuff will automatically get more attention, while the sweeter, lighter material will be relegated to a space far outside the spotlight. It applies to parenting advice, too. Parents of teenage kids in particular are bombarded – now more than ever – with horror stories, warnings, admonishments, and fear, usually in the service of selling you something. It’s easy to get scared, and hard to look away.

While he takes it all in, and takes it all seriously, Jeff Bogle advises dealing with the aforementioned onslaught by finding something you and your child can laugh at together and enthusiastically nurturing that activity. As he puts it: “Circumnavigating an oft-bitter, maddening 21st century world while also playing dodgeball with puberty, social media posturing, confusing new desires, a first job, and a burgeoning personal independence is serious business; however, playing it serious all of the time is destined to up the anxiety levels in kids and adults alike.”

For him and his fourteen-year-old daughter, the release valve consists of comedy sketch shows on YouTube, of which there are countless.

Lucky for everyone, a fellow 8th grader introduced Bogle’s daughter to the sketch comedy of Studio C a Utah-based troupe with a popular YouTube channel (2.4 million subscribers) producing shorts for all-ages. Bogle then introduced his daughter to 90s-era archives of MTV’s similar sketch comedy show The State. 

READ MORE: Ways to support your kids emotionally in the pandemic

Bogle writes, “Suddenly we were swapping favorite sketches, gut laughing together, and developing a new kind of secret one-liner lingo.”

According to Bogle, laughter not only offers a welcome respite from talk of the increasingly serious stuff, it helps deepen their bond of trust, so those discussions can transpire with less awkwardness. He also notes that while many parents dealing with teens publicly wish for the less-complicated years of toddlerhood, he is relishing sharing laughs he would not have been able to enjoy when his teen daughter was a little girl.



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Choose to move

    5 ways to help manage osteoarthritis

    Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects over 32.5 million U.S. adults. OA is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness and can lead to limited function. read more »
  • Make these 10 doctor-recommended health resolutions in the new year

    Tips to help you get started

    The New Year is the perfect time to hit the reset button on your health and wellness. Not sure where to start? Doctors say you can make the biggest impact with small, incremental tweaks to your routine. read more »
  • Serve plant-based sweets this holiday season

    Try these dairy free salted caramel cupcakes

    Make this year’s festivities truly memorable by adding a touch of sweetness to holiday celebrations with this delightful combination of fluffy cupcakes, creamy frosting and a heavenly caramel drizzle. read more »
  • A full menu of festive holiday flavor

    From the main dish to dessert

    Cooking up a successful holiday gathering calls for everyone’s favorite recipes. From the centerpiece main dish to fresh salads and appetizers, roasted sides, and baked sweets, you can take seasonal get-togethers up a notch by mixing traditional classics with newfound favorites. read more »
  • Charity scam prevention tips

    How you can tell the difference

    The charitable spirit of New Yorkers is at an all-time high during the holiday season, so this week’s tips are meant to serve as a guide when choosing causes to donate to so donations get to the right place and not in the hands of scammers. read more »
  • A delicious way to support your immune system

    2 recipes your family is going to love

    Bolstering your immune system during winter, when coughs and colds seem to take control, is a must for the entire family. Supporting your wellness can start in a simple place – with the foods you eat and drink. read more »
  • Prevent package thefts during the holiday season

    Tips from the Department of State's Consumer Protection Division

    Tips on how you can protect yourself from thieves that are trying to steal both your holiday packages and your identity. read more »
  • Want to achieve your goals? Write them down

    Meet the newest winner of the G2 Overachievers Grant

    If you have a big idea, goal or dream about helping others, writing down your vision can help. Studies show you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. read more »
  • 5 things we learned about Alzheimer’s Disease in 2023

    It was a landmark year for research

    2023 was a landmark year for Alzheimer’s disease research, including advancements in treatment, risk factors and diagnosis. Here are five significant discoveries made this year. read more »
  • Winter comfort hacks for contact lens wearers

    One in five contact lens wearers find lenses to be less comfortable by the end of the day. If that describes you, you may already know that cold air, wind, and indoor heating, especially during winter, can bring additional challenges. read more »