A stepmom, Jill, seeks advice on handling her 13-year-old stepdaughter, who identifies as a fox.
Jill shared her perplexity on a mental health podcast, The Dr. John Delony Show.
The teen identifies as a ‘therian,’ even wearing fox masks and tails.
The stepdaughter’s YouTube channel features her jumping around like a fox.
The biological mother seemingly encourages this behavior.
Dr. John was taken aback, feeling like he’s in the Twilight Zone.
The stepdaughter even influenced Jill’s nine-year-old daughter to identify as a giraffe.
This influence led to the younger daughter featuring in a surprise YouTube video.
Jill questions the boundaries and relationship dynamics in her home.
Dr. John advises normalizing creative play but setting clear boundaries.
The father seems resigned to the situation at his ex-wife’s house.
He opposed the YouTube channel but was overruled.
Dr. John raises concerns about the safety of online presence.
He emphasizes the importance of teenagers feeling seen and loved.
Jill reveals her stepdaughter’s struggles and therapy history.
The stepdaughter’s online activities include searching for inappropriate content.
Dr. John advises focusing on what they can control as parents.
He stresses the importance of being sturdy, consistent parents.
Online validation is described as a poor substitute for real affirmation.
Jill plans to establish firmer rules and boundaries.
Dr. John advises a clear, empathetic conversation with the stepdaughter.
He acknowledges the challenges of stepparenting and modern parenting.
Jill’s situation isn’t unique, as other young people also identify as animals.
Naia Ōkami, from Seattle, identifies as a wolf ‘on all levels except physical.’
The trend of ‘therians’ has gained momentum, notably on platforms like TikTok.