Last weekend we dropped our almost 15 year old off to work at summer camp. I haven’t heard from him in days but that’s how I know my teen is living his best life at summer camp. We spent so much of the past year in such close proximity. Just like every other family, we…
Parenting
3 Ways to Support Teen Technology Use and Mental Health
This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent & Teen Communication Throughout the pandemic we’ve relied on technology for school, work, and socializing. The increase in technology use has created concerns about our teen’s mental health, physical well-being, and social skills. I’ve heard parents contemplating a summer digital detox but there are better ways…
Better Hearing and Speech Month Twitter Chat (Friday 5/21 1:30 pm ET w prizes!)
This is a sponsored post As the school year winds to a close, we’re celebrating making it through a roller coaster of a year but questions linger about what lies ahead. We hope there will be a full return to in-person school but what does this mean for our kids? Has virtual school impacted their…
How You and Your Kids Can Stop Asian Hate
The days following the Atlanta shooting have been difficult. They’ve been filled with impactful conversations about Asian hate on and offline as well as how current events have impacted my biracial teens. I am grateful to those who have read, shared, commented, and messaged to check on me and my family. I’m also incredibly thankful…
What My Biracial Teen Wants You to Know About Anti-Asian Racism
“I’m going to read your post about ways to stop Asian hate,” my 17 year old daughter, Emily, told me late one night this past weekend. The next morning I woke up to a series of texts that shared her struggles with anti-Asian racism as a biracial teen. As a family, we’ve always talked about…
6 Things You Can Do to Stop Asian Hate Right Now
I am Asian- Chinese, to be specific. The rise in violence, discrimination, and xenophobia against fellow Asians around the country over the past year has been terrible. This week’s Atlanta shooting by a domestic terrorist who “was fed up, at the end of his rope” and “had a bad day” is absolutely horrific. If you’ve…
YouTube Supervised Experiences Provide Safer Exploration for Tweens
As adults, we love YouTube for the multitude of varied content but as parents, we’ve been concerned about our kids’ safety. We’ve trusted the YouTube Kids app to keep them safe for years. But if your tween or teen is growing up and out the kids app, YouTube supervised experiences is a new option that…
Why Lighthouse Parents Are the Best Parents
This post is sponsored by the Center for Parent and Teen Communication Tiger moms, lawnmower dads, and helicopter parents. Many phrases describe the types of parents in the world. I’ve never felt that any of them describe me until hearing about lighthouse parents. What are lighthouse parents? It’s the best parenting style!
How We Can Teach Teens to Be Safe Winter Drivers
As I’m sitting here writing this post, sleet is hitting my window and instantly sticking to the sidewalks and roads. The below freezing temperatures and slippery conditions are not ideal driving conditions but serve as a teachable moment to teach teens to be safe winter drivers. Teens love the independence of driving but it can…
6 Ways Families Can Work Together to Be Internet Awesome on Safer Internet Day
This Safer Internet Day post is sponsored by Google It’s the first email I see in the morning as I open my inbox. It’s from an individual whose tone tends to range from passive aggressive to hostile. I take a deep breath and click to open it, not knowing if it will elicit an eyeroll…