How to get teens off those phones

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Hi! Today marks Juneteenth, a US holiday that celebrates the freeing of all enslaved Black people in the US in 1865. It’s a really wonderful chance to create a learning moment with your kids, too! Here are some resources to start the conversation:

• The National Museum of African American History and Culture has some great info on the historical legacy of Juneteenth.

• We loved this collection of books, YouTube videos, and more that can help teach your kids about how meaningful Juneteenth really is.

• And check out your local paper or neighborhood groups to see if your community is hosting any cultural celebrations. Get out there and talk to your neighbors!

Here’s to a thoughtful day! 💕

How To Have “The Talk” About Your Teen’s Fashion Choices

Parents vs. crop tops: the age old conflict. You want to give your children the freedom to express themselves through clothing, but you also don’t want them to dress like a twenty-something when they’re still years away from their learner’s permit.

So how do you talk to your kids about their clothing choices—to ensure they’re putting their best foot forward and having fun while getting dressed? Here are some tips from the experts →

• Avoid criticizing your child’s clothing choices. Instead, you can ask non judgmental questions like, “What kind of statement are you making with that outfit?” and really listen to their responses.

• Stay calm and don’t use any kind of insulting language—no matter how much you may dislike their outfit.

• Be open to some compromise: They can wear the short skirt but only if they wear bike shorts underneath. Meeting in the middle, within reason, should always be on the table. 

At the end of the day, keeping the conversation open (and avoiding “absolutely not” without discussing the why) is always a smart choice…even if your kids’ taste in shoes isn’t.

Fun Audio Experiences for the Whole Family

Limiting screen-time is often at odds with your kids enjoying their favorite films and series. But not with Popcorn Brainstorm! Jokes & Trivia for Kids, the chart-topping Kids & Family podcast from Netflix. Featuring trivia, games and jokes about Netflix films and series, Popcorn Brainstorm is an audio experience that keeps everyone in the family connected, entertained and having fun.

Listen to episodes about Leo, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, The Dragon Prince and many more!

Gen Z is Misinformed About Sunscreen

So you’re telling me Gen Z is obsessed with Sephora and skincare…but they don’t know about sunscreen? A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology found that 28% of respondents ages 18–26 did not believe that excessive sun exposure causes skin cancer. Yikes!

It’s up to us parents to fix this: It’s important we explain to our kids that sunscreen isn’t one of those “wait 30 minutes to swim after eating” myths. It is absolutely vital to their health to practice sun safety. 

• What do the experts say? Use at least SPF 30 sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses outdoors. 

Just like most things we nag our kids about…they will thank us for the sunscreen rants later!

Coming of Age in the Social Media Era

While some of us parents might be addicted to Instagram Reels (guilty!), we weren’t born with iPads in our hands. The same can’t be said for our kids’ generation. If your child was born post-Y2K (don’t ask your kids if they know what that means, the answer will depress you), chances are they don’t remember life before social media and smartphones. 

Want to ensure your tech-addicted teenagers have some crucial real-world perspective on the impact of social media? Let that lecture come from some slightly older peers (right here). They say…

• Don’t succumb to FOMO (fear of missing out)

• Don’t get sucked into the obsession over products advertised to you on social media

• Set time limits on your apps and get out and experience the real world

And when all else fails…5 things to do to reduce your teen’s screen time, for our Common Parent members (sign up here for your free trial if you haven’t yet!)

School is (mostly) out. Time to party! Or at least take a chill pill for a few minutes and let your kids go bananas without worrying about it interfering with homework. Today, the perfect recs to sweeten up your summer.

• FOR PARENTS ONLY! Summer cocktails like this tropical margarita and frozen espresso martini are going to be on repeat in our houses ’til Labor Day

• Rain or shine list of 100 activities to keep your kids on their toes all summer long

• A nostalgic summer treat for kids of all ages (including you!)

• Movie nights in the backyard are what summer dreams are made of