How to be the bad guy

Hey, you! Here’s a mom truth we don’t talk about enough: the literal nanosecond you buy an item in bulk is when your kids decide they’ll never eat it again. Before you know it, your garage is filled to the brim with fruit snacks that you end up eating for dinner until the end of time. How do we stop the madness? Please advise.

The Root of Most Conflicts in Families?

Consider them the usual suspects. Despite how much life has changed over the last 50 years, research indicates that couples are still fighting about a lot of the same things they always have: money, parenting styles and household chores.

But what about parents and teens? That flavor of conflict gets a little more nuanced. The age-old arguments re: curfew and chores are still very present, but it’s not as simple as wanting a lock on the bedroom door anymore. Technology plays a huge role in kids’ lives today—which skyrockets excessive cell-phone usage to the top of the list kids and parents fight about.

If you know this is a conflict you’re bound to hit at some point, isn’t it best to be prepared? Join our Common Parent community (free trial right this way) and check out these helpful resources, straight from the intel experts share with us on the reg:

• 5 Signs Your Teen Is Addicted To Their Smartphone

• 5 Ways To Reduce Your Teen's Phone Use

• 5 Ways To Keep Your Teen Safe Online

After all…show us a family that doesn’t argue, and we will accuse them of being AI.

Be the Bad Guy for Your Kids

You’re probably thinking, “But I’m already ALWAYS the bad guy!” And to that we say, preaching to the choir! But hear us out on this one. 

Sometimes giving your child permission to make you the bad guy in certain situations is the right move. 

• As this mom shared, she lets her daughter make her the “fall guy” to get out of uncomfortable (but pretty harmless) situations.

• She said it created actionable trust between her and her child, and it’s safe to say that is something every single one of us wants with our children.

A little white lie to get out of a sleepover because they’re scared to go to a haunted house (“my mom won’t let me”) can help you create a safe place by allowing your child to “blame” you for bailing. You can eventually encourage your kids to enforce their personal boundaries in situations like these. But until then, it’s ok to be the fall guy. 🙂

An Internet Trend We Can All Get Behind

Have you seen “She deserved the purse?” circulating your FYP? Allow us to explain. 

• TikTok user Denaesha Gonzalez was shopping when she noticed a purse in the baby lotion and medication section. 

• Denasesha, a mother to a 2-year-old, made the astute assumption that a mom probably realized she couldn’t afford everything in her cart and put the purse back on the shelf so she could buy everything she needed for her child. 

• She put herself last, something parents do all day every day. 

Denaesha’s video went viral and inspired a beautiful movement: people started leaving cash gift cards and supportive notes inside of baby products to encourage new mothers to do something nice for themselves. 

We love this. And it’s a great reminder to not be so hard on yourself OR other parents. Look out for each other in big and small ways, however you can, whenever you can.

We’ve entered a new season…and we’re not just talking about fall. ‘Tis the season for amazing TV! It’s time to cozy up on the couch and binge some of the new shows and movies we can’t stop talking about. Today, your perfect recs for some weekend viewing.

• Nobody Wants This (Netflix) is a comedy series about a snarky podcaster and a recently single rabbi who fall for each other. It’s fun, smart, sexy and most importantly? It has Adam Brody, whose undeniable charm has the power to unite us all. 

• Will & Harper (Netflix) is a remarkably touching and funny documentary about friendship, acceptance, and being trans in America. It should be required viewing for people of all ages. This film will change hearts and minds and potentially even save lives.

• English Teacher (FX + Hulu) is a comedy series about a high school English teacher navigating the ups and downs of trying to please students, parents, and administrators alike. It is a deliriously funny show that’s equal parts humor and heart.