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How to keep kids safe online
Plus: Unpacking one and done
You know what they say. It’s all fun and games until you press too many buttons on Chrissy Teigen’s toilet. Totally normal stuff…could’ve happened to anyone! Right, guys? Guys? Please tell us this is normal “two best friends going to the bathroom together” behavior for everyone else.
—Cat & Nat
Talk About Digital Safety and Literacy With Your Kids
Remember the rumor mill when we were teens? Gossip would spread like wildfire. And while it could be hurtful, it was all talk.
But teens today have a digital footprint, for better or for (mostly) worse. Every message they send and every photo they take or receive could go around the entire school in a matter of seconds. It’s downright scary.
We talked about this with our Common Parent community this week—a whopping 30% of teens report that they’ve had sexually explicit images shared with them that were originally intended for someone else. As we’ve told our kids a thousand times, the internet is forever. It’s important that we talk honestly about staying safe online and keep the lines of communication open.
Need some guidance on doing that? This week on the pod, we chatted with speaker and author Dr. Devorah Heitner about the importance of parents understanding the technology our kids are using and how to help our kids become responsible digital citizens.
Natural and fun ways to make snack time easier!
Our baby snacks are certified organic, natural, unsweetened and delicious, designed with the utmost consideration for child safety. Our Yoghurt Pick-Me Sticks from 10+ months bring new adventures in taste, shapes and textures to help promote independence, expand palate and aid motor skill progression, such as pincer grasp and hand-eye coordination. Quick to melt in the little mouth, they are safe for self-feeding and perfect for first-stage snacking.
Only Children? Often Misunderstood
Let’s talk about only children. This idea that growing up without siblings makes you selfish is silly, dismissive, and as it turns out, according to research…false! A recent study found that only children have just as much capacity for altruism and selflessness as children with siblings.
And it’s time we give only children the respect they deserve. Because it’s becoming a more and more popular family dynamic: 20% of households with children have one child. But…
Only children are more likely to feel like they need to be perfect, to yearn for a sibling-like connection as an adult, and to worry about taking care of their parents once they’re older.
All of these concerns can start at a very young age, so therapy, just like for any kid, can be a really helpful tool to work out these kinds of feelings.
And if it isn’t clear already…enough with the only child slander. Every kid equally drives their parents crazy, siblings or not. 😁
What to Expect During Puberty: From the Mouths of Babes
It all goes by so fast. How many times have you heard that about parenting?
It’s because it’s so d*mn true. One minute your kid is 6 years old, jumping into your arms after only being apart for a few hours. Then you blink and they’re a sophomore in high school, perpetually annoyed by the way you breathe. It’s all part of the deal.
But this Canadian mom and influencer shared something that will—and we don’t mean to be overly dramatic here—warm every parent’s heart. Her tween daughter gave her the kindest warning: “So when I’m older and I’m 16 or, like, 12, and I start being rude, I’m going to be rude for 2 years,” she said. “So please remember that I’m actually being rude so I can be like all the other teenagers and I’ll just still love you.”
See? Puberty doesn’t have to be all bad. ❤️
Once your kids get to be teens, a family group chat is essential. For logistics, pickups, reminders, and so much more. But also? They’re extremely fun. It’s a wealth of comedic material. Not convinced? Allow today’s Rec Room to persuade you →
This tweet is a friendly reminder that the fam group chat is where the Netflix password lives.
One dad set a hilarious boundary in his group chat.
This TikTok takes on a piping hot topic: Wholesome Family Group Chat Name vs. Insane/Borderline Disturbing Family Group Chat Name.
This dad’s video in his family group chat made one thing clear: Do not mess with his spices!
Have you texted your best friend today? If you haven’t, you totally should. Better yet, do every single part of life with them! JK, we know it’s not feasible for every best friend duo to share a credit card (👀that’s so us). But friendship doesn’t have to get less fun as we get older. In fact, when you do it right, it gets so much better. 💜
Until next week, friends!