So your kid wants a 6-pack…

Hello everyone! Did you spend all weekend texting your kids “I’m in the parking lot” as you played Uber driver? We did. Seriously, these kids should start leaving five-star reviews and tips for all the trips we’re making to and from hockey games.

If you’re a glorified cab driver for your kids, we see you, we feel you, and we have a spicy podcast episode for you to listen to while you wait for them to jump into the back seat.

 So Your Tween Wants a Six-Pack…

New parenting challenge unlocked: Your young kid sees professional athletes, models, actors, and (somehow?) every person on Instagram with a six-pack…and decides they need one, too. They can’t even sit in the front seat, but they want a chiseled bod. How do you respond?

It helps to know this: About half of kids in the U.S. already report feeling self-conscious about their appearances as early as 8 years old. So not to put too much pressure on you…but this sh*t matters.

We loved the insights shared in this piece. Some highlights?

• Explain the difference between form (how you look, aka mostly genetics) and function (what you can do because of the work you put in). This can help show how insanely cool it is that our bodies can do so much.

• Talk about the fact that human bodies are all different. Some are muscular, others simply aren’t. And that’s okay!

• Show, don’t tell. Put a stop to those nagging comments you make about your own body. Talk about things that aren’t people’s bodies. Lead by example.

For members of The Common Parent, our community for parents with questions (not a member? Join here!), here’s a super helpful podcast episode to get you on track: Body Image and Eating Disorders with Natalie Rose Allen.

How Do You Measure Screen Time?

Are you in favor of monitoring your kids’ screen time? We were talking about the best ways to keep track of how much time our kids spend on those little screens with some members of The Common Parent.

Some of you parents and our crew of experts have recommended Bark and Qustodio. What works for you? Or are you more of an old fashioned “I swear if you kids don’t put down those phones I’m throwing them out the car window” type? Hit respond and tell us what your vibe is.

Helping Anxious Kids Just Got Easier

We love this! As parents to kids who’ve struggled with anxiety, we’re all in on this new tactic for stopping a panic attack in its tracks…eating sour candy! Focusing your senses on something super sour can divert a panic attack and help you (or your kids) get re-centered. Check out more here.

Should You Let Your Kids Quit?

Raise your hand if you’ve ever given up on a New Year’s resolution. Okay, now all 45,000 can put your hands down. Quitting is natural! It happens! We can’t always be in hustle mode toward our biggest goals. And our kids are the same way.

But when is it right to let your kid throw in the towel vs. encourage them to stick with something? What if they want to quit something you know they’ll regret giving up? We loved this piece, which answered all those big quitting questions.

The perfect recs to offer some guidance for one of parenting’s toughest milestones…when your teens start dating.

• Musician Travis Barker says he’s “strict but not strict” when it comes to his kids dating. Here’s what that means.

• The shot: Troubled teenage relationships can have lasting health consequences. The chaser: You can break the cycle.

• Some helpful dos and don’ts for talking to teens about relationships (read: how not to screw it up when they finally share details about their lives with you).

• Here’s a fabulous podcast episode we made for our Common Parent members: Proactive Parenting to Prepare Your Teen for Sex with Girlology.