How to talk to teens about birth control

Hey hey! We were recently made aware of what the experts are calling “mommunes,” or shared households designed to help moms shoulder the burden of parenting together. These “mommunes” can cut household expenses by 40% and give moms an additional 56 hours per month of time to themselves…

Which makes us think we’re onto something, especially with our weekly (okay 3x weekly) Cheesecake Factory family meals with all seven kids. Send today’s newsletter to a bestie you’d totally “mommune” with.

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Is It Time to Talk Birth Control?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just approved the first ever over-the-counter (aka no prescription needed) birth control pill. It’ll hit shelves in early 2024 without age restrictions and with an “accessible and affordable” price tag.

That means easier access to the pill. So how do you talk to your teen about safe sex now that the contraceptive part is becoming a little simpler? We did some homework (here, here, and here if you want some further reading) and these are the high points:

1. Talk about sex before you think your kid’s ready to have sex. Teens whose parents talk with them about sex, birth control, preventing STDs, and pregnancy are more likely to wait to have sex, to use condoms, and to avoid unintended pregnancy.

2. Give your teen privacy with their healthcare provider for at least part of their annual visit.

3. Look for “teachable moments,” like seeing a pregnant loved one…or catching a headline about over-the-counter birth control 😉.

Repeat After Us: Let Them Do It

Whoever said moms have to always be doing something, we’d like a word. It’s time to let go of the idea that we have to constantly be doing things for our families to be good moms. When we let them do things for themselves, we teach them how to be adults—competent adults! So let’s embrace imperfection and just let go.

It’s Getting Hot in Here

You may have noticed: The weather is a little wacky lately. The wildfires we’ve had in Canada are breaking records and blowing smoke everywhere. We’re on track for the hottest year ever. Things aren’t great, as far as the climate is concerned.

• Did you know: A 2021 survey of 10,000 young people ages 16–25 in 10 countries found that 84% were at least moderately worried about climate change.

• And 68% reported feeling sad and anxious about it.

So what can we do as parents? First, set a good example of what responsible climate stewardship looks like. Second, talk. Ask your kids what they know about the climate, focus on how their actions can create positive change, and remember that knowing the facts yourself is the best way to start.

Move Over, Babysitting Money

Does your teen have a summer job? If so, they could be making bank. Hourly wages for workers ages 16 to 24 are up nearly 12% from last summer.

We were fans of the “stuff it under your mattress” savings method when we were 15, but all we ever hope for is that our kids don’t repeat our mistakes, right? Consider helping your teen open a Roth IRA to set aside post-tax earnings for the years their moms will need to be in a home retirement. Here’s the 411 on doing just that.

P.S. Kids don’t have jobs? Just take them to work with you. It’s so fun.

The perfect recs to show the impressionable teens and tweens in your life that 1) any body is a swimsuit body and 2) confidence is the coolest.

• How to talk about body positivity: Stanford Medicine says this is how to talk to teen girls about body image.

• People to follow who set a stellar example: Supermodel and mom of three Ashley Graham, the ultimate girl crush Lizzo, and mental health advocate Mik Zazon, just to name a few

• Brands making awesome summer swimsuits for every body and everybody: Summersalt, Andie, and Kai Collective

• Tips to live your most confident life: Listen to our interview with Claire Shipman and Jill Ellyn Riley, two of the three authors of Living the Confidence Code. We cover showing vs. telling about confidence, how instilling confidence is different for girls and boys, and the difference between confidence and self esteem.

• And one more for the road: Always remember this piece of advice.