Why do teens hate school?

Hello everyone! Big news: We launched another podcast. Because seven kids, a live tour, and a growing business between the two of us wasn’t enough, why not add a second podcast?

It’s called Parenting Teens Unfiltered, and our first few episodes are live (check them out here!). Every Monday, we’ll be in your AirPods to break down the biggest parenting topics that you need to know about with an expert (and, of course, your two favorite unfiltered moms 👯). Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Kids Are Missing School Way More Than You Think

One Covid-era symptom we haven’t kicked yet: school absenteeism.

Did you know: 26% of public school students were considered chronically absent last school year (AKA missing at least 10% of the school year, or about 18 days, for no reason). That’s up from just 15% before the pandemic.

• And while this is an issue that’s affecting all kids of all backgrounds, it’s hitting poor communities hardest…

• Around 32% of students in the poorest school districts were chronically absent in the 2022–2023 school year, up from 19% before the pandemic.

So what’s driving this? There are tons of factors, but the biggest appears to be a cultural shift, according to experts. Going to school every day went from being the norm to being something more optional, especially as remote options and relaxed attendance policies became widespread.

But the reality is…students can’t learn if they’re not in school. So what are we, as parents, supposed to do here? There are a couple things to keep in mind:

1. Don’t let your kids stay home just because you’re working remotely. They might tell you they can keep up with classes virtually, but they’re missing out on more than they’re letting on.

2. If your child is refusing to go to class (for any reason), try to figure out why. Have an honest, open conversation about what’s hard for them and how you can help.

3. Stay consistent—get into a morning routine and do your best to stick to it. Kids love routines (or so we’re told).

P.S. If you’re a member of The Common Parent, you can check out the 5 things to do when your teen skips school right here. Not a member? Sign up for a free 14-day trial!

So Your Teen Started Dating…

If you haven’t been there, you might be soon. Your teenager started dating, and you have no idea what to do. Have yet another sex talk? Offer them a ride to the movies? Go deep on setting boundaries in relationships? All of the above?

It can feel impossible to know how to navigate the ins and outs of your teen dating. Because no matter how old you or your teenager are…you definitely don’t feel old enough for this. That’s why we loved this Reddit thread, which was jam-packed with real parents offering real advice on how to navigate teen dating.

One of our favorite pieces of advice? “It’s difficult (at least for me) but in my experience there are times I have to bite my tongue. I find it hard not to micromanage. There’s a fine line between talking with our kids and telling them (in which: they check out). I don’t know the answer to finding that line—I’m navigating it myself. One thing I do know is that it’s an essential time to keep up a relationship with your kid, and make it fun.”

What’s your best teen dating advice? Hit reply and tell us!

The Quiet on Set Doc Is Heartbreaking 💔

Have you watched Quiet on Set, the documentary series exploring the deeply toxic world of tween and teen entertainment in the 1990s and 2000s? We were so sad to hear about the horrible circumstances child stars have faced over the years—sexual harassment, manipulation, and other awful behavior from the higher ups. This one was tough, but it was eye-opening. Here’s to better protecting our kids in the future.

We do our best to love and support our kids every day. Because, ultimately? Our job as their parents is to prepare them for the real world. So today, the perfect recs to help your kids learn about responsibility.

• A great guide to childhood responsibilities by age

• We love this one-two punch: get your kids to clean their messy room and sneak in some quality time

• 5 natural consequences you should let your teen experience

• More on obedience vs. responsibility (and a ton of other helpful tips on the role of both in raising kids!)