What if TikTok disappeared?

Hello hello hello! If there’s one thing we can count on in life, it’s that Oreos and peanut butter will never be topped. But if there’s a second thing we can count on? It’s that someone will comment on every single thing we post online talking about our bodies.

Well, guess what? Our bodies are our own business and we’re taking back control starting with this. 🤘

TikTok Ban: Yay or Nay?

Close to half of American adults support a TikTok ban, according to a new survey from Reuters. Most people in favor of a ban cite data privacy concerns (FYI, TikTok is owned by a Chinese company called ByteDance and it’s had a bit of a history re: national security concerns).

Lawmakers in the U.S. have threatened to ban the app altogether…but what do you think, especially as someone who loves a teen or tween?

Parents Are Struggling—Let’s Talk About It

You’ve probably known for a while: Teens are struggling with mental health. In fact, 42% of high school students—and almost 60% of girls—felt chronic sadness and hopelessness as of 2021, according to the CDC.

Turns out that’s something parents can relate to. In a recent survey, about 20% of mothers and 15% of fathers reported anxiety, compared to 18% of teens. As for depression? 16% of mothers, 10% of fathers, and 15% of teens. About one-third of teens had a parent suffering from reported anxiety or depression.

So what can we do? First, commit to helping our kids and ourselves with mental health struggles. Second, consider seeking professional help in communicating with your kid when you’re struggling. If you’re interested in learning more about raising emotionally intelligent kids who can recognize when their loved ones need a little extra love, we’ve got a super episode with emotional intelligence expert Antesa Jensen.

Cat & Nat? More Like Britney & Béy

We’re so proud of this one. We were featured in the beautiful music video for Shawn Desman’s “Love Me With the Lights On” alongside so many gorgeous, brave, generous people unafraid to dance in next to nothing to spread a message of positivity, confidence, and joy. Watch the video here and let us know how many hours of music videos on Total Request Live you think we watched as teenagers.

PSA: It’s Germy Season

Time to do more than just Flintstones vitamins. A school district in Kentucky had to cancel in-person classes less than two weeks into the school year after nearly a fifth of students came down with illnesses including COVID-19, strep throat, and the flu.

Translation? It’s that time of year again when your kids become walking viruses. Keep these nine health hacks in mind as you send the kids off to school…unless you want them back in their spot on the living room couch asking for another ginger ale and some Kleenex.

The perfect recs to mentally (and emotionally) prepare you for having some of parenting’s toughest conversations with your kids. Because we’re dealing with more than just the bird & the bees, here.

• How to explain to your kids why Black people can use the N-word while other people can’t. We love this “Scripts for Parents” series.

• How to talk to your kids about sex positivity (while maintaining your boundaries).

• How to talk to your kids (whether they’re 2 or 12) when they’re disappointed.

• How to talk to your kids when they bring up diets and diet culture.