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raising teens

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Parenting through puberty is a wild ride, filled with eye rolls, slammed doors, and the occasional “You don’t understand me!” But fear not—you’re not alone on this journey. Let’s unpack what’s really happening in your teen’s brain, body, and emotions so you can handle the mood swings like a pro so parents can kelp kids through puberty. Hormonal changes in kids starts earlier than you may think!  Puberty often starts earlier than most parents expect, with the first signs showing up around age 8 or 9—way before the “traditional” markers we think of, like growth spurts and voice changes. This early shift is linked to a phase called adrenarche, when the adrenal glands begin to produce hormones like DHEA. These hormones kickstart the body’s preparation for puberty, often leading to changes in things like body odor, skin, and even mood, long before the physical signs of puberty become visible. It…

My yearly round-up of Mom Fails is a bit of a tradition. They were a mix of funny ones and real regrets/lessons learned in the early days. As my children get older, I find some of my “Mom Fails” are more like “Mom Trolls.” Those of you who have teenagers can surely appreciate and relate to how easy and enjoyable it is to see them cringe. This year it is a mix of “whoopsies” and cringe-worthy moments. Accidentally letting the 12-year-old watch Sex Education. If you have not seen this series yet, it’s pretty racy at times. I thought I’d go to sleep watching the last few episodes of the first season. I promptly fell asleep, to which my friends commented, “only Julie could fall asleep during Sex Education!” Regardless, once I dozed off, 12-year-old Fin crawled into bed with me and proceeded to watch the last three episodes. When…