We’re back with brand-new parenting episodes every Monday, and this week we are talking about screens, kids, and the chaos that comes with both. Remember when we thought parenthood would be easy? Between SnapMaps showing everyone's location, and the cesspool that is Snapchat, it’s enough to fry your brain. We’re talking about how to protect your kids from themselves, why monitoring their digital world is a full-time job, and how even with our ScreenSense guide (that breaks it ALL down for you in a super easy and digestible way) our own kids still managed to get around screen time. Because of course they did. Parenting is a full-time job—you put in all this effort, and now the extra work isn’t carpools or lunches, it’s keeping up with what they’re doing online. That's exactly why we created https://www.thecommonparent.com/screen-sense-ebook.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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We sat down with The Tea: The Talk author Alicia Crespin for an open and honest conversation about navigating those tricky—and often awkward—moments with our kids. From puberty to relationships to the curveball questions that leave us speechless, Alicia shares practical advice on approaching “the talk” with confidence. The Tea: The Talk is more than just a parenting guide—it’s a powerful collection of stories from over 30 women, spilling the tea on their pasts. By breaking the silence around stigmatized topics, Alicia shows how we can empower the next generation to grow up stronger, more informed, and more connected. Known for her straightforward, no-nonsense style, Alicia is on a mission to help us raise the best version of tomorrow’s adults. Learn more about Alicia at aliciacrespin.com and @spilltheteawithalicia, and grab your copy of The Talk on Amazon.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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In this repeat episode we are back wtih a Cat & Nat parenting dilemma! Nat’s facing a question so tricky, we hope none of you ever have to deal with it. And we’re stumped. That’s why we’re turning to you—what would you tell your teen to do if they were in this situation?

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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We’re neck-deep in perimenopause over here so we had a lot of questions for our expert! Jenn Pike is a Medical Exercise Specialist and Functionally Integrative Diagnostic Nutritionist specializing in women’s health, fitness, and hormones, as well as the best-selling author of The Simplicity Project, The Simplicity Kitchen, and The Simplicity Body. Jenn is the fierce founder of The Perimenopause Project, Synced, and The Audacious Woman, sits on the Advisory Board for STRONG Fitness Magazine, and hosts The Simplicity Sessions, ranked in the top 1% of podcasts worldwide. A wife and mom of two, she’ll help you cut the BS, embrace your body’s wisdom, and bring more simplicity and ease to your life. For more on Jenn visit jennpike79@gmail.com

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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As we watch so many of you pack your teens off for university we felt it was the perfect time to bring back this epside! As Dean at Stanford, Julie Lythcott-Haims witnessed firsthand the toll that overparenting takes—students who were anxious, depressed, and unprepared to handle life when things didn’t go their way. In this interview, she offers a powerful alternative: a path to raising kids who are truly self-sufficient. Julie is the New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult, the groundbreaking manifesto against helicopter parenting. To learn more about Julie and her books, visit julielythcotthaims.com or follow her on Instagram @jlythcotthaims.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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A new generation of parents is waking up to how damaging social media can be for their teens’ body image. But when used thoughtfully, it can also become a tool for body confidence and empowerment. Dr. Samantha DeCaro, PsyD—Director of Clinical Outreach and Education at The Renfrew Center—joins us to unpack how social media shapes teens’ self-image. She shares practical tips on recognizing red flags for disordered eating, fostering body confidence, and creating a healthier digital environment at home. As Renfrew’s national spokesperson, Dr. DeCaro is a trusted voice in the field, frequently featured in media, on podcasts, and at national conferences. She also co-hosts All Bodies. All Foods., a podcast dedicated to inclusive conversations around body image and eating disorders. For more on The Renfrew Center, visit @renfrewcenter.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re bringing back this episode just in time for back-to-school. Our teens have grown up in a world where Snapchat has always been a thing, and there’s this whole secret set of rules no adult ever agreed to—let alone understands. So what’s the move? Taking their phone away isn’t it. Because like it or not, that little screen is their wallet, their bus pass, and their “call for help” button. It’s messy, it’s exhausting, and we’re over here trying to figure it out right alongside them—sometimes succeeding, sometimes failing, always learning.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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Communication is at the heart of everything. It builds our relationships, and when it breaks down, so do we. Professor Jaime Hamilton knows this better than anyone, and she’s passionate about teaching people how to communicate in a way that actually brings more connection, clarity, and calm — especially when it matters most. Jaime helps explain how bullying can look different in real life versus online — and how parents and kids alike can use communication as a powerful tool to stop a bully in their tracks in both spaces. For more helpful info on how to respond to a bully visit @the_communication_expert. 

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SUMMER 2025 RERUNS

We are officially at the half way point of our summer and bringing you another one of your favourite episodes! Every day, there’s another headline about kids and phones — how screen time is hurting their mental health, their ability to focus, and even how we parent. There’s clearly a problem. But we’re on our phones too. And sometimes handing over a screen is the only way to get through dinner, a grocery run, or just one quiet moment. We’re not proud of it, but it’s the reality for so many of us. We’re parenting through something we never dealt with as kids, with no guide and a whole lot of guilt. Will the next generation of parents, armed with all this research and hindsight, do things differently?

We are officially at the half way point of our summer and bringing you another one of your favourite episodes! Every day, there’s another headline about kids and phones — how screen time is hurting their mental health, their ability to focus, and even how we parent. There’s clearly a problem. But we’re on our phones too. And sometimes handing over a screen is the only way to get through dinner, a grocery run, or just one quiet moment. We’re not proud of it, but it’s the reality for so many of us. We’re parenting through something we never dealt with as kids, with no guide and a whole lot of guilt. Will the next generation of parents, armed with all this research and hindsight, do things differently?

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This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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In today’s repeat episode, we talk about the pressure cooker that comes with Grade 11 decision-making. Are teens really supposed to know what they want to do with the rest of their lives before they’ve even finished high school? Apparently. Because here in Canada, what you choose now dictates what courses you take, and that dictates what doors stay open—or close. Kids are feeling the weight of “figuring it all out” way too soon. 

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Raising boys and girls can feel like parenting two entirely different species. The experience is different, the energy is different—and both come with their own unique challenges and rewards. In this episode, we unpack some of the common stereotypes and doomsday narratives about raising boys—and why those stories miss the mark. Boys today are often more emotionally aware than we give them credit for, sometimes even more in tune than their dads. As moms, one of our most important roles is learning how to really see them, understand what they need, and meet them where they are.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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This week we’re talking about one of those hot-button parenting topics that always gets people going: Would you ever let your underage teen and their friends drink at your house because—hey—they're “safe” under your roof?

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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Putting boundaries in place with toddlers can feel straightforward—but when our kids become teenagers, those boundaries start to shift, take on new forms, and become important for entirely different reasons. There’s a lot of fear wrapped up in parenting teens, so we brought in Dr. Jenny Hwang, a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience helping parents navigate connection, conflict, and everything in between—without fear, shame, or fluff. With a no-nonsense approach, Jenny challenges mainstream parenting advice and helps parents move through the emotional blind spots that often sabotage connection. Rooted in both clinical expertise and her own lived experience as a parent, she’s here to help us decode our teens’ behavior and build relationships based on trust, not control. For more on Dr. Jenny Hwang find her @projectparentcoach.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just when you think you’ve got this parenting thing down, they become teenagers and start pushing every boundary. Wendy Snyder, certified parenting educator, family life coach, and mom of two is all about helping parents ditch the yelling, threats, and punishments—and instead parent from a place of connection Wendy’s approach is all about raising good humans without losing your mind. She teaches strategies that actually work. If you're in the thick of teen chaos or just want to feel like a better version of yourself as a parent, this one’s for you. You can follow Wendy on Instagram at @freshstartwendy.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this popular repeat episode, we’re chatting about one of those parenting topics that always gets people talking—do you let your underage teen and their friends have a drink at your house? Some parents feel like it’s the responsible choice because it’s a safe space, while others are a firm no. We’re talking through both sides and sharing how we feel about it....at this moment in time.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some people you forget the second they walk away. And then there are the ones you never forget—because they were either so kind… or so not. This week, we’re talking about the people from grade school and high school who left a mark, and how something they said or did can stay with you for a lifetime. And now, with social media in the mix, it’s easier than ever for someone to get into your head and leave a lasting impact—good or bad.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re chatting about relationships between girls and boys — the sometimes awkward, messy, confusing kind. From school friends to heartbreaks, what does it really mean when someone rejects you? You don’t have to be besties with everyone, and just because someone doesn’t want to date you doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you. Rejection is not failure — it’s redirection. Let’s normalize what real connection looks like — not just romantic, but supportive, solid friendships too.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We strongly encourage everyone to listen to this episode with Heidi Chance, a former undercover detective with over 27 years of experience fighting sex trafficking. Heidi shares what she’s seen firsthand, the dangers many parents don’t even realize are out there, and how we can start having the hard—but crucial—conversations with our kids to keep them safer online. Recognized as a Subject Matter Expert in sex trafficking and a trusted Expert Witness in trials, Heidi is known for her powerful case work and lived experience in the field. She’s been featured in the PBS Frontline documentary Sex Trafficking in America, is a contributor to BRAINZ Magazine, and regularly trains law enforcement and communities through her platform, A Chance for Awareness. Her debut book, Talk to Them, offers essential strategies for parents and mentors navigating difficult conversations with youth in the digital age. Note: This episode contains subject matter that may be sensitive to some listeners. Follow Heidi at @a_chance_for_awareness for more.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are brining you one of your favourite episodes on this holiday Monday. 

As our teens get older, we start to realize something big: our voice — the one they used to hang on every word of — isn’t the loudest in their world anymore. Suddenly, we’re just one of many voices competing for space. Their friends matter. Like, really matter. The people they hang out with can shape everything — for better or worse. Are we on the sidelines watching it all unfold, or are we still able to step in and say, “Hey… I’m not sure about this”? We brought in Marybeth Bock, MPH (Master of Public Health), to talk about how parents can approach these moments from a place of curiosity instead of judgment — and why that shift can make all the difference. Marybeth writes for platforms like Raising Teens Today, Grown and Flown, and Collegiate Parent, and she gets it. Check her out on Instagram at @mbbock for more real-talk wisdom on raising teens.

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

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We’re talking about "mean girls" and how mean girl behavior has evolved in the digital age. It’s no longer just whispered comments or exclusion at recess—today, manipulation can happen through group chats, DMs, screenshots and social media posts. Girls are being targeted in more subtle, calculated ways—using each other’s words against them, turning private conversations into public humiliation, and isolating others with just a few taps on a screen. It’s hard to know how to help. How can we support our kids through a social landscape that’s constantly shifting?

This podcast is presented by The Common Parent. The all-in-one parenting resource you need to for your teens & tweens. We've uncovered every parenting issue, so you don't have too.

Are you a parent that is struggling understanding the online world, setting healthy screen-time limits, or navigating harmful online content? Purchase screen sense for $49.99 & unlock Cat & Nat’s ultimate guide to parenting in the digital age. Go to https://www.thecommonparent.com/guide

Follow @thecommonparent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecommonparent/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.