Feeding The Mouth That Bites You: Parenting Teens Into Adulthood Episode 229: You Asked, We Answered: Parenting Q&A with Dr. Ken
Dec 2, 2025
This week, Dr. Ken and Cynthia tackle hot topics in teen parenting. They discuss the pitfalls of over-monitoring, especially with apps like Life360, and how it can backfire. When it comes to supporting young adults with different values, they emphasize respectful discussions over financial threats. They also dive into the rising trend of occult curiosity among teens and the importance of open dialogue. Plus, they share tips on connecting with quiet teens without pushing too hard, proving that communication is key in any relationship.
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Use Location Monitoring Temporarily
- Consider Life360 only as a temporary tool for new drivers and set a clear end point for monitoring.
- Discuss the monitoring openly and ask permission so it doesn't communicate "your life is still our life."
Match Consequences To Harm
- Address serious illegal behaviors (like underage drinking at parties) with significant consequences such as multi-week grounding.
- Be cautious about heavy penalties for speeding detected by apps; talk first and avoid nanny-like control that erodes trust.
Support Won't Force Moral Change
- After high school, forced parenting loses effectiveness so financial threats rarely change a child's heart.
- Moral persuasion should come from explaining beliefs, not withholding support as leverage.
