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Giving a child a cell phone can be an important step toward independence. But it can also create a completely new set of parenting challenges. How much screen time is too much? Should your child have TikTok or Instagram? What apps should require permission? Should you be checking your teenager's messages? What time should the phone be turned off? And what happens when your child refuses to put it down? Parents don't need to become technology experts to answer these ques

There are moments when I look at my teenage daughter and think: "Who is this person, and what happened to the sweet little girl who used to think I was the funniest person on Earth?" There are days when she is thoughtful, funny, affectionate and genuinely wonderful to be around....And then there are other days. Days when I ask a completely reasonable question and receive a look that suggests I have committed a serious international crime.

There are few things more frightening for a parent than realizing that their child has been struggling emotionally and did not feel comfortable telling anyone. Teenagers and young adults may experience anxiety, depression, loneliness, trauma, relationship problems, academic pressure, bullying, substance use, suicidal thoughts, or feelings of hopelessness.

Children are highly sensitive to the emotional climate at home. When parents argue, children may feel unsafe, confused, or responsible for the conflict. These feelings can trigger anxiety, which might show up as: Sleep disturbances such as nightmares or difficulty falling asleep; Physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches without clear medical causes; Behavioral changes including withdrawal, irritability, or aggression; Difficulty concentrating at school or during activ

The basic developmental architecture of children's brains has NOT been radically transformed over the past few generations. Children still need attachment, play, movement, sleep, social interaction, challenge, exploration, responsibility, novelty and opportunities to solve problems. What has changed dramatically is the environment in which children's brains are developing.