Well it's that time again. School's out for a lot of you and Jessica and Dr. Ken are breaking for the summer. We leave with a few reminders for summer with teenagers. Hint: it has to do with those stupid phones.

If you have time, drop us a line this summer with questions or further thoughts on topics you want to hear on "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You." Your feedback really helps.

Thanks to you all who have made "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" among the top parenting teens podcasts.

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You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today we take on some of the questions we get from parents. How can you give room freedom if your teenager shares that room with a sibling? What can parents do about making sure their adolescent is eating well? Also, Jessica accidentally hits a nerve with Dr. Ken by asking about what sources parents use to get parenting advice. Cue the soapbox.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today, Dr. Ken interviews Jessica who tells her own story of being proactive in overcoming the trend toward isolation that pervades our culture. Parents can't just set up "play dates" for their teenagers, they must themselves have a grounded group of friends who they share their lives with. What role does extended family play in these essential relationships? What about just being friends with the parents of your kids friends? We discuss these and other aspects of pushing back against an increasingly individualized culture.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today we review a growing trend of adults choosing to go "no contact" with their parents. Dr. Ken reviews the kind of circumstances that do call on people to put strict boundaries around their contact with parents and other family members. This new trend however, seems to stem from a growing number of therapists that have over-defined trauma and therefore recommend that their clients eliminate any person that they no longer find "supportive."

Today's episode stems from the New Yorker article of the same name - https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/why-so-many-people-are-going-no-contact-with-their-parents

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today we revisit the topic of sex and dating. How should parents talk about it with their teenagers? What if my teen doesn't seem to have any interest in these sorts of issues? Is it a good idea to get your kid on birth control? Jessica and Dr. Ken talk about all this and more.

Dr. Ken references the book "The Case Against the Sexual Revolution" by Louise Perry - https://a.co/d/evvl3pc

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Recent headlines tell us about a rise in teen boys being lured into sending explicit photos and then blackmailed for money to avoid these being published on the web. Some of these cases have resulted in suicide and the FBI has sent out warnings to parents. Of course, exploitation through explicit photos is nothing new to teen girls as well. How are parents to respond to these threats? Jessica and Dr. Ken approach these issues as an opportunity for real dialogue and not another occasion for fear. Open conversation about online threats are particularly important for parents of teenagers that may appear to be innocent of any sexual interest. Adolescents need to be prepared for online threats not just protected. We cover all this and more.

Dr. Ken references the resource, "Take It Down" to help fight online publishing of explicit photos: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org/

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today Dr. Ken and Jessica discuss all things addiction related. More parents worry about addiction in their kids. Is this awareness a good thing? What is the value in classifying certain problems as "an addiction"? What can parents do when they worry their teen is addicted to alcohol, drugs or anything else? What about adolescents who have a parent who is an addict?

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

Today we finish our series on limit-setting with teens by covering common, miscellaneous issues. These are the things that often come up like, what to do about lying, is there a maximum effective time limit to grounding, or how to best limit disrespect. What about those teenagers that continually harass parents until they give in? As usual Jessica and Dr. Ken focus on being effective in limiting inappropriate or dangerous behavior while maintaining a path toward age-appropriate independence.

If you have a minute, please leave us a review. We love hearing listeners encouraging other listeners.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/

It's not uncommon for parents to have differences in what they prioritize and the ways they implement limits with their teenagers. It is essential however, that parents do all they can to overcome these differences and present a unified message to their teens. This is important not just for your marriage but for your effectiveness with your adolescents. When you as a parent have different limits from their other parent, teenagers don't "secretly realize" that you're the right parent, they just think both parents are nuts. Jessica and Dr. Ken discuss ways to overcome these differences and how to talk about them effectively with your spouse. We also cover the difficult task of dealing with an ex-spouse who has greatly different expectations as well.

You can order Dr. Ken's book "Feeding The Mouth That Bites You" here: https://a.co/d/hBnlbzI

Got questions or feedback? We want to hear from you!

Music provided by the great John David Kent - https://www.johndavidkent.com/