Parenting teens in midlife is a contact sport—with hormones, homework, and a whole lot of Wi-Fi. In this conversation with recreational therapist and boy-mom Katie Meek, we pull back the curtain on boundaries, boredom, and the black market of old iPhones. We wrestle with the question every modern parent faces: are we raising connected kids or disconnected humans? And yes—we make the case for bringing back a little 1990s childhood: more bikes, fewer likes.

(0:00) Parenting Teenagers in a World That Doesn’t Exist Anymore 🌍
How raising kids in 2025 feels nothing like the childhood we remember — and why that matters for today’s parents.

(2:00) Midlife Motherhood Meets Teenage Chaos 💞
Balancing hormones, emotions, and high school drama while trying to raise kind, capable humans.

(6:00) Setting Boundaries Without Breaking Connection ⚖️
How midlife parents can hold firm limits, keep love at the center, and survive the eye rolls.

(10:00) Teen Tech Addiction & the Myth of “Staying Connected” 📱
What happens when social media replaces real connection — and why every family ends up in the same digital tug-of-war.

(14:00) Raising Independent Thinkers (Not Rule Followers) 🧭
The difference between control and guidance — and how to help teens make good choices when no one’s watching.

(17:00) Real-World Lessons That Don’t Come From a Screen 🏫
From small mistakes to big learning moments — what actually teaches teens responsibility in the age of instant gratification.

(23:00) Make Kids Bored Again: The 90’s Childhood Revival 💤
Why midlife parents are craving the slow, screen-free simplicity we grew up with — and what our teens might gain from it.

(29:00) The Five Red Flags Every Parent Should Watch For 🖐️
Screens, sleep, spending, substances, and sex — the subtle warning signs you might be missing.

(34:00) The Truth About Teen FOMO and Feeling Left Out 🚪
Why “being left out” might actually be the best thing that ever happens to your kid.

(42:00) Growing Up Too Fast in a Digital World 🧠
How technology and overexposure are reshaping childhood — and what parents can still do about it.

(49:00) Schools, Screens & the Balance Between Learning and Overload 🖥️
The hidden cost of classroom tech and what it’s doing to kids’ focus, creativity, and connection.

(51:00) Finding Real Connection in a Screen-Obsessed World ⚡
How midlife parents can model what matters most — presence, patience, and the courage to unplug.

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Keywords:

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