Teen - Bubs

The logic is broken. You cannot reason with a teen bub the way you reason with a 16-year-old, but you also can’t just pick them up and move them like a toddler. They want autonomy, but they don’t know what to do with it. You will negotiate screen time. You will hear "That's not fair" 47 times before breakfast. Your patience will be tested.

April 14, 2026

They want to wear neon green crocs with a formal dress? Let them. They want to make a "slime lab" on the new coffee table? Put down a tarp and say yes. Their creativity is peaking, and this is the last window where they don't care if it looks silly. teen bubs

They can buckle their own car seat strap (victory!), but they still need you to wipe the peanut butter out of their hair. They demand to walk to the bus stop alone, but hold your hand the second they see a bug. The logic is broken

So, put your phone down. Watch the cringey TikTok dance they want to show you. Buy the extra pack of chicken nuggets. Ignore the attitude and see the anxiety underneath. You will negotiate screen time

These are the last years you will be their entire world. Enjoy the mess. Enjoy the bub. What phase are your kids in right now? Drop a comment if you are currently being roasted by a fourth grader who still wants you to cut the crust off their sandwich. I see you.

Don't force the conversation at the dinner table. Drive them to practice. Drive them to the mall. The dark of the car and the lack of eye contact is a truth serum. This is where you will hear about the bully, the crush, or the fear of the upcoming math test.