In this season finale, Cathy and Meredith wrap up season five by reflecting on what they're looking forward to this summer and sharing their hopes for families navigating the months ahead with teens. Drawing on stories from their own childhoods, they discuss the value of boredom, unstructured time, and opportunities for kids to build independence, creativity, and responsibility. They explore why meaningful work, manual labor, and experiences that broaden a teen's perspective can be so formative during adolescence. The conversation also offers practical ideas for parents, from doing things alongside their children to bringing them into the rhythms and responsibilities of everyday adult life. Cathy and Meredith also stress the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries on screen time and social media and remind parents to make room for rest, reconnection, and the kind of growth that happens when kids are given both purpose and space to thrive. Thanks for tuning in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:00:50] The last episode of season five!
• [0:02:40] What Cathy and Meredith are looking forward to this summer.
• [0:05:07] Their hope for how summer shapes up for families with kids.
• [0:06:45] What they used to do when we were bored as kids.
• [0:09:50] A reminder to do something alongside your children during summer.
• [0:11:45] Why they are big believers in adolescents doing manual labor and serving a purpose outside of themselves.
• [0:15:45] The importance for kids to get proximate to difference.
• [0:17:20] The value of working on independence over summer.
• [0:18:30] Pressing into unstructured time to boost imagination, creativity, and reset the body.
• [0:19:00] Let them (the teenagers) rest.
• [0:20:40] Why parents shouldn’t relax restrictions around screen time and social media.
• [0:23:55] Bringing your kids to work with you.
• [0:25:00] Final thoughts from Cathy and Meredith on summer and season five.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Brian Stevenson

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

What changed for teenagers this year, and what should parents be paying closer attention to? In this episode, Cathy and Meredith take a look at the trends they have been noticing across teens, schools, technology, and college admissions. Cathy and Meredith discuss how AI is affecting the way students learn, where students still need support, and why parents need to educate themselves on AI. They unpack the effects of social media and screen time on attention, critical thinking, and maturity, while also highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit and confidence they see in many teens today. They also delve into the uncertain future of liberal arts education, growing concerns about career preparedness, the cost of college, and the ways changing admissions practices are creating new stress for students and families. To find out what today’s teens are navigating and how parents can better understand the pressures impacting their teens, tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:00:00] Why Cathy and Meredith are talking about the biggest teen trends of the year.
• [0:02:12] Learn how teens are using AI as a unique and effective study tool.
• [0:03:12] Discover the risks of giving teens access to AI without boundaries.
• [0:06:20] Find out how handwriting, note-taking, and study skills are changing.
• [0:08:36] Examine why today’s teens may have a lower ability for critical thinking.
• [0:10:09] Understand how social media is reshaping attention, reading, and free time.
• [0:12:19] Unpack the confidence and entrepreneurial energy many teens display.
• [0:13:17] Explore why liberal arts education is facing an uncertain future.
• [0:15:25] Hear why students are more focused on jobs, money, and practical majors.
• [0:18:30] Overview of the admissions issues affecting deadlines and waitlists.
• [0:20:00] What the future looks like for colleges and admission processes.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Devorah Heitner

Growing Up in Public

The New York Times

Episode 142: The Kids Are Alright: Good News About Today's Teens

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram

Are today’s teenagers really as disconnected, anxious, and screen-addicted as the headlines make them seem? In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, Cathy and Meredith take a more hopeful look at what is going well with this generation and why the kids really are alright. They discuss declining rates of risky behavior, the ways young people are becoming more open about mental health, and how today’s teens are often more comfortable talking about identity, inclusion, and social responsibility. They also explore how teenagers today are often more connected to their parents, more willing to have real conversations, and more interested in making a difference than simply chasing money or status. Tune in for an encouraging conversation about why parents, educators, and anyone working with teenagers should pause to notice what is working, and remember that there is still plenty of hope for the future.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:01:25] The motivation behind today’s topic: what is going well with teens today.
• [0:03:03] How risky behaviors like drinking, drug use, sex, and teen pregnancy have declined.
• [0:06:01] Hear how teens are more open about mental health and learning differences.
• [0:06:43] Find out how teens are more aware of identity and inclusion.
• [0:08:13] Understand how young people see justice, equity, and accessibility.
• [0:09:24] Discover why teens see fewer barriers to investing and business.
• [0:10:34] Explore how the internet has helped teens find and create opportunities.
• [0:11:05] Learn why community engagement is common for many teens.
• [0:12:34] Unpack why teens today are closer to their parents.
• [0:14:58] Simple actions for parents to highlight their teen’s positive behaviour.
• [0:16:20] Uncover how college pressure can make parents overlook what is going well.
• [0:17:36] Why Cathy and Meredith feel hopeful about today’s teenagers.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You on Instagram