Parenting Teens Unfiltered with Cat & Nat

As parents, we need to wake up—our teenagers have never known a world without Snapchat, and there’s an entire set of unwritten rules that no adult has subscribed to, checked, or even questioned. So, what do we do? Banning the phone isn’t the answer, but keeping the conversation going is. The unavoidable reality is that these devices are now their wallets, their transit passes, and their safety net...

We sat down with  The Tea: The Talk  author Alicia Crespin for a candid chat about navigating those tricky (and often awkward) conversations with our kids. From puberty to relationships to the questions that catch us completely off guard, Alicia shares her wisdom on how to approach “the talk” with confidence—and maybe even a little humor.  The Tea: The Talk  isn’t just a parent...

This week we chatted about the ‘launching age for teens’ and how we feel that realistically it is no longer 18. Is this a reflection of how we parent? Some kids in the US will 'reclassify' to improve grades or become more competitive in sports. It seems like a positive spin when your kid is not ready for university. Is that the right approach? We also take an unexpected turn from a parenting...

As our kids transition from childhood to their tween and teen years, it can feel like we’re losing our grip. They start gaining independence, communication shifts, and they begin forming their own identities outside the family. It’s natural to want to hold on tighter by saying no, but learning how to evolve alongside them can actually strengthen your bond and help you navigate this stage with more...

Every day, we’re hit with headlines about kids and their cell phone use—how it’s damaging their mental health, wrecking attention spans, and fueling a whole new wave of parenting panic. We can all agree there’s a problem. But as parents, we’re on our phones too. And if we’re being honest, handing them a screen is easy. It’s quiet. It’s a break. Now, we’re stuck in the middle, navigating the fallou...

A new generation of parents is seeing the damage social media can cause to their teen’s body image. However, when navigated the right way, it can also be a source of body empowerment. Samantha DeCaro, PsyD, Director of Clinical Outreach and Education at The Renfrew Center, joined us to discuss how social media impacts teens’ body image. She shares insights on spotting red flags for disordered eati...

We constantly hear about the struggle with kids and screen time—but no one’s talking about actual solutions. So, we created one. A step-by-stepworkshop to help protect your child online with essential phone and social media safety tools. This is your must-have guide for parenting in today’s digital age. To keep your kids safe and balanced online, you need more than just an understanding of the tec...

There will be moments when your child shares a huge dream—like going to the NHL or attending university in a different country—and you’ll have to find the balance between validating their dream and not crushing their spirit. As moms, we want to support their hopes, but we also know that life has a way of teaching the tough realities. So how do you encourage their big ideas without shattering their...

Raising boys and girls is like raising two completely different species. They’re different to parent, different to be around, yet equally fascinating. In this episode, we explore the stereotypes and doomsday narratives surrounding raising boys—and why they don’t tell the full story. Boys today are often more advanced than we give them credit for, and sometimes even more emotionally in tune than th...

Keren Eldad specializes in taking high achievers out of the futility of constant pursuit and into the greatest levels of success and fulfillment. She has coached Olympic athletes, politicians, & Hollywood stars, and global organizations like Estée Lauder and Nike. She’s also the founder of THE CLUB, a community supporting leaders to reach their full potential. In her upcoming book “GILDED: Bre...

When our kid has a misstep, rebellion, or mistake, it can feel like we as parents have failed them. Similar to muscle growth, our kids need to tear and repair along their life journey to become more emotionally strong and resilient. in this repeat episode with Michelle Icard, author of 8 Setbacks That Can Make a Child a Success: What to Do and What to Say to Turn “Failures’ into Character-Building...

Many parents find themselves in a pattern; they calmly ask their kids to do something and nothing happens. Then they repeat the ask, repeat it again, with one more reminder and then…the parent blows up. When kids don't listen, parents often feel the need to take back control and you can almost guarantee that you'll enter into a power struggle where no one comes out as the winner. In this repeat ep...

The holiday season is here, and with it comes those never-ending wish lists from our kids, even though half of it will be forgotten by February. If we quizzed them on what they got last year, they’d probably fail. And that’s our parenting conundrum this week: how do you manage the chaos of over-the-top holiday requests? We’re also tackling the bigger parenting struggle—the push and pull of wanting...

We are bringing you another parenting conundrum; you decide to spend your life with someone, but how much do you actually talk about the important stuff first? Parenting styles? Conflict management? The tricky stuff like how you’ll handle your child’s sexual orientation or dating rules for your teens? Most couples don’t even scratch the surface before walking down the aisle. We definitely did not!...

We are gearing up to launch an incredible workshop designed just for parents tackling the ever-changing world of teens and their cell phone habits. Get ready for real talk, and practical tools to help you navigate this digital age with confidence! In the meantime, we thought it was the perfect time to revisit our chat with Dr. Alison Yeung for anyone who might have missed it the first time around!...

Every child starts out as a people pleaser. Every single one of them just wants to make you happy—remember that. But it’s not their job to carry the weight of your feelings. In this episode, we talk about expressing emotions openly in the house, the toxicity of the silent treatment, and how to create a healthier dynamic. Plus, Cat shares a must-read book by one of our fave parenting experts, Dr. T...

This week, we dove into the powerhouse that is the next generation of girls. Whether it’s the aftermath of Covid shaping their resilience or just the evolution of life, we’ve noticed a shift: we’re seeing young girls who are bold, fierce, and unapologetically themselves. They speak up, stand their ground, and refuse to back down—even when they’re stubborn just to prove a point. It’s inspiring, it’...

This week we’re back with another Cat & Nat parenting conundrum! Nat's got a real burning question on her hands — one that we hope none of you ever have to deal with. We're throwing it out to you because honestly, we don't know what the right answer is. We want you to weigh in, what would you advise your teen to do in this situation? Want our podcasts sent straight to your phone? Text us the w...

If you’ve ever felt lost in translation with your teens, this episode’s for you! We broke down the often confusing world of teen slang and what your kids actually mean. We also chatted about kids chores (or the fact that they aren't doing any) compared to when we were growing up. Anyone else remember raking leaves so that not one single leaf one was left behind? Let’s just say things are looking a...

Why do we hold our kids to a higher standard than we hold ourselves when it comes to how we conduct ourselves online? Everywhere you look, there are people dropping negative comments. What if social media just turned off comments for a year—or even just two months? Would we all feel a bit better? Let’s be honest, it’s hard to feel good about yourself after leaving a negative comment. So what’s the...

Welcome to the NEW podcast all about parenting teens with Cat & Nat. Each week we are going to go over topics that you need to know and bring an expert to break down an important topic. New episodes every Monday, subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. How are devices impacting the mental health of our youth? Dr. Alison Yeung, a Family Physician from Ontario, Canada, has noticed a grow...

We were so excited to have this conversation with Sarah Adams, a mother who uses her platform to share the dangers of social media and what parents think are innocent sweet photos. They can often be used in sinister ways. Sarah's open conversation has really opened our eyes and this is a must listen for every parent out there. Want our podcasts sent straight to your phone? Text us the word "Podcas...

Welcome to the NEW podcast all about parenting teens with Cat & Nat. Each week we are going to go over topics that you need to know and bring an expert to break down an important topic. New episodes every Monday, subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. While the contents of this interview are heavy and serious, Nicole Bedera has a way of making the topic feel approachable, ra...

Welcome to the NEW podcast all about parenting teens with Cat & Nat. Each week we are going to go over topics that you need to know and bring an expert to break down an important topic. New episodes every Monday, subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. This week, we’re diving into a somewhat controversial topic - do you let your underage teenager and their friends drink at your house b...

CONTENT WARNING The content of this episode include topics that may be difficult for some people to confront or discuss, including sexual assault, pornography, stalking, physical violence, identity-based discrimination, and harassment.  Welcome to the NEW podcast all about parenting teens with Cat & Nat. Each week we are going to go over topics that you need to know and bring an expert to...