u/reUP0rh

Parents: Why are you letting your young teens and tweens on TikTok and Instagram and Snapchat?

Should we cave and let our responsible, kind first-year high schooler on these platforms? 14 year old is feeling left out, day two of high school.

We know all the risks. Short form content, to me, is not only harming the ability to focus, but also killing the possibility of passing down culture in a coherent long form. It’s fragments or confetti without context instead of presenting a meaningful and nuanced journey.

That’s not to mention the potential for toxic content, the vapidity, the commercialism, the Andrew Tates a swipe away, the Epstein aesthetic intensified, the bullying, the the the.

Why has every other parent seemingly already caved? If the majority did not, then we would not have to deal with the constant begging for social media. I’d like to rant at fellow parents because no kid would have a device without their parent signing and paying for it. I feel that we elders are eating our young. Couldn’t you all have held out a few more years?

Already since getting an iPhone in 8th grade, teen has mostly ceased reading books. I’m already in despair over the stunted development inflicted by D65’s one child per take-home device policy.

Or am I taking it too seriously?

How do you regulate the access?

My amazing mom friend and near neighbor took our dog for almost a month while we traveled. She saved us a fortune in dog sitting and took great care of our dog, who also had a blast playing with her own dog.

We’d like to spend several hundred to thank our friend, along with a small physical souvenir from our trip, but what should we get her?

I was thinking of gift cards to one or more businesses, but is it better to stick with one thing? She has a great eye for design and is a wonderful mom. I thought of a spa gift card, but she just was treated to a spa out of town. I do t recall which fitness classes she takes but maybe a gift card there? Is a grocery gift card tacky if it’s mixed with other things? Gift card to a local theater? At a loss.

It’s our last 2 nights in Paris, staying in the 14th, and we’re looking for a great final dinner or two within a mile radius that offers something for everyone:

An omnivorous dad, a mom with Celiac who can’t eat gluten, a kid who mostly eats pizza, pasta or chicken tenders and fries, and other kids who will eat what she eats plus burgers, sushi or seafood.

Help?! We’ve had a mix of mediocre and great meals in France but hope to have a happy ending. Bonus points for scenery or historical interest, and lower than a Michelin-level price.

We have 2 days left by the beach in Sanary-sur-mer. Is it worth taking a train to Marseille for Les Cosquers cave exhibit for one of our last days?

Or even going there on our way back to Paris, checking luggage for $100 at Marseille-St. Charles train station, then taxi to the exhibit and back?

Or forget about cramming it in?

Kids are 9 to 14.

We’ll be in Arles and La Ciotat. Looking to treat my 14 year old to a hammam with massage. What’s good and also what are the prices? Do’s and don’ts we should know with our limited French?

We’re staying with three children ages 14, 11 and 9 in central Arles 7 nights in mid to late June. Airbnb has small pool, so hopefully a respite from the sightseeing.

We want to explore in town and maybe take 1-2 day trips. Is a day trip or one short overnight to the Camargue worth it? Saintes-Maries-de-la-mer has a festival that weekend. Worthwhile or avoid? Or Aigues Mortes?

How bad will the tourist crowds be? We’re already avoiding places like Les Baux which sound overrun.

We weren’t planning to rent a car but could we greatly benefit, being able to visit less crowded places? Or am I trying too hard to avoid fellow tourists?