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Gwyneth's avatar

10/10 rating. As a woman, I scream, "Vive la difference!"

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AL's avatar

What a thing to land in my inbox today. I woke up at 5am and knew my 11 year old was already likely online in his room (he has always been an early bird). He was watching YouTube shorts (like tiktok) which is nothing but pre-teen garbage and had his laptop on at the same time. It was still dark outside.

I had been successful at limiting most garbage in our home until recently, when we moved, and I fell prey to sympathizing with his missing his old friends and missing out on new friends who game to socialize. I regretted it but still allowed it. The limits (set forth in the contract I drafted for him) were almost immediately disregarded and despite exhausting attempts to control it, I failed. I know this: it's all or nothing, and it grows and expands like a bad bacteria--there is no limiting it.

I spent the better part of the morning trying to explain my concerns to him but telling him I will ultimately be the decision-maker. I read him parts of this substack regarding his testosterone production and explaining to him (regardless of his ability to really comprehend) that efforts to ruin him are deliberate and it is my job to navigate that for him. And so, I will.

Just ordered two copies of Aurelius for both my sons. Thank you for a very timely hit on the head.

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