parenting – Page 2 – Topical Fruit

“Clocked It”: Why Your Teen Keeps Saying It (And What It Means)

The slang term has been gaining traction online and in schools. Now Google says searches for it are at an all-time high.

So, what does it mean? Technically, “to clock” something means to notice it. Simple enough, right? But Gen Z has taken that idea and run with it, applying it to everything from compliments to gossip to petty shade.

A TikTok mom recently went viral for explaining the many ways she’s heard her kids use it. For example, if your outfit looks particularly fresh, they might nod and say, “That outfit slays. Clocked it.” Or if someone spills the latest drama, it’s “Clocked that tea.” It’s basically a casual, sometimes smug way of saying, “I see it, I get it, I’m taking note.”

Hey, kids. It’s not really a new term.

While it may feel like brand-new slang to teens and tweens, using the word “clock” like this isn’t really new at all. According to Merriam-Webster, people have been “clocking” stuff since at least 1929. (It also has roots in trans culture. As in, “I think they clocked me [as trans].”)

Why is it suddenly so popular?

“Sudden” might be a strong word. It’s been going around the internet for the good part of a year, if not longer. The reason more people (parents and kids) are googling it likely has more to do with the new school year than anything else. Teens are using it in class, more parents are hearing it in car rides, and more people are googling it in confusion.

So if your kid tells you they “clocked” something, don’t worry. They’re not tracking time, and they definitely don’t mean they punched someone in the face. They’re just letting you know they noticed. Whether it’s your outfit, your mood, or that eye roll you thought they didn’t see… they clocked it.

@mamateaches711
Replying to @Sonya Russell we did the homework and have found out (sort of) the meaning of “clocked it.” Guess we should get rid of the 👏🏼 emoji. The new kids say we don’t do that anymore 😂. CLOCKED IT. #teacher #teachermama #elementaryschool #middleschool #highschool #teachertok #parent
♬ original sound – Jessica | Teacher•Mama

Millie Bobby Brown Adopted a Baby Girl

Millie Bobby Brown is officially a mom! The “Stranger Things” star and her husband, Jake Bongiovi, shared that they adopted a baby girl over the summer, marking the couple’s first step into parenthood together.

The news broke after the two were spotted out in the Hamptons earlier this week, casually pushing a stroller during a sunny walk. Fans immediately speculated, and sure enough, the couple confirmed the rumors in a joint statement yesterday.

“This summer, we welcomed our sweet baby girl through adoption,” they said. “We are beyond excited to embark on this beautiful next chapter of parenthood in both peace and privacy.”

For now, they’re keeping the details close. No name, no photos, just the happy announcement and a polite request for privacy while they adjust to life as new parents. This is also makes Jon Bon Jovi a first-time grandparent, too!

Millie, 21, and Jake, 23, tied the knot in May 2024, just over a year ago. Their relationship has been a favorite among fans since they first went public, thanks in part to their mix of Hollywood glam and relatable young-couple energy. Now, their love story has entered a whole new chapter.

Celebrity adoptions often spark plenty of public curiosity, but Millie and Jake’s approach suggests they’re aiming to raise their daughter away from too much spotlight. Given Millie’s early rise to fame, it makes sense she’d want to shield her child from the same level of attention she grew up with.

While we wait for more details (and yes, probably a very adorable name reveal down the road), fans are already celebrating the news across social media. Some are pointing out how surreal it feels to see Millie, who audiences first met as Eleven when she was just 12, now stepping into the role of mom. Others are praising the couple for openly sharing their adoption journey, which can help normalize and inspire conversations around family building in different forms.

One thing’s for sure: whether she’s saving the world from the Upside Down or learning the ropes of diaper duty, Millie Bobby Brown has officially entered a whole new role. And her fans couldn’t be more excited to watch this next chapter unfold.

Parents Feel Like “Bad Parents” 156 Times a Year, and Honestly, That Feels Low

If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen at 8:00 p.m. while your kid eats microwave mac & cheese off a frisbee and thought, “I am crushing this parenting thing,” congratulations… you’re delusional. But at least you’re in good company.

A new survey finds that the average parent feels like a “bad” parent three times a week. That’s 156 times a year where you genuinely question if letting your toddler watch six episodes of Paw Patrol in a row was character-building or just a cry for help.

And 45% of parents say this whole raising-humans gig is way more demanding than they expected.

Which is probably because nobody warned us that “sleep training” actually means “everyone cries and no one sleeps.”

On top of that, parents stumble into two situations a week they have absolutely no clue how to handle. Like, should you negotiate with a child who’s screaming because their banana broke in half? Or just light the kitchen on fire and start over?

Also, parents say they need a break from parenting twice a week.

That sounds reasonable… until you realize “a break” usually means hiding in the bathroom scrolling memes while someone shouts your name like you’re a customer service hotline.

But here’s the good news: Kids make their parents laugh 12 times a day. Which is beautiful, really. Between the existential dread and the juice-box explosions, these tiny chaos machines are apparently also hilarious. (Example: A four-year-old once called the cops on his mom for eating his ice cream. Case closed, Your Honor.)

Should You Give Your Kids Screen Time on Long Road Trips?

The short answer is yes. What are you crazy? But not everyone agrees.

Did you know that 73% of U.S. travelers would prefer a road trip over flying? And 83% of people plan to drive to their summer vacation destination this year.

Everyone’s talking about how expensive airfare is nowadays, so it makes sense more people are hitting the road. But here’s the million-dollar question for parents: How much screen time are you doling out for your kids?

A lot of parents out there are strict with screen time.

There’s one lady that says she only lets her kids listen to audiobooks. If I was that kid, I’d be looking at my emancipation options.

But apparently being strict is far from the norm. According to the CDC, here is the average amount of screen time given to kids daily. Not just on road trips, but every day:

8-10 years old: Six hours
11-14 years old: Nine hours
15-18 years old: Seven and 1/2 hours

So if an 11-14 year old is averaging nine hours on screens per day, surely for a 500-mile road trip, they get to be on an iPad the entire time, right?

Why 500 you might ask? Because I need advice. I’m driving from Tennessee to Michigan and my wife thinks the kids need a break for their eyes. But I think I might need a break from all the questions. I love them, but is nine hours really that bad?

I would have played nine straight hours of Game Boy when I was their age, but the batteries would’ve never lasted that long.

Kids Say These Are the Top 10 Things They Want to Do with Their Parents More

Summer is officially here, and if you’re a parent juggling work-from-home chaos with guilt over not spending enough time with your kids, you’re far from alone. Turns out, your kids feel it too.

In a study conducted a few years ago, a whopping 70% of kids said their parents are too distracted. A psychologist weighed in, saying that while routines make life easier, they can also make us forget to carve out meaningful moments with our families. So whether it’s a long weekend or just a random Wednesday afternoon, making space for connection matters.

Not sure where to start? Researchers asked kids to name the activities they wish they could do more with their parents—and the answers are both wholesome and totally doable.

Here are the top 10 things kids say they want to do more with mom and dad:

Go to the beach – Sandcastles, waves, and maybe a little too much sunscreen.
Exercise together – From bike rides to yoga in the living room, kids love moving with you.
Play sports – Whether it’s a pickup basketball game or backyard soccer, it’s about the fun, not the score.
Go to the pool – Because cannonballs and floaties never go out of style.
Go to the movies – Shared popcorn and big-screen action? Count them in.
Play at a park – Simple, free, and full of chances to actually talk without screens in the way.
Go camping – Even if it’s just in the backyard, the memories are big.
Visit a zoo, museum, or amusement park – Day-trips can feel like huge adventures to kids.
Play video games – Yes, even if you’re terrible at them. That’s part of the fun.
Go shopping – It’s less about what you buy and more about the one-on-one time.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of packing all this in, don’t stress. Even one or two of these can make a big impact. The key is being present, and maybe letting them pick the playlist on the way.