Parenting teenagers involves balancing guidance and independence, with the author choosing not to track her son’s phone to foster self-reliance and preparation for college. Despite occasional anxiety, she trusts him to manage his own decisions. While many parents use tracking apps like Life360, the author believes in granting autonomy for teens to learn self-management skills. Drawing from her own upbringing, she values the freedom and space for her son to navigate his own path, acknowledging that mistakes are part of growth and that she is there as a safety net rather than constant surveillance.
