The Urge to Check Their Location App

That little dot on your phone screen showing where they are feels both invasive and essential—a digital umbilical cord you're not sure you're ready to cut. The urge to check hits at random moments: when they don't text back quickly, when you hear sirens, when your mind wanders to all the things that could go wrong.

It's not really about their location; it's about the illusion of protection and the fear that letting go of this small thread of connection means admitting they don't need you anymore. The app has become a pacifier for your anxiety, not theirs.

Consider that your child likely knows you can see their location and may feel simultaneously comforted and watched. The real question isn't whether the technology is good or bad, but whether it's serving connection or feeding fear.

**Try This:** Have an honest conversation with your child about the location sharing—ask how they feel about it and whether they find it helpful or intrusive. Set a specific timeframe to revisit this decision together in three months, giving both of you permission to adjust as you learn what works.

**Journal Prompt:** What am I really trying to control when I check their location? What would feel different if I trusted that they'll reach out when they need me?

**Remember:** Love doesn't require constant monitoring; sometimes it requires the courage to look away.