First off, this is absolutely tragic and devastating to lose such a beautiful young woman. My heart and prayers go out to her family and the entire community grieving this loss. That being said, I find myself saying this often because it continues to be an overlooked issue. Parents need to step up and be parents not friends. Children and teens should not be regularly consuming energy drinks, excessive caffeine, or other stimulants that can seriously impact their developing bodies and nervous systems. This also includes things like frequent Starbucks drinks loaded with caffeine and sugar, and in some cases exposure to substances like THC gummies, which are completely inappropriate for minors. These products are not harmless. High caffeine intake in adolescents can increase anxiety, disrupt sleep, elevate heart rate and blood pressure, and negatively affect mood, focus, and recovery. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that adolescents consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine per day, yet many drinks marketed to teens far exceed that in a single serving. What may feel like “letting kids make their own choices” can actually become a lack of boundaries during a critical stage of development. Kids don’t need more freedom to consume stimulants they need guidance, structure, and protection. Be your kids parent not their friend. They have enough friends! nutritionwithwendi.com/blog/…