Kids and Alcohol: When and How Should You Have “The Talk?”
While the concept of “kids and alcohol” might seem to be a specific issue that should be handled in a specific manner, the core question here is actually, “When and how should I have the talk about something which is dangerous for my child?” Thought of in that way, the answer is obvious: all the…
Read MoreTeen Independence Vs. Family Connection: How to Have the Best of Both
Teen Independence Vs. Family Connection. Between the years of 1775 and 1783, North American colonies of Great Britain fought a war against their original homeland to gain independence from the King and Parliament. Some parents feel that a similar event is being acted out when their children strive for teen independence. It almost feels like…
Read MoreUnderstanding Childhood Phobias and How to Help Your Child Cope
Understanding Childhood Phobias. Fear is a natural response. It’s hardwired into our brains. In an emergency situation, the logical thought processes we use to navigate the complexities of life are simply too slow; seconds can mean the difference between survival and disaster. It’s a natural feature of the emotional “operating system” of our brains. But…
Read MoreDiscipline for Teens: 5 Things That Work & 5 Things That Don’t
Discipline for Teens. It’s amazing how words change over time. Take “discipline.” The word has roots in Latin meaning teaching and learning. For example, we speak of “the discipline of Medicine.” But crack open your copy of Merriam-Webster’s dictionary and you’ll see “instruction” is the second definition of discipline, and an obsolete one at that.…
Read MoreTeen Going to College? Tips to Help Them Transition Positively
Teen Going to College? Tips to Help Them Transition Positively. It comes with the territory; teenagers long to experience independence and explore ways to do so as they grow up. The ultimate expression of this longing is when teenagers leave their parent’s home and move out for the first time. This can be an exciting,…
Read MoreHow to Help Your Children Cope with the Effects of Divorce
How to Help Your Children Cope with the Effects of Divorce As an adult, dealing with the emotional effects of divorce is difficult, but manageable. Your sense of the world is relatively stable; you know that big changes aren’t the end of the world. You can visualize a path forward and the resources you’ll need…
Read MoreAnxiety in Teens: Signs and Symptoms to Look For
Anxiety in teens. It’s easy to look back on your teenage years with nostalgia. You were just beginning to grasp who you could become, you had relatively few responsibilities, and most of your experiences then were new and exciting. The music was better; your eyes were brighter. It’s fun to look through old photo albums,…
Read More5 Ways to Create Honesty and Trust with Your Teen
5 Ways to create honesty and trust with your teen. As your children grow and develop into teens, they don’t always want comfort in the ways you’ve traditionally provided it. When you try to discern what they’re thinking, feeling, and doing, you wind up with more questions than answers. Because teenagers have entered a stage…
Read MoreCan You Have an Amicable Divorce? Taking These Steps Together Can Help
Pain is a natural, built-in element of divorce. The relationship that once filled you with joy, love and hope now elicits feelings of resentment, sadness, and loss. Your sense of identity and security as one half of a couple gives way to questions like, “How can I be a mom, work, and be happy all…
Read MoreThe Challenge of Parenting Teens in the Age of Legalized Marijuana
The challenge of parenting teens in the age of legalized marijuana. As marijuana has begun to shed its restrictive laws, you’ve likely been the audience to plenty of speculation about how legalized marijuana will affect crime, state tax revenue, local businesses, and cultural attitudes toward health and drug consumption. As a parent, your questions probably hit…
Read More5 Steps to Improving Your Emotional Intelligence
Improving your emotional intelligence. For those of us who were in high school before the 1990s or so, a GPA above 3.5 and SAT scores 1400 and above were seen as solid indicators of intelligence and, to some degree, that person’s potential for success in life. Colleges weighed these two quantitative pearls when considering admissions,…
Read MoreHelping Improve Self-Esteem and the ADHD Child
Helping Improve Self-Esteem and the ADHD Child ADHD symptoms are not difficult to recognize. However, ADHD can wind up being a catch-all diagnosis for kids who have more energy or who require more individual attention to facilitate learning. These kids often get referred to as “Hyper” or as “Space cadets” but they are not truly ADHD…
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