February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Unfortunately, almost a third of adolescents in the U.S. become victims of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. When teens hear “dating abuse,” they may think the term is limited to severe violence, such as rape or beatings. It’s up to the adults in their lives to let
Read moreOne goal of raising children is to help them become increasingly responsible and independent as they age, and one of those developmental milestones on the path to independence is dating. Many parents and educators tend to shy away from talking about dating with youth. While we don’t think twice about discussing other independent living skills, such as budgeting or cooking,
Read moreFebruary is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, which makes it a perfect time to promote safe, healthy relationships to youth. Teens should know that the term ‘dating violence’ does not refer to the occasional argument or bad mood, which are a normal part of any relationship. Rather, dating violence is when someone tries to control their significant
Read moreLast week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of their Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey, which has been conducted every other year for three decades, includes responses from 17,232 U.S. high school students and measures adolescent health and well-being. Collected in fall 2021, these survey responses represent the first data collected by CDC since
Read moreMany parents don’t know when to begin discussing sex with their children. Some parents worry that if they bring up the topic, their child will be more likely to want to have sex or engage in sexual activities earlier. This is a myth; studies have shown that the opposite occurs. When parents are involved in their teenagers’ sexual education, teens
Read moreRaising teens is not an easy task. Teens can be difficult to understand and to get along with, which means that conflict is bound to happen! If you want a more peaceful homelife or a teen who is more connected to the family, you should consider whether or not you are creating an environment that a teen wants to be
Read moreWith Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s a great time to think about your teen’s dating life. Dating is a true rite of passage in adolescence, and if you, as a parent, have the right attitude and message, dating can become a great teaching tool for your child. Dating helps young people learn to get along with others, communicate,
Read moreFor many people, February is labeled as the month of love because of Valentine’s Day. But it is also National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. It’s disappointing that we need such an observance, but one in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner! With these types of numbers,
Read moreIt is an emotional, overwhelming, and sometimes awkward time when your teenager starts dating. Many of us fear the time our child begins dating for a variety of reasons – it’s a big sign your child is growing up, it’s a time when your child desires someone else’s attention more than yours, and it opens a whole new area of
Read moreA little-known sex crime called “sextortion” is becoming more common, and teens are often the victims. Sextortion is when a perpetrator obtains a victim’s private and sensitive photos or videos and then threatens to release them publicly unless the victim meets their demands. Perpetrators tend to blackmail their victims into paying them money, sending sexual images or video, or performing
Read moreThere are many difficult subjects that we are supposed to talk to our youth about – sex, drugs, relationships, crime, depression, alcohol, violence, bullying, peer pressure, safety… well, you get the point. The problem is that all of these subjects can become awkward conversations that often earn eye-rolling and groans in teens. However, difficult conversations are important because they can
Read moreApril is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is a good excuse to use to talk to your teen – both boys and girls – about this important issue. Many parents make the mistake of only talking to their daughters about sexual assault. While it’s true that the majority of sexual assault victims are women and girls, many men and boys
Read moreFebruary is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Studies show that 1 in 3 American teenagers have experienced an abusive dating relationship and 1 in 10 teenagers suffers physical violence at the hands of a boyfriend or girlfriend. A nationwide survey from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 23% of females and 14% of males who ever experienced rape,
Read moreParents tend to worry about their children for a million reasons, ranging from whether they will fit in, be respectful, get good grades, and stay safe. Keeping our teens healthy is probably one of the top concerns that a parent has. To keep you up to date, here is a list of some of the biggest health risks today’s teens
Read moreThe New Year is a time when we often reflect over the past year and think about how we would like to improve going forward. Although it’s a wonderful idea to make positive resolutions such as to exercise more or to eat healthier, we recommend that you make a parenting resolution for 2016! Parenting teens is tough! Most of us could
Read moreWhen you hear about dating violence, what age do you think is affected? Many of us believe dating abuse is an issue for high school students and young adults, but a new study challenges that misconception. A recent study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Blue Shield of California found that 75% of middle school students had already had a
Read moreTeenagers becoming parents is all too common in America. The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world. We will explain the reasons many teens end up pregnant, the consequences of teen pregnancy, and how teen pregnancy can be prevented. Reasons There are a number of reasons that teens end up pregnant. Some teens cite contraception
Read moreThe “sex talk” is a conversation most parents dread. It can be awkward and uncomfortable for both of you, and so many parents approach the subject with an attitude of “let me say the least that I have to in one big talk so I can get this checked off my parenting to-do list.” One mother may feel she’s covered
Read moreApril is Stress Awareness Month… in case you were not already aware of your stress. Managing our stress level is an important life skill and can make us a happier and healthier person, so it clearly is a skill we want to teach to our teens. Studies show that adolescents are more likely to start risky behaviors – such as
Read moreThere are few parents that relish the idea of their teen beginning to date. However, there are actually a lot of benefits to your teenagers experiencing the give and take of a relationship. No one can “learn” how to be a good partner – it’s more “on the job” training. Dating helps young people learn to get along with others,
Read more