During adolescence, youth are trying to figure out who they are, establish their independence, and express themselves all while dealing with significant hormone fluctuations and peer pressure. Every child handles these challenges differently. Unfortunately, in some teens, this process can cause them to act out in an angry, argumentative, withdrawn, or rebellious manner. Parenting a defiant teen is hard, and
Read moreArtificial Intelligence (AI) has made it much easier to produce photos, videos and content online, but that also means that it’s easier to produce fake or misleading content. American teenagers get most of their information online, and especially from social media, which means they are coming across AI-generated content all the time. Recent studies by Common Sense Media (Jan 2025
Read moreAs parents, we tend to worry about raising our child “correctly,” we want to fix everything our child is not doing well, and we fear the potential pitfalls and rebellion that adolescence brings. In fact, we can become so focused on all the challenges that parenting presents, we can forget to simply enjoy our evolving relationship with our child. It’s
Read moreMore teens obtained part-time employment in 2024 than in any previous year since 2008. Most believe the increased teen employment last year was due in part to an increasing demand for labor, as well as high inflation and the need to help out the family with rising costs. Experts believe the reasons the teen employment rate was previously so low
Read moreNew research published last week in the journal Computers in Human Behavior showed that a short period away from your smartphone can lead to noticeable shifts in brain activity. Scientists discovered that just 72 hours of smartphone restriction altered activity in brain regions linked to reward and self-control. These changes suggest that our constant connection to smartphones may have a more
Read moreToday begins Eating Disorders Awareness Week. It’s estimated that 30 million Americans (20 million women and 10 million men) have struggled with an eating disorder at some point over their lifetime. Eating disorders can affect people of every age, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic group. They are a serious illness; in fact, eating disorders are the mental illness with the
Read moreCelebrity adoration among tweens and teens is a pretty natural part of growing up. During adolescence, youth are trying to develop their own identity, so they actively seek out role models and media figures for cues on how to look and act. Youth are attracted to celebrities because they lead exciting lifestyles, are talented, and have stylists that make them
Read moreFrom the time they hit middle school, most kids are always on the go. Whether it’s extracurricular activities, socializing with friends, connecting online for video games, or keeping up with homework, the time of adolescence is a very busy one. With such busy schedules, tweens and teens rarely make the best choices in food. They might skip meals or grab
Read moreTeenagers are frequently stereotyped as moody, rebellious, or lazy, but these preconceptions of adolescence portrayed in the media are often inaccurate. Teenagers, whose brains and bodies are going through rapid development, need more sleep than ever before and are understandably more sensitive to criticism, eager to gain approval, and keen to create their own identity. Their behaviors are more a
Read moreThere are tons of homework helpers available online that are using Open AI’s technology, allowing students to use artificial intelligence to complete assignments with just a few button clicks. It is estimated that approximately half of high school students use artificial intelligence (AI) in their studies and homework. The new access to this technology raises many questions about the education
Read moreWhen a child goes off to college, parents are left with an empty nest. For them, everything stayed the same, but there is an empty space left by their child’s absence. They miss them deeply. When school breaks come, parents are excited to see their student and for everything to feel normal again. Imagine their disappointment when their student acts
Read moreAdolescence is a time of massive change, and it can be very disconcerting to parents. Teens love to shock people with wild opinions, boundary-pushing fashion, and risky behaviors. Parents are eager to protect their children, and some of teens’ behaviors rub against social norms and sometimes safety. So, when confronted with undesirable behaviors, what should a parent do? As a
Read moreIt can be a shocking experience if your teenager comes home smelling of alcohol, marijuana, or cigarette smoke. As a parent, you will likely feel a mix of worry, anger, surprise, and maybe even failure, guilt or betrayal. You will probably feel unsure of the best way to handle the situation. While there is no “one size fits all” approach,
Read moreEvery time a new year begins, many of us join in the ritual of making resolutions. Humans have an innate motivation to mark the start of something new with hopeful goals. Coming up with resolutions isn’t always easy, and the common goals to quit some bad habit or lose weight can sometimes create a negative mindset. If you want this
Read moreWe often have great expectations for the holidays. We want perfect gatherings with all of our extended family, laughing and sharing special moments. The reality is often a bit messier than that, but that doesn’t mean that you have to give up on a great holiday. You just have to make wise choices that prioritize peace. To create family harmony
Read moreAlthough it might seem counterintuitive, giving to others makes us feel good. Whether it’s spending our money, time, or energy on someone else, research is consistently finding that acts of altruism increase our happiness and well-being. Helping others is actually fundamental to being human! With so many adolescents struggling with depression and anxiety, it’s a good idea to share with
Read moreWhen a child exhibits unwanted behavior – whether it’s rebellion, substance abuse, aggression, self-harm, or falling grades – parenting can feel overwhelming. It’s very common for parents to feel stressed, anxious, and exhausted when dealing with a difficult teen. You might find yourself consumed with worry and tracking your teen’s every movement and mood. If that’s you, it’s important to
Read moreYour teen’s body image is not about the shape of their body, but rather, how they VIEW the shape of their body. How a teen perceives the way they look has a powerful influence on their life and self-esteem. Adolescence is a stage in life where teens begin to care a lot about how others view them, and your child’s
Read moreRaising a teenager with a spirit of gratitude, or who is thankful for the good things in their life, is a worthy goal. Years of scientific research has proven that grateful people are happier and more satisfied with their lives. Experts say that one of the best ways to encourage genuine thankfulness in our children is to role model it.
Read moreBetween school, homework, part-time jobs, social outings, and extracurricular activities, adolescents are always on the go. Sometimes it’s hard to coordinate parents and teens to be in the house together for more than a few minutes! Since our families are so busy, many of us have turned eating into an afterthought. Everyone just grabs what they can whenever they are
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