When asked what a child or teen with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) might behave like, many people might use words such as “hyper,” “full of energy,” “inattentive” or even “destructive” to describe these individuals. While this can often be the case, there are several other symptoms that sometimes go unnoticed in children and teens with ADHD, especially girls. Lack
Read moreTeens can often come across as rude and disrespectful to their parents, teachers or other authority figures. Eye-rolling, backtalking, door slamming, dramatic sighing with a dash of know-it-all attitude can frustrate even the most patient adult. Understandably, many adults will respond by being rude and disrespectful back. Unfortunately, whenever a teen sees you being disrespectful, they assume that their behavior is
Read moreWith the new school year beginning, many parents are wondering how best to help their child be successful in school. Experts suggest helping children develop good study habits is one of the best methods. While studying is likely not your child’s most favorite pastime, it is essential to their academic success. The habits and work skills they develop now will
Read moreVirtual reality (VR) headsets, a head-mounted device that provides an immersive virtual experience, are very popular! Sales of VR headsets rose from 5.4 million units in 2019 to more than a projected 14 million for 2024. These headsets are widely used with video games, but can also be used in other applications, such as training simulations. Many teenagers love to use
Read moreIf your child tells you that they are gender fluid, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ), you will likely feel a wide range of different emotions. It’s very normal for parents to feel stressed, confused, scared, or surprised, but no matter how you feel, don’t pull back from your child when you’re needed most! For many LGBTQ youth, breaking
Read moreMoving is one of life’s top stressors. Giving up the familiar—friends, favorite places, and routines— is not easy for anyone and can cause fear, sadness and stress. Teens are especially prone to these feelings because they are very focused on fitting in with their peers. Being the new kid is very challenging. It’s important to acknowledge your teenager’s feelings with
Read moreWithin the past decade, mental health problems in teens have been increasing at a rapid rate. A new report from the United Hospital Fund shows that 6.7 million U.S. adolescents have at least one behavioral health condition. Some of these mental health conditions may include depression, anxiety, and ADHD. While these numbers might seem alarming, the good news is that
Read moreTime management is an important skill for a variety of reasons. First, managing our time well decreases our overall stress and increases our productivity. It also helps us to achieve goals and enjoy our free time more. Time management is also a highly coveted skill for employers. If your teen can learn it now as a student, they will excel
Read moreIt is a natural human desire to have some sense of control over our own lives. Having control gives us a feeling of order, stability, and safety. Research consistently shows that when people believe they have choices and can change their circumstances, they feel more hopeful and optimistic about the future. We tend to fight against anyone, or any situation,
Read moreTeens display many types of behavior – ranging from mood swings to rebellion – that are challenging for the adults in their lives but that are considered normal adolescent behavior. However, experimenting with substance use is not one of the “normal” rites of passage in adolescence. Your teen might proclaim that “everyone vapes” or “everyone drinks” but in reality, this
Read moreAmerican media is full of troubling images and messages. Whether it’s video games, movies, social media, or other media outlets, our youth are bombarded with negativity. For example: The repeated exposure to disturbing media desensitizes children, and adults as well, to the negative emotional reactions that these experiences would normally produce. Studies have shown that, after enough exposures, the physiological
Read moreDid you know that the 100 days between Memorial and Labor Day are the deadliest for teens? Car crashes are behind this troubling statistic. The CDC estimates that 7 teens between the ages of 16 and 19 die every day from motor vehicle injuries. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for American teens, and during the 100 Deadliest
Read moreSummer break can be filled with new opportunities and lots of fun for many families. But summer also can exaggerate irritations that parents and teens have with one another as they spend more time together. Don’t let these problems ruin the whole break! Here are some of the most common complaints parents have about teens over the summer and some
Read moreRaising teenagers has its highs and lows, but one of the fundamental things a child needs is a parent who stays consistent in showing them love and acceptance through good times and bad. Even as teens make mistakes or start to rebel, they still need the stability and support that comes from a parent who loves them for who they
Read moreAlmost every school in the United States struggles with smartphone use in the classroom. Some argue we should incorporate the technology into lessons since it’s such a vital part of our daily lives, while others argue that youth need a break from the devices and lose valuable class time due to the distractions. It’s hard to know what the right
Read moreThe thrill of victory, the agony of defeat! Regardless of whether you are a spectator or a participant, sports evoke strong emotions in us that are easy to get caught up in. It is no easy task to be a parent of a young athlete. Hard enough are the tasks of helping your child learn how to handle the ups
Read moreOne of our most important parenting responsibilities is to give teens the skills and tools they need to become successful in adulthood. We must teach them to cook, manage money, clean, and much more. And one of these vital skills is learning how to manage their own medical care. When you have small children, you must make all of the
Read moreThroughout history, teens have always developed their own slang to communicate with one another. While it’s very common, it can be disconcerting to parents who suddenly feel like they don’t know what their children are talking about. Trying to figure out what teens are saying is increasingly challenging, as the explosion of social media, memes, and online communication has increased the speed
Read moreHave you seen examples of parents shaming their kids on social media? Some parents share details about a teen’s misadventures on their Facebook page, call out troubling behavior on their teen’s Instagram, or announce escalating consequences for anyone to see. While this public behavior is dramatic, it’s actually not uncommon for parents to try to shame their children into better
Read moreIn a 2020 report, it was determined that 7.5 million Americans are stalked each year; and a staggering 48% of teens between the ages of 12 and 18 who had been in a dating relationship had been stalked or harassed by a partner. Since this seems to be a fairly common experience among youth, it’s important that parents talk to
Read more