Parents juggle many competing interests while raising children, and there’s never one right or wrong way to do things. Parenting is often a balancing act, and it’s hard to know if we are too far in one direction or the other. This is certainly the case in determining what activities we should allow our children to undertake themselves without adult
Read moreHumans do not become responsible or mature until they are forced to deal with the consequences of their choices. Although this makes logical sense, it’s really hard as a parent to let your child suffer when they make a mistake or bad decision. The desire to protect your child from emotional pain or damage — even when resulting from their
Read moreOne of the most important skills we can instill in teenagers is to manage money responsibly. If we want our youth to develop into successful adults, they need to learn fundamental concepts, such as saving, how credit works, budgeting, and consumer rights. Many high schools do not cover this material, and even if they do, they don’t always make it
Read moreAmerican culture places a lot of pressure on boys to think they need to have a strong physique, hide their emotions, and act in an aggressively dominant way to be considered a “real man.” Our society tends to think that men should not ask for help, always be in control, exert power over others, and avoid expressing any emotion except
Read moreIn the past, getting a driver’s license was seen as an exciting rite of passage. Teens waited eagerly for their 16th birthday to gain a new level of freedom. Nowadays, more and more teenagers are delaying the process of obtaining their driver’s license. According to a 2020 study, nearly 40% of teens delayed getting their license by one to two years, and
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 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 moreChildren, especially adolescents, are masters of pushing boundaries. It’s actually a normal part of development for children to test limits, break rules, rebel against expectations, and do anything to avoid punishment. Although this behavior is irritating for parents, it’s important to realize that children are actually learning through this process. By recognizing this is a normal part of childhood, parents
Read moreWhen your adolescent child acts defiantly, rebels, or withdraws, it is normal to feel angry, worried, upset, hurt, frustrated, or a mix of many emotions. In many ways, it’s so much easier to raise younger children because you are more in control of their lives. Parents of teens quickly realize that they have very little control over their teen’s behavior,
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 moreA lot changes when your child turns 18-years-old, and it can be difficult for parents to know how to adjust their role. Technically, your teen has become an adult, and many of our systems – from medical practices to government offices – will no longer speak to you without the permission of your child. And yet, it’s not like a
Read moreHousehold chores are a perfect way to teach youth responsibility and communicate that everyone in a household is expected to chip in to help the family. We cannot raise teens to become competent adults if we are always doing everything for them. Instead, we must equip them with the skills they need to take care of themselves and contribute to
Read moreObtaining a driving learner’s permit is a major milestone for teens, but it can be both exciting and terrifying for parents. Parents must quickly take the role of teacher, and we know all too well the possible dangers our teens will face on the roads. It is not easy to teach all of the important driving skills that come so
Read moreSome teens seem to find a hobby or sport that they really love and stick with it. Other teens seem to flit from activity to activity, often losing interest as soon as the hobby gets a bit challenging. As a parent, it’s hard to know whether it’s important to let your teen have control over what activities they pursue or
Read moreMore and more Americans seem to be struggling under the burden of debt. Whether it’s credit cards, student loans, or other forms, debt is all too common for many young adults. Unfortunately, financial education isn’t part of the curriculum in most U.S. schools. As a result, many teens aren’t financially literate which means they are unable to make good financial
Read moreDeveloping a child’s sense of responsibility is one of the most important skills parents need to instill, and the tween years are the perfect time to start! When you teach your children to take responsibility for their tasks, decisions and actions, you help them develop into conscientious human beings who know how to be successful as an adult. Of course,
Read moreThe number of young adults in the United States who are living with a parent has increased significantly over the past couple of decades. In July 2022, half of adults ages 18 to 29 were living with one or both of their parents. While this was slightly lower than a recent peak in 2020 as a result of the pandemic,
Read moreHigh control groups are organizations that entice unsuspecting individuals to commit to, and comply with, the group’s way of thinking, acting and believing. Cults are an extreme form of high control groups, but there are many other types, such as political groups, religious groups, gangs, multi-level-marketing (MLM), conspiracy theory communities, self-help groups, activist groups, and lifestyle groups. Some psychologists even
Read moreAs the holidays approach, many of us feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. While holidays have the potential for fun and special memories, they also have the potential for stress and family conflict that can take the joy out of the season. If one of the reasons for your holiday anxiety is because you dread your teen’s possible behavior,
Read moreWhen teens are ready to enter the job market, many run into a big problem right away. They have no idea how to actually get hired. It can be overwhelming to a young person beginning this process, but it becomes manageable if the adults in their lives can break it down for them and offer a little guidance. If you
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