It is a rare teenager that has never been tempted to sneak out of the house. At some point, most teens are asked by their friends to meet up after curfew or to come out when they are grounded. Unfortunately, rarely does anything good happen when teenagers are hanging out in the middle of the night. To protect teens from
Read moreWe all want our teens to be successful… which means that well-meaning parents can make a couple of common errors when raising their adolescent child: (1) we try to prevent our teen’s mistakes, or (2) we try to rescue and shield them when our teen does make a mistake. Unfortunately, humans tend to learn better through making our own mistakes
Read moreFor many, Memorial Day is the start of summer, and many teens are not sure what they would like to do over this long break. One option would be a summer job. While employment numbers have been low for the past few years, the economy is showing improvement. CBS News just recently reported that employment for teens, between the ages
Read moreHave you always assumed that your child would go to college? It can come as quite a shock to hear your teen say, “I don’t think I want to go to college.” Perhaps you didn’t go to college, and you hope for something better for your son or daughter – it may feel frustrating that your child would choose to
Read moreCollege has always been a recommended path for teens headed to adulthood, and for good reason. Studies show that college graduates earn more than individuals without a college degree, develop more independence and confidence, create a better network of friends, have better communication skills, are more likely to move up the socioeconomic ladder, more likely to make healthy lifestyle choices,
Read moreTechnology has significantly changed the way we do things and the way we interact with those around us. In many ways, it has improved our lives and given us new opportunities, but it also has the potential for dominating our lives and eating up time that could be spent in more productive ways. Pew Research Center recently released a report
Read moreBetween allowances, birthday checks from grandparents, and part-time jobs, today’s teens make a good deal of money. One of the best things parents can do to prepare their teens for adulthood is to teach them how to manage the money they earn. Read on to learn how to help your teen avoid common mistakes with their money: Underestimating Cost Teens
Read moreWork experience gives teens valuable benefits, such as: learning responsibility and professionalism, gaining material for their resume and college applications, using their free time constructively, which helps them avoid trouble, and developing skills in conflict resolution and problem-solving. Since employment provides such valuable experience and skills to teens, it is well worth their effort to look for a job.
Read moreTeen parties are a major source of worry for parents, but they can be a really fun part of your teen’s social development. Relaxing and socializing are an important part of what makes life good. We want our teens to fit in and have fun, but we also want them to be safe and responsible. The problem is that not
Read moreCurrent research shows that parents are not teaching their teens necessary driving skills. That’s not to say that parents aren’t trying! It is not easy to teach skills that come so naturally to an experienced driver. Parents have had their license for so long that they don’t have to consciously think about how hard to step on the brake in
Read moreIt’s 11:30 p.m. on Saturday night, and you’re waiting for your teen to come home. Curfew was 11 p.m. and you’re frustrated that your teen has ignored the rules yet again. What is a parent to do? Do some research. Try to determine if the curfew you set for your teen is reasonable. Call a few parents of your child’s
Read more“Enabling” is when well-meaning parents allow, or even encourage, behavior in their children that is inappropriate, irresponsible, destructive or dangerous. While it is normal to want to protect your children and to prevent their suffering, sometimes parents can go overboard, rescuing them from their problems or uncomfortable situations, rather than allowing them to feel the consequences of their negative behavior.
Read moreFor many people, a new year feels full of hope and possibility, which is probably why so many of us feel the desire to improve ourselves as the year begins. If your teen is having that urge, Middle Earth is offering our “top ten list” for the best New Year’s Resolutions for youth. Give this list to your teen and
Read moreEver had that moment where you want to ask your teen, “What were you thinking?!?” Unfortunately, as teens walk the path of becoming independent adults, exploring their limits and abilities is part of developing their identities. Risk-taking is an important way for teenagers to learn about themselves. It peaks at around 15-16 years and tends to tail off by early
Read moreWhen humans are under pressure, we don’t always make the best decisions. Despite our intelligence, we are not great at considering all of the consequences of our decisions while people are staring at us waiting for our decision. This is true of adults, but it’s even more accurate in describing teens. When teens are put on the spot, they have
Read moreEven though the school year has just begun, if your teen is a junior or senior in high school this year, more than likely the main topic in your household is what your teen is going to do after they graduate. If your teen would like to attend college, they are probably feeling a little overwhelmed. While they may feel
Read moreA parent’s role is ever-changing. When your children were born, you needed to do everything for them. Ever since then, you’ve probably noticed the push-and-pull of what to do for your child and what to allow them to do for themselves. Now that your child has reached adolescence, it’s important to give them the chance to practice behaving responsibly. If
Read moreOne of the most important skills we can instill in teenagers before they head to the “real world” is financial wisdom. Teens must understand how much things cost, how credit works, how to budget, how to save, and the ability to make wise decisions about their finances. Schools do not teach adolescents about these things, so parents must teach and
Read moreIn our last blog, we talked about how important it is for teens to have work experience to prepare them for college. However, getting a job and working for someone else is not the only option teenagers have. Many clever teens have started their own business, and that type of initiative, creativity and problem-solving are exactly the qualities colleges are
Read moreAs much as kids look forward to summer, a recent survey shows that the majority of teens expect to be bored. And, bored teens spell trouble because they are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Wouldn’t it be better if your teen could be engaged in activities that would actually improve their skills, broaden their horizons, and fill out
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