If you’re a parent of a teen who is angry, aggressive, or violent, you may live in constant fear. You may feel like you need to tiptoe around your child to avoid conflict. You may worry every time your teen leaves the house that they could get hurt or hurt someone else. You are likely unsure of how you ended
Read moreChange, uncertainty, and transition are a reality of life. The extent to which we are able to effectively respond to change has a significant bearing on our lives. Change isn’t easy for anyone, but for some people it can be more difficult than for others. Unexpected changes can lead to anxiety, depression or the use of unhealthy coping skills. Fortunately,
Read moreNegotiation is the process where two people with different needs and goals discuss an issue to find a mutually acceptable solution. While some people are naturally better at it than others, negotiation is a skill that can be learned and improved. When a negotiation is done well, both people feel satisfied with the end result. Some people think negotiation is
Read moreThe values that children believe are important to their parents have a significant impact on their development. In fact, researchers have found that children performed better in school – both in grades and behavior – if they believed that their parents valued kindness over personal achievement or success. Ironically, the research demonstrated that children whose parents pushed them to achieve
Read moreSummer is a great time for teenagers to look for employment. Of course, many teens 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 know a teen
Read moreIntegrity is when our conduct is aligned with our values and beliefs. What we do, say and even condone with our silence must match what we believe is right and moral. Our culture doesn’t always encourage integrity; in fact, some of our media almost seems to celebrate dishonesty and hypocrisy. But it’s a very valuable attribute, especially in successful adults.
Read moreTo be successful and happy as an adult, we need to know how to advocate for ourselves – standing up for our right to be treated fairly in a positive and honest way. If we are uncomfortable standing up for ourselves, people tend to dismiss our opinions or ignore our needs. If we are too aggressive in pushing our way,
Read moreBoundaries in a relationship define personal limits regarding your time, resources, emotions, and physical space. Our boundaries teach others how to treat us – what we are willing and not willing to accept in a relationship. Our boundaries help us take care of ourselves and build trust, safety and respect with others. Setting limits allows us to determine how we
Read moreIn February 2026, the Pew Research Center published a report about teens’ views and experiences with artificial intelligence (AI). The Center surveyed 1,458 U.S. teens and their parents online in the Fall of 2025 to develop a better understanding of how youth are using AI and what impact they see it having on their lives. How Youth Use Chatbots While
Read moreFailure is a normal part of life, but we tend to fear it. We wonder how it will define us, what other people will think about us, how we will recover, and whether we will ever be successful. In addition, our culture teaches youth to focus on how they look in the eyes of others. This type of focus causes
Read moreYour teen can code in JAVA, but can’t cook a meal. They have thousands of followers on their social media, but can’t make eye contact with people in real life. If these statements resonate with you, then you might need to develop a plan to prepare your teenager for adulthood. “Adulting” is an informal term used by younger generations to
Read moreIt feels very rewarding and empowering – not to mention financially beneficial – to be able to take on basic do-it-yourself (DIY) projects around a home. But these are not skills that are taught in school or with a special class. Parents should take the time to equip their teens with the knowledge and ability to handle everyday maintenance tasks.
Read moreGood decision-making skills are essential for navigating life’s opportunities and challenges. While developing these skills does not prevent any of us from making mistakes, it does allow us to assess options, weigh consequences, make informed choices, and develop resilience in the face of uncertainty. As a result, teaching teens decision-making skills is essential as they transition from childhood to adulthood. We
Read moreWhether you love it or hate it, technology is an integral part of teens’ lives. The Internet, social media, AI, and texting offer wonderful ways to connect, obtain and share information, stream entertainment, and learn. But, they also expose our children to a lot of risk. Since our children are digital natives, it’s important that we teach them how to
Read moreAs a result of adolescent brain development and wildly fluctuating hormones, teenagers tend to experience a wide range and intense level of emotions. As a parent, this can feel frustrating and confusing, but it’s a normal part of adolescent development. However, that doesn’t mean you should just let your teen fly off the handle at every little thing. In fact,
Read moreWhen we are confident, we tend to have more success, feel happier, and experience better relationships in our lives. No one is born with confidence; it’s something that each of us must work on over time. Teens are especially vulnerable to self-doubt because their identity is just forming, and they face a lot of peer pressure at a time when
Read moreIt may come as a surprise for some parents to learn that most teens are suffering from a strong case of self-doubt or poor self-image. In fact, a person’s self-concept is usually lower during the adolescent years than at any other time in life. With so many social pressures swirling around them at an important developmental milestone, teenagers are particularly
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, credit, budgeting, and consumer rights. Many high schools do not cover this material, and even if they do, they don’t always make it relevant to
Read moreResilience is one of the greatest predictors of a person’s success and is associated with greater satisfaction in life. Resilient people cope with adversity in a positive way or quickly rebound from challenges. When stress or trauma strikes, a resilient person still experiences anger, grief and pain, but they are able to keep functioning — both physically and psychologically. Resilient
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
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