Having healthy relationships is a vital part of a person’s overall wellbeing, and our teens are no different. Teens need positive connections with parents, family, peers, teachers, coaches, and other authority figures. The problem is that, since teens don’t have a lot of life experience, they often don’t know what a healthy relationship looks like. This can become a big
Read moreThe values that children believe are important to their parents have a significant impact on their development. In fact, in a study released in November 2016 by Arizona State University, researchers discovered 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
Read moreNegotiation is the process where two people with different needs and goals discuss an issue to find a mutually acceptable solution. It is a skill, and some people are naturally better at it than others, but it is a skill that can be learned and improved. When a negotiation is done well, both people feel satisfied with the end result.
Read moreConflict is part of life. We can’t hide from conflict or wish it away or pretend it’s not happening. It occurs in families, friendships, school, work, neighborhoods, and our society in general. It is unavoidable, but it does not have to be negative. Conflict can be used to create positive change and strengthen relationship bonds if it’s managed properly. Good
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 moreIn several recent surveys, employers have complained that entry-level workers lack the necessary “soft” skills needed for success in the workforce. Just to explain, “hard” skills are job-specific knowledge an employee needs to perform a certain job. Unlike hard skills, soft skills are not about the knowledge you possess but rather the behaviors you display in different situations or the
Read moreLet’s face it: no one is ever excited to receive criticism. It can hurt to be told you’re wrong or not doing something right. However, without criticism, we will never be able to grow or improve. When someone offers us criticism, they open our eyes to perspectives we may have overlooked or never considered, and they offer new ideas for
Read moreOne of the most important skills any of us can have is good communication. Our ability to communicate certainly impacts our family, friends, and other close relationships. It also significantly impacts our ability to be successful in the workplace. Good communication is one of the most requested skills by employers, and also one that current employers complain is lacking in
Read moreExperts agree that instilling good manners in teenagers is an important responsibility for parents. Good manners provide teens with the following benefits: the skills to build and strengthen relationships; self-confidence because they will know what is expected of them in a variety of situations; and a better chance at being successful in adulthood, both socially and professionally. While all
Read moreAs we grow older many of us wish that our younger selves had known some of the stuff we know now. Wisdom comes to us through experience, but it’s also a great idea to share that wisdom with our youth. Now, granted, some lessons simply must be experienced to become ingrained in our lives, and there are many teens who
Read moreMany teens are torn about whether they want to get a summer job. Some want to earn their own money, while others would rather spend their summer focusing on extracurricular activities or downtime. Some worry that they simply won’t be able to find a job. While every family’s situation is different, there are some very good reasons for us to
Read moreAs a parent, have you ever felt hostage to your teen’s emotions? Teenagers are definitely prone to some intense feelings, and they can display “over the top” behaviors as a result, such as: Lashing out, insulting, or blaming others Flying off the handle – screaming or breaking things in anger Complaining, whining, or pouting when things don’t go their way
Read moreOur world can be a disappointing and discouraging place at times. The news reports of school shootings, bullying, poverty, sexual harassment, drugs, and many other tragedies can make even the most hopeful person feel down. In addition, there are many cynical people in our world who are frequently complaining or pointing out the negative. In this type of environment, it
Read moreTechnology is an integral part of our lives, and especially the lives of our youth. Most families have multiple devices – computers, laptops, tablets, phones, Fitbits, and more – and despite our best intentions, it can quickly seem like everyone is staring at a screen all the time. While all of this technology definitely can make our lives easier and
Read moreEthics. Our culture does not always seem to value integrity, and our youth receive a lot of mixed messages about the merit of having good principles. Some teens have seen too many adults acting unethically to believe it’s important. Many teens want to do good deeds but they struggle to find the courage to “do the right thing” at times.
Read moreResearch in neuroscience has proven that meditation provides numerous benefits for children and adolescents. Benefits of meditation include: Reduces stress, anxiety, and even depression Improves grades and performance on standardized tests Increases attention and concentration Changes the brain in ways that protect against mental illness and improve control over emotions Increases compassion and empathy Improves sleep Although it might
Read moreWhen you first become a parent, your primary role is to take care of your child’s basic needs. As your child grows, your role as a parent is constantly changing – evolving from doing everything for your child to teaching your child how to do things for themselves. By the time your child reaches adolescence, you, in effect, become your
Read moreSelf-esteem is how your child feels about himself, his abilities, and his value. These feelings develop over time as your child interacts with you and others. A child with a healthy self-esteem values himself as a person, trusts his feelings and abilities, believes he is capable of doing things well, and is able to work toward his goals. Unfortunately, a
Read moreWant to start the year off right? We all do, which is probably why so many of us create resolutions every January. If you need some good ideas, we encourage you to look at our previous blogs: New Year’s Resolutions for Parents Top Ten Best New Year’s Resolutions for Teenagers We also encourage you to remember that, even though we
Read moreOur expectations define our experiences. In the exact same situation, two people can have very different experiences based on what they expected to happen. For example, let’s assume Sally and Fred attend a holiday party. Sally was dreading the party and thought it would be boring and awkward. Fred was very excited to attend the party and thought it would
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