The American Psychological Association (APA) periodically surveys the American public about their stress levels, and since 2013, teens have consistently reported higher levels of stress than adults. In the most recent survey, teens reported worse mental health and higher levels of anxiety and depression than all other age groups. Our high schoolers are stressed! The problem with stress A little
Read moreNow that the new school year is in full swing, homework is likely to be a regular requirement for your teen. While homework can be a good way for teachers to ensure practice of concepts and mastery of a subject, it can be a source of stress among students. We have compiled some suggestions from experts on how to take
Read moreIf your teen is a junior or senior in high school, they will likely be thinking about colleges. Starting in September, many college admissions representatives visit high schools and college fairs to meet with prospective students. Students may also have the opportunity for an admissions interview if they visit a college. Whether the meeting is a formal interview or an
Read moreVocational education, or career and technical education, teaches students skills that prepare them to work in a particular field. The fields covered vary by school, but can include such trades as carpentry, culinary arts, automotive technology, electrical construction, graphic communications, and medical occupations. Years ago, vocational education used to be thought of only as an alternative track for high school
Read moreIt’s so exciting when your tween finishes elementary school, but they can become a nervous mess as the school year approaches and the reality of attending middle school sets in. If you have a tween headed to middle school, today’s blog is the perfect guide you need to navigate the many changes and challenges your child will face. Set Your
Read moreIt’s a proud moment as a parent when your child leaves home for college, but it’s also an emotional one for both of you. Your parental role shifts from primary caretaker to proud supporter, at the exact same time that your child is facing new challenges. The first year of college can be a struggle for a lot of college
Read moreAs if the college application process wasn’t stressful enough, news broke out last week about a $25 million college admissions cheating scheme. The alleged scam aimed to get students admitted to elite universities as recruited athletes, even if they didn’t play sports, and help students cheat on or outsource their standardized college exams. Parents spent thousands, and sometimes millions, of
Read moreEvery parent dreads a phone call from their child’s school to discuss poor behavior. It can bring up a wide range of emotions from embarrassment, anger, fear, and disbelief. Regardless of your reaction, it is in your best interest to stay calm and gather more information. The Difference Between Expulsion and Suspension If you have received a phone call from
Read moreAfter a long winter break, many teens are very unhappy to return to school and you may hear a lot of complaining. Throughout a child’s school career, there are bound to be times that they complain about school. Sometimes those complaints are fleeting, or silly, or just repeating what a friend said. But sometimes, those complaints are a warning sign
Read moreThe school shooting in Florida yesterday is a terrible tragedy, and unfortunately, it is one that hits close to home for all teenagers. When tragic events occur, many parents feel uncertain about how best to talk to their children. Here are some ideas from experts: Stay Calm. Your child will mirror your reaction. If you sound anxious, your teen will
Read moreThere are lots of reasons a student can start falling behind in school. They might have had an illness resulting in several absences. They may find the new concepts confusing. They might be a procrastinator or unorganized and let the work get away from them. They might be too busy with activities outside of school. In high school, harder concepts
Read moreThe school year is fast approaching, and both parents and teens are likely feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. We want to help you be fully prepared! Here is a list of past blogs we have posted about returning to school and school success. Take a moment to review the articles that most relate to your situation: Back to
Read moreIt is an exciting, heart-wrenching, and overwhelming time when you send your teen off to college for the first time! There are so many things to pack, prepare, and plan. And there are so many changes coming to your lives. As a parent, you will likely feel the need to prepare your teen for what lies ahead. That might mean
Read moreOctober is National Bullying Prevention Month. Many organizations, including Middle Earth, are working to increase awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children. While this blog has covered many aspects of bullying in the past (see past topics on bullying), today’s article is focusing on an aspect of bullying that is not always discussed: the bystander. So
Read moreMany parents attend parent-teacher conferences when their children are in elementary school, but most stop when their children hit middle and high school. For some parents, it may feel overwhelming to try to meet their teen’s teachers when there are so many of them! And, sometimes parents feel that, by the time their teen is in middle or high school,
Read moreAs the new school year begins, many parents are concerned with helping their teen establish better study habits. Every student learns in different ways, so what may work for one teen, may not work for another. One idea that may help to improve grades is to encourage your teen to join a study group or connect with a study partner.
Read moreEvery parent wants their child to have a great school year, but that doesn’t always happen without a little work. If you have teenagers heading to middle or high school this coming Fall, there are some steps you can take to help your teen thrive in the upcoming school year! Here are some great back-to-school tips: Teach Teens to Get
Read moreIf you have a student in their junior or senior year of high school right now, you will likely be spending some of your summer touring colleges. Visiting a college is absolutely one of the best ways for a teen to decide whether a school is right for them or not. It can be a fun bonding experience for families,
Read moreIt can be devastating for a parent to hear their teen announce that they are considering dropping out of school. As parents, we know the hardships that typically come from lacking a high school diploma: lower-paying jobs, poorer health, poverty, and less opportunity. They are also at an increased likelihood of being unemployed or incarcerated. Unfortunately, many teens follow this
Read moreSocial media has made it possible to connect with anyone, anywhere, which includes teachers and students. There are both pros and cons to this type of interaction. Teens rely heavily on social media for communication, so many teachers see this as an opportunity to engage and motivate students. However, social media can potentially provide teachers and students direct, unsupervised contact
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