Name calling may seem benign – it’s just words after all, and our society believes in freedom of speech – but it is a slippery slope. Studies show that name calling actually leads to anger and violence or withdrawal and fear. Avoiding the problem, or thinking a teen will grow out of this “phase,” does not work. In fact, research
Read moreLife isn’t always fair, and we all face setbacks in our journeys. Rejection, failure, disappointment, and unfairness happen to everyone. It’s important that we teach children how to deal with these setbacks in order to be successful in life. Unfortunately, it’s easy for people, especially children, to slip into a victim mentality – a person who has come to feel
Read moreFriendships are vitally important to teens. In adolescence, it’s developmentally appropriate for teens to try to develop more independence and create their own identity separate from their family. As they prepare to pull away from their parents, youth need the acceptance and support of their peers. In addition to offering general companionship, adolescent friendships help teens develop conflict resolution skills,
Read morePeer pressure is a normal part of life. Right or wrong, humans tend to compare themselves to each other and pressure kicks in. Sometimes that pressure can be good, such as trying to get straight A’s like the smart kid in class, and sometimes that pressure can be bad, such as trying to be as “cool” as the popular kid
Read moreThe holidays can be very expensive, so we created a list of fun gift ideas that won’t break the bank. You can use them as stocking stuffers for your teen or as suggestions for items your teen can buy their friends or family. Here are our suggestions: Emphasize to your teen that gift giving is about expressing appreciation and/or love
Read moreTraditional romantic relationships among high school students are not very common nowadays. Today’s youth are opting for a no-label, low-commitment, casual, but often emotionally stressful arrangement called a “situationship.” While people’s definitions of situationships vary quite a bit, it typically refers to a romantic or sexual relationship that doesn’t have a label because it’s not a committed relationship. In fact,
Read moreIf you haven’t already, please read last week’s blog article first where we explained what “redpilled” means and why it happens. In this week’s blog, we will be explaining the signs to look for and what you should do if your teen son has been “redpilled.” Signs Your Son Has Been Redpilled No parent can monitor their child’s online behavior
Read moreThe term “redpilled” comes from the 1999 film The Matrix, where the main character, Neo, must choose between a red pill to learn a harsh truth or a blue pill to live in blissful ignorance. This term is now being used online to mean that those who have “taken the red pill” believe they have awakened to the hidden truth that society
Read moreIt’s a normal rite of passage for teens to date, and while it can cause parents some worry, dating helps young people learn to get along with others, communicate, negotiate, make decisions, and learn to be assertive. But parental concern can become a bigger issue if you genuinely don’t like your teen’s choice in dating partner. It’s important to remember
Read moreArtificial Intelligence (AI) has made it much easier to produce photos, videos and content online, but that also means that it’s easier to produce fake or misleading content. American teenagers get most of their information online, and especially from social media, which means they are coming across AI-generated content all the time. Recent studies by Common Sense Media (Jan 2025
Read moreCelebrity adoration among tweens and teens is a pretty natural part of growing up. During adolescence, youth are trying to develop their own identity, so they actively seek out role models and media figures for cues on how to look and act. Youth are attracted to celebrities because they lead exciting lifestyles, are talented, and have stylists that make them
Read moreEven in the best of relationships, conflict is inevitable. Whether it’s a best friend, a dating partner, a parent, a classmate, a difficult teacher, a sports teammate, a college roommate, …well you get the point, every relationship has the potential for challenges. Conflicts by themselves are not the problem, but rather how we deal with them. One of the best
Read moreNot all abusive relationships are romantic. Not all abuse victims are women. Not all abuse is physical. Abuse is a pattern of behavior used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another person. Friends can be just as likely to abuse their peers as love interests, and manipulation and harsh words can be just as likely
Read moreThe thrill of victory, the agony of defeat! Regardless of whether you are a spectator or a participant, sports evoke strong emotions in us that are easy to get caught up in. It is no easy task to be a parent of a young athlete. Hard enough are the tasks of helping your child learn how to handle the ups
Read moreThroughout history, teens have always developed their own slang to communicate with one another. While it’s very common, it can be disconcerting to parents who suddenly feel like they don’t know what their children are talking about. Trying to figure out what teens are saying is increasingly challenging, as the explosion of social media, memes, and online communication has increased the speed
Read moreOctober is Bullying Prevention Month, and while most articles center around how to help victims, it’s equally important that we consider the other side. Could our child be a bully? Every parent loves their children dearly and likely cannot imagine their child intentionally harming someone else. In fact, we can be so blinded by our love that we miss warning
Read moreWhat should you do when your teen is hanging out with kids you just don’t like? Maybe your daughter brings home a new friend, but the kid’s bad attitude turns you off immediately. Perhaps your son is suddenly hanging out with a group of teens who have multiple body piercings and tattoos. The way your teen’s friend talks makes you
Read moreIf your teen is a bit self-absorbed, you are not alone. Many teens go through a phase of believing they are the center of the universe, and while annoying, it will likely pass. However, there are some teens who could be developing a narcissistic personality. They insist on special treatment, think the rules don’t apply to them, frequently brag about
Read moreIt’s normal for tweens, teens or young adults to feel nervous in some social situations. For example, going on a date or giving a presentation at school may cause that feeling of butterflies in their stomach. Comfort levels in different social situations vary, depending on an individual’s personality traits and life experiences. Some people are naturally reserved and others are
Read moreAmerican teens have very different viewpoints on whether their race or ethnicity will help or hurt their ability to get ahead in life, as well as the existence of White privilege, according to a recent survey. The Washington Post-Ipsos poll was conducted online between May 7 and June 15, 2021, among a random national sample of 1,349 teenagers between the
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