October 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
Read moreYour teenager may have over 500 followers on Instagram, but does he or she have a couple of close friends? A report released in July 2021 by the Journal of Adolescence stated that feelings of loneliness among teenagers rose sharply between 2012 and 2018 around the world, with higher increases among girls. Before 2012, the levels of adolescent loneliness (which
Read moreIf you’re a frequent reader of this blog, then you are probably a little tired of hearing “be a role model.” It’s usually our first go-to with any behavior we want our teens to adopt. We’ve mentioned it for encouraging creativity, tolerance, healthy eating, exercise, compassion, adaptability, positive stress management, healthy relationships, honesty, money management… okay, you probably get the
Read moreOur culture doesn’t value asking for help. People tend to feel ashamed if they can’t do something themselves or embarrassed that they don’t have all the answers. Some have trouble trusting others or worry that others will judge them. There are lots of reasons that people don’t want to ask for help, but it’s actually an important skill we need
Read moreNo one particularly likes conflict, but disagreements are a natural part of any relationship, and two people are never going to agree about everything. Children need to know how to handle conflict in a positive way with their friends, teachers, future employers, and future partners. Teenagers also need to know that it’s alright to express their own needs and opinions
Read moreFebruary is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, which makes it a perfect time to promote safe, healthy relationships to youth. Teens should know that the term ‘dating violence’ does not refer to the occasional argument or bad mood, which are a normal part of any relationship. Rather, dating violence is when someone tries to control their significant
Read moreToday begins No Name-Calling Week, an awareness week organized by K-12 educators and students to end name-calling and bullying in schools. 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
Read moreFor some teens, standing up for oneself is intimidating. They might worry that they will lose social status or that the other person will be angry or not like them anymore. On the flip side, some teens have no problem standing up for themselves but have trouble responding in a calm, non-confrontational way. They come across as hostile. Neither style
Read moreFamily members don’t always get along, and brothers and sisters are no exception. Siblings often experience jealousy, competition, and disagreements. However, there is a fine line between normal rivalry and behavior that is abusive. Today’s blog explains how to tell the difference between sibling rivalry and abuse and how to prevent and address abuse. Our society generally expects fights among
Read moreWith Valentine’s Day right around the corner, it’s a great time to think about your teen’s dating life. Dating is a true rite of passage in adolescence, and if you, as a parent, have the right attitude and message, dating can become a great teaching tool for your child. Dating helps young people learn to get along with others, communicate,
Read moreOne of the worst things to hear from your child are the words, “someone is spreading rumors about me.” It’s so hurtful, and you feel so powerless. Gossip is really a form of emotional bullying. The adolescent years, more than any other period in life, tends to be a time characterized by gossip and rumors. As we all know, gossip
Read moreMany middle school students are involved in “romantic” relationships. While you might consider “dating” the process of going places with someone to get to know them better, youth today think dating is calling each other boyfriend/girlfriend and socializing online in a way that is often invisible to parents. Your tween could be dating and you might have no idea. BEFORE
Read moreLast week’s blog discussed the importance and value of setting boundaries. This week, it’s time to help your teen learn how to make those limits. The good news is that people-pleasing is simply a habit – a behavior we have learned – so that means we can also unlearn it. When we set our mind, we can break any habit.
Read moreMany people struggle with maintaining healthy relationships, which are characterized by respect, trust, equality, and honesty. Creating healthy relationships is a skill that must be learned, and teens are no exception. Girls, in particular, are more prone to developing the habit of “people-pleasing,” or putting other people’s needs ahead of their own. Although people-pleasing seems like a very nice thing
Read moreTeens need to know that life is full of disagreements, and how you handle them can ultimately determine how successful you are in life. Developmentally, as children enter adolescence they form their own opinions as they begin to establish independence. This will likely mean that they won’t always see eye-to-eye on various issues with a parent, family member, peer, or
Read moreBacktalk. Eye-rolling. Name-calling. Door-slamming. If these are common occurrences in your home, you are likely living with a teenager. While this type of behavior is common in adolescence, parents should not just accept it. Your job is to help your teen change rude behavior by teaching them how to express anger in a healthy way, how to state their viewpoint
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