Sibling rivalry can be one of the most frustrating aspects of raising children. So perhaps you’ll be surprised when we suggest that it can actually be beneficial. We’ll explain why sibling rivalry occurs, how it helps your child develop, and what you and your teen can do to manage it. Reasons for Sibling Rivalry Relationships within a family are emotionally
Read moreHappiness often has its roots in a person’s sense of gratitude. A grateful person is generally a more pleasant person to be with than someone who is bitter. There are many reasons why gratitude is a trait we want to encourage in our children, including the fact that grateful children are more enjoyable to raise. Although we cannot demand teenagers
Read moreAdolescence is a stressful time in life. It’s the perfect time for parents to teach their children positive coping mechanisms and problem solving skills, both of which are necessary for them to become responsible and productive adults. Part of growing up is learning how to take care of oneself. Teens who are not taught methods for coping with stress end up
Read moreAdolescence is that difficult period of time when carefree children transition to responsible adults… we hope. That is the goal, after all, for teens to develop into mature, productive, responsible members of the community. One method for assisting this transition is obtaining part-time employment. A job can help teenagers better develop their identities, obtain increased autonomy, achieve new accomplishments, develop
Read moreIn the United States, 12.8% of all fatal traffic crashes were alcohol-related, and 40% of that number involved teens driving while drinking alcohol. Car accidents are the number one killer of adolescents and many of those accidents involve alcohol. Surprisingly, a recent study (ScienceDaily, Feb. 18) reported that the rate of alcohol-related fatal car crashes has risen among some populations
Read moreGangs are a scary phenomenon in our nation. They are becoming more prevalent, increasingly violent, and more sophisticated in their crime. The FBI reports, “About 20,000 violent street gangs, motorcycle gangs, and prison gangs with approximately 1 million members are criminally active in the U.S. today. Many are sophisticated and well organized; all use violence to control neighborhoods and boost
Read moreEveryone can agree that school is important for youth. But what about extracurricular activities? Is football really making a difference in a young man’s life? Is playing in a band something nice for an adolescent or something more? Is going to the local community center really good for my child? After-school programs and extracurricular activities can offer youth a safe
Read moreIt’s that time of year again where we feel the urge to reflect on the past year and hope for all the possibilities in the coming year, and that often results in the all-too-famous New Year’s Resolutions. A resolution is a promise that you make to yourself. In many ways, resolutions are like goals. Setting goals is a skill that
Read moreWe adults often feel the stress of the holidays or get the blues during the winter. But sometimes we forget or don’t realize that teens get those feelings, too. The same things that can cause our stress, can bring about stress for adolescents as well: Hectic schedule Financial stress Increased family conflict or misunderstanding Crowds Pressure to live up to
Read moreAs adults, when we look at the adolescent who rolls their eyes when asked to mow the lawn or procrastinates over cleaning their room, the idea of this same teen volunteering in the community seems laughable. The joke may be on you, because teen volunteerism is on the rise. A recent report from Independent Sector showed that about 13 million
Read more“Little kids, little problems. Big kids, big problems.” Have you ever heard this saying? It certainly mirrors the fact that American teenagers present us with large issues to tackle. With toddlers, we worry about temper tantrums and not sharing. With teenagers, we worry about depression, drugs, sex, gangs, school, and the quality of their friends. All of these issues can
Read moreAs parents, we often hear from “parenting experts” that we should be using “positive parenting.” If you have a teenager at home, you have probably thought, “Yeah, right. You come over and try to be positive will the mood-swinging, eye-rolling, rebellious creature living in my home.” But there is new information out that may encourage us to do just that.
Read moreSometimes in our worry over the many issues facing youth (sex, drugs, gangs, etc.), we adults forget to focus on one of the most basic of needs: proper nutrition. “You are what you eat” we always say… does that mean that teens are McDonald’s cheeseburgers? Are they french fries, pizza, soda? Maybe teens eat all those cookies because they’re sweet?
Read moreDealing with difficult personalities is a skill that everyone must cultivate to be successful in this life. Not everyone gets along. Different personalities clash. But when a child isn’t getting along with a teacher, it becomes an emotional roller coaster. Although it can be heartbreaking to watch a child deal with these hard issues, think of them as life lessons.
Read moreIn the spirit of Dave Letterman, Middle Earth brings you a “Top Ten List” for teens! Our current adolescents are the next generation of leaders, so regardless of whether you’re a parent, teacher or just a community member, it is in the interest of all adults to engage youth and instill responsibility and meaning in their lives. Here are some
Read moreIt’s no news to say that young people have exchanged sexually suggestive messages to one another for generations. What is new is the technology available to do it. Have you heard of the trend in sexting? Sexting is sending sexually explicit messages or photos via cell phone or instant messenger. The problem lies with how quickly our technology can propagate
Read moreWho taught you how to cook? Or how to get a driver’s license? Or how to budget? Many of us may roll our eyes at our parents’ attempts to share these skills – how they kept hitting the imaginary brake on the passenger side of the car whenever we took the wheel or maybe it was their constant harping that
Read more