Communication is the exchange of thoughts, ideas and information. “Exchange” would be the key word in that sentence, because most adults feel like communicating with a teen is a one-way street. During adolescence, it is fairly typical for a child to confide less in adults and more in friends. Although adults should not overreact to this normal developmental process, there
Read moreAccording to Shoplifters Alternative, a national nonprofit research and rehabilitation program, there are about 23 million shoplifters in our nation today – about one in 11 people. Although only one-quarter of shoplifters are teenagers, 55% of adult shoplifters say that they began to steal when they were younger. Despite any justification someone might use, shoplifting is stealing and there are
Read moreEveryone gets mad. Getting angry is normal, but sometimes anger can lead to behavior that is uncomfortable or out of control. People who learn coping skills for managing their anger receive innumerable benefits including getting sick less often, better relationships with others, and feeling better emotionally. No one is born with these types of skills; they must be learned, so
Read moreSummer is upon us and with it comes fun in the sun! This is also the time of year when teens become very interested in the “perfect” tan. Unfortunately, regardless of whether they are tanning in the backyard or in a tanning salon, tanning is unsafe and the consequences can eventually be life threatening. It is up to parents to
Read moreSummer! You can almost hear the teens squealing with delight at the thought of no school and no responsibilities. It is an excellent time for your child to rest and recover from the regimented school schedule. However, parents need to guard against boredom. Summer can be a risky time for teens as well. Teens with more downtime run a higher
Read moreThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, accounting for more than one in three deaths in this age group. In 2008, nine teens ages 16 to 19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries. The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to
Read moreDisturbing new information about alcohol use among preteens and teens has been released. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published federal data showing that 27.6% of 12- to 20-year-olds in the United States drank alcohol during the past month. That means that over one-quarter of American children are engaging in illegal, underage drinking. Even worse, the 2009 Partnership
Read moreSibling 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 moreIn our previous blog, we talked about the basics of teen dating: when teens should begin dating, how to talk to your teen about dating, and the rules for helping our children successfully navigate this developmental milestone. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, sometimes things can go wrong. In this blog, we will discuss teen dating violence. What is dating violence?
Read moreWhen it comes to teen smoking, there is good news and bad news. First, the good news. A report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found that the U.S. had the lowest smoking rate among 15-year-olds in the developed world, with 9 percent of girls and 7 percent of boys reporting that they were regular smokers. The National
Read moreSelf-Injury (also commonly known as SI; cutting; self-harm; self-mutilation; self-abuse; and self inflicted violence) is the deliberate harming of one’s body without the intent to commit suicide. It is an intentional act of physical violence done to yourself by yourself. Cutting (making scratches or cuts on your body with a sharp object to break the skin and make it bleed)
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 moreChildhood obesity in the United States has become an increasing problem in recent years. Christina Bethell of the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and colleagues analyzed data from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health and found the rate of obesity for children 10 to 17 increased from 14.8 percent in 2003 to 16.4 percent in 2007. Recent
Read moreParents have often confessed they think their teens are from another planet, and that stereotype might be reinforced by the fact that teens seem to be speaking another language. Between the slang they use in their conversations and the acronyms they use in their texting, understanding teenagers has risen to a whole new art form. Although slang has always been
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 moreThe United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one-third of girls get pregnant before the age of 20. There is much debate about whether teaching abstinence or contraceptive practices are more effective, but regardless of your opinion on this issue, it is absolutely crucial that adults
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