Alcohol is, by far, the most socially acceptable and easiest drug to obtain in our country. For that reason, it’s a popular choice among teens. Although it is illegal for teens to purchase alcohol, they can often get it through their parent’s own liquor cabinets, unscrupulous store clerks, or older friends who purchase it for them. The median age at
Read moreJust like adults, teens suffer from stress in many different ways. For many people, food can become one way of dealing with stress. We have an obesity epidemic from overeating, and on the other extreme, we have too many teenagers who suffer from drastic weight loss – both of which have a very negative impact on a teen’s health. Eating
Read moreOccasionally we see chilling reminders of teenage violence. We might watch the news about a school shooting or see evidence of gangs or hear about a bullying incident. Parents and teachers cringe at these sad stories, but many of us feel powerless to help or feel that this problem is uncommon or won’t happen in our area. Middle Earth wants
Read moreSleep is essential for a person’s health and wellbeing. Anyone who wants to do well on a test or play sports without tripping over their feet should realize that the right amount of sleep is critical. Most of us are aware that our bodies require that precious resource, but all too often sleep is the first thing we cut out
Read moreIn last week’s blog, we talked about Teen Depression. This week we’re picking that thread back up and following it to its extreme. Teen suicide is a serious problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. It is estimated that 500,000 teens attempt suicide every
Read moreThe teen years are tough. There is no doubt that our youth face a number of challenges during a very insecure phase of their lives; however, most adolescents are able to balance the anxiety with good friendships, strong families, success in school or activities, and the process of developing a strong sense of self. As parents, teachers, coaches or other
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 moreThe school bell rings and adolescents rejoice! Whether it’s Winter or Spring Break, teenagers are thrilled to have a little free time! Not all parents rejoice, however. Working parents are concerned about unsupervised time. Parents in the home are dreading the constant requests to go places and do things, the fighting among siblings, or the whining about nothing to do or
Read moreRecall your favorite childhood memories, and many of them probably stem from a tradition your family held every year or on occasion. Traditions are customs that are maintained in generally the same way each time they are performed. That could mean going to the same place at the same time each year, or performing an activity together in the same
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 moreHomework in high school is definitely more intense than grade school. The switch requires the establishment of healthy habits for teens to be successful. Parents, teachers, coaches and other important adults can help teens learn what works for them. Take Care of your Body Remind teens that, believe it or not, their bodies have a profound impact on their mind.
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 moreAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 3,000 young people become regular smokers every day, which means that 1 in 5 teens smoke cigarettes. The American Lung Association estimates that every minute four thousand eight hundred teens will take their first drag off a cigarette. Of those, about two thousand will go on to be
Read moreOh, no… “the talk”. I don’t think there’s an adult around that feels really excited to discuss the “birds and bees” with a child. But our children need us to be responsible adults and teach them so that they can grow and act responsibly too. Here are a few myths often sited by parents about “the sex talk”: 1. Kids
Read moreIn the latest research from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, 37% of teens – more than ever before – revealed they learned a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents. This is good news that parents have heard the message that they are the most powerful influence on their teen’s behaviors regarding drugs and are talking to their children
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 moreIt could be argued that no invention has had a more significant impact on our youth than the Internet. But with power comes responsibility, and it’s important that we impart some on teens. Last week, we explored some ideas for keeping youth safe from online predators. This week, we’ll provide some information on online bullying and the problems of posting
Read moreWho can argue against the benefits of the Internet? It expands our education and world in so many ways and allows us to share resources and ideas with people that have the same interests. Unfortunately, it can also expose children to unwanted information and danger. Middle Earth is going to explore Internet Safety in a two-part series. In this first
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?
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