Sam bursts through the door after school, throws his book bag on the ground, and heads toward his room. Mom is in the kitchen making a cup of tea when she hears Sam get home. She hollers, "Hey kid....how was school? What is your plan for tonight?" Sam says, "I don't know" while heading up … Continue reading Goodness of Fit: Giving Up Being Right Doesn’t Make You Wrong
The Search for Identity: Who Am I? What Am I Committed To? What Am I Afraid Of?
Identity development is one of the most fundamental tasks teens face. It is during this time that they are most likely to try on different aspects of their personality as they work to figure out who they are and who they want to become. Your teen will grow and develop. Some characteristics will stay the … Continue reading The Search for Identity: Who Am I? What Am I Committed To? What Am I Afraid Of?
Two Weeks in the “Pig on Skates”: Parenting Thoughts From the Road
As we drive down the Oregon coast on Highway 101 in the 34-foot RV that my family has come to call the “Pig on Skates”, I am reminded by how much we gain from spending time with our teens. In today’s busy world, it is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle … Continue reading Two Weeks in the “Pig on Skates”: Parenting Thoughts From the Road
Raising a Teen Can Feel Like Being in an Arena with a Matador
Consider this scene After many moves and years of hanging onto "keepsakes", the Smiths are cleaning the basement in preparation for a garage sale. The two kids have been told that they can keep part of the profits if they help with both the preparation and sale of the items. The day before the garage … Continue reading Raising a Teen Can Feel Like Being in an Arena with a Matador
Your Teen Was Born Vulnerable & Imperfect
I have heard a lot of parents say, "Being a parent has taught me how to be a better person." Why is it that our children are often the ones that push us to grow as individuals? What does it look like, to be a better person? Parents tell me that they became a better … Continue reading Your Teen Was Born Vulnerable & Imperfect
Parenting Styles & The Characteristics of Teens
The other day, my husband and went window shopping for new furniture to put in the front room of our house. Of course, what seems like a fairly easy task turned into a much more complicated ordeal. Do we get leather, microfiber, or suede? Do we want a pattern or solid color? What color? How … Continue reading Parenting Styles & The Characteristics of Teens
Give Me Five Minutes and Two Words: Therapy for You & Your Teen
Sometimes a little humor can go a long way! This last weekend, one of my counseling students shared this video with me and it made me laugh. It also made me think of raising teens. When I returned home, I shared this video with my own two teens. Jokingly I said, "Should I give this … Continue reading Give Me Five Minutes and Two Words: Therapy for You & Your Teen
Are Teens Really Wild Animals?
My first test of being responsible for another living thing happened when I was in college. I received a Black Labrador Retriever from another college student who had purchased this full-bred, papered puppy before realizing that "Having a puppy is a lot of work!" His lanky body and big feet made him goofy and his … Continue reading Are Teens Really Wild Animals?
How You Respond Can Influence Your Teen’s Behavior
Think back to when you first brought your baby home. There you sat, fully responsible for the livelihood of this child. You may have felt exhausted, or even a little overwhelmed by all that had changed. Yet, you loved this baby more than anything in the world and very quickly realized how much he/she enriched … Continue reading How You Respond Can Influence Your Teen’s Behavior
Positive Parenting Tips to Build Self Esteem in Teens
Just recently, I was talking with a 16 year old teen about what it was like to be 16. He said, There is a lot of change at 16. You know it is hard to believe I am almost 17, and that 10 months ago I was just 15....there is a very big difference between … Continue reading Positive Parenting Tips to Build Self Esteem in Teens
Shelly D Mahon, Ph.D. 