Teenagers know what pressure is! Just try it, it will be fun. Are you really going to wear that? Hey, did you hear that Joe's parents are out of town Saturday. OMG! We have to do that again! Do it, or I'll tell everyone what a poser you are! You can't say things like that if you are … Continue reading The Pressure of Being a Teenager
More often then not we associate risk-taking behavior in teens as negative or harmful. However, we know that the teen brain is literally wired to take risks. Therein lies the dilemma. We are left with the belief, or fear, that our teens are going to take risks that could have serious consequences. I would like … Continue reading A Spin on Risk-Taking Behavior as an Expression of Positive Youth Development
It is natural to put a lot of energy into the transition back to school. Don’t forget that it is just as important to develop good habits throughout the entire year. Consider that many of the things that you do on a day-to-day basis are not well thought out decisions, but habits. This is as … Continue reading Something Has Got To Change! Creating Habits for School Success
Michelangelo said that when he set out to sculpt a statue from a formless block of marble, he sought only to remove the excess marble from the statue that already existed inside the block. This is what Aristotle called accidental change. Aristotle believed that when change occured, something new came to be, something old passed … Continue reading Your Teen Is Changing! What Can You Do About It?
Recently, I shared some bad news with a good friend of mine and she sent me this video. The video served two purposes: (1) She wanted me to know that she would stand by me through the hard times and (2) she wanted to communicate how important it was for me to stand by others. … Continue reading Stand By Teens When They Make Mistakes
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
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?
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
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
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