Teens seem to come into our lives all of a sudden, don’t they? What happened to the chubby-cheeked toddler we were so recently bouncing in our lap? At one time or another as the teen years approach, every parent wonders, how did they grow up so quickly?
Yes, every parent seems to feel that the issues of teen life come about with little or no warning—but deal with them we must, prepared or not.
One of the issues of parenthood today is in dealing with the many responsibilities demanded of us due to the rapid changes in technology. The Internet and the rapid proliferation of …
[Read more...]
Modern Parenting in an Internet World
Signs of Alcohol Abuse in Teens
Image via Wikipedia
An alarming rate of teens are admitting to trying alcohol at a very young age leaving parents both worried and perplexed at how to help ensure they keep their teens safe. While it is true that parents cannot be around their teens 24 hours a day, there are ways to tell if a teen is abusing alcohol. Here is a look at some of the signs of alcohol abuse in teens.
Changes in Behavior
Changes in behavior is a big sign of alcohol abuse in teens. Teens who begin drinking will likely begin to do things outside of their normal behavior such as lie about where they are …
[Read more...]
Suggestions for Parents Teaching Kids to Follow Directions
Following directions is one of the most important skills a parent can teach a child. It is a skill that is used in school and work and foundational to learning. Following directions starts with you the parent modeling it in your relationships. Make sure when you give a direction it is short, simple, and clear. Tie your shoe. Make your bed. Brush your teeth. Repeat if necessary, but do not elaborate.
It is best you as the parent make eye contact with the child when you give the direction. It lets you see if they heard you. Also, whatever task you ask them to do, make sure you have provided …
[Read more...]
Are You Ready for a College Pick?
There comes a point in a teenager's life when the questions about college begin to swirl about the family dinner table. This is the perfect opportunity for Mom and Dad to swing into action. The goal is to walk that fine line between telling your teen where they should go and letting them decide where they're going to spend the next four years of their lives. Here's a quick tip for the parental units: do an Internet search for "Top Ten Party Colleges." Print out the list, but keep it in your back pocket. Only activate it if your kid begins to lean in the direction of one of those party schools. …
[Read more...]
Teens With Medical Needs: Social Situations
Do you have a special needs teenager? If you do, you know how stressful government and state programs can be. You have to apply and reapply to join a simple social organization, or even pay dues. You are already stressed enough as it is with a special medical needs teen, let alone dealing with these bureaucratic organizations. It is so much easier to start a small non-profit organization for teens with special needs. Your teen needs to socialize for healthy mental growth, while they socialize with you often, they need to socialize with others who are not related to them in order …
[Read more...]
Planning a Family Vacation With Your Tax Refund
Tax refunds are great for all sorts of things, depending on what you like to do. One of the great options for spending your tax refund is to take a family vacation. You might want to go up to the seclusion of the Montana mountains, or take your kids to Disney World. There are countless options, no matter what size your refund is. A small refund just means you'll need to stay a little bit closer to home - there are still plenty of places you can go so you can have a good time and make memories. Rather than spend your money on things like tobacco or alcohol, avoid the unhealthy choices and …
[Read more...]
Teach Children How to Manage Money
School is a great option for teaching subjects like reading and arithmetic, but sometimes it fails to address real-life skills such as managing money and budgeting. Teaching your children how to earn money and how to manage the money that they have earned can be one of the greatest gifts you offer them. Step by step, you can teach them the choice of maintaining financial freedom.
Teach your children the value of having a strong work ethic. You can do this by teaching them basic skills through chores at home, then encouraging them to branch out and work for money. Your children don't have to …
[Read more...]