Photo by heyroccc via Flickr

What’s Hot

Knowing the most popular gadgets can help you choose the best item for your teenager. When looking at phones, for example, you may want to look at devices that have cool features such as the Samsung Transfix Slide Out Phone. Slide phones are much more popular than flip phones. They also tend to have more features. Tablets are currently overtaking netbooks as a small, portable computer device.

Know Your Teen

Does your teenager want a new gadget? Though your first instinct may be to say yes, think about which gadgets they may actually want or need. A teenager that is soon heading to college could benefit from a computer or tablet, whereas someone who is just learning to drive may feel the need for a phone, in case of an accident. Knowing your child, and what they feel is important can help you pinpoint the right item for them.

Durability

Children, even teens, tend to be hard on their devices. Because of this, you will want to make sure to check the durability of the gadgets you get them. You will also want to check the warranty of the devices you’re interested in. There are many options for screen protectors that guarantee you can’t scratch them. This is extremely helpful when purchasing for teens.

Reviews

As with everything, you need to make sure you take reviews with a grain of salt. However, when you look at reviews, you can easily find things that may cause problems in the future with a particular item. Reading reviews can help you make the decision, especially if you are trying to choose between just a few items.

Price

You most likely don’t want to spend a whole paycheck on your child’s new gadget. Comparing prices for similar gadgets can help you make a good decision. Buying the cheapest item is not always a good idea – you may end up with something subpar. However, finding a reasonably priced item is not difficult. Look for brands that are known for great pricing.

There are many things that new gadgets can help with. They are no longer just for fun. Many smart phones can help your child study for school. MP3 players can play audiobooks. There are so many reasons to get new gadgets. Knowing and understanding what your child wants and needs is important.

Image via Flickr

Getting to Know You

Sometimes when visiting friends and family after years apart, you may feel like you don’t know each other. Ice-breaker games get the conversation going. The Internet is a great source for finding fun, engaging ice-breaker games that can open up even the toughest old bird. If ice-breakers seem out of touch, other games can unite family members and create friendships quickly. Team-building games like charades or Wind, Lose or Draw, can create bonds quickly.

Discover Family History

There is no better way to become closer than to learn family history, whether it’s the entire family’s history or just one person’s history.  Hold story-telling hour where everyone has a certain amount of time to tell a favorite story about a pre-determined subject like favorite family vacation or first day of school.

Take a stroll down memory lane by sifting through family memorabilia. Youngsters will love the stories from earlier times and adults will enjoy reminiscing while browsing through photo albums or watching home videos. Start researching the family tree. This type of project can span different visits and may reveal some unknown facts about the family’s history.

Get Creative

Coming together over personal creations provides time to visit and a keepsake of the experience. Search for crafts that can be completed by everyone in your group, even the little ones. Grandparents love homemade crafts created by grandkids and the kids will have fun creating. Get in the kitchen together and cook an old family favorite. Grandma will love passing on her knowledge to the next generation.

Family talents can be showcased at a talent show. Each family is gifted with a multitude of different talents from singing and dancing to acting and poetry. Set aside a special night and time where everyone can show off and be entertained.

Image via Flickr

Get Out and About

Family bonding doesn’t always have to be indoors. When you’re looking for activities outside, make sure to find something that accommodates everyone’s physical abilities. Peruse travel sites to find local attractions like local State and National parks, zoos, aquariums, and museums. Pack up at night and drive away from city lights for some amazing star-gazing.

Arranging a getaway for the whole family can be quite stressful, from booking cheaptickets to scheduling the intinerary. But whatever you do, make the most of the time you have with your loved ones.

Image via Wikipedia

The medical field is composed of professions you need to start preparing for early on and there are no better years than your teen years for getting your feet wet in medicine. Of course, no profession is fool-proof. The following are some useful tips for getting into medicine the right way.

Pharmaceutical Sales

With employment for pharmacists at a fairly healthy level, you have tons of opportunities all over the pharmaceutical field. However, one area you can start in at an early age is sales. When you can sell something, you can do almost anything in this world. So you should at least consider beginning in a sales position.

Nursing

Being a nurse is an extremely noble aspiration, but it requires a college degree. However, you can become a certified nursing assistant with as little as a few months’ training. You can do this at just about any nursing home, and it looks great on your résumé. This isn’t glamorous work, and it can be difficult, but if you can tough it out through cleaning up soiled sheets, you’ve got the gumption to go very far in any profession.

Becoming a Doctor

Forget Dougie Houser. You won’t be a doctor for a while yet, but you can start out on the right track. Take plenty of math and science in high school, and pass some AP tests if you can. That way, when you decide to go pre-med, you’ll be taken seriously and have a solid shot at it. Start now and work hard.

Image by GLOWBAL COLLECTION via Flickr

You’ve no doubt been concerned about the trend of childhood obesity which has been sweeping the country the last twenty years. Parents see evidence in their neighborhoods and even in their own homes

The best advice to help reduce your teen’s weight is to set the right example. Keep in mind that when your teen changes his/her diet it is important for them to continue to receive adequate nutrition.

The ultimate approach is to rid your house of rich, calorie-laden foods that don’t provide serious nutrition; in other words, purge your house of junk food. Fill your fridge and cupboards with healthy alternatives such as fruits, vegetables and wholegrain products. Get used to low-fat dairy products. Focus on lean meats, (fish, chicken, and turkey), and incorporate beans and lentils. Reduce sweetened drinks, and consider sugar-substitutes that don’t add calories. If you want to accelerate your teen’s weight loss, you might also consider having them take a fat-blocker like Xenical (buy xenical here).

In addition to serving nutritious foods and cutting back on sugar and fat intake, consider how much food you consume at each meal. We have become accustomed to larger portions than were considered normal amounts in the past. As a general rule, meat should be no more than the size of your palm, carbohydrates should be no more than fist size, and salad and vegetables can be double that. You can find xenical information for additional means of cutting back on fat intake.

If your teenager needs a snack, try low calorie, low sugar alternatives like apples, bananas, a cup of grapes, berries, broccoli or carrots.

In this manner you can discover the best things to do with your son or daughter. It is recommended you spend this quality time with your child as it shows them that there is nothing more important than them. You will be able to learn more about your child’s personality during this time. Another add benefit is that your child can spend time getting to know you. This might able be an opportunity to discuss with your son or daughter if there is anything that is bothering them at the moment.

Image by Macarena C. via Flickr

The prospect of divorce brings up a lot of choices. A couple must decide what is best for themselves and each other. However, a couple with kids has an entirely different set of issues to deal with before they can move forward, whether it be separately or together. Many couples will decide to stay together for the kids, but that comes with its own set of issues and complications.

The kids should be a factor in to how a couple handles their marriage, or the downward spiral of it, but kids shouldn’t keep a couple together if things are bad enough. Kids do need a loving home, and there is something to be said for having both parents under the same roof, but if the relationship is bad enough, it’s not a good idea. If there is a history of violence, or if one of the parents is unfit, then it’s probably a good idea to start the divorce process. Make sure you use good divorce lawyers to make this process easier.

The bigger issue for parents that are thinking of divorce is helping the children to understand that they are not the reason for the divorce. Letting them know that they are a valued part of the lives of both parents and that the issue is strictly between the parents will go a long way in building healthy relationships after the marriage is dissolved.

As parents, the first priority is to be there for the kids. Sometimes, that means not staying together.

And your teen, of course, deems this the perfect moment to ignore the rules. He pushes at the borders of propriety, trying to make them yield: certain you’ll offer no reprimands. Your quest for sleep is well-known; he’s using it against you now. And you’re tempted to let him, promising to provide punishments later. You have time.

This is a common compromise made by parents. It’s also, however, a mistake.

Rebellion defines teenagers: they assert their power at every opportunity, trying to gauge what is possible. When too tired mothers and fathers allow this to occur, however, it causes complications — with youths assuming the rules no longer apply. This sparks defiance and a total loss of control.

It’s imperative therefore that all parents refuse to submit to such obvious manipulations. Consistency is instead needed. Disciplining teens demands repeating the same actions for the same causes. Punishments are necessary and can’t be ignored for the sake of sparing an argument. If rules are broken, they must be addressed. If problems occur, they must be corrected. This is the only way to ensure a message is understood.

Teenagers delight in breaking expectations. Parents must remain vigilant — and offer the necessary responses. Exhaustion is no longer an excuse.

Car refinancing may help you later, giving you the option to refinance your higher loan and payment, but what can you do now? And how do you choose what option is best for you?

These ideas should help:

• Do you work full or part-time? How much money do you bring in a month? Do you live at home or will you be on your own? What other bills will you have? Asking questions like these is a good way to decide on how much monthly you can afford to spend on a car.
• Write down what you can afford onto a slip of paper. Take the paper with you when searching. Don’t go beyond your budget.
• Don’t extend the loan just so you can afford the monthly payment. Remember, you will still be paying interest.  It’s probably going to be high and this will affect your payment. A good rule of thumb: The fancier the car, the fancier the interest rate.
• Consider a used car. Less glitz, but more power when it comes to the length of time it will take you to pay off your loan.
• Look around. Don’t take the first car you “love,” but search until you get the best car for the best price.

Buying your first car should be a personal venture; the car’s for you, after all. Just make sure you get a car that you love and can afford

Going shopping for new household items is fun. Girls are more prone to shop and pick out matching dishware and curtains. Boys can be decorative in their choices as well, but they may require a bit more persuasion. Guys are more apt to move when there is another incentive involved, such as a vehicle. Even if the car isn’t totally brand new, a good-looking used vehicle will typically warm up any teenager to moving.

Visit your teenager’s new apartment or dorm with them. If they’re moving due to college reasons, ride around the area with them. Visit the park, local mall and teen-orientated attractions. Help them become familiar with their new surroundings. If the area isn’t what your teen hoped it would be, visit the association management company that provides services for the apartment. There may be another area more suitable to your teenager’s desires.

Some teenagers receive a move to a new place well. Others, like those close to their family, require the support of their family. Talk with your teenager and find out if there are any other fears or complications they may face during the new transition. Make it as easy for them as possible.

Image by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr

Many parents seem to have issues once their child becomes a teen. The child that they once knew and loved suddenly becomes a totally different person. The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde syndrome kicks in and the parent feels as if they no longer know their child. Never fear you are not alone, almost every teen goes through this.

Being a teen-ager these days can be a tough time. So many things are out there assaulting their senses; drugs, alcohol, smoking, sex and the list goes on. As a parent you need to lead by your example. So, if you do not wish your child to be involved in these things you need to lead by example. Be sure that your teen also knows where you stand on such issues. Do not expect them to know how you feel if you have not taken the time to discuss it with them.

You may even find your teen pulling away from you, wanting to be alone or trying things independently. This is actually quite normal and to be expected. It is time for you as a parent to start letting go and allowing your teen to make some decisions on their own. Do not fight this need for independence, you will only lose and alienate your child. Encourage their need to make their own decisions, give your opinion, but let them make the final choice. Better that your teen learn how to make choices when you are available to help, then to wait until they are gone from home and no longer have your support if an issue arises.

Image via Wikipedia

Teens, parents, the young and the old alike are faced with a daily decision when it comes to hydration. For some years, there have been murmurings and hints that something wasn’t quite right about those convenient plastic bottles of water. It took decades since their initial introduction, but they’d become as ubiquitous as air. And now, even the FDA admits that something just isn’t right about the containers that hold water. Although the bottles look clear and pure, they really don’t pass muster when it comes to health.

That’s because plastic bottles contain BPA, a substance with several detrimental effects. While long term studies are lacking, they’re on the way. It seems unlikely that one’s medical needs towards clean living are being met by constant consumption of a product that sits for long periods of time in a container that leaches this harmful substance. A class action attorney in Los Angeles might just help when one’s health has been affected by contamination.

Oddly enough, a lot of parents spend considerable time worrying about their teens taking drugs or doing other things which are harmful to themselves. Few parents take notice that something supposedly healthy, such as water, could be causing more harm than good. That’s especially so for those teens that refuse to drink from faucets or fountains. Their bodies are subjected to far higher concentrations of these newly discovered toxins than the average person. New developments in plastic bottle technology may offer new hope for a safer water drinking experience. With eyes now opened to the harms of the previous technology, closer scrutiny will be paid to the next generation.

Teach About Responsibility

Phones, and many plans on the market, are very expensive. Yet, teenagers tend to take advantage of the fact that mom and dad will pay for their phone, even if they go way over their data allotment. Parents can get their teenager a prepaid phone to help teach about responsibility. A great option is the prepaid Blackberry Curve. Your teenager still gets the coolest phone on the market, but because it is prepaid he will have to manage his data usage and text messaging.

Consider Cricket’s Muve Music 

 

Image via Wikipedia

Cricket recently released the new Muve Music unlimited plan. This is a wonderful option for parents and teenagers alike. Your teenager will love the cool features, like unlimited music, videos, and data. Parents love the unbeatable price of $55 per month. Your teenager has everything they need to stay up-to-date and in touch, but you’re not paying for those times when the data allotment or the text messaging goes overboard.

Cell phones and cell phone plans are a great way to teach teenagers about responsibility. How about it? Are you up to the task of teaching a teenager to be responsible? Try prepaid phones and Cricket’s plan to see how your family’s budget balances.

Image via Wikipedia

When it comes to raising teens, it’s easy to get bogged down by everything that your teen is doing wrong or that bugs you. It might be drinking alcohol, being rebellious or maybe just being stressed over your teen driving. (Will he or she be responsible behind the wheel?)

Instead of focusing on the negative, the best thing you can do is find ways to strengthen your relationship with your teen. Doing fun things, such as a mother daughter shopping day, may be just the thing to help you become closer to your daughter.

Plan the Day Right

The first thing you’ll want to do to be sure that the day is a success is to plan it in advance and confirm with your daughter that she’s free. Be excited about the day and tell her that you’re so appreciative of having such a responsible daughter and want to show that with a day of shopping using your Tom Joyner Reach Card.

Be sensitive to her needs as well. She may not want to go to a local mall where her friends hang out if she’s embarrassed easily. If that’s the case, consider heading to a mall that’s a little further away. By not having to worry about running into friends, she’ll be more relaxed, which will make it easier for her to have fun and converse freely.

Be sure to include a treat sometime during the day, whether that’s an iced coffee, frozen yogurt or a smoothie.

Having fun activities together, such as a shopping day, on a regular basis will allow you to become closer to your teen.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Getting a family pet is a big decision. Who will take care of it? If you already have innumerable responsibilities inside and outside of the home, the thought of getting a dog, cat or a bird may make you nervous. On the other hand, seeing your friend’s dog dressed in pet costumes and witnessing your child’s excited reaction to the amusing image might make you wonder if getting a pet is not such a bad idea.

Considerations in Getting a Family Pet

While pets are not as needy as children, they do have to be fed, cared for and entertained. If you don’t want multiple litters, they have to be neutered. They will also need their shots. Clearly, pet ownership requires time and money. These considerations are often offset by the affection and laughter a pet brings into your life. Taking your son or daughter trick-or-treating accompanied by a puppy dressed in dog costumes is a treat in itself. You might decide that the time and money is well invested in owning a pet.

Kids Learn From Owning a Pet

Children and teens who own pets learn to be gentle, caring and compassionate. A small child can be taught not to pull a cat’s tail or hit a dog when angry. Opportunities exist in each moment of pet ownership to teach children lessons about caretaking, selflessness and generosity.

Getting a pet is a decision that requires extensive thought and planning. If your family has the time, energy and money to spend on a pet, then getting a pet may be one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Image by sillygwailo via Flickr

At no point in your child’s life will pressure to experiment with drugs or alcohol be larger than during their teen years. Even if you have made a concerted effort to raise their awareness of forthcoming pressures, there’s no way to prepare them for the real world scenario. They’re with friends, hanging out, having fun, and suddenly someone will produce a substance from their pocket or backpack. Whether you describe this scene to your child in depth or not, it will be hard for them to stand out from the crowd and pass on partaking.

That’s the nature of peer pressure that is never easy to explain – that one of your kid’s friends will be the one to suggest doing something that your child might not agree with. Kids like and trust their friends, so they’re far more receptive to a suggestion from them than they would be if a stranger brought up the idea. That’s why it’s called peer pressure. It’s far more common for kids to be introduced to chemical agents by their friends than by strangers.

The most popular substance for kids to experiment with is alcohol. That’s because it’s legal to consume; the only barrier is age. Many kids see slightly older people drinking and feel they’re mature enough to join in. These same kids may well frown upon illegal drugs of any sort. Explain to your kid that while alcohol is a legal substance, it can lead to many of the same problems that drugs help to create. Armed with this foreknowledge, your kid might be better prepared to be the one who manages to avoid peer pressure.

In fact, some “hand-me-downs” years later become valuable vintage clothing worth more than they were at the time of purchase! People pay hundreds of dollars for a rare pair of well looked after Nike Air Max. This can be a great encouragement for your boisterous teens to take care of their clothes and have pride in how they look.

Nike Clothes are a perfect example of a clothing range which can be mixed and matched, dressed up and down, and a range that the whole family can share. Simple, understated, high quality clothing for any age range. T-shirts stay colourful, and if they do grow a little old there is nothing more fashionable than a vintage-look t-shirt. It’s a good compromise to pick a respectable mid-range label, not many American families can afford designer threads, but a well loved and trusted brand holds respect and will stave off any negative peer pressure.

Image via Wikipedia

What is a major cause of teen auto accidents these days?  Distracted driving – driving while text-messaging.

Texting has been proven to be much more dangerous than merely chatting via cell phone. Actually having to move fingers while looking down and simultaneous controlling the steering wheel, brake and gas pedals has proven dangerous for many.

Lane variation, weaving, and speed variability are major characteristics of teens under the influence of text messaging while driving. Interestingly enough, 79% of teen drivers do actually admit that text-messaging while driving is indeed a very dangerous behavior.

Text Messaging+Driving=Insanity

It goes without saying that today’s teens want to constantly be involved, to be in touch with everything that is going on in their worlds. They do not wish to cut themselves off from the line of network communication that a little cellular gadget affords them.  Many teens are known to sleep with their cell phones (turned on, nonetheless).  Most stash it under the pillow, so as to be able to answer any communications they may receive during the night!

Don’t text and drive, avoid accidents!

On average, most teens text FIFTY times a day.  Twenty-six percent actual ADMIT to texting while driving.  This is where your parenting skills come into play.  Your relationship with your teen, your methods of teaching and discipline, and constant coaching regarding good driving habits are all critical. As parents, you will need to set an excellent example. One study goes so far as to show that teens with parents having three or more car accidents recorded were twenty-two percent more likely to crash themselves!

If your daughter does become pregnant, try to support her. Help her make the right decisions, and you may even want to help by shopping for baby supplies, tracking her week by week pregnancy, attending classes with her, and educating her about motherhood. This is going to be a very rough time in her life, so being there for her is very important.

As awkward as it may be for both of you, talking to your child about safe sex is important. Even if you don’t think they’re having sex or will anytime soon, it is important that they are educated. You shouldn’t only gear this toward your daughters, but talk to your sons about it as well. This will help them be prepared if a situation ever did arise that may cause a pregnancy.

Support your children with using birth control. For most people, it’s inevitable; your child is going to be having sex. Your child is probably less likely to come home pregnant if you are willing to support them, answer questions, and help them with their birth control methods. If they feel like they can’t trust you, they won’t ever turn to you to help them in this type of situation, and therefore may not get the help they need.

A lot of people wait to marry until there is a promise of financial stability. Others wait until they’ve completed college. Some like to travel before settling down. There is nothing wrong with engagement and looking at engagement rings, if this is what they desire. Bring these points up with your children, alert them to your right as a parent, but most importantly, listen to what your teenager is saying.

So how is a parent supposed to deal with a teenager who wants to be married? In the scope of things, there are worse problems a teenager could have, but as a parent, you care about your child’s future and want to see them make clear, thoughtful decisions. Occasionally, especially with young lovers, the desire to marry is fueled by romance and fantasy.

In most states, children under 18 can’t be married without a parent’s consent. However, for teenagers, a conclusive “because I said so” ruling isn’t always enough. If your child thinks he or she is mature enough to start thinking of marriage, then your responsibility as a parent is to reason with your teenager as an adult. Don’t talk down to them, and don’t discipline. Simply reason with them.

One of the most important principles is to remember you cannot start discipline when your child is already a teen. Consistent discipline and follow through is important from an early age. Establish the rules for your home and family and live by them. Some of the more important rules might be respect each other, no hitting, do your chores, or be kind to animals.

As a parent, you are your children’s first teacher. Yes, that means teaching your child to love learning – but it also means showing your child how to be a good adult. Are you respectful of others? Do you drive safely? How do you handle conflict? Can you compromise? Do you know how to work with others?

Children do well with structure. If your home is chaotic, your child will not know if or when their basic needs will be met. A child who has to worry about being safe in their own bed or having enough food cannot concentrate on school and may fall behind.

The goal of discipline is to teach self-control. Some parents are surprised at how closely their children watch and listen to them. A good example is more important than a world of words.

Let’s face it – most teens have had alcohol at least once or twice, and usually far more times than that. While you might be able to stop any alcohol consumption from going on by searching everyone to a level that would make the TSA blush, it is also possible to do this through social means. How? By throwing your teen a casino themed party, instead of the “usual” that everybody has. At a party where everybody is dressed well (in a stylish sense, not like they are being forced to), it becomes more difficult to sneak in booze. Plus, since you’ll be there in a logistical sense (if only manning the poker tables), you can keep an eye on things.

Plus, casino themed parties are unique, and they show that you are not just throwing a bunch of teens into a space and letting them interact with no guidance whatsoever. Listlessness and having nothing to do are big reasons why anybody drinks, let alone young people who may already feel chronically bored. Give them something fun and interesting to do.

A frightening statistic from a United States Bureau of Justice report is that one in three young (16 to 24 years old) women will experience some form of violence in a dating relationship. This violence can be physical abuse, emotional abuse, rape, and even death. Dating violence involves all economic, racial, and social groups. The abuser can be male or female – although abuse by a male is more common. Most young men who abuse their girlfriends believe that physical aggression is a sign of masculinity and that they have a right to control their dates.

The young women in an abusive relationship often excuse the violence as a sign of “true love.” They believe they are responsible for the violence and can ultimately fix the problem. Some girls believe violence is normal because their friends are also victimized.

Every young woman should learn the early warning signs of an abusive partner. Is her date extremely jealous? Does he try to isolate her from friends and family? Does he have an explosive temper or use violence to win an argument? Is he cruel to animals or children? Does he use drugs or alcohol, have sudden mood swings, or blame others for his problems? Does he demand intimacy?

Sixty-five percent of young women who have been raped knew their rapist as a casual acquaintance, friend, or boyfriend. Date violence doesn’t go away and doesn’t get better – and 7% of murders committed each year are young women who have been killed by their boyfriends.

A driving contract outlines the responsibilities of the teen driver and the parents for use of a car – who will be responsible for paying for maintenance, insurance, insurance deductible in case of an accident, gas, and any fines or tickets received. Several insurance companies and AAA have blank contracts available online that spell out the families’ agreed upon consequences (days of suspension) for traffic violations and a chart of suspensions for frequent violations. Alcohol and drug use can merit an indefinite suspension. It is now time to add texting and cell phone use while driving to this list. A driving contract should also link the privilege of driving to behavior – following family rules, attending school, and attitude at home and school. Some parents tie the number of miles the teen can drive per week to school grades.

Parents should agree, in writing, to pick up the teen if they are impaired or stranded in any way – regardless of time or circumstances. And they should agree not to confront the teen immediately. The teen should know that being truthful with their parents will serve them better than driving home impaired. Knowing they are in for a fight does not make a teen eager to call home.

A driving contract should outline the rights and responsibilities of parents and teens. A good contract gives the teen freedom and responsibility, just like real life.

Psychologists now believe resilience can be taught. Parents and teachers can help change a child’s worldview from being at the mercy of an unjust world to one of optimism and determination. Resilient people are problem solvers. You can show a youngster how to define a problem, come up with possible solutions and evaluate each solution. When the child has decided on a solution, develop a plan of action to make the solution work, step by step. Allow your children to help others. This can include helping younger siblings with homework, helping elderly neighbors, or volunteering for an animal rescue – anything that gives back to the community. Your child will learn new skills, feel competent and in control.

Spend time with your children and make sure each child understands how special he or she is. It is also good for kids to spend time with grandparents or other special adults. Children do hear and remember positive comments from adults – catch them doing good and say something!

Help your child learn from a mistake. It can be difficult, but don’t yell or demean. Help figure out what to do to make the mistake right. Do they pay for a broken window or write an apology for hurting a friend’s feelings? Teach your child empathy – respecting and considering the feelings of others is an important relationship skill.

Resilience makes adolescence easier for the child and the whole family. It also makes adults happier and more optimistic.

Scientists now say adolescent brains are not like adult brains. Testing shows that an adolescent’s brain will continue to develop well into adulthood. The pre-frontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls emotions, impulses, and planning, is the last part to develop completely and connect to the rest of the brain. This information may evoke an “aha” response from parents of teenagers who disregard rules, break promises, or even sneak out of the house late at night.

The adolescent brain doesn’t have as much of the nerve covering myelin, which makes nerve signals flow smoothly and quickly within the brain. As a result, teens do not immediately understand the consequences of their actions. The typical parent to teen question, “Don’t you ever think about what will happen if you do such and such,” now becomes a bit murky. The teenager might not yet be able to think things through.

The brain chemistry of a young brain is also different in that it allows young people to learn more quickly than adults. This might be useful in the acquisition of academic subject matter. Unfortunately, this fast learning process also includes learning to like and crave drugs and alcohol.

One area of the teen brain that works overtime is the nucleus accumbens, which seeks pleasure and reward. Daredevil stunts may be a result of this need for an excitement buzz. Add the emotional roller coaster caused by fluctuating hormones, and it is little wonder teens can behave erratically.

Does this knowledge help parents? One implication is that teens are four times more likely as adults to be in a car crash due to impulsive behavior, the inability to foresee the consequences of their actions. Their brains are, in fact, not yet capable of making some very important — even life altering — decisions.

Nothing is wrong. You just may have an introverted child. Introversion is not a disease, nor is it a sign of depression. However, parenting an introvert, particularly one who is the “different” child in a family, requires patience and understanding.

Some people do march to another drummer. Introverts tend to enjoy time alone, are very good listeners, love to read, and are independent. They also hate to speak up in class, don’t like to work in groups, and just don’t understand small talk. They are not joiners and will never willingly join scouts or teams.

Your introverted child will spend a lot of time alone, but will have a few very close friends and will tend to keep friends for a long time. She will derive great satisfaction from solving problems or making things on her own. He or she will probably become tired after social occasions – even fun ones – and will need time to recharge. Introverts usually like quiet activities like reading or computers or may have unique hobbies.

Some parents and teachers who don’t understand try to change introverted children. Forcing them to socialize and to participate in class is torture for these children. It’s not about your parenting style. Their brains are really hard-wired to be introverts and they cannot change. If you have two children you might have one introvert and one extravert, and it’s important to respect the differences in their personalities.

Parents can help by making sure these children have time alone to decompress after school and social occasions. Even time with extended family can be exhausting for these kids and being surrounded by strangers is worse.

Your introverted child may not be like your other children, but they can be fascinating. And parents may find comfort in the news that there are a high percentage of introverts in colleges and universities.

One thing that a parent of teenagers will be able to identify with is the proper way to discipline their children. If both parents are in the home, they will need to decide on the best method of discipline before their son or daughter becomes a teenager. The parents should decide on how discipline should be administered to the child and present a united front about it. Many parents can set the rules for their child, but they might lack the follow through to enforce these rules. Therefore, the situation can become even more complicated when the teenager has to be disciplined for not sticking to the rules.

A common example is when your teenager stays out past curfew. They should know that they are responsible for their actions for breaking the rule. The way they are to be disciplined should be clearly made known to your son or daughter beforehand. Therefore, the child should be told that when they do not behave, they can have certain privileges removed from them such as the removal of computer time or extra chores. Once the discipline has been meted out, the parents should stick to the length of time they agreed, without either parent shortening the time or bending the rules. In this way your child learns to take responsibility for his or her actions.

As a parent, you can choose one day out of the month to have a special outing with your child. This is apart from the normal times you will spend with your child. You should therefore make an official “date” with just the two of you going out together. For examples, a father taking the daughter to a ball game or a mother having dinner with the son. During this special time, the father can spend time talking with the child.

The child should be able to choose the subject they want to talk about. This is not the time for the parent to scold or discipline their son or daughter about some previous thing that they did or was suppose to do. Instead they should spend the time having fun and relaxation. Some parents who feel they are not spending enough time socializing with their child can choose extra special dates more than once during the month. In this way you can have quality time with your child in a very relaxed setting.

You almost can’t dodge the benefit of downsizing your home; however, there are problems to overcome. Go ahead and shutter when you think about it: yes, you have to get rid of some of your stuff! It’s a terrifying thought, but a necessary one if you want to successfully convert from a large home to even a sizable apartment similar to Virginia Beach apartments, for instance. Never fear, though; there are some tips to help you through that bittersweet journey. Take note.

First off, in your home start with the rooms you use the least. If generally you and your family are not in a guest room much, chances are you can probably do away with pretty much almost everything that happens to be stored in it. Secondly, it’s important to focus on your large items, such as furniture, before you deal with your knickknacks. To make things less stressful, be sure to have a sorting system, so you’re not overwhelmed. Lastly, above everything else, take regular breaks, start early, and do not rush. The world won’t end if you don’t finish quick enough, and you definitely can allow yourself to rest during the whole journey.

Because it is an emotional one; one you have to be prepared for. Use these tips wisely, and you’ll do just fine with downsizing your home–hopefully changing it from “bittersweet” to just “sweet.”

If you teen has developed a relationship with a boy and you are worried that it could lead to sex, you need to make sure that you are talking with your teen about sex. Most teenagers get pregnant or an sexually transmitted disease because they are simply uneducated. Whether having the talk with your child is comfortable for you or not, you need to make sure that your child understands exactly what sex is and what the consequences of sex can be. So many times, teenager girls are pressured into having sex by their boyfriends or friends. It is important that you instill in them that sex is more than just something that you do to make your boyfriend happy, it is something that you do because you want to do it too. Suggest that they wait a month and you will put her on birth control. Most likely, the boy will decide that he does not want to wait and dump her.

If your teenager is friend with people who are bad for them then you need to make sure that you are addressing the matter. Bad friends does not always mean that other kids are bad influences, although those kinds of relationships are common. You should also be concerned about a friend who puts your child down all the time and tries to make them feel inferior. If your child does a lot of their friend but you never see their friend repay the favor, then you need to have  talk with your teen. Explain that friendship is a two way street and that they are being treated unfairly. Make sure that they know that you are not putting down their friend, but that you are defending them.

Image via Wikipedia

Don’t feel embarrassed. As Christian parents, you have every right to be worried for your teen heading into college. It can be an intimidating place, no doubt. And whether you like it or not, you remember what it’s like: secular, indulgent, even religiously open. That’s the university life, no matter how you slice it. Teens heading into it break away and discover many things about themselves–some bad, maybe some good. But the important thing is they discover it. What is a teen to do, though, when they don’t want to experience those things, but the temptation is there? Parents, take note:

• Join a Christian Fellowship group. Have your teen do the research. Countless groups exist that are devoted to God, and it can be a foundation for strong faith in your child.
• Go to church. That is an obvious one, but remember–it’s just your child going (unless he or she lives nearby). Instill in him or her the desire to go independently.
• Start a Bible Study. Friendship in college is one of the beneficial aspects. Bible study is no exception. Meeting like-minded students is important in enjoying your child’s education.
• Do your devotionals. This actually might be harder than it looks, especially with a load of schoolwork and the stress. Keep encouraging your teen. It’s amazing how ten minutes can calm a soul.
• Stand up for your beliefs. Courage is important not only for facing the real world in general, but living the life of a Christian. Make sure your teen is prepared for the onslaught.
• Ask for help. Tying in with church, fellowship groups, and bible studies, asking for help is important, because backsliding can be a dangerous thing.

Reassure your teen, too, that a college campus isn’t a necessity. With the help of EarnMyDegree.com, your teen might actually find an online university. The bottom line, though, is as a parent, you’re not alone. So keep the faith. Your children will be just fine.

If your child has always liked school and has excelled in class, then college is a good option for them. Even if they do not know exactly what they want to do in college, enroll them anyway. There are two years of pre-requisite classes that your child will have to take before they start studying for their major anyway so they have time. It is important to get a feel for what your child is interested in so that you can place them in the best school.

If your child is more interested in getting through school quickly learning a trade or earning a certificate might be a better option. Many programs like dental hygienist, veterinary technician, or mechanic are short programs that will get your teen in and out and making money in not time. These programs are great for teens who learn with hands on training and want to get moving with their life quickly. The programs also offer a placement program to help you teen find a job upon completing the program.

If you child is not interesting school at all but is interesting in getting training, the military is a great way to do. Hands learning is combined with actual in the field training. You teen will be able to pick from thousands of jobs and be out working in the field the day they join. The military will provide your child with knowledge and training that they will not get anywhere else.

If your child is the position where they have a job and they would like to stay where they are, that is fine to. In many cases, your child will be able to work their way up through the company and will become an asset for the company because they have proven themselves as good employee.

If your teen is staying out later then their curfew then the discipline should be that they lose that privileges. They are no longer allowed to go out after school, or if they work, they are to come straight home after work. If they continue to stay our then you will take away another privilege. You must take away something that is important to them like their cell phone or their car. If the behavior continues then you will have to enforce a harsher punishment like making them quit their job or getting ride their car. Tell them if you don’t trust them, then they are not allowed to have privileges.

If your teen has been caught doing something like drinking or doing drugs, the punishment that they receive from the authorities is not enough. You need to punish them as well. Because an act like doing drugs or drinking is so serious, you need to make sure that your punishment is serious as well. It should go without saying that they are not allowed to go anywhere for an extended amount of time. They should also lose all privileges for quite awhile. Tell them that they no longer have your trust and they will have earn back your trust in steps.

However harsh your punishment is for them, remember to remind them that you still love them. The teenager years are hard, and if they made a mistake, they have probably learned and will not do it again, just because you are being hard on them does not mean that you stop loving them. Make sure that you are finding a happy compromise between love and discipline.

It would then stand to reason that when it comes to college, you have to start early in planting a seed of desire. Talk to your high school student–as early as the age of 16–about college. Stirring the ambition, the passion, of some of their favorite things to do will inevitably prepare him or her for the future in college; and the earlier the better.

There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to get talking about it. One, your child may have better opportunities toward scholarships if they already have their mind set on where they want to go. Better craftsmanship on the gift or talent they have will definitely lead to turning more heads on the college front. Is your son or daughter good at basketball? Good–bring it up, get them involved in camps, have them try out for the team, keep them motivated, keep them excited. The more they play, the better they’ll get; the better they get, the better chance of landing a scholarship.

Moreover, your child doesn’t have to get intimidated about the enormous choices of schools given the resources of today such as eLearners.com providing a comprehensive list of online universities. Narrowing schools down over time (once again, the earlier the better) will help your child feel more confident about leaving high school.

It’s important to start early. Get your child involved as soon as possible. Why? Because his or her future depends on it.

If your child is hitting and biting yourself or other children then that behavior needs to stop right away. The best way to ensure that this does not happen is to show your child how you play well with others. Most of the time when a child is exhibiting this type of behavior they are doing so because they do not want to share whatever they are playing with. Little ones cannot use their words yet and so they lash out at other children. If you see this behavior happen you must act immediately. You must remove your child from the area and put them in time-out. Make sure that you get down on their level so that you have their attention and you say in a firm voice that they are not allowed to bite or hit others. After an allotted time in time-out they can try to join the game again.

If your child is talking back you also need to do something right away. The reality is, that if your child is talking back to you they are likily to talk back to their teacher and that is one phonecall from the principal you do not want. Therefore, stop the behavior immediately. Whenever your child talks back to you, you need to say very firmly that you will not tolerate them speaking to you that way and you will take away a privilage. If they enjoy riding their bike, take away their bike for the rest of the day. They need to know that you will not accept them speaking that way.

* Backpack – Whether your teen is going on a flight, a bus trip, or a car trip, a backpack is an ideal carrying tool. It fits under seats and in overhead compartments.

* Cards – It isn’t safe for a traveling teen to carry too much cash, so consider using a prepaid credit card. This card isn’t attached to a bank, and allows your teen to purchase items as if it were a normal credit card. If funds get depleted, the card won’t work, and there won’t be any penalty such as overdraft fees. You can add cash to the card from anywhere using PayPal or by using one of the over 150,000 retail locations.

* Relevant Documents – Make copies of all your teen’s identification. Place one set of copies in your teen’s luggage, separate from the originals. Keep another set at home. Email copies of the information. Remind your teen to keep their travel and personal information private.

* Contact Information – Create a plan for communication. If your child is going on a trip, make sure both the teen and you have the chaperone’s contact information in your phones. Also keep a hard copy. Other contacts you might want to add to the phones and lists are taxis and shuttle companies, hotel number, the host’s number, the teen’s doctor’s number, and the airline number if applicable.

* Medications – Don’t forget to pack medications ranging from prescriptions to minor pain relievers and band-aids. If you use prescription medication, copy the original prescription, and keep the medicine in clearly labeled bottles. Your teen should also pack an insurance card in case of injury or hospitalization.

If your child has yet to experiment with drugs and alcohol then you need to make sure that you are talking to them about each substance. To this day, I still do not know to much about various kinds or drugs, and I do not think that my parents do either. Sadly, drugs like weed often lead to trying more serious drugs. If you do not want your children getting involved with drugs then you need to make sure that you are teaching them about drugs at a early age. They need to be able to identify drugs at a party and make the educated decision not to touch them.

Alcohol is slightly different. I grew up on a vineyard where my parents had wine with dinner. My brother and I were allowed a watered down version much like they did in Italy. I never though much about the pull of wanting to drink alcohol because I never really enjoyed the taste anywhere. However, many children want to experiment with these substances because they are unknown and exciting. You need to take the mystery and shock out of these substances by educating your kids the best that you can. The less glamorous these substances look the less likely your kids are to want to try them.

Scare tactics will not always work with kids. The fact remains that a large amout of kids will still experiment with alcohol and drugs. You need to make sure that your kids know that they can always call you if they get into a situation that they feel they cannot handle.

The vast majority of the tax credits apply to parents who have younger children. There are tax credits that are available for parents who can claim their children as dependents. There are also available tax credits for having to pay for daycare, babysitters, nannies or any other childcare for your children.

For parents of older children there are still tax cuts that are available to you. You can sometimes still declare your child as a dependent so you can potentially increase your tax refund for that. If you pay any medical expenses for your child sometimes you can declare that on your taxes as a deduction. However, common deductions for parents of older children include education deductions if the parent paid for any college expenses as well as any type of loan deduction if the parents took out a loan of some sort for their child.

While there are tax deductions that apply to parents depending upon the age of their child, there are also deductions that can be applied across the board. Many parents will donate their children’s old clothing or toys to charity. All of these donations can be written off on their taxes as long as they itemize deductions.

There are just a handful of the tax deductions that are available to parents. There are hundreds of deductions that are available. Many parents use an efile software program to help them catch all the deductions that they are able to make because they are a parent.

Oddly, you are both right. Your teenager is being given so much responsibility while still living under your roof. Many teenagers have their first job and have their own car. You are trusting them to manage their money, pay for their car, get themselves to school and work, and yet you are still requiring that they obey your rules. They are bound to rebel against such logic. The best thing that you can do to ensure that you and your teenager do not have to have yelling matches every night is to set up guidelines that will fit both of your needs.

Make sure that they know that you see them as an adult. If they get off work at 11 p.m. have their curfew set an hour later to give them time to be with their friends and wind down.

The second reason that so many parents find themselves clashing with their teenagers is that a child’s brain is fully developed and matured around puberty. This means that your child has the ability to see through your unsteady logic and can argue points with you like never before. However, they do not have the experience of age and maturity to back up their arguments like you have. In many cases, the best thing that you can do is to let them learn for themselves. However, if you think that they are in danger, you will simply have to be the parent and forbid them to do an activity.

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Do you have a troubled child who is struggling academically? Whether these problems are behavioral or sociological, the fact that he or she is struggling in school presents some real problems. It may be possible that your child has been expelled and now you need to find an alternate solution. Or you may have just decided that finding an alternative to the present educational situation is the best thing you can do to help your child succeed academically.

Charter Schools
Charter schools are institutions that are actually part of the public school system and they meet all the academic requirements set down by the individual state’s board of education. Troubled students may excel in these schools because they usually provide a more individualized approach as well as smaller class sizes.

Alternative Disciplinary Schools
These schools are designed for students who have been expelled from their schools. Your school’s administrators may choose to send your child to one of these schools. These schools may have smaller learning environments to provide additional support for students or they can be large “boot camp” type facilities.

Online Learning Options
You may want to look at an online learning situation where your child can engage in his or her studies in an electronic environment. You may find that your child needed a different learning environment to find his or her academic success. These types of programs can also be used as one type of home schooling. You may find that through these types of programs, you will become more involved with the learning as you help guide your child through these programs. You will find that you may be more in control of your child’s educational pursuits, as you will be overseeing the program on a day-to-day basis.

Whatever you choose for your child, keep in mind that the first alternative may not work. Do not get discouraged — discuss your options with professional educators and keep trying.

The first and most important thing that you can do is to start an open relationship with your children about sex at an early age. This is the one area of parenting where you want to be considered a friend rather than a parent. You want your children to feel comfortable coming to you with questions and issues related to sex. The more open your teenager feels with you the more likely you will be able to guide them to make the right decision.

Many parents just speak to their children about the basics of sex and then drop the issue all together. What teenagers learn from their friends is much, much worse because it is filled with inaccuracies and falsehoods. While it might be embarrassing for you to talk to your child about sex, you are the only one that they will talk to who is educated enough to know differently. You need to make sure that you are speaking with your teen about all forms of sex and that you are having a lengthy talk about STDs and pregnancy.

I was somewhat dumbfounded to realize that I was in college before I was required to take a class where we learned about STDs. Not only did we learn about them but we saw a film show of every STDs and its effects. The visuals were burned into my brain forever. Do not just talk to your kids, show them. No one else is going to do it but you.