When it comes to your teen, the cup is always half-empty. No – scratch that. It’s always completely empty. Even when a situation has redeeming qualities, your teen sees it as all bad. They get stuck in a cloud of disappointment, misery, or gloom, and nothing you say changes their opinion. You keep wondering: Why is my teenager so negative? And what can I do to help them? Typical Adolescent
Parenting is one of the greatest joys in life. Parenting any child is a challenge and a blessing. You get to watch a human being grow right before your eyes, from infancy to adulthood. Along the way, you see them learn to walk and talk. You teach them how to do everything from tying their shoes to driving a car. You send them off to school when they’re little and
You are awesome. You probably don’t hear it often, especially if you’re raising teenagers, but it’s true. And there’s no better time to celebrate you than National Parents’ Day. On July 26, 2020, and every year on the fourth Sunday of July, the nation honors the vital role parents serve in their families and communities. National Parents’ Day was created in 1994 by President Bill Clinton to recognize, uplift and
Teens often lie. That’s a fact. Research shows roughly 96 percent of teens lie to their parents at least once in any given year. Teens typically lie to protect themselves or their friends, avoid embarrassment, avoid hurting someone’s feelings, or cover up emotions. But there’s a difference between typical teen lying and compulsive lying. While it’s common to tell a white lie or fudge the truth to avoid getting into trouble
Think back to when you were a teen. Did you ever feel deeply uncomfortable in a social setting but were unable to leave without negative social repercussions? It could have been at a party, at a friend’s house, or outside school after the bell rang. Perhaps someone pulled out a bottle of alcohol and suggested a drinking game. Or maybe you were with a potential romantic interest and they got
On average, teens spend more than 7 hours each day watching videos, reading posts, and sharing information on the internet. Cat videos can be completely harmless and fan forums for television shows and music can be great ways for young people to have fun and connect with friends. But your teen’s favorite apps and social media sites are also highly effective tools for extremist groups to broadcast messages of hate
It’s the Fourth of July! Woohoo! Head to the beach, have a cookout, and watch fireworks with your friends and family. But this year – probably not. Obviously the situation is a little different. With coronavirus cases rising all over America, local and state officials are urging families to stay home and remember that despite the holiday, we’re still in the midst of a pandemic. Some local governments are taking
“Just snap out of it.” “Can’t you just get out of bed already?” “Just decide to be in a good mood, and you will be!” How many times have you uttered these phrases – or similar ones – to your teenager? While you think you’re being helpful, the word “just” invalidates any message you’re trying to give, says Dr. Robyn Koslowitz, PhD, director of the Targeted Parenting Institute. “Just” implies
When the coronavirus pandemic hit, experts predicted it might significantly impact teen mental health. With no real school or extracurricular activities, and limited opportunities for socializing or getting out of the house, professionals guessed that teens with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, self-injurious behavior, and suicidal ideation might be more at risk than ever. We can now see firsthand exactly how COVID-19 has impacted the mental health of adolescents in
In the U.S., many grandparents are primary caregivers for their grandchildren. According to a University of Michigan/AARP Poll, ten percent of grandparents care for their grandchildren full time. This number includes children ranging in age from infancy to adolescence. These numbers have doubled since 1970, leading to a sharp rise in grandfamilies. While the reasons for this vary, they have a common denominator: they typically involve some form of tragic
