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Family & Home Life

Family & Home Life

Family & Home Life

Five Myths About Parenting by Same-Sex Couples

As a companion piece to our post, “Top Five Facts About Adoption by Same-Sex Parents,” we decided to offer this post. We’ll debunk common myths about parenting by same-sex couples. We’ll address facts about same-sex parents and the children they raise. Hopefully, we’ll clear up some misconceptions left over from generations of opposition to even the idea of same-sex parents raising children. Same-Sex Parenting: Top Five Myths Myth: Same-sex parents

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How Income Differences Affect Parenting Options

An article published in 2014 in the online version of The Economist magazine discusses a very tricky topic that’s still relevant almost five years later. The article examines how the class divide in the U.S. leads to different styles of parenting. “Choose Your Parents Wisely” uses two case studies: a family from an upper-income neighborhood in Bethesda, Maryland, and a family from a low-income town called Cabin Creek, West Virginia.

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Tips for Traveling With Kids Over the Holidays

Over the River and Through the Woods The holiday season is upon us. Over the next two weeks, families across the country will pack up their suitcases and go traveling. Some will visit friends, relatives, and loved ones. Others will take special holiday family trips together. Wherever you’re going and whatever you’re doing, there’s one thing that just about everyone can agree on: traveling with kids can be challenging. If

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Family & Home Life

Winter Break: Time to Check In with Your Teen

When your kids reach high school, family dynamics shift. In elementary school, you take care of almost every aspect of their lives. You get them out of bed, fed, and off to school. Then you ferry them to and from after-school activities. You help with homework, if they had it at all. When they have activities to do, you probably stay and watch. You’re required to stay at most birthday

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Naughty or Nice? Christmas Gifts for Teens

The Spirit of Christmas Family, friends, food…and gifts. Lots of gifts. That’s what Christmas is about for millions of people in the U.S. Of course, not everyone celebrates Christmas, but if you do – and you have a teenager – you’re probably wondering what to get them this year. And at the same time, you’re probably asking yourself (at least) three primary questions. All three are relevant to your teen’s

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Family & Home Life

How to Avoid Teen Holiday Drama

First of all, congratulations: clicking on this article is a proactive step toward managing any potential problems your teenager might cause over the holidays. You know from personal experience this time of year can bring out the best and worst in people. You know family time can be tough. There’s nothing wrong with admitting that up front. No matter what face everyone puts forward on holiday cards and social media

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How to Manage Thanksgiving With A Troubled Teen

If you have a troubled teen in the house, you’re more than aware they can throw a monkey wrench into the works. You want everyone to be happy and you want everything to run smoothly, but you’re worried sick your unruly teen might throw a tantrum during dinner, embarrass you in front of your own parents and relatives, and embody the exact opposite of gratitude and warm holiday cheer. So

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Should Parents Worry If a Straight-A Teen is Partying?

Before we address the nuances of this question, let’s get five practical points out of the way: Drinking alcohol is illegal for anyone under 21. Smoking marijuana in states where it’s legal is illegal for anyone under 21. Taking prescription drugs without a prescription is illegal. Using controlled substances is illegal. If your kid gets caught by police for doing these things, the situation is almost entirely out of your

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What Should Parents Do if Their Teen Comes Home Smelling Like Alcohol or Weed?

We generally try to be positive in our posts, and give you tips about what to do as opposed to what not to do. In this case – if your teen comes home smelling like alcohol and/or marijuana – we’re going to go straight for three crucial dont’s: Don’t ignore it. Don’t fall for the typical, predictable explanations, such as: Someone spilled it on me. Other people at the party

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Should Parents Push a Shy Teen to be More Social, or Just Let Them Decide?

Teenagers have a thousand and one reasons to be shy. Their bodies, brains, and personalities are changing at a rapid pace. You can see it yourself. One day your twelve-year-old daughter is all about Hello Kitty, the next day she’s all about Avril Lavigne. She goes from Power Puff Girl pink to ripped jeans and black t-shirts with skulls in the blink of an eye. The elaborate dinosaur dioramas give

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