Growing Up

4 Tips For Helping Your Teenager Become More Responsible

May 30, 2023 By Carmen Te

The teenage years can be a challenging time. Even though your child is still the same sweet darling who was wearing diapers just a few short years ago, they are now a hormonal ebb and flow of transforming emotions.

As a parent, it’s your job to help guide them through this confusing time. Although it may seem like they were just born yesterday, it won’t be long until they are adults in society. Teaching them the value of responsibility is a valuable tool which they can carry on to their adult life.

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Originally posted on June 6, 2019 @ 1:02 pm

What are the Dangers of Teen Drinking?

May 30, 2023 By Carmen Te

A great number of teens today have developed a love for drinking alcoholic beverages as part of their social activities. There’s no harm in doing this as long as it is done in moderation and only on certain occasions. The problem arises if one starts to make it a habit to drink when out with friends.

The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) reports that each year, excessive drinking claims the lives of more than 4,300 underage youth. In 2010, this resulted in $24 billion in economic costs. The CDC also noted that underage drinkers consumer more drinks per drinking occasion compared to adult drinkers. In 2015, it reported that 20 percent of young people aged 12 to 20 years drank alcohol while 13 percent reported binge drinking. [Read more…] about What are the Dangers of Teen Drinking?

Originally posted on December 11, 2016 @ 3:20 pm

3 Ways to Encourage Your Children To Develop a Healthy Work Ethic

May 30, 2023 By Teresa Te

With today’s ever competitive workforce, it’s important for parents to give their children the best chance possible to be able to provide for themselves as adults. Too often we see young adults who don’t have the drive or determination to put in the work necessary to become accomplished in their fields or persevere ahead of their peers. So what can parents do for their little ones now in order to help instill vital work ethic skills into their small characters? To help you on this journey of self discovery, here are three ways parents and other adults can encourage children to develop a healthy work ethic. [Read more…] about 3 Ways to Encourage Your Children To Develop a Healthy Work Ethic

Originally posted on June 28, 2016 @ 8:11 am

Spoiling Yourself As a Parent: The Royal Treatment

May 30, 2023 By Teresa Te

Not everything about being a parent means that you have to focus just on your kids. You’re still an adult. You still enjoy your personal time, and you still have your individuality. Plus, as an adult, you have money that you didn’t have when you were younger, so at some point, you should spoil yourself and give yourself a reward for your hard work. Yes, your time will probably be largely selfless as you help your kids grow up, but give yourself some credit!

And a few ways to do this, once you get the funds in order, would be to do things like buy a pedicure chair, take a vacation without the kids, go for the occasional dinner and a movie date, create your perfect master bedroom, or maybe even buy a nice car.

Originally posted on June 16, 2016 @ 2:17 pm

A Parental Approach To Addiction In Children

May 30, 2023 By Teresa Te

One of the hardest things for a parent to handle is if their child somehow gets caught in an addictive cycle. This can be about food, alcohol, sex, drugs, or many other types of behaviors, but the results are always going to be this sense of tension about what is best for the child, and what is best for the adults involved.

When it comes to your parental approach to the matter, a few things to consider might be treatment during adolescence, what to do about grown children with addictions, considering the legal implications of trouble relating to addiction, getting psychological help early for your kids, and keeping updated with modern research, methods, and techniques as related to addiction. [Read more…] about A Parental Approach To Addiction In Children

Originally posted on May 24, 2016 @ 10:12 am

Five Places To Go For Your Child’s Next Birthday Party

May 30, 2023 By Teresa Te

Instead of planning a birthday party at home for your child’s next one, think of something to do away from home that can create some new memories for them. Sometimes it can be fun to go out on a new adventure and experience new things, especially for children. Plus, it will be fun for you as well, seeing all those smiling faces.

Some of these ideas will work best for younger children, while some would be enjoyed by older kids. You can come up with your own ideas and themes to go along with them, but each of these ideas is definitely worth considering. [Read more…] about Five Places To Go For Your Child’s Next Birthday Party

Originally posted on March 1, 2016 @ 12:09 pm

Warning Signs Your Child Needs Immediate Attention

May 30, 2023 By Teresa Te

Children need to be well supervised by their parents even when they reach their teenage years. When parents are able to keep an eye on their kids, they can guide them towards the right path and avoid major behavioral issues that are common in the growing up years.

A child’s behavior is influenced by various factors in his environment. As such, parents are responsible for closely monitoring them from early childhood when rapid growth and development occurs. [Read more…] about Warning Signs Your Child Needs Immediate Attention

Originally posted on January 5, 2016 @ 3:04 pm

3 Things to Do When You Suspect Your Child is Using

May 30, 2023 By Teresa Te

With nearly two million youth aged 12-17 using drugs or alcohol each day, it has become a prevalent problem within the United States. Many parents find themselves scrambling to know what to do upon suspecting alcohol or substance abuse at home. Finding a good way to go about dealing with the problem can help your addict on the road to recovery and ease the parental stress of it. Included here are a few things to do when you suspect your child is using.

Prepare Yourself

While you know it is important to confront your child about their habits, doing so with the wrong mindset can just lead to a blow-up. You are likely feeling personal guilt or shame as a parent that you need to first deal with. Acknowledge that your child is the one who got themselves into the scenario, it is not a result of you being a bad parent. Mentally decide what you need to talk about and deal with before you enter the conversation and emotions run high. [Read more…] about 3 Things to Do When You Suspect Your Child is Using

Originally posted on December 28, 2015 @ 3:30 pm

5 Tips for Talking To Your Kids About Alcohol

May 30, 2023 By Teresa Te

Every parent is anxious about the moment when they have to start talking to their kids about alcohol. Especially in the days of social media, social pressure, and the availability of alcohol to younger and younger children, the conversation tends to more and more easily enter the realm of awkward.

But, awkward or else, the communication must be accomplished, especially before kids go off to college. So to help you map your plan of communication, follow these five tips for talking to your children about alcohol – point them to online resources for reference, don’t judge or initiate conflict, find a third party for them to talk honestly with, let the past go, and remind them that safety is the most important factor to you.

Point Them To Online Resources

Kids don’t always believe their parents, but they may be more likely to accept information from online resources, especially online resources about drugs and alcohol. To start your discussion with them, simply have a list of links that they can click through to see how things are being presented from other people’s perspectives, including professionals like doctors and therapists. [Read more…] about 5 Tips for Talking To Your Kids About Alcohol

Originally posted on September 19, 2015 @ 2:58 am