Auggie comes home one day from high school, walks through the door and declares to his Jewish mom that he has decided he wants to be Buddhist. A friend that he knows has been exploring …
abarringer
Teen Suicide: What do parents need to know?
This week, Parenthetical is posting an article focused on the tough topic of teen suicide. This article provides parents with critical information on teen suicide, as well as important suggestions and resources to help support teens …
Finding Forgiveness: How to Practice and Model Forgiveness
Last week we outlined what forgiveness means, why it is important, and how you might prepare to forgive others (find last week’s post here). We noted that forgiveness is a healthy and positive way to …
Forgiveness Firsts: How to Prepare for Forgiveness
This week’s Parenthetical post is one of two in a Parenthetical forgiveness series summarizing many of the concepts presented by Dr. Bob Enright of the International Forgiveness Institute during his Forgiveness Seminar at the University …
If I can’t vote, does my voice count? How teens can make a political difference.
American politics remain a hot topic of conversation in many homes across the nation. Although teenagers may not be of voting age just yet, they are showing increased motivation to join the debate. This week’s …
Tackling the Tough Topic of Pornography with Your Teen
When I was growing up it was common for boys like myself to seek out and share sexually-themed pictures. It usually took some effort to find them. The easiest sources were National Geographic and the …
Saving for College: It’s Never too Soon to Start
Most teens are as stressed about going to college as you are about the cost. Developing a strategy about how to pay for college will do wonders to reduce their anxiety about life after high …
Talking about terrorism and mass violence with teens: What can parents do?
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”― Fred Rogers I …
Fighting the fair fight: How to constructively disagree with your teen
Occasional fights and disagreements with your teen are pretty much the norm for most families. While such conflicts can be annoying and emotionally draining they can also be beneficial, especially if you understand the reasons …
Helping Teens Discover Values to Live By
“How would you describe your family in three words?” asked blogger Joanna Goddard. What core values rise to the top when you think about who you are, who your family is, and who you hope your …