In my spare time, I am the proud mentor of a charismatic, funny, kind, and smart 14-year old girl. Whenever we get together, we talk about… nothing, but lots of it! We have seen …
Physical Changes
Deodorizing: Strategies for Dealing with Youth Body Odor
Body odor can be intense during the teen years. But what do you do if your child seems blissfully unaware or uninterested in dealing with the fact that he or she smells? Or, even worse, …
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 …
The Diverging Paths of Parents and Teens
We usually think of the teen years as a period of major changes in our children. Often overlooked is the fact that parents are also experiencing significant changes of their own. One of the things …
A Parent’s Role in Body Image
Last Halloween, a woman in North Dakota planned to hand out candy to neighbor children, as is customary. However, she generated controversy when she shared the rest of her plan—to hand out a note, rather …
Supporting Adolescents in a Rapidly Changing World
The world has changed a lot since most of us were teens and even more from the days when our parents were growing up. Not surprisingly, these changes have also transformed the experience of living …
Talking with Your Teen about Abusive Dating Relationships
Teen Dating Violence: what is it and how can you address it with your teen? In recent years, stories about professional sports figures’, movie stars’ and famous singers’ involvement in domestic violence have been in the …
Recognizing Learning Disabilities in Teens
Admitting a learning challenge can be difficult for anyone, but for teens, who are already struggling with issues of identity and self-worth, asking for help can be even harder. As parents, there are steps we …
The Metamorphosis of the Teenage Night Owl
Last week on Parenthetical we talked about healthy eating habits. This week we focus on the importance of sleep for your teen’s physical and mental health. Teens, especially, need your support and help to figure …
Teens, Beans and Tofu
The news is constantly filled with tips for healthy eating as many Americans set goals to “eat healthy” throughout the year. Your teen is listening and may be changing his or her eating habits. Vegetarian eating …