We are featuring our first author interview!!! Parenthetical team members, Becky and Libby, had the pleasure of interviewing author Laura Kastner. Dr. Kastner co-wrote one of our favorite parenting books for parents of tweens and …
Topic of the Week
The Mysterious Workings of the Adolescent Brain
“How is impulsive and oblivious teenage behavior connected to their brain growth and change?” Sarah-Jayne Blakemore is a cognitive neuroscientist who studies the human brain in social settings, such as how our brains make it …
How to Stay Close to Your Distant Teen
Remember your child’s baby and childhood days with all those kisses and hugs, declarations of love and devotion, and opportunities to hold them close? When you have a teenager, those times can seem so very …
Happy New Year!
January is the month of resolutions and new beginnings. Whether you set goals every year or simply listen to the resolutions of others while you celebrate the turn of the year, setting goals can be …
Whole-hearted Parenting
What can parents do to help their children believe they are worthy of love, empathy and connection? Brené Brown studies human connection – our ability to empathize, belong, and love. In the following TED talk …
What IS going on in that head of his?
One hallmark of being a parent of a teen is the number of times a day you mutter, “What is he thinking?” under your breath. My mother’s mantra used to be, “Sure, she’s weird, but …
Parents can make a difference in limiting teen’s risky behaviors
I once heard a story about what the Inuit people do to teach their children how to react if they run across a polar bear to prevent an attack. Their approach is surprising useful, even …
Help! Our van has become a dining room!
I recently ran into a friend shepherding her teens into her van with a huge family sized cooler in tow. I asked if they were going camping. No, she responded, this was her new kitchen. …
50 Shades of Grey
Parents of teens often face challenges that don’t have one “right” answer. Even those of us who are immersed in the research on parenting don’t always agree on the best approach. Recently a mother shared …
Playing a Winning Hand of Discipline
While it may seem that there are fewer disciplinary alternatives available to parents as children enter their teen years this is not actually the case. A little creative reflection in quiet moments can help parents …