TV, computer games, music, blogs, radio, smart phones . . . to say the average American adult consumes a lot of media is an understatement. America’s youth are no different. With so many media sources …
Values & Culture
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 …
Parenting from the Sidelines
Have you ever been to a sporting event or performance where the parent behind you is shouting out instructions to his teen or berating the other youngsters participating? As the competition increases in middle school …
How Much Financial Responsibility is Enough?
To start 2018 we bring you an article about the benefits of discussing money management with you child. Read this week’s Parenthetical post for talking points and strategies on teen financial responsibility that many parents might …
5 Things I Do Differently at Holidays with Teens
As the holiday season is rapidly approaching, some of us might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the length of our “to-do” list. While this feeling is common, it is also important to examine why the …
Burning Out: Adults Who Work With Youth Feel Stress Too
In the past, Parenthetical has focused on why parental self-care is important and what it can look like in practice. This week we’re extending the self-care conversation to teachers and practitioners who work with youth …
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 …
The Teen Quest for Identity: Where Every Day is Halloween
Identity formation can often be an exciting, and sometimes stressful, time for both teens and parents alike. This week Parenthetical addresses this unique process in your child’s life just in time for Halloween! Happy Halloween! …
Teenage Citizens
Everyone’s future rests upon the next generation’s ability to realize and support democracy and parents play a major role in preparing the younger generation to achieve that lofty goal. Youth need to be nurtured and …
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 …