The role of digital technology (i.e., computers, the Internet, video games, smart phones, etc.) in the lives of children has been increasing over the last century at an astonishing rate. When we think about previous …
New teen driver and Conflict with how other parents handle cars for teens
My 16 year old just obtained her license. Great!! Problem: 80% of her friends (and my friends) purchase new vehicles for their children to drive. Their own car. Some even get car loans and …
The Absent Minded Teen: “Someone stole part of my kid’s brain”
Until fairly recently, it was generally believed that that the brain was pretty much done growing by adolescence. However, twenty-first century technology has allowed scientists to make an amazing and somewhat startling discovery. The brain grows just as much during …
Motivating son to put more effort into school work
My 15 year old son’s grades have steadily been declining throughout his freshman year. His teachers say that he is well behaved and contributes in class, but agree that he is underachieving. How do I …
My daughter was rude.
My 12 year old daughter came home from school in a snit. I happened to have a friend over when she walked in the door. When my friend asked how things were at school, my …
Daughter’s meager school lunch
My middles school aged daughter just informed me that she has basically been eating nothing but bread and water for school lunch over the past school year. Should I try to encourage her to eat …
Stuck on Replay: The Never Ending Argument
Why is it that so many emerging teens seem to be driven to provoke and sustain conflict with their parents? The good news is that there are some very logical and important reasons for …