As 2014 winds down, we are feeling especially grateful for all the thoughtful dialogue, growth, and dedicated viewership Parenthetical has experienced over the last year. During the last year, Parenthetical has increased site membership significantly …
teens
Teens are Risk Junkies
It probably won’t take much to recall a time when we (as teens) or our children made questionable decisions. This week on Parenthetical we are reposting an article from March 2014 that talks about some …
Technology and the Average American Teen
Over the next few weeks, Parenthetical will be focusing on the role of technology in the lives of today’s teens and parents. Did you know that 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the web? A …
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 …
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 …
Daughter’s relationship with best friend is troubled
My 14 year old daughter’s best friend is mean. This on again/off again relationship is not a healthy. When I talk to my daughter about it, she admits that she is miserable, but she doesn’t …