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The By Parents For Parents Blog is regularly updated with the latest news and information on topics that relate to parenting teenagers. We'll post parenting advice and tips from trusted online news sources and expert parenting columns.
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"...the observations indicate that playing a certain type of violent video game may have different short-term effects on brain function than playing a nonviolent, but exciting, game."Dr. Vincent Mathews, author of the study, and professor of radiology at Indiana University School of Medicine plans to conduct more studies on this subject.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 8:53 AM
"From parenting classes and job training to classes for teenagers on how to manage their money, leaders say, the clubs are hoping their experience with children will help them help others around them."A handful of clubs has already rolled out a parenting program, and clubs in areas with heavy Hispanic populations are developing ways to reach out to those communities.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:14 AM
"Parents should ask themselves three important questions...These questions can help parents evaluate their feelings and responses to a teen's desire to wear a specific article of clothing."Be open to allowing your teens to express him- or herself, and be willing to offer alternatives if you feel something is in appropriate.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 8:18 PM
"Our mature friends, neighbors and relatives are standard bearers we need in the mix of child rearing."Older people can help set standards of conduct (including dress) that are much needed in today's younger generations.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 1:42 PM
"Adolescents use a constantly evolving jargon of acronyms, abbreviations and shorthand while chatting online in public and private chat rooms and on social networking sites as well as through e-mail and instant messages."Some of the language may shock or surprise parents; like POS (Parents Over Shoulder) which kids use to warn their chat buddies that an adult is nearby. Read more online.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:49 AM
"When each of Michael and Stacy Kutner's three children become teenagers, the Bensalem couple sets $1,000 aside. Michael, who works in finance, guides them through their first investment."Teaching financial responsibility early will help your kids manage their money when they're away at college, and when they have families of their own. Read more online.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 11:49 PM
"'The kids are really just out to have a good time. It's the parents that can get vocal and carried away,' [Lisa] Petralia said."The web site, www.MomsTeam.com was started nearly seven years ago with the goal of making youth sports "safer, saner, less stressful and more inclusive." Read more online.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:21 AM
"Good parenting requires us to remember that, even if [teenagers] look fully grown, they are not. Teenager issues abound, and parents need to be aware of all we can do to keep our teenagers on the straight and narrow."Parents often don't realize how much influence they have in a teen's life. Don't underestimate your relationships with your teenagers. You can make a bigger difference than you think.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 3:02 PM
"The roundtable of teens said they don't tell parents about sex and drugs because parents often get mad or worried. It is easier, they said, to share details with someone who has no authority over them."Though these teens admitted they wouldn't talk to their parents about drug or alcohol use, most agreed they would talk to their parents about "life and death" situations. Interesting paradox. Read more online.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 9:42 PM
"Making young people part of the curfew discussion and establishing clear expectations and consequences gives them some of the independence they are looking for while still maintaining the boundaries they need to thrive."The site contains other tools, such as the "Family Whereabouts Contract" and tips for building family boundaries.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:39 AM
"In the newly reported case… one woman developed so much scar tissue that it resembled what she called a "second tongue" [when her] mouth jewelry apparently irritated a nerve running along the jaw under her tongue. That nerve is connected to the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest in the head."Read more from chron.com.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 3:31 PM
"Take it Outside. Watch what's happening in your own backyard. Have your child keep track of things like the temperature of the time the sun sets: She can plot them on a graph and learn a few things about how the world turns."Herbers believes that science scores drop in middle school, in part, because girls aren't properly encouraged. She believes that finding science-related activities will help. Read more online.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 2:21 PM
"Dating violence crosses all racial, economic, and social lines. Most victims are young women, who are also at greater risk for serious injury."The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence has put together a web page addressing this all-too-common occurrence. It includes warning signs, factors that contribute to dating violence, and ways teens can protect themselves. Learn more online.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 9:22 AM