News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

Teens from Des Moines, Iowa spent part of Tuesday at the Capitol telling legislators that including medical and scientific information in sex education classes would help reduce and prevent teen pregnancy and disease. Many of the teens agreed that more sex education is needed.

"'You can't do a two-day thing on sex and be like, "OK, you know enough." You can't say, "Here's pamphlets and video, let's call it a day,"' said [Venessa] McDole, who is a peer counselor with R3..."

The Iowa Senate and House both have bills on the table that would require science-based, age-appropriate sex education. A subcommittee with discuss the bills today. Read more at DesMoinesRegister.com.

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The Indy Star recently received a question from a parent about what to do with a child who didn't want to go to college. The parent said that grades and money weren't the issue - just the teenager's willingness to continue their education. The reply by the Star's parenting expert said to ask the teen questions about why they didn't want to go, what their plans where for the future, and to avoid lecturing. Read more online.

Turn-About Ranch, the world-renown program for teens, is launching a new vocational program. While at Turn-About Ranch, teenagers can earn certificates in subjects including Culinary Arts and Automotive Technology.

Labels: teens, parenting, college

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In 15 months, 15 teens were killed in driving accidents in the state of Illinois. In an order to reduce the number of needless deaths, state Senators and Representatives are proposing a bill that would toughen the laws that govern teen drivers.

"One provision would triple the amount of time - from three months to nine - that a teen (typically a 15-year-old) must hold a learner's permit. Only six states now have a permit phase that is nine months or longer, according to the Insurance Information Institute."

Other provisions include earlier curfews and six hours required driving with an instructor. Read more online.

Labels: driving, teenagers, laws

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COPPER CANYON ACADEMY helps teenage girls who are experiencing behavioral and emotional programs. COPPER CANYON ACADMEY offers a comprehensive therapeutic program, a fully accredited academic program, and a nurturing residential environment. COPPER CANYON ACADEMY helps girls with low self-esteem and poor body image learn to make healthy decisions and to take better care of themselves emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

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In this advice column, a parent asks for guidance in dealing with a teen who cheated on a test and then lied about it. It's a little tricky, because the mom only found out the teen cheated when she went into his closet and searched his backpack - violating his privacy

."...set up the family meeting... Apologize to your son for violating his privacy... Explain that he hasn't demonstrated the level of responsibility that warrants trust."

The columnist goes on to suggests ways the son can make restitutions, and lists key traits you can use to determine if your teenager is responsible and trustworthy. Read more at AzStarNet.com.

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CantonRep.com is reporting that the public schools in Hartland, Wisconsin, a suburb about 25 miles west of Milwaukee, are now dividing their classrooms into all-girls and all-boys.

"Lauren Panos was surprised when she walked into her ninth-grade English class in the fall and saw there were no boys. Her parents had not told her they had enrolled her in a new all-girls class at Arrowhead High School... Panos' classmate, Alyson Douglas, 15, said she likes not worrying about boys causing disruptions. 'Guys just make a bigger nuisance in the class,' she said."

In a growing trend, more public school systems are separating boys and girls. Some school choose to divide certain classes while some are dividing entire schools.

Supporters say research shows that creating all girl or all boy schools and classes "minimizes distractions, helps them learn better and allows boys and girls to explore subjects they may not otherwise take." Read more online.

COPPER CANYON ACADEMY is a college prep boarding school for girls with a fully accredited academic program designed to maximize each girls learning potential. Girls at COPPER CANYON ACADMEY gain increased self-esteem, self-awareness, self-confidence, self-reliance and self-management. While at COPPERY CANYON ACADEMY, girls can participate in school-sponsored extra-curricular activities and off-campus trips like the Utah Shakespearean Festival and the Presidential Classroom.

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Some parents find that offering money as a reward for good grades is an effective motivator for their kids. But is it the best motivator? Some school psychologists don't think so. They're concerned that material rewards send the wrong message, and don't take into account how hard a child may have to work to achieve a 'B' or 'C' in a subject that gives him a lot of trouble.

"It is much more valuable to set realistic goals with your child for scholastic achievement, without putting too much pressure on them for certain grades, and to praise them for working hard..."

These same psychologists recommend non-material rewards, like time out with the family or watching a favorite movie together. Read more at PittsburghLive.com.

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There's no shortage of stories out there about teens and pre-teens who have been stalked by on-line predators. Many parents are nervous and uncomfortable about their kids using the Internet. But there are lots of resources out there to help.

"...experts are available for hire for parents who don't have the time or technological know-how to set parental controls on computers and games, or install Web filters or monitoring software."

Many community colleges also offer introductory computer training classes for parents who would like to better understand the Internet. Read more at RegisterGuard.com.

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Cingular Wireless is attempting to help parents learn the ins and outs of text messages by hosting TXT Bee competition across the United States. Parents and teens will compete in teams.

"The TXT Bees are set up in a game-show format and pair teens with their parents to compete for a $5,000 scholarship, as well as a $5,000 donation to the hosting school."

The first contest will take place at West Orange High School in West Orange, New Jersey. Read more at WirelessWeek.com.

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For parents who are away from home in the afternoon hours when their children are done with school, they often worry about leaving their kids home alone. First, elementary school age kids - under the age of ten - should never be left alone. They're just too young developmentally to care for themselves, especially in an emergency.

If your kids are old enough and mature enough to be left alone after school, then they need to be taught how to handle emergencies. Make sure a list of all important phone numbers is kept by the phone. Be sure your child's safety is always a priority.

Children who self-manage themselves still need to be supervised, even when Mom and Dad aren't physically there. Tweens and teens should check in and ask permission if they want to go somewhere and parents should get all the details. Read more tips from the Pocono Record.

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Today, nearly half of all teenagers list home as their favorite place to be. Ten years ago, only a quarter of teens enjoyed being at home. One in four teens also lists family as the most important thing about their day-to-day life, compared with one in ten just ten years ago.

"Many experts credit teens' new attitude to parents' changing priorities. 'This generation of parents places more importance on being involved and in tune with the day-to-day lives of their teens,' [Anna] D'Agrosa said."

While teens don't want to be controlled by their parents, they do appreciate their parents' interest and involvement in their lives. Read more at SeattleTimes.com.

If you and your teenager are having a hard time living under the same roof, you might consider boarding school. Boarding schools often offer smaller class sizes, can help children with learning disabilities, and provide a structured environment for teens who may be experiencing emotional or behavioral problems. Find the best boarding school for your son or daughter at boardingschoolsinfo.com.

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On Wednesday, the US Census Bureau reported that 75% of middle- and high-school students were on track academically. In stark contrast to the reports of increased drug use, and poor scholastic performance, the US Census Bureau also reported that over 23% of teens were in gifted or advanced classes.

"'Most people think children are going to hell now, and this physical data doesn't confirm that,' said Bill O'Hare, a demographer at Baltimore's Annie E. Casey Family Foundation."

Progresses in reading and math were also reported. Read more online.

Boarding schools can often offer smaller classes and more individualized attention. Find a directory of boarding schools at www.boardingschoolsinfo.com.

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Talking to kids about sex is almost always more uncomfortable for the parent than for the child. But it doesn't have to be that way, and it shouldn't. Kids are often curious about their bodies and "where babies come from" at a very early age.

"Parents don't need to focus so much on having one formal, monumental and dreaded talk, experts say; dialogue about sexuality should be ongoing from the early toddler age through the teen years, with different topics being introduced over time at age-appropriate levels."

Remember that someone will talk to your kids about sex, and that 'someone' should be you. If it's not, they'll hear about it from their peers and from the media, which aren't always reliable sources. Read more at PittsburghLive.com.

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Though it isn't the only contributing factor, a teen's hormones have a significant affect on their moods. We expect that of girls during PMS, but in reality, hormones affect mood and judgment every day of the month. And not just for girls.

"The study of hormones and their influence on our moods and development, while not the only factor, is an increasing area of interest for the medical community."

While girls typically have a 28 day hormonal cycle, boys typically have a 24 hour cycle - during which testosterone levels peak and then steadily decline, affecting mood, and aggressiveness. Read more at SantaCruzSentinel.com.

If you're afraid your troubled teen's behavior is more than just typical teen angst, learn about Oppositional Defiance Disorder. Also called Oppositional Defiant Disorder, teens with ODD display high levels of hostility, defiance, aggression, and resentment. Learn more about ODD at www.4troubledteens.com.

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The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has launched a web site intended to inform and equip parents and other family members about the dangers teens face from online predators. The site is called "The Cyber Tip Line" and includes information for parents, and advice for keeping kids safe. Also included is a link to a web site just for teens called "Don't Believe the Type", aimed at educating teenagers how to avoid becoming the victim of a sexual predator.

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A recent Rutgers University study found that just 63% of kids live with both their mother and father. Unfortunately, many kids whose parents are divorced or separated don't get equal time and attention from both parents.

"Regardless of the family's living situation - married, separated, or divorced - children need to feel secure and safe. Parents...need to agree on household rules, keep similar routines, and children need to trust parents to make important decisions together."

The most common causes of disagreements include money, religion, education, and discipline. The more these disagreements can be resolved without involving your children, the more secure they'll feel. Finding common ground is vital to your child's mental and emotional health. Read more at The Daily Press Online.

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"Frienemies" is a term often used by middle and high school students to describe other students that seem to be around a lot, but aren't necessarily welcome. They may be on the same sports team with your child, or in the same class, and they act as though they're your child's friend, but they can sometimes be trouble.

"Experts advise parents to have conversations with their children about what makes a good friend (and what it takes to be one). Emphasize that good friends have each other's welfare at heart..."

As children grow older, parents often need to take more of a "backseat" approach to giving friendship advice. Your teenager may be miserable in a certain friendship but, in an attempt to exert his own independence, will tolerate the friendship simply because you've suggested that it should end. Read more at The Salt Lake Tribune Online.

In co-ed schools, students, staff, and parents are typically more concerned about boys bullying girls, rather than girls picking on other girls. However, a rise in girls' bullying and a trend towards girls being more violent and meaner to each other has many worried. Girls boarding schools can be a safe environment for adolescent girls because they're places where girls can totally be themselves. All girl boarding schools are about becoming part of a close-knit community of students, teachers and staff. Learn more about the positive aspects of girls boarding schools at Boarding Schools for Girls.

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