News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

The Brighton (New York) Parent Resource is hosting a one-day "Parents University" to help moms and dads learn about important issues facing their children today.

"Participants will be able to pick two workshops from a list of several. The workshops include 'Building Better Organizers,' 'Cyberbullying,' and 'The Internet: Protecting Kids and Teens Online,' among others."

The workshop will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. at the District Administration Building in Brighton. Source: Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY)

Labels: parenting_tips, support, issues

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A Canadian study found that 14 percent of adolescent boys and 20 percent of girls rate their health as "poor."

Researchers from Queen's University in Ontario used data on 2,384 students in the 9th and 10th grades to determine what factors influence teen health and what government programs could improve it. They found that teen health was a complex interaction between factors such as risk taking, family income, and the degree to which an individual connects to others (social capital).

Low-income teens were twice as likely to engage in risky behavior including taking drugs, smoking, using alcohol, and not using seatbelts or condoms, compared to their more affluent peers.

"Our analysis actually states that social capital, affluence and risk taking all influence health, but these things do not work together," said the study's author, Owen Gallupe. "To improve adolescent health, programs should reduce risk taking, improve social capital and levels of affluence."

This study appears in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Labels: health, risky_behavior, substance_abuse

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A study by researchers with the University of Maryland found that American children are using antidepressants and stimulants at three times the rate of European children. American pediatric use of antipsychotic drugs was twice that of the German and Dutch rate.

Lead author Julie Zito and her colleagues went through data on 600,000 persons under 19 years old, and found that seven percent of American children were taking such psychotropic drugs, This compared to 2.9 percent of the Dutch and 2.0 percent of German children. Among American children ages 5 to 9 years old, one in twelve was taking psychotropic drugs, among European children of the same ages, the rate was one in 48.

Zito said she believes that differences in culture, in the way behavioral disorders are classified, and in insurance and government reimbursements may account for the discrepancies. Other potential causes include the following: European drug companies are banned from advertising to consumers; the European diagnosis of hyperkinetic disorder has more stringent guidelines than the American equivalent of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; there are many more psychiatrists in the States; and some drugs were banned for European use during the course of the study.

This study appears in the journal BioMed Central.

Labels: drugs. antidepressants, stimulants

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

The University of Dallas in Texas is seeking $20 million in grants to develop a web-based program to teach strategic reasoning to middle school students.

Scientists at the UTD Center for Brain Health have already created a program called SMART (Strategic Memory and Reasoning Training) for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Teens who participate in the SMART program learn how to block details and organize information into main ideas, rather than to just memorize facts.

"The frontal lobes, the area of the brain associated with critical thinking and reasoning, develop rapidly through adolescence," said Dr. Sandra Chapman, director of the UTD Center. "High-level reasoning and critical thinking are skills that have to be learned and practiced. If teens do not acquire the ability to learn strategically, they might never do so."

Chapman noted that the United States ranks 24th out of 29 developed countries in critical thinking.

"We're missing the critical brain years and building a brain that does not reason," she said.

Labels: research, students, reasoning

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Just three months ago, the state of Nebraska legislature passed a law allowing parents or caretakers to abandon children as old as 18 years at certified hospitals without fear of prosecution.

To the surprise of many, sixteen children, some teenagers, have been left at drop-off places since then. One out-of-work widower abandoned nine children, ages one to 17.

James Blue is CEO of Cedars, a nonprofit organization that helps abused and neglected children in Nebraska. He said his group has been receiving more than ten calls a day from parents since the law passed.

"While the law exposed an underbelly of our society of families that are dropping off teenagers at hospitals," he said, "it also has given a message to families that there is help out there."

Labels: parenting, abandonment, laws

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

A majority of parents are setting a bad example for their newly licensed teen drivers, according to a national survey done by State Farm Insurance.

Researchers from the company surveyed 1,000 parents of teens who had received their licenses between June 2007 and May 2008. Among their findings: 65 percent of parents use cell phones while driving, 68 percent drive when they are in a hurry, and 65 percent drive when they are overtired.

"We are asking parents to be aware that their teens are watching and learning from their behaviors," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of Strategic Research for State Farm.

Parents who responded to the survey indicated that they would like more information on helping their teens learn to drive on freeways and at night, as well as on issues such as driving while distracted, drinking and driving, and road rage.

Labels: driving, safety, role_models

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Adolescents who have trouble falling asleep on a regular basis are more likely to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, use illicit drugs, and suffer from depression.

Brandy Roane, a researcher the University of North Texas, combed through more than 8,000 interviews that had been conducted with young people ages 12 to 25 years old between 1994 and 2001. About nine percent of those who were surveyed reported having trouble falling asleep every day or almost every day.

Of this sleep-deprived group, 54 percent suffered from depression and 25 percent had suicidal thoughts, compared to 32 percent and 11 percent of those who slept normally. Ten percent of the sleep-problem group had attempted suicide. This group was also more likely to use alcohol (33 percent compared to 22 percent of normal sleepers) and to smoke marijuana (18 percent vs. 11 percent).

This study appears in the journal Sleep.

Labels: depression, sleep_deprivation, drug_use

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Many parents of adolescents relish the thought of being "empty-nesters." And while there are good (and great) things about this stage of life, there are difficult aspects as well:

"When your major identity is no longer 'parent,' you may struggle to know exactly who you are. In the past your social life centered around your children's activities; now you may struggle just to be a couple again. Or perhaps you're no longer sure you know (or even like) that other bird in the nest. But there is hope."

Surveys have shown that marital satisfaction increases when a husband and wife make a conscious effort to reconnect with each other after the kids are gone. Rather than filling time with more and different activities, spend time doing things together. Getting to know each other again takes time and may feel awkward in the beginning, but it really can be like a "second honeymoon." Source: LifeWay

Labels: parents, relationships, lonlieness

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Teen pregnancy has been in an especially bright spotlight since last year, when the Oscar-winning movie "Juno" hit theaters and Jamie Lynn Spears gave birth to a baby in June. Now the issue is not only in the entertainment arena, but the political one as well, with the announcement that the unmarried teenage daughter of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is pregnant.

"'It's time for a serious conversation about what teens are doing, what they know and about what responsibilities they are prepared to take on,' [Saul Hoffman] says. 'How prepared are they for sexually active relationships?'"

Parents can use the real-life examples of Spears and Palin to talk to their kids about sex and pregnancy without being "preachy." Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Labels: sex, pregnancy, relationships

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 1 Comment

A consulting, support and delivery services firm in the UK has launched a website for parents. The interactive, social networking and advice site was developed by Tribal Group in conjunction with Parentline Plus, which is also located in the UK.

"The tools are designed to help parents stay on the same wavelength as their teenager... Many of these features are designed to be interactive so that parents can post their own experiences, advice and questions to support each other in a forum-style environment with private messaging, articles, blogs and message boards."

The website is the second of a multi-faceted support program called "Parent-Know-How." The program also includes text messaging, instant messaging and improved internet services. Source: M2 PressWIRE

Labels: parenting_tips, support, advice

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

When little kids play together, parents may have to worry about arguments over toys or the rules of a game, but rarely do they have to be concerned about one child abusing another. That can begin to change as kids get older.

"According to Teenage Research Unlimited, one in five teens who have been in a serious relationship reported being hit, slapped, or pushed by a partner; and one in four teens who have been in a serious relationship said their partner has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family."

This kind of abuse isn't limited to dating relationships; friendships can be just as unhealthy. As little children become adolescents and then teenagers, parents need to talk to them about the importance of respect, and what to do if someone is mistreating them. Source: The Coloradoan

Read When Teen Romance Turns Violent for more information.

Labels: teenagers, abuse, relationships

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

They've been given various names throughout the generations, but today they're called "helicopter parents" - parents who "hover" over their kids' every move and sweep in for the rescue when something goes wrong.

"But two child experts told CNN that parents should aim to empower their children to do things on their own. 'Parenting should be increasingly in the background as the child gets older,' said Vivian Friedman, child-adolescent psychologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 'If you do for your child for too long, they never learn to do for themselves.'"

Children need to learn from mistakes - like forgetting their costume for the school play's dress rehearsal. While parents may feel cruel for not coming to their child's rescue, it would be far more cruel for the children never to learn how to cope with mistakes or failures. Source: CNN

Labels: responsibility, independence, respect

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Change and transitions are part of life. But they are often accompanied by stress and high emotion - especially in the cases of children who haven't fully developed proper coping mechanisms. This is where parents need to step in and help.

"Building and affirming trust is essential to positive parent/child relationships. When children are stressed, try to respond quickly and sensitively to their basic needs, and engage in hands-on activities like peek-a-boo [for young children] or board games. The goal of nurturing activities is to teach children their caretakers are safe, secure and reliable."

Take at least 30 minutes each day to play or otherwise engage with your child. It will build trust and a sense of security. Also, talk with your child about what's happening, and share (as much as is appropriate) your own feelings. This shows your child that he is free to express his own emotions as well. Source: Visalia Times-Delta (CA)

Labels: secure, communication, relationships

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Most parents get tired of nagging their kids about the same things over and over. Homework, messy rooms, rude behavior ... the list could go on and on. Rather than nagging, though, try a behavior contract:

"Talk to your child about the specific behaviors that must be changed and the consequences that will occur if the rules are not followed. Next, write or type the contract... and then have all parties sign the copies."

These kinds of agreements can be especially important and helpful for parents of teenagers. Issues such as drinking, drugs, and staying out past curfew can all be addressed - and consequences clearly spelled out - so there are no surprises. Source: The Morning News (Northwest Arkansas)

Labels: behavior, expectations, communication

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Only 38 percent of teens buckle their seatbelts, according to a study of 12,000 students ages 16 years and older. More drivers use belts than passengers - 59 percent compared to 42 percent.

"Seatbelts can reduce the risk of injury and death in crashes by more than 50 percent," said lead researcher Dr. Nathaniel Briggs. "There is a critical need for interventions to increase seat belt use by teenagers."

About 6,000 teens die in car crashes every year, and close to 500,000 suffer life-altering injuries. Automobiles are the number one cause of teen deaths.

The study appears in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Labels: driving, risky_behavior, safety

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 1 Comment

Many states have laws that allow parents to drop off unwanted newborns babies in designated hospitals or police stations with no questions asked. The babies become wards of the states and are placed for adoption or reared in foster care or orphanages.

Now the Nebraska legislature has a new law effective July 18 that allows parents or caretakers to abandon any child under 19 years old.

"All children deserve our protection," said Senator Tom White. "If we save one child from being abused, it's well, well worth it."

Parents who have physically abused their children would face criminal charges even if they give up custody to the state.

Adam Pertman, executive director of a New York adoption institute, was one of the first experts to criticize the law.

"Whether the kid is disabled or unruly or just being a hormonal teenager, the state is saying: 'Hey, we have a really easy option for you,"' he said. "It circumvents every rational practice in child welfare that I'm aware of. That's as nicely as I can put it."

Labels: abandonment, laws, safe-haven

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

"No smoking in the house" is a simple rule that helps teens stay away from cigarettes, according to a new study from the Boston School of Public Health.

Dr. Alison Albers and her colleagues interviewed 2,217 students 12 to 17 years old over a four-year period. Teens who lived in homes with "no smoking" rules were less likely to experiment with cigarettes and more likely to believe that smoking is socially unacceptable.

If parents do not smoke themselves but allow others to smoke in their homes, their children were twice as likely to experiment with cigarettes.

"This basic intervention - implementing a household smoking ban - has the potential to promote anti-smoking norms and prevent adolescent smoking," Dr. Albers said.

The study was published in the Journal of Public Health.

Labels: rules, smoking, role_models

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments