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"As more and more kids begin to grow up online, parents are finding themselves on the outside looking in, struggling to remain relevant and engaged in their kids' lives. 'I remember being 11; I remember being 13; I remember being 16, and I remember having secrets,' one mother says. 'But it's really hard when it's on the other side.'"Danah Boyd, a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School reminds parents that things like MySpace and Facebook can't just be turned off. Parents have to learn how to live in a society where these things exist, and teach their kids how to live in it as well. Read more at IndianaLawBlog.com.
Labels: internet, involment, online_safety
posted by ByParents-forParents at 7:02 PM
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"While [Elizabeth] Berger, a child psychologist, believes that TV violence and sexuality are not constructive for children, she said there is too much of a tendency to blame TV rather than adult society. When children aren't spoken to about violence, she said, it could present a problem."Dr. Don Shifrin, co-chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Communications Council agrees, saying it's important for parents to talk to their kids about the things they watch on television because most TV violence is "sanitized." Read more at KCRA.com.
Labels: communication, involment, tv
posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:29 AM
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"Alcohol, drugs, sex - all have huge negative consequences and cannot be condoned. But since most teens are experimenting with one or more of these things, parents who form an open, loving dialogue with their teen, while setting clear boundaries, have the best chance of being a positive influence."It's up to parents to establish an open dialogue with their kids and help them talk about and handle subjects that can be both intense and awkward. An open dialogue won't ensure that your kid doesn't make any mistakes, but it increases your chances of being called upon to help when mistakes are made. Read more at AuburnJournal.com.
Labels: communication, influences, involment
posted by ByParents-forParents at 8:25 PM
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"The constant togetherness means young people are, for all practical purposes, raising each other. It's not just that what their peers think carries more weight than what Mom and Dad think. It's that many teenagers spend so little time with their families that they don't really know what Mom and Dad think."As a result, teens are much more "tethered to each other" than generations past. Where one goes, the others will follow, even if the direction is not good. Read more at News.Cincinnati.com.
Labels: independence, influences, involment
posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:06 AM
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"The challenge for parents lies in keeping their children focused, but also encouraging them to take responsibility for their own grades, said Lee Shumow, a Northern Illinois University professor of adolescent development. It's important for adolescents to start developing autonomy, she said."Many students are taking initiative and tracking their own grades, which gives them the opportunity to monitor their performance and make necessary improvements. The program, called Pinnacle Internet Viewer, was developed by Colorado-based software company Excelsior Software.
posted by ByParents-forParents at 6:51 PM
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"As part of the six-week program, the parents discuss various topics such as improving a teenagers self esteem, parenting styles for dealing with a teenager, disciplining a teenager and becoming more involved in a teenager's life. Trisha McKendry, coordinator for the Active Parenting of Teens program, said they also discuss other issues such as drug use, sexual activity, and alcohol consumption among teenagers."Some parents who participate in the program sign up on their own; others are referred through DeKalb social services programs. The program is getting great feedback. Parents have said they are able to really talk to their teens, enforce rules and curfews without explosive arguments, and show their love and affection in ways their teens understand. Read more at MidWeekNews.com.
Labels: arguments, communication, involment
posted by ByParents-forParents at 10:23 AM
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