News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

In 1989, the Girl Scouts conducted a landmark study on the overall attitudes and behaviors of young people. They conducted a follow-up study this year, and found that, in general, today's kids are headed in the right direction.

The blog Ms. Twixt provided the following details from the study, which is scheduled to be published in December:

• 62 percent of surveyed teens say they would not cheat on a test (compared to 48 percent in 1989)
• 58 percent of surveyed teens say they would refuse an alcoholic drink if offered one at a party (compared to 46 percent in 1989)
• 18 percent say smoking is okay if the person finds it enjoyable (compared to 27 percent in 1989)
• 76 percent say they will give regularly to charity (compared to 63 percent in 1989)

Labels: tobacco, alcohol, research, morals, values

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We all want our kids to have good moral compasses. We want them to know the difference between right and wrong, and we want them to make positive, healthy choices throughout their lives. But teaching values can be a challenge. How do we teach without lecturing?

An Oct. 7 Oakland Tribune article by Tom McMahon provided the following advice:

Informal value lessons are best: Values are best taught to teens during informal times and in a way that doesn't appear to be a lesson. For example, family discussions about current events, television shows, radio talk shows, movies, book or situations at school often provide entrees to sharing your views and values with your children.

Use real-life examples that your teenager can relate to, McMahon advised, and that show the benefits of good values and healthy decisions. Help them understand that their values will affect every aspect of their lives, from the type of friends they choose to how they spend their time and money.

Labels: parenting_tips, values

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There seems to be increasing concern among parents about teenage, co-ed sleepovers. They are more common now than ever before, and many parents are unsure how to respond.

"Experts say there's a quick way for parents to solve these and other sleepover dilemmas: Examine your values and do what makes you most comfortable. And if that means giving a big, fat 'no' to any co-ed sleepover arrangement, feel free to ignore the ensuing arguments, emotional blackmail and whining..."

Ultimately, the parent is still the parent and doesn't have to agree to anything she doesn't feel is in the best interest of her child. Source: Cowichan Valley Citizen (British Columbia, Canada)

Labels: sex, values, involment

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When teenagers begin developing friendships with people of the opposite sex, it can cause a whole new set of questions and concerns to rise to the forefront of a parent's mind. Is it OK for them to be alone? If they're in your teen's room, should the door stay open? What if you set rules that are different than those of other parents?

"'Nobody else can tell you what's right in your household,' says panelist Marcie Lightwood. 'You have the right to set your own rules according to your values.' There is nothing wrong with limiting the time teens can be alone with the opposite sex."

Parents have the right to set clear rules and to enforce those rules. Some teens may need more structure than others (especially those who are more impulsive), so rules will vary from house to house. Source: The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania)

Labels: sex, values, rules

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