Struggling to change your teen’s behavior? You’re not alone. Teenagers can be stubborn and struggle against any attempts to control their behavior. But teaching your teen to exhibit positive, healthy, and effective behaviors is an important part of parenting. They might not appreciate your efforts now, but they will when they get older. Changing your teen’s behavior requires a plan. Try these strategies: 1.    Emotional drama isn’t necessary. Yelling and high levels of emotion are rarely...

One question I get asked most often is, “How do I get my teen motivated and help them find a career path they will love?” Extracurricular activities can contribute to their education as much as formal classes. As a parent, you can guide your teen toward activities that will help them achieve more in college and in the workforce. Consider these ways to help your teen get the most out of extracurricular programs. What to Look for in Extracurricular Programs 1.    Work as a team. Collaborating...

It’s natural for your teen to challenge your authority and try to claim more independence. You have a responsibility to teach them to resolve conflicts respectfully and maintain family harmony. If you’re concerned that your teen is breaking your house rules or trying to provoke arguments, there are ways to keep them safe and restore order. Try these tips for transforming power struggles into more positive communications. Steps to Take Yourself: Set priorities. While some rules are essential,...

Teens are stuck in an in-between world. They're neither children nor adults. They're adjusting to both physical and mental changes, including emotional extremes caused by additional activity in the part of the brain that regulates emotions. Needless to say, for many teens, this is a confusing time!  Along with the normal confusion, teens often suffer from low self-esteem and peer pressure. Females are more prone to self-esteem issues and often get more attention for the problem, but males are...

If you have relaxation practices that work for you, you might wonder how you can encourage your children to join you. After all, their lives can be stressful too when they’re trying to get good grades, make friends, and adapt to the changes that are part of growing up.  Sure, it would be tough to train a toddler to meditate for a half-hour when they can barely sit still long enough to eat. However, there are age-appropriate activities suitable for any stage of development, from preschoolers to...

Do you remember your teenage years? They can be fun but also very hard on both teens and adults. Teens are struggling between childhood and adulthood and finding their true selves. Self-confidence can prove to be a major issue as they navigate through this time in their lives. Just as in other aspects of their life, teens can strengthen their self-confidence skills. Some will have tougher situations to overcome, but in the end, everyone can benefit. Here are some self-confidence strategies...

I was catching up with a friend to whom I haven’t spoken in several months. She asked the one question everyone asks. "How are your kids doing?" It’s literally one of the first questions I get when chatting with anyone. Do you get asked that, too? It’s understandable that we're often asked about our kids. We're seven months into situation we thought would only last a month or two. My answer is usually, "we are fine." We keep adjusting and adapting to whatever the situation brings. It feels...

It’s been a week since school started in my kids' school district. All students are learning virtually and at some point, when the time is right, they will return in person. I had some trepidation about it. These questions ran through my mind. What will we do when technology fails? What if one of our devices goes on the fritz? How do I balance my work schedule with my kids' needs? What if the cat jumps on the table and video bombs my son’s class? Of course, things don’t always go smoothly when...