Category Archives: Parenting Teens
How to Spot and Help a Sleep-Deprived Teen
Staying up late is almost a rite of passage for teens. Many experts point out that teens’ internal sleep cycles actually change, making them more into night owls than they used to be (or might be in the future). That doesn’t mean they need less sleep, though – sources say teens should get at least nine hours a night. But how many actually do?
Because late nights are considered so normal for teens, many parents might not recognize sleep deprivation in their teen. Here are some tips on how to recognize it, as well as ways you can help.
Ways to Control Acne in Your Teen
When you were young, you may have heard the terrible things teens say to each other when they have acne. You know the “pizza face”? comments and the poor self-image that goes with it. You want to spare your teen from being called the same names. Try these ways to control acne in your teen and they may not have to hear them at all.
In the past, people thought acne was caused by eating too much fried food or chocolate. Nothing could be further from the truth. Acne is caused, plain and simple, from clogged oil glands. What’s clogging them? Normally it’s a mixture of dead skin cells, extra oil, hair follicles, and possibly bacteria.
How to Throw a Teen Party without Alcohol
Teenagers are steps away from being adults so they often think they should do the same things adults do. Unfortunately, teens don’t always use the best judgment. They want to throw a party, just for the fun or it or to coincide with activities at school. As a parent you want your teen to enjoy themselves, but do they know how to throw a teen party without alcohol?
Teens often see having parties as a means to gain respect or become popular. If you can plan the party while the parents are out of the house, it’s even better. They think if they can invite a bunch of friends over without adult supervision, they’ll be as good as gold.
The Effects of Under-Age Drinking on Teens
Some teenagers think they look ‘cool’ or grown up if they drink. Unfortunately, most teens don’t drink one or two drinks; they tend to drink to excess. The effects of under-age drinking on teens are varied but none of them are good.
One of the worst effects of under-age drinking is the fact that over 5,000 teens die each year, either from directly drinking or the effects of others drinking. This could be automobile crashes, suicides while drinking, or homicides. Of course, when under-age drinking occurs, teens aren’t always the only ones affected. When there is an automobile accident caused by under-age drinking, there are invariably innocents killed as well.
When Teens Talk Back
Every parent would love to think their teens are perfect and respect them. But, truth be told, that’s probably not true. Parents especially feel their children aren’t perfect when teens talk back. If it’s happened to one parent, it’s most likely happened to many more. What is a parent to do?
Parents don’t often realize the cause of talking back. For a teen, they may feel frustrated or powerless in a situation. They feel their only recourse is to talk back. They may say ‘you’re not being fair to me’which is totally different than saying harmful things to you which may be considered verbal abuse.
Privacy and Personal Time – Why Are They Important for Your Teen
As a parent you want to keep lines of communication between yourself and your teen open. However, they may not be very forthcoming with details about their friends, what’s going on at school, or in their life in general. They want their privacy and personal time. Why are they important to your teen and how can you honor their privacy and still keep them talking to you?
Divorce and Teenagers
Divorce is a difficult thing for a couple to go through. When there are children involved, it is much more difficult. Young children may have a hard time understanding what’s going on. Teenagers are more aware of the logistics of the situation, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not hard on them, too.
Teenagers from broken homes are more likely to have problems at school. They may also act out at home, or even find themselves in trouble with the police. They are literally caught in the middle of the divorce, and this can put them into a state of emotional turmoil.
