Adolescents almost all go through a period of moodiness–this is a normal part of development and for the majority of teens it will pass after a couple of years. Mood changes result from increased production of sex hormones during puberty. Changes also occur due to brain growth and social and environmental factors that your teen […]
Your teen is not paying attention in class. Their grades have been getting worse and you notice other changes as well – they are moody and irritable, can’t seem to stick to a schedule, and is missing deadlines. You’ve spoken with your school psychologist and she thinks your son may have ADHD. But, what is […]
These days, it’s hard to escape from screens – we’re on phones, laptops, tablets, or watching TV all hours of the day and night. But what happens when we bring these screens into the bedroom? The effects of TVs on sleep for teens have been well documented – the light from the screen can prevent […]
As children grow into teens and young adults, parents often struggle with their changing relationship. It may seem like teens start to distance themselves for no reason, but it’s actually an important developmental stage. During childhood, children rely on their parents for almost everything, including social support. However, as teens gain a sense of independence, […]
Teens don’t easily open about what is going on in their lives. However, open communication with teens is a vital part of their relationship with you and is a key factor in your ability to support them. Here are some tips adapted from Time Magazine about improving parent-child communication. Create talking rituals: Pay attention to […]
For years, parents have worried that violent video games could be a problem for teens. Some people think that video games promote criminal violence in young people. While possible, recent research did not find enough evidence to show a link to criminal violence. There was, however, a clear link to aggressive behavior. Aggressive behavior is […]
Video games are a popular pastime for millions of teenagers. Most teens play for a few hours per week, when they have free time after homework or sports practice. For some, however, video games grow into much more than an occasional source of entertainment. Teenagers can become obsessed with gaming, spending four or more hours […]
It’s often said that communication is the key to a healthy relationship. While it might sound like tired advice, it’s a skill worth learning that will help us do better in all our relationships. As your teen grows up, the way you communicate with them will need to change to reflect the new boundaries in […]
We love a chance to talk about mental health, and this is mental health awareness month! Mental Health America created a calendar with one simple thing you can do each day of the month to improve your mental health. Some of the challenges include: May 4th: Do something with friends and family – have a […]
Many times teens will have to deal with situations and people that do not agree with their beliefs, values, and morals. It is important that in these situations, they are able to speak up for ourselves. Doing so is called being assertive. By being assertive, they are letting those around them know exactly how they […]
