Risky doesn't mean Reckless: The Upside of Teen Risk-Taking
Risky Doesn’t Mean Reckless: The Upside of Teen Risk-Taking The image of a reckless, impulsive teenager making terrible, dangerous decisions has become so embedded in our culture that we tend to take it as a given. Parents approach the teen years already expecting the worst and filling their toolboxes with lessons and lectures to…
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Punishments vs. Consequences: Teach Your Teen the Difference
Punishments vs. Consequences: Teach Your Teen the Difference When I work with parents of teenagers, our conversations inevitably turn toward discipline. “How do get my teen to follow the rules?” “My teen won’t clean up after himself. What should I do?” “Nothing I do seems to have any effect on her!” Discipline with…
Read More"Am I doing ANYTHING right?" — The importance of balancing positive and negative feedback for our teens
“Your kids want to know……do you see me? Do you hear me? Do your eyes light up when I enter the room?” — Maya Angelou
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From Toddlers to Teens — Craving Connection
Would you be shocked if I told you that teens are craving connection with their parents? Most parents I work with are under the impression that their teens are pushing them away, craving independence and wanting to be left alone. Some of that is true, of course, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. It…
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Beyond “thank you” — Teens and Gratitude
By Cheryl Somers, MA, LPC “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy Gratitude. It is such a simple concept. Be grateful for what you have and show appreciation for others. Most people agree that being…
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