Social & Emotional

“To be or not to be, that is the question.”

Believe it or not, your teen is thinking about what it means “to be” in life and their place in the world. One way for your child to achieve success is to become a life-long learner. Talk about how everyone is continually growing and learning. Ask your teen about an older adult they admire and […]

Ever get so angry at your teen you spouted off, “This conversation is over. You are an ungrateful brat and you’re going to do this because I SAID SO.”??? (or been tempted to say any of this?)

Your teen has developed (and is not afraid to use) higher thinking skills which can make even the simplest disagreement seem like a courtroom debate! Use discipline as a tool for teaching and guiding, not for venting or taking revenge. Be an eParent®! Instead of banning your teen from social networking sites for posting a […]

“Friending”: the act of adding someone to a list of contacts on a social networking site. NOTE: does not necessarily involve the concept of friendship (seriously…)

The online world of “friends” ranges from people your child actually knows in real life to strangers (individuals and companies) that your child has never met and with whom they have no relationship at all! Social media gives youth a way to connect with a broad range of individuals and test “friendships.” Be an eParent®! […]

Which flower describes you preteen?

The African Violet, which blooms throughout the year OR The Cereus Cactus which resembles a dead bush most of the year but for one summer night flowers with a glorious scent and then closes forever with the first rays of the morning sun. There may be days when your child resembles each of these flowers! […]

Which song best describes your child? a) Touch Me by the Doors or b) Don’t Stand So Close to Me by the Police

Your teen may cringe when you hug them in public but don’t let them fool you! They still want and crave hugs and contact with you – but not when their friends or peers can see! Be an eParent®! Show affection to your teen by playing an active video game together and give your teen […]

When does life begin? a) after 40, b) after coffee, c) after your kids move out, or d) after your kids who had moved out and returned home, move out for good!

Think that letter “d” can’t happen to you? The number of youth who have left home after high school and are back living with their parents has exploded in recent years. Help your child think about their future options now as this is exactly what is needed for a smooth transition into adulthood. Be an eParent®! Together with your […]

If you want it, you’ve got to give it…it goes both ways… R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Building a loving relationship with your teen includes mutual respect. The respect you get from your child will reflect the respect you give your child. How you react to your teen in tough situations like disagreements is critical to how they treat you and others. Be an eParent®! Show respect for your child. After a […]

Did you ever play Telephone as a kid? It’s still an important “game” to play as a parent.

Parenting is easier when you can connect with friends, neighbors, family members and other adults. Identify and stay connected with people that can support your parenting responsibilities. Be an eParent®! Add the email addresses and phone numbers of people that support you and/or your child to your cell phone contact list. Teachers, coaches, doctors, other parents, and […]

Has your teen ever given you a hard time when you opted out of a family tradition because you were too tired or busy?

Maintaining or establishing family, cultural or religious rituals and traditions is one key to building strong families. One teen “lost it” when her mother decided not to host the annual family holiday cookie baking day. Of course, it wasn’t about the cookies, but the time she got to spend laughing and bantering with her mom […]

Does “Do as I say, not as I do” rule in your household?

If it does, maybe it’s time to put your words into action. When your child was younger, your role was to lay the foundation for his behavior. Even though your teen is now starting to take responsibility for his or her behavior, it is still important for you to model good lifestyle habits. Be an […]

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