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 Parenting Related NewsShe smiled and said she was proud of him. He had come to a 180 degree turn in his life. And with that, he turned to the other teens and thanked them for helping him change his life. His victory became theirs.
Being a responsive parent instead of a reactive parent begins with more matter-of-fact interactions with our kids. This means speaking to them in a calm manner and not freaking out, overreacting and getting extreme with our emotions. Too often, when we see something in our relationship that we don’t like, we try to change everything wholesale. We say things like, “From now on, things are going to be different!”
Truth be told, the lessons about alcohol consumption that are the most powerful may just be the ones that are not accompanied by a wagging finger and a tongue lashing. It is the small, accumulated lessons about drinking that add up to make a difference.
Let’s face it. Teens are not that interested in talking to someone whose sole intent is to pepper them with questions, judge their answers, and offer unsolicited advice. In fact, these forms of communication serve to obstruct rather than facilitate communication with our teens. As a matter of fact, they are part of a longer list of communication blocks that parents would do well to avoid if they’d want their teens to talk to them.
One of the most important things you can do as a 21st Century grandparent is instilling a belief in philanthropy. My husband and I have helped foster a sense of “giving back” into our grandchildren that is helping them learn the importance of assisting those in need.
As a college student living 5 hours away from my parents, I have the freedom to do pretty much whatever I want. If I got into any real trouble, with the university or the law, only then would the school contact my parents. Otherwise, I can get away with a lot without my parents ever knowing. That’s a scary thought for parents reading this, right?
One in five teenagers has abuse prescription pain medication. Dr. Drew shares some reasons why teens are abusing pills and what parents can do if they suspect their child is using.
My colleague told me she was having her 10-year-old stepson practice his reading and comprehension skills while reading entries from my personal blog. Effectively, she noted, along the way she discovered that it’s a creative method of early drug prevention too.
I am betting that very few of you have sat through a week’s worth of sex education classes at your teenkid’s school. If your school district offers – or mandates – such classes, you no doubt have received a carefully crafted note listing the topics to be covered. And, if you have somehow managed to raise one of those rare tweens or teens who, in response to “so, what happened at school today?” replies polysyllabically, you might have a general notion of what goes on.
Do you know an outstanding youth coach or student athlete who demonstrates a commitment to fair, drug-free play and an overall healthy lifestyle? Does this person inspire others to give it their all, make the team smile after a big defeat, or show exemplary character and integrity on and off the field?
If you answered YES, [...]
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LAYING DOWN THE LAW FOR YOUR TEEN DRIVER
From Edmunds.com
This is the second in a series of articles about teen driving appearing on the Edmunds.com web site and reprinted here with permission. Because State Laws Don't Go Far Enough
Teen driving researchers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and other safety groups have spent decades studying teen vehicle fatalities and have determined what puts teen drivers at the most risk: driving at night, transporting passengers, getting a learner's permit before age 16 and getting a full license before age 18. Since these risk factors have been proven, you might think that most states would outlaw them. Not so fast. The IIHS says that none of the 50 states has what it calls an "optimal" licensing program for teen drivers. Instead, the Institute says the laws aren't keeping up with the latest research. Many — no doubt, most — parents simply let the law of their state become the law in their house. Safety experts say that's a mistake. At the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Injury Research and Prevention, where they've been studying teen driving behavior for more than a year, "the idea of a household GDL [graduated driver license] has been one of our mantras," said spokeswoman Dana Mortensen. Mortensen said parents of teen drivers can and should step in to fill the void left by their states' laws. Research shows that the following components would be part of an ideal graduated licensing program.
2. A learner stage that lasts at least six months and requires parents to certify they've supervised at least 30-50 hours of their teen's driving. 3. An intermediate stage that lasts until at least age 18 and includes both a night driving restriction (starting at 9 or 10 p.m.) and a strict teen passenger restriction, allowing either no teenage passengers, or no more than one. The restrictions appear to be working. Crashes involving teen drivers transporting other teens dropped 41 percent between 1996 — when graduated licensing laws limited the number of passengers started being adopted in states — and 2005, according to a June 2007 IIHS report. During the same period, fatal crashes involving 16-year-olds driving alone fell 24 percent, underscoring the benefits of delaying full licenses. And nighttime fatal crashes among 16-year-old drivers were down 48 percent from 1996-'05. Importantly, the gains were not offset by increased fatalities for drivers 17 and older. How does your state rate? The IIHS lists state graduated licensing laws and their ratings. A lot of parents say it's easier to have the backing of their state legislators when it comes to setting limits for their children. But do we really want to be relying on the government when it comes to the safety of such important people in our lives? Here are some facts to help convince you that what passes a state legislature isn't necessarily the perfect solution. In cases where your argument needs some bolstering, they also provide good support for limiting use of the family car. Getting a Full License at 16 Joan Goodman, a licensed clinical social worker in Maryland who specializes in adolescent mental health, reminds parents that teens do not all reach the appropriate level of maturity to handle a driver license at the same time. While teens may see a driver license as a right, Goodman recommends that parents consider whether teens are easily distracted, frustrated or provoked to anger before allowing them to get a license or even a learner's permit. "Parents, I don't think, understand that they have the ability to say, 'No, you're not ready to drive,'" says Goodman. Nighttime Driving Driving With Teen Passengers Get It in Writing For more details on the risks and reasons for the teen licensing laws, see Graduated Licensing: A Blueprint for North America from the IIHS and the Traffic Injury Research Foundation.
Copyright Edmunds.com, Inc. All rights reserved. First published on www.edmunds.com and reprinted with permission. Edmunds and the Edmunds.com car logo are proprietary trademarks of Edmunds.com, Inc. Read more Edmunds.com Automotive Safety Tips.
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