Teens have a lot on their minds as they head back to school. Will they have friends? Will they be successful in their academics? Are they safe in their school? Parents are no exception. How do I stay connected with my teen? How much time is enough time to give them? How can I help them achieve their goals? Will they be safe? There is nothing like parenting a teen – the emotional stress, their friends, the activities – and it seems impossible to keep up with it all, especially

With our hearts breaking as we watch the unbearable news about another teen shooting in a school close to home, we ask the same question. Why? What is happening that another teen deliberately makes a plan, posts it on social media, and methodically kills anyone in his destructive path? Why didn’t parents step in sooner and try to intervene to prevent this tragedy? Can we prevent it? Or do we have to become accustomed to school being a dangerous place? Mental health experts, a

Prom is right around the corner, and when I see photos and video clips of the dresses worn this year, a sympathetic grimace creeps over my face. I remember all too well the dilemma of finding the perfect prom dress. People spend over four billion dollars on prom each year, and advertisers and department stores are not about to lose out on that opportunity. The dresses are incredibly revealing this year and that has nothing to do with fashion. What’s hot in Italy right now is

It’s spring break and you’re stuck at home with your kids. It’s not exactly the situation you may have anticipated for your family, but with work, activities, and family responsibilities, you simply can’t leave town. However, a week at home with your kids can be the greatest parenting opportunity. Seize the week by spending time together and really talking to your kids. During a typical week, you probably see your child in the morning and evening; both times are rushed and fu

There are certain things teenagers really need to hear from their parents. You cannot say these things when they would be most apropos. However, you can say them at night when the child is relaxed and going to sleep. They offer less resistance at night just before bedtime. They will remember what you said, and they will reflect on it when you least expect it. Having a teenager is one of the most challenging times in a parent's marriage - as well as their life. It is scary, fr

Teen yeas are a difficult passage for parents and teens. Teenagers are fighting for independence, dealing with peer pressure, and learning responsibility for homework assignments, relationships, and career plans. For parents, there’s additional worry and concern for their child’s safety. A recently released movie (Before I Fall) addresses the teen years through a teens’ poignant narration and exposed choices. The main character, Sam, experiences a continuous cycle of reliving

From the age of twelve to at least eighteen, a girl is under constant scrutiny about her body, looks, and sex appeal. We have advanced technologically, but girls still go through the same judgment and peer pressure that their mothers did. Recent evidence suggests that depression increases in teens that are frequently engaged with Facebook. It can create also anxiety with a constant discussion of, “Am I pretty enough? Am I prettier than her? Am I more popular?” It is not appro