For those that haven’t heard, “vaping” is the new cigarette disguised in language and fueled by misunderstanding and strong appeal to the youth market. In the spring of 2018, 26% of our local high school seniors reported vaping in the last 30 days but less than 4% reported using traditional tobacco cigarettes. By […]
This quarter, in partnership with the Bloomington and Normal Public Libraries, we have been promoting The Strength Switch by Lea Waters, PhD. The “Strength Switch” is a technique utilized in strength-based living that involves switching our focus from the negative to the positive or from weaknesses to strengths. It sounds simple. But is it? And, […]
Parenting itself is an adventure. The moment you find out you’re pregnant a new course is set. The day they are placed in our arms, the first smile, the first word, the first tantrum and with each first, our children are guiding us. We think we are the ones in charge of the adventure […]
This past weekend, I ran into a very involved parent that I’ve seen through the years at one of the high schools. She was sharing with me that her youngest just graduated. She went on to say that he is a very good kid and makes good decisions but, even at 18, she will not […]
Our second quarter Parenting Teens and Tweens Discussion Group focused on insights from The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents by Frances E. Jensen, MD with Emily Nutt. The book, in friendly but scientific terms, lays out how the adolescent brain works and responds to the world differently from the brain […]
On May 11, 2019, my first born will graduate from college. She has already started her first job, making more money than me I might add, and is in the process of moving into her first apartment. To say I am overwhelmed with emotion might be an understatement. How do you best recognize these […]
What do we know about teens every day? They can be brilliant. Yet, they don’t make good decisions in the moment. They are funny but at times can get carried away. They crave independence. In fact, they need it. They are risk takers. This allows them to explore the world beyond their home but can […]
“How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish starts off with a quote that lays a foundation for understanding many of the communication problems parents have with their tweens and teens.. As parents, our need is to be needed; as teenagers, their need […]
We are heading into graduation season and you don’t need to have a grad to worry about safety. Where there is a party and teens are involved there is always enhanced risk. The good news is that you can make a difference. To help ensure your teens safety during graduation season and throughout the year […]
Boy, the laws have changed since I was a teenager. The problem is, lots of people don’t know about them. And, it is important as a parent you know and understand them to both protect yourself and your child. We could go into all of the brain science and data that supports why they […]