Feel like you are target practice for your teen’s insults?

Teen: “Do we have to stop at Aunt Carol’s on the way home? My friends are waiting for me.” Parent: “It will just take a moment. She loves seeing you and it will save me a trip.” Teen: “Whatever but she is your sister not mine. I am not getting out of the car.” Ouch! […]

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Enjoy the real “Happy Hour” with your family!

Family meals matter for teens’ safety, social skills, and health. Don’t let not knowing what to cook keep you from sharing a family meal with your teen. Be an eParent®! Spend time together as a family, start a family Pinterest board of recipes and use one to make a meal together and spend time with your […]

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Don’t “unfriend” me. I’m your Mother!

Getting to know your teen’s friends will help you gain insights on how your teen handles different aspects of his or her life. Be an eParent®! An easy way to get to know your tween better is to “friend” her and her friends on Facebook. Three-fourths of American teens are on Facebook and even though […]

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When No Means No

Even though your tween may be more involved in shaping some family rules, there are still non-negotiable issues, like safety or screen time, which you will need to enforce. Identify your non-negotiable issues and then maintain these rules in the family. Be an eParent®!  Remind your child about the rules that are firm and can’t […]

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Is it teenaged angst, moodiness, hormones, or something else?

Just about all kids in America are immersed in media-related activities. Television, social media, video games, movies, radio, music, the Internet, books, magazines, and newspapers can all be accessed through their handheld devices. Excessive access to these resources or an inability to self-monitor can prove harmful to some teens. Take care to watch for warning […]

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Grumpy child? Might be sleep deprived.

  Extracurricular commitments, homework, and friends can quickly subtract from tweens time to sleep. This can be especially difficult for middle school students who need 9-10+ hours of sleep. Be an eParent®! Help your child get a good night’s sleep by minimizing screen use two hours before bed. The bright light, especially from tablets that […]

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What? You’re not watching Sesame Street anymore?

As your 9- to 14-year old matures and grows so do her interests and abilities. Although it may seem like only yesterday (and it may have been) that your tween was watching younger shows, she may suddenly be ready for new responsibilities and privileges. Be an eParent®! As your tween matures, work out new responsibilities and […]

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Balancing act: -n 1.a circus act in which a performer displays his or her balancing ability 2. a situation requiring careful balancing of opposing groups, views, or activities

Your relationship with your tween can be a balancing act. Your tween’s behavior can trigger many emotions in you. By managing your own impulses, you can avoid giving your tween all the control. Know when to step in or get out of the way! Fighting over little things can lead to constant bickering and negative […]

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Do you feel like 007 or is it more like Mission Impossible?

Monitoring your tween’s activity is important for his or her well-being (and your peace of mind). As tweens becomes more independent, ask where they are going, what they will be doing and who they will be with when they leave the house. Help your tween understand that these questions aren’t intended to be an invasion […]

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