How Do I Prepare Teens to Leave the Nest? Back to School Tips for Teens Entering High School   John is going be at the high school this year.  There are so many different students.  John seems to be more out spoken than he used to be and has started to back talk frequently.  His parents are concerned that John is shutting down the lines of communication he once had with them.  They are afraid he may get in with the “wrong crowd” and make some bad decisions.  Do you have a child transitioning from middle school to high school?   If so, you will want to find ways to keep the lines of... (Read More ...)

How Do I Prepare My Teen to Leave the Nest? Back to School Tips for Teens Headed to College   Amy is headed off college for the first time this Fall.  She will be 3 hours away from home.  It will be the first time she is that far away from her parents.  Amy’s parents are concerned about their daughter.  Will she make the right decisions?  They have concerns about teenage drinking.  Will she give into peer pressure?  They hope the values that are important to them will remain with their daughter during her time at college. Do you have a child headed off to college for the first time?  ... (Read More ...)

Concerns About Teenage Drinking Parents, Take the “Prom Promise” Prom night and graduation parties are upon us. Many teens will take the “Prom Promise” to abstain from drug and alcohol use. Parents need to make a “Prom Promise” too, to be responsible parents that don’t intentionally or inadvertently encourage teen drinking. Many parents think teenage drinking is inevitable, but it’s not. If parents believe all teens will drink, they are underestimating teens’ abilities to make responsible decisions. They are also making an excuse for abandoning their parental... (Read More ...)