African-American Relationships>   You have a new teen driver who is excited to use the family car to drive to practice. A couple friends on the team want to be picked up. You’ve heard about teenage driving statistics. You’ve seen coverage of teenage driving accidents on the news. You’re concerned about teenage peer pressure while driving. Would a Teen Driving Contract Agreement help your child avoid becoming one of those teenage driving statistics?  For most teens, driving is a symbol of their independence and a rite of passage to adulthood. But driving is not a right; it is a privilege... (Read More ...)

African-American Relationships> Do you remember your first teenage driving lessons? They often consist mostly of parents screaming: “Watch Out!” “Slow Down!” “You’re scaring me!” You probably felt discouraged and your parents probably felt scared and frustrated. Would you like to make your child’s first teenage driving lessons more positive? Teaching your child to become a responsible teen driver has its challenges.  There are great safety risks when you give control of a vehicle over to a learning teen driver.  You need to realize that learning how to drive is not a right,... (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 ...)