What do parents say is the greatest challenge of raising a teen? Letting go.



Do you agree?

Now is the time for teens to make attempts at independence and for parents to practice letting go. Rather than doing things for teens, let them formulate strategies and problem-solve and develop essential life skills like:

- Make doctor/dentist appointments
- Get enough sleep- without parental prodding
- Understand the bus/train/airport system and make travel reservations
- Advocate for themselves
- Manage a budget
- Manage emotional upheavals

What would you add?

 

They'll always need you.

(It's a commercial, but definitely a tear jerker!)

 

New school year, new goals! It's a good time to start fresh and be proactive. Get this school year started on the right foot by establishing trust and clear expectations from the beginning.

Use texting to keep your teen safe and communicating with you! Here is a great conversation to have as the school year starts (along with social activities starting).


Parent & Teen Develop A Text Escape Plan:

 
Click here to learn about creating your own text escape plan.

We're getting real here. Some of the content in this section might be hard to see, but we believe in being proactive and "in the know" about what's going on in the teen world. No need to fear or freak out! Try approaching your teens with warmth and understanding, and they may open up the conversation about the pressures they face day-to-day.
Source: bark.us




Snapchat recently released a new feature that displays the exact location of the Snapchat user to everyone on their Snapchat friend list. Sounds a bit creepy? While Snap Map was designed with the intention of promoting impromptu meet-ups by seeing which friends are in the area, it's turning out to have some negative effects. Teens are getting upset about being "left out" when they see their friends gathered together on the map without them. It could also pose some potential safety concerns. Have the conversation with your teen and decide what is the safest and best option for them. Click here to learn how to change location settings on Snapchat.

- What was the best thing that happened today?
- Did you help anyone today?
- Who did you sit with at lunch?
- What was your least favorite part of the day?
- Tell me something you know today that you didn't know yesterday.
- What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
- Teach me something I don't know.
- Is there anything on your mind that you'd like to talk about?

Click here for more! (Article provides convo starters for all ages)


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