Communication and Conflict

Establishing a trusting, loving relationship between you and your child is the foundation of good communication and paves the way for problem solving. “You want to let kids know that they’re important and what they say is important by listening, by stopping what you’re doing and giving them your full…

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Destress Toolbox – How to Power Down and Relax

Digital Downtime Helps Kids and Parents Destress The constant vibrating and ringing of your smartphone may be stressing you out, according to research presented at this year’s British Psychological Society meeting in Chester, England. The study showed a relationship between people’s stress levels and the number of times they check…

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Living with Anorexia

When Jordan moved from the ski town of Telluride, Colo., to Phoenix, Ariz., she noticed everyone was decked out in skimpy shorts and tops, showing a lot of skin. “The actual climate change didn’t bother me as much as seeing all these skinny girls in tight tank tops and swimsuits,…

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Drugs Destroy High Schooler’s Life

Erinn Pushor remembers the beginning of 2007 as one of the most exciting times of her life. She began dating Danny Pasenella, a boy she had befriended and had a crush on since eighth grade. Their relationship began their sophomore year in high school. “He was the most charismatic, wonderful…

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The Truth about Suicide

Each day an average of 12 young people commit suicide in the United States, leaving behind devastated family and friends. Most youth show clear signs of their intention to attempt suicide, but too often those signs go unnoticed, or loved ones don’t know how to respond. “It’s easy to miss…

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The Underreported Dangers of Marijuana

Michael Parker* asked his doctor to prescribe medical marijuana for his back pain. At first, he smoked only a couple times a week and sold the extra to friends. With each passing month, his drug use escalated and soon he was smoking several times a day. The 19-year-old eventually dropped…

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Underage Drinking Ups Risk for Addiction, Sex and Drugs

It’s everywhere – at family birthdays and holiday parties, at sporting events, and at dinner tables across the country. Society’s message is clear – alcohol is safe, affordable and socially acceptable. Given its widespread use, it’s not surprising that alcohol is the most popular drug among middle school and high…

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Blended Family – Working through Divorce

With the U.S. divorce rate hovering at 50 percent, it’s not surprising that the blended family is the most prevalent type in America. A blended family refers to a husband and wife bringing their own biological children into a new marriage (remember the Brady Bunch?) or a single person marrying…

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The Divorce Dilemma

Each year more than one million children experience the emotional trauma of divorce. Half of all marriages in the U.S. end in divorce, often leaving kids feeling dejected, angry or fearful of their future. “We know from research that divorce is so enormously stressful. It’s second only to death of…

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7 Tips for Summer Family Fun

Summer break is finally here…Warm, gentle breezes and long sunny days… Sleeping in late, splashing around in the pool, barbecuing, and taking long, leisurely bike rides…With summertime comes a slower pace, giving kids and parents a much needed break from the pressures of after-school activities, sports and piles of homework…

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Year-Round Youth Sports Trigger Overuse Injuries

Sports help kids build confidence, get fit and maintain a healthy weight, but some parents and coaches may be pushing competitive sports too far. About half of all children’s sports-related injuries involve overuse, says Dr. Joel Brenner, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Sports Medicine and…

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Parent? Or Bartender?

Ever think about giving your child a sip of your wine or having a beer together during the football game? Think again. Those who start drinking before the age of 15 are five times more likely to become addicted or abuse alcohol later in life than those who start drinking…

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Parents Leading by Example

You’re sprawled out on the couch, one hand on the TV remote channel surfing and the other hand digging into a half-empty bag of potato chips in between swigs of cola. You tell your teenage daughter to get off Facebook and go exercise like her athletic older brother. She continues…

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Put Family Relationships First

Remember when your children were babies and you snuggled with them for hours at a time, gazing into their twinkling eyes and kissing their chubby cheeks, as you fed, comforted and played with them. Fast forward to the school years: You wake up your bleary-eyed kids, make lunches, rush them…

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Sex Talk

Talking about sex can make even the most self-assured parent feel embarrassed and tongue-tied, but starting the conversation early on can make it a natural ongoing dialogue, instead of a dreaded one-time lecture. Eighty percent of teens say having more open, honest talks with their parents would make it much…

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Self-Injury Versus Suicide: Do You Know the Difference?

At first glance, it may be difficult to distinguish between self-injury and attempted suicide. In both cases, a person may cut, burn or mutilate himself, causing severe physical pain and injury. However, a closer look reveals major differences in intentions. Someone who engages in self-injury is looking for a psychological…

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6 Factors that Help Learning Disabled Succeed

Having a learning disability can make life difficult, but why do some kids manage to move beyond their disability and have satisfying, productive lives, while others struggle into adulthood? Determined to find the answer, researchers at the Frostig Center in Pasadena, Calif., conducted 10- and 20-year longitudinal studies to track…

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Teen Spending and the High Price of Fitting In

Kids are subjected to as many as 5,000 advertisements a day, according to Nathan Dungan, financial educator and founder of Share Save Spend. “Companies play on kids’ insecurities and their need to belong,” he says. Kids have become walking billboards with sports and designer logos emblazoned across their shirts, hats and backpacks. Glitzy, sensual ads send…

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