Age 17

College solicitations: Real mail or junk mail?

Jen Klein — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:00 -0700

In the increasingly competitive college application process, not only are our kids competing for spaces in the college or university of their choice, colleges and universities are competing for them, as well. When a child does well on a standardized test, such as the PSAT or SAT, colleges take note. And then they start the hard sell.

Teaching children to embrace their differences

Ami Burns — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 09:05:00 -0700

Everyone feels different at some point in her life. Rather than focusing on differences in a negative way, parents can teach their children to embrace their differences. This can be easier said than done -- so here are some expert teaching tips.

Family bonding: Trying something new, together

Jen Klein — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 08:19:00 -0700

Last weekend, we took the kids to a climbing gym about an hour away. We'd seen the ads for the place and wanted to try it for at least a couple of years. I am so glad we finally made the time to do it. It was a great day of family bonding.

Boost your teen girl’s self confidence

Kori Ellis — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:30:00 -0700

Help boost your teenager daughter's self confidence by nurturing her talents, being a good role model, and helping her build a positive self image. By improving her self esteem, your teen girl can be happier, healthier and more successful.

The Nutmeg high: A new drug trend?

Meagan Morris — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 05:41:00 -0700

YouTube is now home to several videos of teens smoking nutmeg in order to get a "nutmeg high." What is up with this and what can you do to keep your kids from trying it?

4 Ways to get kids to school on time

Julie Ruditzky Loffredi — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 06:19:00 -0700

For most families, the most hectic time of day is when the alarm clock goes off. Getting the kids out of bed, dressed, fed and ready for school can be a daily battle. Here are a few tips to help make mornings easier on everybody.

Help your child discover her talents

Ami Burns — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:41:00 -0700

Is your child a talented, budding artist, athlete or academic? No matter where your child’s talent lies, you can help him discover and nurture it.

Stop online bullies from harassing your child

Abbi Perets — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:35:00 -0700

That cell phone you just got for your teen could be a deadly weapon. And, no, we're not talking about texting while driving. There's another, more insidious danger that lurks in these devices, as well as in your home computer and any other connected device your kids use to keep in touch with friends. Is your teen at risk?

How to explain to your kids why parents fight

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:35:00 -0700

When kids witness their parents butting heads or engaging in a yelling match, they may be confused, scared or even worried that the family is headed for divorce. From explaining the difference between having a disagreement and an argument, to letting them know that it doesn't mean you don't love each other, here's how to explain to your kids why parents fight.

OMG mom! Kids and slang

Jen Klein — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 06:45:00 -0700

Every generation has it's own slang. Every generation develops its own ways of communicating certain issues within the group. What was "groovy" or "awesome" in previous generations is now OMG! and LOL! and will be something else entirely in coming generations. Whether you cringe or giggle when you hear your kids use these words, it's a part of the passing of the torch, generationally speaking. You have little control over the terminology.

Is 3-D okay for your kids?

Sarah W. Caron — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 05:59:00 -0700

Advances in technology are bringing 3-D into movie theaters, the home and even your kid's hand-held video game. But the technology is flawed. Experts say that one in four viewers experience motion sickness or other ill effects. And Nintendo has even said that their new 3-D hand-held video game system isn't okay for kids under age six. That said, is 3-D okay for anyone?

Is your child over-scheduled?

Tiernan McKay — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:30:00 -0700

As a parent, it seems there are a million opportunities to sign your child up for some sort of activity. Whether it's sports, clubs, enrichment courses or lifestyle classes , there's never a shortage of extra-curriculars. While these activities help our kids become well-rounded, they can also create unmanageable schedules. What's the right balance between enriching your child and over-stressing him? Read on for more tips to determine the best way to keep your child interested but not over-scheduled.

Introducing your kids to what it takes to run a household

Jen Klein — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 08:37:00 -0700

What does the term “running a household” mean to you? Is it cleaning? Is it budgeting and bill-paying? Is it cooking? Is it scheduling? Is it home maintenance tasks? Is it personnel management and conflict resolution? Is it daily planning? Is it all that? Is it more? Yes, yes and yes. For all the tasks moms do in the course of a day, MBA programs could learn a thing or two about management. And your kids need to learn it, too, on their paths to independence.

5 Ways to help your teen resist negative peer pressure

Jen Klein — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:45:00 -0700

The teen years are no picnic -- for your child or for you as a parent. There are hormones, school pressure and mood swings -- and perhaps the largest looming of them all: Peer pressure. Will your angelic daughter succumb to the influence of her peers and start making less than stellar choices? Will your sweet mama’s boy turn into a being you don’t recognize, either inside or out, because of the influence of his friends? While there is no guarantee it won’t happen that way, you can take some steps to try to head it off.

12 must-do rules for back to school

Jodie Lynn — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:05:00 -0700

Some parents wait to the last minute to get everything in order for the new school year, but it doesn't have to be that way! Here are a few tips to quash back-to-school stress -- before it gets the best of you.

Schedule now, don't overschedule later

Jen Klein — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:18:00 -0700

One of the reasons summer time is so loved and dreamt about is the extended period of downtime. There’s less schedule, less demands, less exhaustion. It’s as much recovering from the very busy school year as it is enjoying the sunshine. As the summer winds down this year, however, think about ways you can prevent that over scheduling that causes all that exhaustion and such deep need for summer recovery. As the school year nears, consider the schedule carefully -- and don’t overschedule.

How much independence should a teenager have?

Jen Klein — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:38:00 -0700

It’s a challenging time for everyone. As much as you know your job as a mom is teach your children to leave you, it feels too close, too soon. That time of leaving is approaching rapidly, and as much as your heart might want to pull back, you know you need to promote independence in your teen. You need to allow your teen more and more autonomy and responsibility -- with you as a safety net -- before it’s time to let go completely. It’s scary for both of you.

Tips for adjusting kids routine for school

Jen Klein — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:30:00 -0700

You've got the school supplies, you've been carefully talking up the start of school and acknowledging the mixed emotions that come with transitions, so you're all set for school, right? Close...but not quite. There are a few more things you need to do to be ready for the start of school. To make the transition really smooth, you probably need to adjust some things in your daily schedule, too.

8 Tech gadgets for kids

Michelle Maffei — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:06:00 -0700

Parenting in the 21st century means keeping up with technology -- especially when it comes to the gadgets your kids are using. From the coolest gadgets like the iPad to smart cell phones that give your youngster access to the world, discover the tech gadgets for kids that your adolescent may using.

Keeping school skills sharp during the summer

Jen Klein — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:16:00 -0700

As the school year winds down, the freedom of lazy summer days beckon. Weeks - perhaps months - on end to laze and play and generally take a break from the acadamic pressure of the school year. But a total break isn't always appropriate for every child. For some kids, summer break can really mean a loss of progress on essential skills. While many groan and moan at the prospect of "summer school" in whatever form in might take, keeping up or catching up during summer break can be essential to overall academic success.

Does my child need therapy?

Abbi Perets — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:52:00 -0700

A bout of low self-esteem, a new habit of throwing tantrums... at age 10. A behavior you could ignore once or twice but are suddenly confronting daily. Slipping grades. Friends are fewer and your child is not herself. Is it just a phase? Or is it time to take the plunge and get your child some therapy?