Growing Up Well

Understanding 10-14 Year Olds

Here is a remarkably well-done guide to early adolescence by none other than the U.S. Dept. of Education.  Look beyond the government title and the fact that it is an initiative of the “No Child Left Behind” program.  This is a terrific document, one I wish I had written.  Nancy Paulu gets the credit for writing a masterful booklet.  If you are totally confused by preteens and young teens, then this is the one booklet I would recommend.

http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/adolescence/index.html

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The Center for Parent / Youth Understanding

http://www.cpyu.org/Default.aspx

40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents

http://www.search-institute.org/content/40-developmental-assets-adolescents-ages-12-18

Media Choices Are Not Easy.

These sites can help you make your own more-informed decisions…

http://www.pluggedinonline.com/

http://www.dove.org/default.asp

http://www.mrqe.com/

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

http://www.ransomfellowship.org/movies_alpha.asp

Be Careful with the Internet

Here are two good articles about internet use in a home with children…

http://family.go.com/newsletters/dreamteam/takebacktheinternet/

http://family.go.com/parenting/article-264622-the-internet-survival-guide-for-parents-t/

Social Networking and Teens

Teens and Social Networking – a national study (click here)

PBS Frontline: Growing Up Online

Here are some cool digital tools to deal with cyber-bullies and obnoxious FB friends:

http://connectwithyourteens.blogspot.com/2009/09/thats-not-cool-website-deal-with.html

Guidelines for Kids and their Social Networks (FaceBook, etc.)

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tips-protecting-personal-privacy-online

http://www.birdsallsocialmedia.com/2009/04/05/facebook-for-parents/

http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=397

The Power of Eating Together

The family dinner is a tradition which needs resurrection and protection

http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/158/8/792

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/chewing-over-the-benefits-of-family-meals/article1285286/

Activities:  Ways to Connect

Simple, Powerful Stuff To Do With Kids

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/preteen.html?tracking=P_RelatedArticle#

Good Parenting Articles

http://www.parade.com/celebrity/2009/09/jeff-foxworthy.html

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0%2C1703%2CA%25253D166463%252526M%25253D200851%2C00.html

Teaching Boys to Be Men

http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2004/edition_08-29-2004/featured_0

Encouraging Kids to Pursue Their Dreams

This site is all about helping kids identify their gifts, talents, and interests (they call it a spark).  They will help kids “play to their strengths” better.

http://www.ignitesparks.com/sparks_list.html

Raising Kids Who Care About Others

This site is not the end-all-be-all, but it’s a good place to start.

http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/raising-kids-who-care/article104653.html

http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=280

Discuss Paying it Forward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward

10 Worst Things to Say to Children

http://www.essortment.com/family/parentingtipst_sagr.htm

Warning Signs of Drug Use

http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=147

For Youth Leaders

Great website with tons of free resources:

http://www.thesource4ym.com/

Hundreds of articles about youth ministry:

http://www.youthspecialties.com/freeresources/articles/

Protect Your Marriage

Kids who grow up in a home with happily-married parents enjoy many lasting benefits.  Here are some tips to help deepen and protect a marriage.     http://www.allprodad.com/playbook/viewarticle.php?art=395

Teaching Kids to Handle Money Well

http://themoatblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/table-talk-kids-money-part-1.html