The trends are not looking good for the mental and emotional health of young people, across all demographics. For instance, … More
Tag: Teens
Raising Countercultural Kids in the United States of Addiction (Part 2)
Raising Countercultural Kids in the United States of Addiction (Part 2) In the previous post, we looked at how young … More
Raising Countercultural Kids in the United States of Addiction (Part 1)
In the late 1990s, author J.K. Rowling invented the term “muggle” as a derogative term for the normal people of … More
Taking Control of Your Digital Life
Part 3 in the series on becoming “tech-wise” The first two posts in this series laid down a philosophical framework … More
Becoming Tech-Wise: Philosophy of Use
Becoming Tech-Wise: Philosophy of Use (Part 2 in series) Technology continues to improve, but is our use of technology improving? … More
Why Technology Worries Us So Much
Since 2010, human behavior has changed. In these last 7 years, we have experienced the complete integration of smartphones, the … More
The Social Combat of Being 13
A New World Order for Young Teens 7th and 8th grade is when the social life of a child amps … More
Your Family. Your Culture.
The most common theme among parents of young teens lately is that they want to live differently than the culture. … More
Parenting is Regulating
Every parent should regulate their children’s behavior until they are ready to regulate their own. It will likely be a … More
Advice for Middle School Kids
Recently, I asked my Facebook friends to give me advice for my 7th graders. Here’s what my friends have learned … More
The Distance Run
I coach middle school cross country, which is not a glamorous job, but it is uniquely rewarding. For young distance … More
Tips for Motivating Young Teens
It takes more than a poster to motivate kids. Ask any schoolteacher. Early in their careers, young teachers will spend … More
Perpetual Parenting
It’s likely that you are being a great parent even when you aren’t thinking about it. You may be doing … More
Kids in Cars Talking Life
The car is where the best stories have a chance to run and really stretch out their legs freely. It’s … More
Why Young Kids Should Learn to Use Dangerous Things
A friend recently posted on Facebook a picture of her three young children helping their dad build a deck. The … More
Connect + Guide + Enjoy = Good Parenting
You are never done parenting. There is never enough time, energy, money, or wisdom to do it all right. Parenting … More
Take Your Kids Outdoors
Kids spend well over 40 HOURS per week in front of electronic screens, but less than 40 MINUTES per week … More
Play Well This Summer!
Summer School. Summer Job. Summer Reading. Yes, parents need to keep kids mentally active and productive in the summer. Growing … More
Five Ways to Manage Your Social Media
Social media, like just about everything, can be a blessing or a curse. It’s usually both. It’s a #lovehaterelationship, right? … More
Fun = Connection
Have Fun with Your Child ASAP Good parenting has an order of operations. Insides come first. A child should feel … More
The Connected Family
2014 is the first year in American history in which everybody has a mobile device. We are at the saturation … More
Connect With Your Young Teen
First Connect, Then Guide The best parents are the ones who are deeply connected with their children and offer support … More
Helping Your Teen Deal with a Sports Injury
So, your teenager is injured and is out for the rest of the season. Of course, his or her initial … More
Parenting Digital Kids
Life Beyond the Screens If you ask most teens what item is their most prized, important possession, they will say … More
Growing Up Too Fast
Our culture tends to throw kids in the deep-end of the pool without teaching them how to swim. Kids are … More
Parenting With and Without Fear
Fear is universal. Columnist Dave Barry writes, “All of us are born with a set of instinctive fears — of … More
Building a Better Brain
Snooze time It is essential that children get the proper amount of rest. Follow the recommendations of your pediatrician – … More
I Believe in Encouragement
By Lauren Baum, in her senior English class at Westminster Christian Academy, St. Louis (Class of 2011). Without any hesitation, … More
The Power of No (Part 3)
Young teenagers often “cross the line.” It’s inevitable, so it should not surprise us. Yet, we should not just acquiesce … More
The Power of No (Part 2)
Sometimes a bad example is as motivating as a good one. I had just such an experience last Saturday: Guitar … More
Growing Up Well 