Between the ages of 13 and 15, I read books, took walks to the park, and watched a fair amount of TV. Sometimes I talked to my friends on the phone, but it was only long enough to make plans to meet at the corner or in our usual place in the park or library. My recollections of being a teenager makes it hard to relate to my kids. Let’s start with cell phones. The problem is not with my kids using the phones too much. I actually lucked out on that one. My kids use just a few minutes … Continue reading →

Teens are…. well, teenagers. One minute they can be on top of the world, impressing you and making you proud. The next minute they are rebelling, and shaming themselves and even you. They mess up. Sometimes they mess up big. We have to remember however, that we all mess up, and they are just a reflection of us. As their parents, it is our job to get them through their issues without minimal long-term damage. In dealing the dirtier, grittier, messier parts of raising teens, we have to remember to not take their mis-steps personal. When we internalize their mistakes, … Continue reading →