Finding ways to connect with your teen or tween isn’t always easy. This age can be tough. Their friends are beginning to take center stage, while mom and dad fade into the background. It can be a difficult transition for everyone involved. But take heart. While we may no longer be the ... read more
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In this post: We need to help our boys display more than just three simple emotions so they can feel more connected to others. Here are 11 traits I'm instilling in my sons to help my boys manage their emotions. As a mother of four sons, I’ve heard this a million times: “Boys are not as ... read more
This is What I Share with My Teenagers About My Wild High School Years
I was 14 when I first snuck into my parent’s liquor cabinet and poured some sort of brown alcohol into a hastily washed Aquanet bottle. I took it with me to a Friday night football game where my friends and I poured it into a Coke and shared it. Later, I pounded a few beers with some football ... read more
You Will Feel Joy and Heartbreak When You Leave Your Teen at College
A few years ago, I left my heart at a college in Texas, halfway across the country, because that was the best plan for my child. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in the realm of parenting. I couldn't wrap my head around the feeling of leaving him behind and the changing paradigm of my ... read more
3 Unexpected Things I Learned After My Daughter’s Freshman Year at College
It’s hard to believe the iconic blue Ikea bags are once again back in our hallway, but this time waiting to be unpacked. My daughter's freshman year at college flew by at lightning speed, and nine months ago I would have told you each day away from her was going to feel like a lifetime. But ... read more
Dear Tweens and Teens: You Don’t Have to Compete to Love Something
I want to teach my tween that it's okay to have a hobby just to have a hobby. They don't need to win a trophy. They don't need to be the best. They don't even need to be any good at it. It's OK to do a hobby simply because you love it. Tweens and teens face many external factors that cause ... read more
