Topics discussed in this episode: Continue reading “Happy Families Podcast: My Daughter Has a Boyfriend”
Happy Families Podcast: My Daughter Has a Boyfriend
When Should Kids Start Dating?
By: Collett Smart
It would be naïve of parents to think their child won’t develop love interests at various times in their high school years. Indeed, belittling our teens for having feelings is the quickest way to ensure they never come to talk to us, about relationships, as they get older. Continue reading “When Should Kids Start Dating?”
Why a Teenager’s Brain is Like a Ferrari with Bicycle Brakes
Why do adolescents take risks – a lot? It’s almost like they feel they’re immortal. Adolescents are impulsive. They seek constant stimulation. They don’t weigh risks before they dive headlong into situations. Continue reading “Why a Teenager’s Brain is Like a Ferrari with Bicycle Brakes”
Social Media P Plates for Teens
By: Robert Garrett
In my blog on teens and social media I shared that we haven’t yet allowed our teenagers to have their own social media accounts. I drew the analogy that simply giving them access to social media when they turned 13 would be like giving them the keys to the family car and wishing them all the best.
Home Will Be the Hero: Creating a Safe Place for Our Tweens and Teens
By: Michelle Mitchell
The feeling of packing your bags up and heading home is always bittersweet, especially if it wasn’t in the original plan. Continue reading “Home Will Be the Hero: Creating a Safe Place for Our Tweens and Teens”
How to Get Your Teen to Take Isolation and Social Distancing Seriously
A few Saturday nights ago (only 36 hours before all restaurants and cafes were closed by the government) my 17-year-old daughter grabbed the car keys, called out “See ya Dad!” and ran down the front steps to head out with friends. Continue reading “How to Get Your Teen to Take Isolation and Social Distancing Seriously”
Boys Have Body Image Issues Too
By: Collett Smart
Part of my day job sees me lucky enough to spend time with teens. I have run media literacy seminars for students, in schools around the world, for a number of years now. Whenever I ask a group of tween or teen boys what they think the main area of body focus is, for boys, they yell out, ‘A six-pack!’ (I’ve even heard 9-year-old boys talking about and trying to compare their six-packs.) This line is the same, whether I am in Zimbabwe, New Zealand, the USA or Australia. Continue reading “Boys Have Body Image Issues Too”
Developing Relationship Intelligence in Teens
By: Collett Smart
One thing that continually strikes me about the young people I work with is that they really do want to become good men and women who have rich, meaningful relationships. They are just sometimes unsure how to go about it. They need our support and guidance. Continue reading “Developing Relationship Intelligence in Teens”
When Friendships Go Wrong For Girls
By: Collett Smart
When I worked as a school psychologist, for more than 10 years, some of the most common lunch time chats I had in my office were with one girl or a group of girls. Inevitably, because something had ‘gone wrong’ in their relationships. This resulted in some tears, sometimes heartache, often internal wrestling or questioning. Continue reading “When Friendships Go Wrong For Girls”
What to Do When Your Teen is Caught ‘Sexting’
Dear Dr Justin,
I have a teenage daughter who has been sending inappropriate photos to boys, and one has been shared around amongst her peer group. We’ve raised her to know that’s wrong, but she still doesn’t seem to get it. What should we do?
Continue reading “What to Do When Your Teen is Caught ‘Sexting’”