There are 20 articles in this category; they appear on 2 pages.

Smart financial tips for teens and parents
Are you a parent of a teenager? Does your teen expect you to dole out cash like an ATM? Does your child know the word budget? As many families take a hard look at their finances in light of the current economy, many are seizing the opportunity to instill money management skills and financial responsibility in their children.

What to Say to your Child When He Screams, "I Hate You"
In general, understand that you should respond to talk of hate, just like talk of suicide, very seriously. Parents need to treat "I hate you!" as seriously as they would "I could kill myself!" Both are desperation statements, expressions of extreme unhappiness that need to be talked out to reduce the likelihood of being acted out. Rather than attacking back to defend themselves, parents need to show empathetic concern.

Have a Child Graduating in 2009? Talk About the Future Today
Is 2009 the year you look forward to your son or daughter graduating from high school or college? You'll be so proud to see them make such an accomplishment. But what are their plans post-graduation? Even though graduation is still months away, now is a great time for parents to help their young adults plan for their careers and think about how they will manage their salary.

Help your teen stay safe during summer months
For teens, summer months bring high-school graduation parties with friends and extended curfews allowing for later nights. This time of year can also mean that teens have more free time and could face added pressure to drink alcohol. It's important for parents to exercise their positive parenting influence and help their teens make responsible decisions.

How to Help Your Child Talk To You
Parent-child communication today is a good news, bad news situation. The good news is that we are very well aware of the challenges our children and teens face. The bad news is that we don't necessarily know how to talk about these challenges. We often avoid or fall short of having useful discussions with our children about sensitive subjects and risk behavior such as drugs, alcohol, and sex. You can create an atmosphere of safe and open communication by following the tips in this article.

Connecting with Your Kids: Navigating the Terrific, Turbulent Tween Years
The biggest danger for tweens is losing the connection to parents while struggling to find their place and connect in their peer world. The biggest danger for parents is trying to parent through power instead of through relationship, thus eroding their bond and losing their influence on their teen. Fiercely maintain a strong bond with your child, even while you encourage age-appropriate freedom. This article will show you how.

Connecting with Your Kids: Strategies for Tough Conversations
Fewer than half of all sixth graders describe their family communication as positive and only 22% of high school seniors do. What would your kids say? The challenge for parents? Learn to listen. Be available without being pushy. And find ways to talk about the hard stuff, so your child feels comfortable sharing with you. If you can control your emotions and keep the situation safe, your child may be able to start sharing her deepest worries. That's when breakthroughs happen. Here are 10 strategies for tough conversations.

The Race Is On: Use This Summer to Get Your Middle Schooler Up To Speed
Is your daughter ready for the social aspects of middle school? Use this summer to prepare her — and yourself — for what's ahead. Parents can help prepare a girl for the transition to middle school by using the summer to talk through some issues.

Power to the Parents: Keep Teens Safe During Prom and Graduation
Prom and graduation are two memory-making milestones in a teen's life. And these days, it's not just the students who get excited about the planning and the celebrating. Many parents are involved in every step of the way, too — from picking out the right clothes to extending curfews for these special evenings. It's also a time when parents should ask themselves, "What can I do to make sure my teen stays safe and makes smart decisions?" Good questions, considering that for some teens, these events bring increased pressure to break the rules like drinking when under age.

Beyond Fine - Opening the Door to Conversation with Your Teen
Only three in ten adolescents communicate well with their parents, according to studies from Search Institute, an independent non-profit organization that provides leadership, knowledge and resources to promote healthy children and communities. Communication is an age-old dilemma between teens and parents but one that can be greatly improved with many rewards for the whole family. Search Institute has identified eight categories of positive experiences that anyone has the power to bring into the lives of children. They're called Developmental Assets -- concrete, common sense, experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people.