Teens

Here are some questions to ask your child and some tips to handle this parenting season as you notice the changes happening right before your eyes.

Now that my boys are older, I find myself asking "OMG, what happened?" on a daily basis. There's the overly packed calendar, homework I struggle to help with, the two sets of feet that are now bigger than mine, the amount of food (and subsequent grocery bill) that they eat.

Later that night, my oldest daughter told me, “Sometimes all we want you to do is ask us our opinion on things like celebrating Valentine’s Day."

It’s important for parents to teach their teens about the dangers of distracted driving, but it’s clear that a simple talk may not cut it. The distracted driving epidemic is a problem that will require some out-of-the-box thinking to solve.

Meal times at home, bedtime routines, conversations in the car. Any time you can give your middle schooler some space to talk, connect, and just relax -- do it.

Here are some of the top favorites in our house when we need to divert from devices. These are great for both your young adult and adults in the family. 

Let's remember the immense pressure they are under. Let's be their biggest cheerleaders. Let's see their passion and enthusiasm and global awareness and heart for social justice. Let's hold them to a high standard and tell them in every way that we believe in them.