With the introduction of vaping and the almost viral popularity it has seen amongst teenagers and young adults, increasing numbers of parents see vaping arrive in their own homes. At first glance, vaping may not seem to be as risky as smoking. However, e-cigarettes bring with them a host of health and safety concerns to […]

The teen years are difficult for everyone, but some teenagers struggle more than others. As teens move through adolescence and transition from childhood to adulthood, they can struggle to understand their place in the world. Things like self-esteem, self-regulation, and communication can be complicated for a lot of troubled teens. As they receive new responsibilities, […]

We know that the teenage years can come with plenty of mood swings, but as parents, is there anything that we can do to help our teens level out? The short answer: sort of. Yes, there are things that you can do as a parent to help your troubled teen make it through their mood […]

We know that the teenage years can come with plenty of mood swings, but as parents, is there anything that we can do to help our teens level out? The short answer: sort of. Yes, there are things that you can do as a parent to help your troubled teen make it through their mood […]

It’s disheartening when your troubled teen starts to pull away from you and spend more time alone. To you, they’re the same kid that they’ve always been. For them, though, adolescence is a weird time. They’re thrust into it whether they like it or not, and they need to deal with their new hormones and […]

Setting an agreed-upon curfew for your teenager is an effective way to help them learn how to respect boundaries and rules. In doing so, you’re enabling your teen to make responsible decisions that will lead them to be more aware of their surroundings and make better choices. But there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it […]

Life as a teenager is much different today than it was even a decade or two ago. For many parents today, we remember when the internet first became accessible and when we got our first cell phone. Chances are, that first cell phone was laughably basic by today’s standards. It could be used for phone […]

We’ve all been there. You tell your kids to clean up after themselves. You give them plenty of polite reminders. Then the reminders become a little more firm. Then comes the threat of consequences if they don’t clean up after themselves. The frustration builds. Then it all becomes too much, and you lose it. You […]

As a parent, it can be tough to watch our children start to grow up and change from kids to teenagers. The little kid who always wanted to be around us, even when we just wanted some alone time, starts to withdraw and wants more time alone too. Rather than spending most of their time […]

The Gottman Institute, a leading institution on family and couples’ therapy, defines shared meaning as “Enriching your relationship by creating an inner life together–a culture rich with symbols and rituals.” When you establish a routine for your family, you’re helping create shared meaning and are building your relationship with your troubled teen. Using the latest […]