Author: Tracy Morgan
Electronic cigarettes are big business. Touted as a solution to kicking the smoking habit for good, they are everywhere these days. However, it is not only seasoned smokers who are interested in e-cigarettes: research shows that teens, especially those who have never smoked a conventional cigarette, are often just as inclined to use them. What is an E-Cigarette? At first glance, E-cigarettes look pretty similar to their traditional counterparts, and are manufactured by large tobacco companies. They are battery-powered, designed to be “smoked” in the same way as regular cigarettes, but producing a mist rather than smoke. Generally, they incorporate ...
My son was recently diagnosed with Asperger’s, which falls at the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum. It is a condition that often goes undiagnosed until the teenage years and when it happens, invariably leaves families feeling devastated, as well as floundering for answers, advice and help. Receiving the diagnosis The autistic spectrum is vast and those people that fall along it, and their symptoms, varies immensely. Some autism is severe and very difficult to miss, but for others, most notably those with Asperger’s, it is not always easy to identify. Children with more severe forms of autism are generally ...
Rejection hurts at any age but teens often feel it more keenly, especially when it concerns a coveted place on the team. Losing out and disappointment are part of life and hard lessons we all need to learn along our journey. As parents, it’s our role to guide our teens through the situation, bearing in mind that how we react is likely to have a long-lasting effect on them. Keep Emotions in Check In this kind of scenario, parents often experience strong emotions, including sadness, anger and disappointment, but it is important to keep a reign on any strong feelings ...
Feeling socially awkward is often debilitating regardless of your age, but for a shy teenager, it can be excruciating. There are often many reasons why a teen might regard social situations with apprehension, and a lot of that is due to feeling inadequate and experiencing negative thought patterns. Here we look at ways you can try to help your teen overcome their shyness, combat destructive thoughts, and become a little more confident. It’s All About Them Shy teens often envision the worst-case scenario, such as doing something that others will laugh at, or wanting to participate in something, only to ...
The chances are you’ve already heard about the “Charlie, Charlie challenge,” a craze sweeping through social media, with teens in their droves playing a spooky game which involves trying to contact a demon named Charlie. Silly fun, or potentially harmful? What Is It? People started to become aware of the game after several teens posted videos of them playing it, and it caught on like wildfire. Although there are many suggestions as to where the challenge originated, including the clever promotion for a new horror movie or an ancient Mexican tradition, it isn’t clear where the game came from; however, ...
When your cherubic, smiling little person seems to transform into a rampaging angry ball of hormones overnight, it can be hard to handle. While it is common for teens to direct their rage towards the people they feel safest with (that’s you), it is often very difficult for parents to deal with. Why Teens Get Angry With Parents Teenagers are dealing with hormones and rapid mood changes, and it is usually mom and dad who bear the brunt of teenage angst and anger. Instinctively, teens know that parents are invariably going to take whatever is thrown at them, which provides ...
Thinking of your teen’s Internet acquaintances in a positive light is often difficult. Naturally, we are generally more preoccupied with the things that could go wrong when your teen interacts with strangers online; so much so, that we rarely pause to consider how valuable these friendships can actually be. Is It Possible to Have Real Friendships Online? Absolutely! I have many long-term, wonderful friendships with people I came across online, some I’ve met in real life, with many others across the world from me. In some ways, friendships made over cyber space can be more profound: it is easier to ...
If you cast your mind back to when your kids were little, the need to encourage creative play or inventive thoughts was rarely necessary – to small children, thinking outside the box is as natural as breathing and brings with it imaginative and artistic activities. As teenage years approach, children often become self-conscious and wary about stepping outside of their comfort zone. However, all is not lost - it’s never too late to re-inspire them! 1. Lead By Example The best way to encourage your teen’s creativity is to lead by example. Perhaps you once had a passion for writing, ...
Happiness is often a word that is hard to define; it means something different to every individual person, as we all have distinctive and unique requirements. However, according to the latest World Happiness Report recently published by the United Nations in partnership with Columbia University, there are many common denominators that determine whether someone is happy or not. Gathering Data The nature of happiness, and the fact that it is an emotion not particularly easy to measure, might have some people wondering about the validity of trying to calculate how happy a country, and its inhabitants are. However, the people ...
As prom night approaches, so does worry and anxiety for most parents. The best way to eliminate (or at least reduce) some of the nerves is by discussing subjects that concern you way before prom night hits, rather than trying to cram in advice, warnings and tips at the very last minute. Pre-Arranged Check-In Although you don’t want to come across as the over-protective parent, it is important that you can get hold of your teen (and vice versa) if need be. Having a pre-arranged check-in time prevents teens from feeling like they are being snooped on, and allows you ...
