Teenagers really like their phones and social media. Maybe you've noticed. 😉 Whether it is Instagram, Facebook, or the new "social media app" du jour, teenagers are looking at screens of some type for more than 7 hours daily. That means that for the majority of the time that they are awake, they are peering … Continue reading Do Students Need to Detach from Social Media?

Getting your teenagers talking can be quite a challenge. You’ve probably had a conversation that went something like this: Parent: Did you have a good day? Teen: Yeah. Parent: What did you do? Teen: Nothing. Parent: Did anything exciting happen? Teen: No. Parent: Any plans for the weekend? Teen: Not really. Some of the challenge … Continue reading Discussion Questions to Get Your Family Talking

A month ago at our Empowerment retreat, the youth were asked to go without their smartphones for the entire retreat.  At the end of the period, we saw the biggest difference in our girls.  They admitted that they were relieved to have been without the pressure of their phones and having to check them all the … Continue reading Life Without a Smartphone

On Monday nights when our girls were growing up, Cathy and I would take them to the Golden Spoon for frozen yogurt after dinner. The weekly yogurt run was part of our family identity --- part of what made us who we were. Even the neighbors knew our routine and sometimes shouted to-go orders as … Continue reading Celebrate Your Family Identity

  Let's face it.  It's hard to be a parent now more than ever because of smartphones and social media.  How do you keep up?  One way is to stay in touch with other parents going through the same thing.  If you are interested in meeting once o twice a month please let me know.   … Continue reading Parent Discussion Group

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJyHmoSeHog Kids may "sext" to show off or prove their love. How to discuss the consequences. By Caroline Knorr Sexting among teens is, unfortunately, pretty common. Many parents are shocked to hear how casually teens discuss how prevalent it is. And, while experts differ on statistics, a 2009 study conducted by Pew Internet & American Life Project confirms sexting … Continue reading Talking About “Sexting”