I remember the day I felt grown up for the first time.  I was 8 years old, spending the summer at a beach house.  Older friends had decided to walk to the local ice cream store – one that I had never been to without my parents.  I knew I wouldn’t be able to join [...]

“Mom, I NEED to talk to you.  I’m having friend problems.” Oh-oh.  Here we go.  Entering into familiar tween territory.  My youngest daughter entered third grade this year with such a definitive shift in awareness, attitude, and emotion, that I’m considering nominating her for tween poster child.  It’s as if my daughter’s eyes have been [...]

 Following is a guest post by Vanessa Van Petten, creator of RadicalParenting.com a parenting website written from the teen perspective to help parents understand them. She is also the author of the parenting book, “Do I Get My Allowance Before or After I’m Grounded?” (http://www.radicalparenting.com/books-and-products/book-youre-grounded/)   When I was 16 I thought it was my [...]

A kind word can change a life. Even when it seems as if children aren’t listening, they do value your expertise and rely on your support. One of the many priveleges I enjoy as a mother and an educator is the opportunity to impart wisdom to young people.  I’ve had a new opportunity to do [...]

Be honest, did you read the title of this article and feel drawn to hear the dish?  Was there even a hint of interest in something that might surprise you, wow you, or horrify you?  If the answer is yes, you’re not alone.  People are drawn to gossip like mosquitoes to a lamp.  Similar to entranced insects, we should [...]