We have found some tips on parenting teenagers that are very helpful. Signs of  teen depression can at times seem almost as normal teen behavior. Here is a great article that may be help you determine if your teen is depressed.

Today, more than ever, teens are faced with peer pressure, divorce, low self-esteem, and other life experiences which can impact their emotional well-being. Does your teen suffer from depression? It can be tricky to pin-point teen depression symptoms but here are some of the Signs of Teen depression –

Does your teen have a tendency to sleep late on school days? Do you have trouble getting them out of bed to go to school? Are they not eating properly? Are they spending a great deal of time in their rooms with the music blasting? Is the music foreboding? Are there dark and disturbing posters hung in your teen’s room? Does your teen seem listless and moody? Has your teen become isolated from friends and family members? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may have a teen who is suffering from depression.

Most teenagers become moody; it’s a fact of life. But when the moodiness turns to depression, it is more serious and requires intervention. Talk to your child. Try to determine the cause. If your child is not yet ready to discuss the problem, let him or her know you are always there for them; that they can rely on you to listen without passing judgment. Give them time to form the words to express their feelings. Sometimes, the only way a teen can express their emotions is through anger. Be aware of this, and try to take the edge off by using comforting and safe words. Above all, don’t lecture the teen or issue an ultimatum. Don’t change the subject; their pain is real – acknowledge it.

One of the issues teens face is not living up to your standards. Assure them they are loved despite everything. Tell them there is nothing in this world that could change the way you feel about them. Allow them the room to open up to you; then when they do, ensure it is safe for them to say anything, reveal anything. Do not discuss how you feel. This will just alienate the teen. It isn’t about you; it is about what your teen is going through.

When all else fails, and you are concerned about your teen might take his depression a step further, a visit to a therapist or psychologist is necessary. It can be a scary time for you, but remember this depression is not about you. Don’t lay a guilt trip on your teen by saying, “What did I do wrong!” Be supportive, compassionate, understanding; most of all listen. Really listen.

As you can see, there are many signs of teen depression. It is very important to keep the lines of communication between you and your teen open.

Related Resource:

Real Life Guidance Guide to Understanding Your Teen This toolkit offers parenting help and help solve the mysteries in understanding your teen.

Visit Out of Control Teen to learn more about how you can help a teen that shows signs of trouble.

Do you remember when you were in school?  You could hardly wait for the school year to end and summer vacation to begin.  The closer a new school year came, the more you had back to school blues.   Now it seems as if the summer months fly by and the summer break seems to get shorter and shorter.   Your children probably feel the same way as the new school year is drawing near.

What can parents do to help with their children’s back to school blues?  Here are some ideas of how to help your child prepare for the new school year that’s just around the corner.

1.  A couple of weeks before school starts, begin to get them back on a “school night” schedule.  Whatever schedule works for your family (in bed by 8 p.m. and up by 7 a.m., in bed by 9 p.m. and up by 7 a.m., etc.), begin to implement it in increments to get them used to going to bed earlier and getting up earlier for the school day.

2.  Listen to your child’s concerns.  Think about how you felt when you had to return to school.  Acknowledge their fears when they first happen; don’t push them aside.  Then talk things over with your child; tell them a story about when you were a child in the same situation.

3.  If you’re allowed, go to the school a couple of days or weeks before school starts.  Take your child on a tour of the different classrooms or areas in the school that they’ll spend time in.  Meet the teacher if they’re available.  Be sure to take them by the lunchroom, library, office, school nurse’s office (if there is one), and most importantly, the restrooms.

4.  Have a “dry run” for getting ready each day for a few days before the first day of school.  Plan to set everything out the night before just as they will be during the school year, and then have your child get dressed and ready to leave to see how things will work.  This will also allow you to see if there are some areas of the morning routine that need to be tweaked to work better.

5.  Create a special place for your child to do homework and leave their backpack so needed items are less likely to be lost.  You may want to create a routine where you go through your child’s backpack with them each night, gathering any papers that need to be signed, assignments they need to do, and jot down any important dates on the family calendar.

6.  Have a back to school blues-buster party.  The night before school starts, plan a special meal, watch a favorite movie on DVD, and plan a back to school blues-buster dessert.  Choose whatever will cheer up your child and give them a good feeling about the first day of school.

Your child is not the only one in the world to deal with back to school blues.  It helps to talk things over, be prepared, and then celebrate the new beginning.  You might find that you’re able to handle your own back to school blues better, too.

Also be sure to grab your copy of Real Life Guidance to Helping Your Teen With High School.  This offers parenting help and shows you how to help your teen deal with the pressures of high school and also help them to be more independent!

It’s hard to believe graduation is already here. More than likely, it feels like just yesterday you had to take your child to kindergarten for the first time. It’s amazing how fast time flies for parents isn’t it? Now your teen has completed high-school and is about to embark on a journey of his own…and you’re left with an empty nest. What are you going to do now? Below are several ideas of new and exciting things for you to try.

Learn Something New: As parents, there are many things that get put on hold as we are trying to raise our kids. This includes exploring new interests. However, once your teen graduates high-school and moves out, you’ll find that you have a lot of extra time on your hands. This is the perfect time to explore those interests that got put on the back burner all those years ago. Take the time to visit the library and check out a book or sign up for a class to learn more about a particular topic.

Go on Trips: Now that your teen is out of the house, you have the extra time and money to go on trips. If you have always wanted to go on a cruise, then book it! Perhaps, you’ve always wanted to take a weekend road trip, but your weekends were consumed with attending your teen’s sporting events or other extracurricular activities. Well, now you can take that weekend road trip and not worry about a thing!

Have Date Nights: Many parents get so consumed with their child’s life and all the activities going on with that child that they forget to take time out for themselves. Then, once their last teenager walks across the stage at graduation, they suddenly panic because they don’t think they have anything in common with their spouse. Use this time to reconnect with your significant other and go out on regular date nights once a week. You’ll find it refreshing and fun getting to know each other again.

Pamper Yourself: Over the past 18 years, the majority of your money has went to your child whether it was for food, clothing or extracurricular activities. You’ve made a lot of sacrifices and now your teen has graduated high-school and is off to college. Now, it’s your turn to pamper yourself. Go get a massage once a week if you want or buy that new outfit you’ve been wanting.

While your teen’s graduation night will seem bittersweet, it is also a time to celebrate as you successfully raised your child into adulthood. Now, do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do. And, do them without regret!

Here is a guest post from Linda Montgomery all about how to help with teen texting acciction.

Are you struggling with a teen that can’t stop texting? Have you been feeling frustrated and angry with yourself because you can’t make them stop – no matter what you say or do?

If your answer is “yes” then I’m sorry you’re going through this – I know exactly how you feel because I personally went through the same agony of teen texting addiction not that long ago.

I had a two year long standoff with my daughter over her texting until I finally found a way to help her stop, and it feels so good to have my happy, healthy, normal daughter back!

What you’re about to read is the most powerful system that has ever been created for helping your teen kick the texting habit once and for all. Although text and cell phone addiction rates are increasing, most people don’t know how to cope – and most don’t even know this system exists.?

CLICK HERE for more information on how to help your teen with their Texting Addiction.

I Finally Found The Answer!

I even interviewed psychologists and counselors! I tried everything they told me but the arguments were still happening, the tense atmosphere around the house was still there almost all the time, and life was difficult… until I met who I call “The Rebel Counselor”.

He didn’t approach his job like most of his colleagues. He pushes the boundaries of counseling and suggested I try something completely out of the ordinary… something so clever – yet so simple – that I drove home and starting trying it right away. After 2 years of having a “zombie” daughter, what did I have to lose?

In less than 2 weeks of trying his methods, my daughter’s texting slowed down by at least 50% – and within one month she was what I would consider “back to normal.”

For more information on how to deal with a teen texting addiction CLICK HERE!

Think back and remember how your son was when he was a little boy.  Sticky kisses and muddy hands were to be expected. Now maybe your teenage son barely talks with you.  You may feel you need help raising a teenage son in today’s world.

Even though your child used to look up to you, which is expected, now they look to their friends for support and a sense of importance.  No matter how distant they may be, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open with your teenage son.  You also want to set boundaries and have expectations of them while they’re still in your home.

It’s quite likely that you’ll butt heads over everything with your teenage son.  Your son is growing up, and hopefully maturing along the way.  He has to try to exert his independence as he finds his way in the world.  It’s something every teenage son does, and has done throughout history, as he tries to become a man.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t want to alienate your teenage son while he’s learning about himself and his place in the world.  Learn to trust your parenting skills and to trust your son’s decision-making skills.  While he’s living in your home, however, you’ll want to keep curfews and house rules intact; continue to expect him to follow those rules.

Expect your teenager to change as he grows and matures.  Learn to adjust to those changes as much as possible.  He is growing in many ways – emotionally, physically, and mentally.  Begin to gradually let go as he pushes against the barriers you have placed around him to keep him safe.  Loosen your grip on him by allowing him to stay out later during the weekend but continue to expect him to do his schoolwork and do it well.

Stay involved in his life as much as possible.  He’ll try to push you aside and he’ll rebel, which is also to be expected, but you need to remain firm with your expectations of him.  Give him more responsibility and opportunities to prove to you that he is trustworthy.  Praise him for the things he does right and do so in front of his friends, if possible.

Think back to what you thought and felt as a teenager.  Even if you weren’t a boy, you can still remember the things that your parents did that drove you crazy.  Try to put yourself back in that place and then think of how you would have liked your parents to react to you.  Try to be understanding of what your teenager is going through based on that.

Do things together.  Participating with him in things he enjoys may help him open up and let you in.  Take him to a concert by his favorite band – just remember to bring the earplugs.  If he’s involved in sports at school, do everything you can to be at his games.

You may feel like you’re losing your teenage son, but if you tell them that you love them it can make a big difference.  You know raising a teenage son in today’s world isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible.  More than anything else, they need to know that you love them and that you’ll always be there for them, no matter what.

Teen Got You Frazzled? Click here for real guidance right now.

Raising children seems to get harder each year.  As they grow up they’re faced with peer pressure and may become friends with people we may prefer they aren’t friends with.  With teenage sons it’s bad enough, but raising a teenage daughter in today’s world may seem nearly impossible.

If your daughter hasn’t reached her teens yet, you may want to do everything you can to prepare yourself for it now.  There will be some major changes in the coming years and you need to know what to expect.

Try to think back to when you were your daughter’s age and all of the things you felt and thought at the time.  Remember how you thought your parents were clueless?  It’s quite possible your daughter thinks the same thing about you.  But she also has to face some problems you didn’t have to deal with.

No matter how frustrated you get with your daughter, do your best to keep communication lines open.  Expect there to be conflicts over any number of subjects including boys, clothes, and friends.  Try to listen to her opinions and remember what it was like to be her age.

Take time to meet any boy she dates.  Get to know him, explain your views, and give her specific rules to follow while dating no matter how archaic she may feel they are.  Honestly, she wants limitations because they show her that you love her.

Let her know how you feel about her possibly becoming sexually active.  Tell her that you want to answer her questions rather than her finding out about sex and its consequences the hard way.

You’ll probably also bump heads about what your daughter wears.  Fashion has changed dramatically since you were your daughter’s age.  The media dictates what is fashionable and let’s be honest, quite a bit of it is barely there and looks trashy.  Try to compromise on clothing, but stick to your values as much as possible.  It is possible for your daughter to dress modestly in today’s society, but you may have to spend extra time shopping to find the right clothes.

It’s quite possible that the friends your daughter has have been with her for many years.  They may have met during grade school and grown up together.  If this is the case, you most likely know her friends.  If she’s recently made new friends, it would be a good idea to develop a relationship with them as well.  Invite her friends over so you can learn about them and their values.  Encourage friends you know, and make it a point to get to know new ones.

Raising a teenage daughter in today’s world may be more effort than you’re prepared for.  Reach down inside, remember how you felt as a teen, and keep talking with your daughter.  Try to meet on common ground, your love for each other, and you should be fine.

Teen Got You Frazzled? Click here for real guidance right now.

When your children are small, it’s easy to spend time with them.  You have so much to teach them and they’re like little sponges soaking up all of your love and attention.  Unfortunately, as your children grow up, they become busy and it gets harder to make the time for them.  It’s gets even harder to plan a special day with your teenager once they reach their mid to late teens.

Spending quality time together is important for children, of course, but your teenager needs that time, too.  Your schedules may not make it possible to get together very often, but it is definitely worth it for both of you to make the effort.

If your teen is the same sex, it may be easier to plan a special day to spend with them.  Let’s face it, if you’re a mom and you have a teen daughter, just mentioning shopping can open the door for your day, especially if you’re buying.  Take the time to really talk and listen while you’re walking around the store or mall.  You may find that your teenage daughter is willing to share more when she’s relaxed.

Offer to invite some of your teen’s friends over for an afternoon, but with a prerequisite:  they have to help you plan and prepare for the afternoon.  Maybe your teen’s friends have wanted to watch a particular movie, sporting event, or play a certain computer console game.  Allow your teen to invite a set number of friends.  Have your teen help prepare the food.  Cooking together is a great way to spend quality time with your teen.

Perhaps you have more than one teenager.  Set aside one day each month for one or the other parent to take a teen out on a “date” of sorts.  Plan to take them to eat at their favorite restaurant, within reason, and do something they enjoy.  You may realize that your teen loves a certain activity that you weren’t aware of.

Think of others.  Quite often families and individuals will volunteer their time during the holidays to serve meals at a soup kitchen.  Why not find out if there are volunteer activities you can do all throughout the year.  Volunteering will help your teen learn to think of others who may not have as many benefits as they do.

Is your teenager just learning how to drive?  Why not take the time to let them practice driving while they drive to lunch?  Be sure you’re rested and relaxed before you leave so the planned special day doesn’t turn into a terrible experience.

Your teenager needs to know that they are important to you, probably more than when they were children.  Plan a special day with your teenager and you may be able to keep the lines of communication open with them.  Remember that they need you now more than ever, whether they show it or not.

Yes, it is possible to understand your teen! Click to instantly learn how.

How to make the move home from college headache free

(ARA) – College students from L.A. to Philadelphia and all points in between will soon begin their annual moves back home. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are some 19 million students enrolled at more than 4,300 colleges and universities across the United States. Moving is never an easy task but there are some things you can do to make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

The experts at Penske Truck Rental, armed with more than 40 years of experience in helping people move, offer a few tips to help make your move home from college go a bit more smoothly:

* Don’t put it off until the last moment. Springtime and graduation weeks are peak moving times for both students and families living near or around campus. Renting a moving truck will allow you to move all of your things in one easy go, so reserve one before they’re all rented out – at least two weeks in advance of your move. Once you’ve reserved, it’s guaranteed that a truck will be there for you. For most students, a 12- or 16-foot truck is a perfect fit for all they can store in a college residence or small off-campus apartment. If you can, try to move on a weekday – weekends are always the busiest moving days.

* Pack smart. Bring home only what you need. Consider donating any remaining items to charities. Load your heaviest items on the truck first. Boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, moving blankets and hand trucks are also essential to keeping your belongings safer and making your move easier.

* Think safety. To avoid injury, always bend your knees and lift with your legs. Also, don’t text or talk on your cell phone while driving. While stopped for breaks, park in highly visible, well-lit areas and always lock all doors. If you’re using a moving truck, remember that it is taller, wider and heavier than cars or SUVs. So, drive a bit slower and take extra care when making turns, driving under overhangs or near low tree branches. Penske offers 24/7/365 emergency roadside assistance in case you have a problem.

* Make it fun. Keep a positive attitude during the move – play music, plan a fun dinner for after all the work is done and don’t let frustration get to you. Some moving trucks, like those from Penske have CD players, radios, air conditioning and cell-phone outlet chargers – make sure you’ve got all the things necessary for a comfortable, enjoyable ride.

* Go green. You might be able to save on costs and be kinder to the environment by moving together with someone from your area. Check with your residence life office on campus to help find someone to share the ride. Some truck rental companies participate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, which is devoted to saving fuel, money and the environment. Penske earned the program’s highest possible rating.

* Keep the essentials with you. With most belongings packed tightly away, create a travel bag for moving day to keep important paperwork, credit cards, identification, change of clothes, drinks and snacks close at hand. More moving tips and even additional discounts through AAA can be found at www.PenskeTruckRental.com.

I’ve been doing a little research lately on the subject of teen drinking and drug addiction because my son, who is 24, is currently in rehab due to his addictions. I came across this article which, though a little old, has some good points in the article as well as in the comments.

One of the points raised by several of the commentors is that providing alcohol to a minor is illegal. Good point and I agree. I don’t believe you should teach your children to break the law just to prove a point. It teaches them that they don’t have to listen to authority or law makers and that rules are meant to be broken.

Another great point about this is, as a parent you don’t know if you’re teen is going to have an addiction problem or not. Chances are if there is any alcoholism or addiction issues anywhere in your family, you and your children are going to have them as well.

My son’s father is an addict though he refuses to admit it. Not only did he drink with my children, specifically my sons, he also smokes marijuana with them and who knows what else. I’m sorry, but what kind of example is that for your children?! All that teaches is that it’s okay to “mask your problems” or “make the pain go away” by being high or drunk. But I digress.

One of the arguments, as pointed out in the article, is that drinking with your kids may help them to not want to go out and party or experiment with alcohol on their own. Really? Does it? I don’t think so, especially if they are prone to addiction as you can see in the example of my ex-husband and my son. And like I mentioned above, you don’t know if your child is going to have addiction issues or not, therefore giving them that first drink may be like feeding poison to them and you don’t even realize it.

So, my stance on the issue is no, I do not think that parents should drink with their kids. What do you think? What personal experiences have you had on this issue?

Looking for help with your teen? Visit My Out Of Control Teen – an online parent-program for those who are struggling with their teenagers.

Do you have certain memories from your childhood? Some great and others may be not so great, right? Most of us do. I bet most of the really great memories are centered around a Holiday, special event or birthday. I would also bet a lot of the memories you retain stem from certain traditions your family observed. Have you carried those traditions on into your home and family? If you have, that is awesome. But why are traditions so important for families to have and to carry on through the generations, especially Holiday traditions?

As mentioned in the first paragraph, many of our memories probably stem from a tradition our family held every year or on occasion. There were probably certain events, activities and food that the tradition evolved around. In my family, for example, it is tradition to play a gift giving game every Christmas Eve with my side of the family. My mom, brother and his family and my husband and I get together each year for this game. This tradition was started by my now ex-husband’s family when my children were growing up so it’s important to them and they have many wonderful memories from it. We’re keeping those memories alive not only for my children, but we’re passing them down to my grandchildren as well.

Another tradition you might have around the Holidays is the decorating of the Christmas tree. Some families make it a tradition to get the whole family together every year to decorate the tree, make crafts and ornaments and even baked goods. My daughters and I have a baking day each year and we spend the whole day baking cookies and other Christmas treats to give as gifts and to serve at Christmas dinner.

These traditions are not only important for creating and preserving childhood memories, they are also important because they create a unique setting for some great quality time with family that you may not normally get.

Another reason Holiday traditions are so important for families is because they represent stability and continuity for families. Traditions are something you can count on and often look forward to. Our children and teens come to rely upon and understand this type of stability in the family setting.

If you don’t have any traditions started with your family, it’s not too late to start them now, no matter what age your children are. You can even announce, “This year we’re starting a new tradition!” Your children love it and most likely pass it on to their children for years to come.