Many teens go through high-school with the attitude that what happens in high-school won’t have an impact on their future. However, these teens are in for a big surprise when “the future” arrives. As adults, we understand where our teenagers are coming from because we’ve been there before, but we also have the advantage of hindsight. We see how the things that we did and didn’t do in high-school have impacted our lives. Because we have this knowledge, it’s our responsibility to help our teenagers make smart decisions while they are in high-school.

Obviously, we can’t make our teens see how their actions now can affect them for the rest of their lives, but we can help guide them to make good decisions. One of the ways we can do this is by helping them to set goals for their lives. Setting goals is an important life skill that preferably needs to be taught when our children are still young. However, if your child is a teenager, it’s not too late – in fact, it’s the perfect time!

You may not think that setting goals is that important until one is in college and working towards a career, but this isn’t true. Goal setting is an important aspect that will help our teens learn how to achieve anything they want to during their lives…not just a career. This is why setting goals is a skill that needs to be worked on long before the college years. We all know that the best way to become good at something is by practice – and setting goals is no exception.

If you can teach your teen how to set goals that are achievable in a short amount of time, then you will be able to teach him or her how to set long term goals as well. However, it’s important that you help your teen establish short term goals before you jump to the long term goals. For example, if your teen wants to make the varsity basketball team, but doesn’t have the qualifying grades, then the first short term goal should be to get those grades up. You will need to teach your teen how to achieve this goal by asking him or her to come up with things can be done to get the grades up. Some acceptable solutions would include talking to the instructor about extra credit or finding a tutor.

The reason setting goals is so important for teens to do is because it helps them realize that they can achieve anything they want to if they are willing to work for it. These achievements can be anything from making the varsity basketball team, getting an “A” on a term paper, getting accepted to their college of choice, starting their dream career and so much more. Having goals will not only allow your teen to dream, but it will also give them the motivation they need to reach those dreams.

For more information and help with parenting your teen, click here.

Has your teen had the same best friend since you they in grade school? If so, you realize they’ve probably shared more with them than with nearly anyone else. They know each others faults and fears. If that all-important relationship changed as your child became a teen, you’ll want to be there to help your child know how to survive a break-up with their best friend.

Some friendships seem to stand the tests of time. Others aren’t so lucky. What may have seemed inconsequential in the past has become very hurtful. Your teen may realize the friend she once had has changed, or maybe you’re teen is the one who changed. No matter the reason why, the following ideas will help your teen move on after they have to say goodbye to their best friend.

It’s important to acknowledge their pain. Friendships can be as emotionally overwhelming as romantic relationships. And, if they break up with their best friend, they’re going to grieve. Your teen may actually go through similar stages of grief as someone who has lost a loved one to death because that’s basically what has happened – the friendship has died. Allow them to grieve. The old saying is true – time does heal all wounds.

Encourage your teen to spend time with family after a break-up. The need to know their family loves them for who they are and will stand by them. It’s not unusual to want to be alone after a relationship ends, but let them know their family will understand and know when to pull your teen into activities and when to leave your teen alone.

Help your teen take time to write out their feelings. Journaling can be very therapeutic. Encourage them to write down what they’ve learned about themselves through the friendship, how they can view life differently and brainstorm about what what they can do differently. Teach them that getting the feelings out will help them feel at least a little bit better.

Help your teen understand it’s important not to blame themselves for the break-up. It is a rare relationship that is ruined entirely by one person. Chances are both part played a part in how the friendship changed and therefore they are probably equally at fault for the break-up. Help your teen to forgive the other party, as well as themselves, and try to move on.

In many cases a friend can keep you from doing some of the things you like. Now is the perfect time for your teen to focus on their own interests. If they gave up ice skating because their friend didn’t want to learn how, why not encourage your teen to strap on their skates and hit the ice? You can also encourage them to take the time to learn something new. That friendship is no longer going to hold them back, so it’s a perfect time to grow and shine.

Encourage your teen to try group activities rather than focusing on one friend for a while. This doesn’t mean they can’t spend time with only one friend, but they need some time to adjust to their new status. Give your teen time to work through the break-up and they’ll be better prepared to delve into a ‘best friend’ relationship again.

No one likes to break up, and doing so with a best friend may actually be more devastating than losing a romantic relationship. The feelings your teen will experience are much the same so let them grieve the loss. Before you know it they’ll be ready to begin another close friendship.

Ten tips to keep teens safe behind the wheel

(ARA) – Waiting for a teen driver to return home safely probably causes the most anxiety and lost sleep for parents. And with good reason – car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, accounting for 35 percent of all fatalities among young people 15 to 20 years old, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

While statistically teen deaths related to motor vehicle crashes have declined over the last several years, a dark cloud remains over the alarming rate of deaths among teen drivers, who are four times more likely to die in a car accident than drivers 25 years or older. That, combined with a surge in the number of young drivers – the children of baby boomers – who are taking to the roads, is leading more states to institute tougher teen driving regulations. Measures range from graduated licenses to a ban on the use of cell phones while driving for teen drivers, according to Findlaw.com, a leading online source of legal information.

Besides keeping teens safer when they’re behind the wheel, the new, tougher regulations also aim to get parents more engaged in helping their teens learn the rules of the road.

Findlaw.com offers 10 tips to help protect your teen driver from an accident.

1. Practice, practice, practice. During the first 500 miles of driving, teen drivers are 10 times more likely to be in auto crashes than any other age group. Driving requires mental and physical skills that can only be honed with time on the road. That’s why it’s essential for teen drivers to get professional training and why more states are issuing graduated licenses that require teens to drive with their parents for an extended length of time before being eligible to drive on their own.

2. Create a safe driving contract. Parents should consider creating a safe-driving contract with new drivers to build safe driving habits. Have clear, consistent consequences when your teens do something inappropriate while driving so they understand their boundaries as drivers. The focus of such a contract should be on removing distractions, such as cell phones or eating in the car, which may divert a teen driver’s attention from the road, and keeping teen drivers off the roads at particularly risky times of the day (after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m.).

3. No cell phones. Texting while driving is banned in 26 states and D.C., and an additional eight states prohibit text messaging by minor drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Six states prohibit all drivers from using handheld phones while driving. Make sure you and your teen driver are familiar with your state’s laws on mobile devices and driving.

4. Seatbelts. Fifty-five percent of teens killed in automobile accidents in 2008 were not wearing seatbelts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Wearing a seatbelt is not only a good idea, in a growing number of states, it’s the law – 31 states have primary seat belt laws and 18 have secondary laws, according to Findlaw.com.

5. Passenger restriction. Parents should try to limit the number of passengers in their teen’s car, especially those younger than 18. Some states even have laws that do not allow minor passengers to be in the vehicle for the first six months after a new teen driver receives his or her license.

6. Curfew. Teens can be more distracted at night. A study done by NHTSA finds that nighttime, especially after 10 p.m., is one of the riskiest times of the day to drive for teens. Check state and local city laws regarding curfews as some states impose curfews on teen driving.

7. No drinking and driving. On average, a drunk driver kills someone every 45 minutes, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Help your teen find other solutions to drinking and driving, especially responding to peer pressure to drink. Lead by example and show your kids it’s never okay to drink and drive.

8. Make sure your teen gets sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, most teens need at least nine hours of sleep. Sleep deprived teens can drive like someone who is impaired by a blood alcohol content of .08 percent. Don’t let your teen drive if they are feeling drowsy. Offer to drive them or let them sleep more before driving. Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 car crashes each year.

9. Train teens for poor weather conditions. Your teen will never know what challenges he will face on the road. Make sure he is able to handle snow, wind, and rain. Ride along with her during a storm before she has to face this challenge alone.

10. Make an accident kit. You never know what tools you will need after an accident, and it’s better to always be prepared. Some ideas for your accident kit: a disposable camera, flashlight, glowstick, pen and personal info sheet to list all of your insurance information and personal details. You may also include info cards and witness cards to collect license plate numbers, insurance details, and other information from all cars, drivers and witnesses involved in an accident.

To learn about the law and for more information about a parent’s liability with their teen drivers, visit www.findlaw.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Teenagers have not always been known for their wise decisions.  More often than not, teenagers make rash decisions that have very little conscious thought involved and are more likely spurred on by the crowd.  In the past, these “adventures” involved car races or some form of dare that might cause harm (or embarrassment).  Today the adventures have turned more deadly.  The trend is to play a game – only this game is one of life or death.

The Choking Game (also known as the Blackout Game or the Fainting Game) is when one person shuts off the oxygen to his brain (sometimes by strangulation) in order to get a high from the experience.  This intentional deprivation of oxygen to the brain can result in unconsciousness, temporary or even permanent brain damage, or death.

It is important to talk to your teenager about who he (or she) is spending time with or what he is doing with his friends when he is out.  These recreational activities that teenagers are participating in are no games.  Not only can they cause problems in youth, but they can also lead to more dangerous scenarios as the teenager grows older.  Some teenagers who participate in the Choking Game eventually develop an unnatural fixation on erotic asphyxiation.

There are a variety of reasons that people say they participate in the Choking Game – none of which have ever been substantiated.  Some claim that it produces a brief high.  Others say that cutting off the oxygen produces a more enhanced sense of erotic feelings.  Some even suggest that it gives the same feeling of being intoxicated.  No matter what the reason, the truth is that no one can be sure just how much damage is being done neurologically each time the “game” is “played”.

It might surprise you to find out that this game has been around for longer than most experts realize.  As long as thirty years ago, kids in the school yard were hyperventilating on purpose to get a high or dizzy feeling associated with intoxication.  Unfortunately, the teenagers of today have found more effective ways to play the game.  Even more unfortunate is that few parents realize it is going on.  There are very few documented cases of injury or death from this game.

Make time to talk to your teenager on a regular basis.  Talk about things in the news, hobbies and interests or whatever your teenager wants to discuss.  When things come up, talk about situations like the Choking Game and how deadly serious they can be.  The more open and honest you are with your teenager about little things, the more open he (or she) will be to your opinion about important issues.

If you are looking for help with your teen,  visit  This Link  and gain access to an online parent-program for those who are struggling with their teenagers. Learn cut-to-the-chase parenting strategies that work immediately rather than months or years down the road.

Be sure to also check out the Parenting Your Teen Program and learn How To Handle Your Teenager And All Situations Involving Him Or Her In A True “WIN-WIN” Manner And Develop The Co-Operative, Down-To-Earth, Frustration-Free Relationship That You’ve Always Wanted

The college essay is often the most difficult part of an application for admission to a college. To help you get off to a good start, we’ve put together the following tips and hints. These are comments from from our admissions staff who actually read your essays and evaluate them in the admission process. We can’t guarantee results, but this advice might help you get started.

Top 15 College Admission Essay Writing Tips from The Readers

1. View it as an opportunity. The essay is one of the few things that you’ve got complete control over in the application process, especially by the time you’re in your senior year. You’ve already earned most of your grades; you’ve already made most of your impressions on teachers; and chances are, you’ve already found a set of activities you’re interested in continuing. So when you write the essay, view it as something more than just a page to fill up with writing. View it as a chance to tell the admissions committee about who you are as a person.

2. Be yourself. If you are funny, write a funny essay; if you are serious, write a serious essay. Don’t start reinventing yourself with the essay.

3. Make it fun. If you’re recounting an amusing and light-hearted anecdote from your childhood, it doesn’t have to read like a Congressional Act — make it fun!

4. Tell us something different from what we’ll read on your list of extracurricular activities or transcript.

5. Take the time to go beyond the obvious. Think about what most students might write in response to the question and then try something a little different.

6. Don’t try to take on too much. Focus on one “most influential person,” one event, or one activity. Tackling too much tends to make your essay too watered down or disjointed.

7. Concentrate on topics of true significance to you. Don’t be afraid to reveal yourself in your writing. We want to know who you are and how you think.

8. Write thoughtfully and from your heart. It’ll be clear who believes in what they are saying versus those who are simply saying what they think we want to hear.

9. Essays should have a thesis that is clear to you and to the reader. Your thesis should indicate where you’re going and what you’re trying to communicate from the outset.

10. Don’t do a history report. Some background knowledge is okay, but do not re-hash what other authors have already said or written.

11. Answer each school’s essay individually. Recycled “utility essays” come across as impersonal and sanitized. The one exception is an essay written for and submitted to Common Application member schools.

12. Proofread, proofread, proofread. Nothing says “last-minute essay” like an “are” instead of “our” or a “their” instead of “they’re.”

13. Keep it short and to the point.

14. Limit the number of people from whom you request feedback on your essay. Too much input creates an essay that sounds as though it has been written by a committee or results in writing that is absent your own voice.

15. Appearances count. Formatting and presentation cannot replace substance, but they can certainly enhance the value of an already well-written essay.

Check out the Instant College Admission Essay Kit which is a college admission essay and personal statement writing kit with 33 downloadable templates that can save applicants hundreds of dollars.

If you are searchig to purchase your teenagers first car, chances are you are looking for the best used car for a teenager. Because younger drivers tend to have a higher tendency to get excited and do things like “panic steer,” it’s important to take a look at all aspects of a used vehicle’s characteristics, not just its price, size, reliability, or number of airbags.

Is there a best car for your teen? Well it depends on who’s deciding, the parent or the teen. Parents tend to have different aims and priorities when it comes to buying their teen a car. Even though many say it is difficult for the teens and their parents to come to a mutual agreement, it is not impossible, especially if both the parties are willing to compromise on a few areas.

Let’s start with the teen’s preferences and what they consider in vogue today. Teenagers tend to place several other factors before safety such as the appearance and style of the car, its speed and performance and music accessories; and they also seem to lean towards the cars that are the most customizable.

What does a car mean to a teen? It reflects the teen’s freedom and character. Other than that it does the obvious of taking care of transportation.

What is it that the parents want? The first and foremost criteria for judging their teen’s car is the safety arrangements the car manufacturer provides. A low cost/ second hand car is also preferred along with a check on maintenance costs.

The cost factor – the battle between used vs. new starts here. Parents with financial problems will obviously prefer used cars but they come with drawbacks. Used cars require regular maintenance and often break down. On the other hand, insurance and taxes will be less. Many students prefer to go for a used car and later customize it to their requirements, but they tend to go overboard and the cost eventually gets out of hand. It is not recommended that teenagers are allowed heavy cars and SUV’s as they are difficult to handle in emergency conditions and require a lot of driving experience. Generally sedans are far more stable than SUV’s.

Some tips before buying – if buying a used car, make sure you have got the car properly checked by a skilled mechanic. If one fails to do so and problems arise after the purchase, only you can be held responsible as there are no warranties. Teens also naively tend to take the sellers word for everything. One must make sure that he/she uses the CARAFAX Vehicle Reports to check for reports filed in the cars name. One should also check the mileage. A car with a mileage of around fifteen thousand miles per year is considered average.

Must have safety features – it is must for the car to have airbags and seatbelts. Other than that, a new feature such as Electronic Stability Control helps in the braking. Different manufacturers use different names for this system.

Financing for teens – lets just say, leasing options are not the best for teens as they are likely to get bored with their car within a period before their loan is called off. So it is wise to avoid long term loans.

Car Insurance – insurance for teens is quite expensive as they represent a huge risk to insurance companies. It’s cheaper to add on a teen to a family package than a separate insurance program.

All teens must have knowledge about the fundamentals of driving before taking to the roads.

The time has come! Your driving teen has finished the school year and is ready to spent more time driving. Durring the summer, teens that drive will be spending more time on the road. To this end, here are summer driving safety tips for your teen:

* Set ground rules as to when your teen can use the car. Daytime driving in the beginning, at least for the first six months; then gradually allow your teen to drive at night; but only up until a certain hour.

* Teach by example. Do not drive and use a cell phone; or eat while driving. Don’t tailgate or speed; or invoke any road rage when driving. Never drink and drive. Wearing seat belts is now a law; therefore, follow all of the rules and regulations taught in driving school. Your teen will take note, and follow your lead.

* Limit the areas where your teen can drive, at least until he or she has been driving for a while.

* Do not allow any passengers in the car for at least six months. They need to understand the rules of the road, and not engage in conversation with friends. These can ultimately distract them causing an accident.

* Ensure your car is well maintained. Check the tires regularly; windshield wiper fluid; water; brakes; windshield wipers, etc.

* Accompany them as much as possible in the beginning; pointing out hazards they may come across such as holes; construction, and the like. Mix up the routes so they become used to driving to different places.

* Take your teen to your regular gas station, so they become acquainted with the personnel, and can select the proper gas for your car. Teach them how to put air in the tires as well.

* If you don’t already have one, purchase an emergency road kit, and explain each item to the teen.

* Teach your teen how to change a tire, how to use road flares, and what to do in an emergency.

These summer driving safety tips will help to keep your teen safe while on the road this summer.

What Your Teen Needs to Know if Their Car Breaks Down

No one likes it when their car breaks down. This is especially true of teenagers who are new to driving without an adult. Here are some tips on what your teen needs to know if their car breaks down.

Explain to your teen that if their car breaks down, unless the car is on fire, they should remain in the car with the doors locked for safety’s sake. Depending upon where the car broke down – either in an intersection or along a busy highway – it is best to stay in the car.

If they were able to pull the car into a parking lot or onto the shoulder, it would probably be safe to get out. In either case, if they must exit the car, they should do so from the opposite side of the car. They may have someone offer to help. Rather than getting out of the car, they should crack their window and speak with anyone who approaches their car. They should keep their eyes out for a uniformed police officer or another emergency vehicle such as a tow truck.

They should look around to find out exactly where they are with the closest address or crossroads. Having as much information as possible will make it much easier for anyone trying to find them. Then they should call you on their cell phone to let you know what has happened. Since they’ll probably be shaken up, get their location from them, and then call someone to assist them.

Call your teen back on their cell phone and keep speaking with them until a police officer or tow truck arrives. Not only will talking on the cell phone help the time pass until help arrives, it will also help your teen feel less scared.

Tell them to turn on the car’s hazard lights. If they have flares or reflective triangles, those may also be used. This will allow oncoming traffic to see them and avoid hitting them if the car can’t be moved.

Even though it’s not recommended that your teen try to fix their own car, it is still a good idea for your teen to know something about fixing or maintaining the car.

Teach your teen the basics of car maintenance. Every driver, regardless of sex, should know how to change a tire. It would also be helpful to know how to check and change their oil, check and change any fuses that are burned out, and perform other routine maintenance. It may be a good idea to have your teen take a class to learn the basics.

As a parent you want to know what your teen needs to know if their car breaks down so you can pass that information along to them. Use these ideas to help keep them safe during any trip they might make without you.

Before your teen starts to drive, it is important to know about teen car accidents and how you can help you teen to be sure that they are informed about teen car accidents and how best to avoid them. As a parent, if you search for any information about Teen Driving Statistics you will find statistics similar to those below. I have reviewed various websites to summarize the information from these sources, however, please feel free to search the web for “teen driving statistics” for more websites and information on this subject.

Car accidents can cause extensive personal injuries and property damage. There are several causes of car accidents, but reckless teenage drivers are a main cause of car accidents.

Many teenagers tend to neglect the safety precautionary measures as soon as they are behind the wheel. Reckless fast driving, unsafe passing techniques, and driving under the influence of alcohol are the most common causes of teenage car accidents.

Teenagers between the age of 15 and 20 years cause most teenage car accidents. Sadly, even minimum precautionary measures such as wearing a seat belt at all times are also neglected. Also, teenagers high on alcohol and drugs are the reason for a large number of accidents. The worst part is that all the others in the car would also sustain severe injuries due to recklessness of the driver.

All states have strict rules regarding drinking and driving in an attempt to reduce the number of teenage car accidents. However, even in places where it has been made illegal to drink and drive, there is a small percentage of rebellious teenage drivers who do not care for themselves or for the lives of others who might be involved in the car accident. In spite of all this, there has been a considerable reduction in the number of teenage car accidents in states who have tightened the security and law relating to drunk driving.

Another cause for more number of teenage car accidents is inexperience of young drivers. Due to a lack of experience, these teenagers are more prone to accidents, especially on highways and other places with considerably more traffic. Backing up in the driveways, parking, and reversing are other difficult driving techniques that often lead to accidents. Most of these kinds of accidents involve property damage more than personal injuries. It is wise for young drivers to practice driving with a responsible adult before driving on their own.

Car Accidents provides detailed information about car accidents, car accident injuries, car accident lawsuits, and more.

Recommended Resources:

The Driving Book - Covering virtually every scenario a new driver may face–from changing a tire to negotiating privileges with parents to handling a car in bad weather.

Roadside Emergency Kit With the 29 Piece Roadside Emergency Kit you will be prepared for almost any emergency you may encounter in your automobile.

The key to helping your teen make good choices at school is to train him up in the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it. The End.

Ha! Don’t we wish it was that easy? Even with the best upbringing teens don’t always make the best choices. Shoot, adults don’t always make the best choices. So what can parents do to tip the scales in the teen’s favor?

1. Talk Talk Talk. Even if your teen goes into silent mode, keep talking with your child.
2. Lead by example. You can’t expect your teen to behave in a manner contrary to your own.
3. Depending on the situation, you may want to share some of your own examples of what happened when you didn’t make good choices.
4. If your teen mentions that so and so was caught with drugs in his locker, or her friend had sex with someone she met at a party – don’t immediately condemn or judge those people. Use their poor choices as a springboard for open dialog.
5. Make it easy for your teen to be honest with you. Reinforce that no matter what, you still love her.
6. Remind him that you’ll be more disappointed if he lies to you, rather than by some behavior he chose to participate in.
7. Accept that your teen may make some poor choices. Let that experience be a lessons learned for both of you. Examine what led up to that decision.
8. Denial is not a river in Egypt. If you have blinders on, it’s time to take them off. No teen is perfect. Look for warning signs.
9. Don’t give your teen too many liberties. Respecting ones privacy is one thing, but you still need to be the parent. Once your teen moves out of the home, you won’t have the authority you do now.
10. Give your teen unconditional love.

When storms come, don’t waste oxygen with should haves and could haves. There’s no point in playing the “it’s all my fault” card. What benefit will that pity party bring?

If your teen thinks she needs to be perfect, examine where that thought pattern originated. Some teens make poor choices because they rebel or because they don’t feel they can live up to mommy’s and daddy’s expectations.

All you can do is your very best. You need to be able to look yourself in the mirror and know that you’ve provided your child with all the tools she needs to be a happy, well balanced teenager.

——————-

Claim your instant access to “Real Life Guidance to Helping Your Teen With High School Guide”, you’ll discover EXACTLY how to help your teen deal with the pressures of high school! http://reallifeguidance.com/helping-your-teen-in-hs.html