Do you ever wonder what your teenager is thinking? Why she reacts the way she does… why he can’t seem to connect future consequences with his actions today…why they are as apt to mis-read you as they are to get what you are saying? Between a teen’s natural brain development and inborn temperament, there is a lot happening between the ears of your teen…tune in and learn about it.

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My tip this week is to
Keep your teen’s computer in a highly visible place >>Listen
    
Do you concern yourself with how your teenager uses the internet? You should; and I imagine you do. But, do you allow your teenager to have a computer in her bedroom?  That is simply not a good idea.

Whether you are a technology wizard yourself, or a non-user, you can’t deny this reality: More on Keep Your Teen's Computer in a Highly Visible Place - 2 Min. Tip #13

Hi – Sue Blaney here with your Parenting Tip from Parenting Teens Info.com

My tip this week is to
Respect your intuition  >>Listen
    
How often do you listen to your gut? When it comes to parenting, your intuition is often very reliable. I encourage you to give it credence and listen well. Because if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

How does your intuition inform you? More on Respect Your Intuition…Two Minute Tip #12

Let’s face it; your teenager is probably going to break the rules at some point, so let’s talk about this important topic.

As parents of teenagers we need to consider how we set rules and respond when they are broken.  Let's consider why we even create rules, what rules make sense, and what kinds of consequences will be most effective in supporting our teenagers’ long-term development.

Joanne and I delve into the tougher topics around teens and alcohol use and discuss different approaches parents use….join us in this rich discussion.

 And please….if you like our podcast write a review at i-Tunes!

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Hi – Sue Blaney here with your Parenting Tip from Parenting Teens Info.com

My tip this week is:
Do all you can to make sure your teenager gets enough sleep. Listen

There are lots of distractions right now that can really impact your teenager; spring fever is in high gear, end of year projects, recitals, playoff games and celebrations may impact your teenager’s schedule. But final exams are around the corner, More on Help Make Sure Your Teen Gets Enough Sleep -2 min tip #11

Hi – Sue Blaney here with your Parenting Tip from Parenting Teens Info.com

My tip this week is to
Limit your teen’s screen time >> Listen

What’s “screen time?” I’m referring to all electronic items that have screens…computers, tv’s etc.

Now, let me ask you a question. How much time does your teenager spend in the average day interacting with his cell phone, computer and i-pod or watching television? If your teenager is anything like the average teen today, the answer to that question is 6 and a half hours! Imagine that… More on Limit Your Teen's "Screen Time" - Two Minute Tip #10

Good self-esteem is a basic building block for positive development; with it anything is possible. But problems ranging from drug use, depression, poor academic performance and more are associated with low self-esteem. What is self-esteem exactly? How does a teenager develop high self-esteem? How can parents help build it in our teens?

Listen to our podcast and gain some helpful insight on this important topic.

 And please….if you like our podcast write a review at i-Tunes!

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Hi – Sue Blaney here with your Parenting Tip from Parenting Teens Info.com

My tip this week is to
Make sure you know your teenager’s school counselor >>Listen

You never know when a problem may crop up at school for your teenager, and when it does, it helps if you already have a relationship with your child’s school counselor. Hopefully your child has established his or her own relationship with the counselor –so here I’m talking about you, as parent, knowing this person as well.

The school counselor is More on Know Your Teen's School Counselor - Two Minute Tip #9

Hi - Sue Blaney here with your Parenting Tip from Parenting Teens Info.com

My tip this week is to:
View failure as a gift! >>Listen

You might think I’m off my rocker on this one…but hang on and hear me out…because kids who are afraid to FAIL are afraid to TRY NEW THINGS!

Think about the times you have failed. I’m sure you, like many adults, are able to see your failures More on View Failure as a Gift! - Two Minute Tip #8

 More, bigger, better, faster, pretty much sums up the changes we've seen in our culture over the last several decades. And parents of teens are often scrambling to figure out how to respond.

What are the issues you have with today's culture? In my research I've found this to be one of the hottest areas of parents' complaints. Parents complain that "the media onslaught portrays bad behaviors as being fashionable and cool," and that "it's hard to be the strongest voice for your child in the sea of messages."*

So how do you compete? What can you do to not lose your teenager to the culture?

My co-host Joanne Greene and I have each raised two teenagers and we know how difficult it can be to compete with the messages, pressures, electronic gadgets, materialistic demands, 24 x 7 contact….. etc. I hope you'll join us and listen. And please….if you like our podcast write a review at i-Tunes!

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*These quotes come from our research based on over 550 survey responses as outlined in the resulting report PARENTING TEENAGERS: The Agony and the Ecstasy.

We refer to this PBS site containing helpful information about teaching teens about MEDIA LITERACY