Are You Teaching Your Teen About Money
That’s what a ‘good’ parent does. As a tween, your child’s becoming more independent and doing things with friends, so you offer ‘fun money’ to grab a slurpee, coffee or whatever the treat of the day is. You rework your budget for increased costs in food consumption, activities, pursuing passions, and replacing outgrown clothing. Where’s […]
The Year I Never Wanted For My Daughter
“As a child of the system, including adoption where I was worse off than where I started, I endured physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and sexual molestation. I worked hard to heal and grow, providing my own children with the emotional health and stability I never had. Somewhere along the line I got off track with […]
You Don’t Understand
This seems simple, but it’s not. Sure, you were a teen so it’s not unfamiliar territory – the relationship drama of who said what to whom, the mean teacher who gives too much homework and doesn’t care if you had a rough day and having to be ‘social media perfect’ every moment to avoid judgement […]
Your Teen Won’t Try If It’s Not Safe To Fail
There’s no reward in normal. The years of pristine, unstained report cards before had gone almost unnoticed with a glance and barely a smile from my parents. No ‘great job’, ‘well done’ or ‘we’re so proud of you’. Just the nonchalance of every day normal that didn’t warrant a comment, hug or special meal. That […]
Tips to Un-Spoil your Teen this Christmas
Not to mention your resentment because no matter what you buy them, they don’t seem to care anyway. Your teen isn’t ungrateful or entitled and you haven’t failed as a parent. Experience creates perspective. Your teen has never worked a full-time job to pay a mortgage, keep the place warm with lights on, kept a […]
It’s not what you see, it’s what you don’t
On November 17th I lost a friend. A man who seemed larger than life with a heart for serving others, spontaneous adventure and childlike play through sports and outdoor activities. He desperately wanted to be a reliable employee and team member, the perfect husband to his loving wife and a safe, kind and caring father […]
Setting Boundaries with Family Around the Holidays
Let’s not forget the family circus trying to create the perfect photo wearing matching pajamas while drinking eggnog in front of the fireplace where moments before, there were impatient commands and crying kids. Then, just as you got everyone posed and the camera timer went off, the dog jumped up and knocked the tripod over […]
Is your teen the boss of your emotions?
Every morning I’d wait in the kitchen with nervous anticipation, like hanging on for enough oxygen to take a breath. I was waiting for my son to come down the hall from his room and see his face. That’s all I needed; I could tell. My whole day was dictated by my teenager’s mood. On […]