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Why Sex Education is Important for Teens

Just because you don’t talk with your teens about sex doesn’t mean they are oblivious to it. Face it, in today’s world teens (along with everyone else) are bombarded with images of sex on television, at the movies, and on the radio. Ignoring this talk won’t help matters – in fact, it could be a great detriment to your teen’s life.

If you need some help overcoming your trepidation, here are a few good reasons not to delay this talk:

  • You can’t expect teens to “read the literature” on this stuff. Having a face-to-face conversation, while potentially uncomfortable at first, guarantees that your teen has some solid information.
  • During your discussion, you can equip your teens with facts. Otherwise they might have to muddle their way through the mass of information (and misinformation) on their own.
  • Talking about sex openly and honestly with your teen in the beginning can make them more likely to bring their questions to you in the future.

Also, consider telling your teen about your own experiences with sex. Your own hard-won life lessons, especially about something as important and sensitive as sex, could be a guiding force for your teens. Share with them the longer perspective on sex, and how age can change your view of it and your needs – like why you might have to buy cialis now as an adult. This kind of conversation can be uncomfortable at first, of course.  Push through. (By the way, you can buy cialis online from this store and find some great information as well.)

If, as a society, we can begin to make sex less taboo, our teens will be better off.

Filed Under: Development, General Tagged With: , ,

Talking to Teenage Children

Discipline and Driving

Image by Mike “Dakinewavamon” Kline via Flickr

Most parents can agree that talking about serious topics with their teens is not an easy process. Some teenagers simply tune out conversations with parents, while others will elect not to listen and make their own decisions. However, with the dangers of drinking and driving, drug abuse, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases looming on the horizon, having an open line of communication is more important than ever.

Parenting is a difficult road, but can be very rewarding. Those who choose to have more of a buddy relationship with their children early may find themselves unable to control the behavior later on. Teenagers who are in relationships may need extra advice about how to stay safe, healthy, and protected. Some discipline may be required, when teens blatantly ignore the rules. While it’s not always easy to discipline a child, setting limits and sticking to them by forcing consequences is an important part of the growth process. Many children who have little to no boundaries at home are more likely to get into trouble.

Children who experiment with drugs and alcohol can also encounter a danger that they could battle for the rest of their lives. The effects can be problematic on their health, even as young teenagers, or affect their hearts and other major organs later in life. Those who are able to drive can also pose a great threat if they are engaging in these behaviors and then getting behind the wheel.

Choosing to have a communicative and open relationship with teens is important. This helps them to realize that they can come to their parents when problems arise, or possibly even avoid them altogether.

Filed Under: Parenting, Relationships Tagged With: , ,

The Realities of Teen Drivers

A person needs to learn how to drive at some point, and currently we have designated the teenage years as that time.  Of course teenagers are capable in so many ways, but they also display several tendencies which demonstrate weaknesses that often prove to be fatal when it comes to driving. And statistically they have higher vehicle-related mortality rates than any other group.

One such sobering national statistic is that among 15- to 20–year olds, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death. Couple this with the fact that 16-year-olds have a higher rate of vehicle crashes than any other age group, and you begin to see the faulty reasoning of allowing teenagers the right to drive.

 

Two adolescent couples at the 2009 Western Ida...

Image via Wikipedia

The argument can be made that it is only logical that those learning how to drive are the most apt to make mistakes when compared with those with more experience. If that is the case, then any age designated as the age to introduce driving would be subject to the same statistical results. Without a control group on which to gauge this argument it is hard to say if it is simply a matter of new drivers or the immature nature of this particular age group.

Consider this additional statistical information:  States which use Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) experience 11 percent fewer traffic fatalities for 16-year-olds than those states that don’t use this program. (GDL is a graduated program of training, which requires more supervised and limited driving experience before becoming a fully licensed driver).  And, in states with the most rigorous graduated licensing requirements that figure increases to 20% fewer teen fatalities for 16-year-olds.

Filed Under: General, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Is Your Teen’s Online Shopping Out of Control?

Teens always want the newest and greatest thing, whether it is a cell phone, designer apparel, or anything else. This can be a burden for parents who constantly have to whip out their debit card to pay for the needs and wants of their teens. Good parents, however, realize that teens need to be taught to be grateful for what they have and use some discretion in the purchases that they make, especially online, otherwise the teen’s shopping habits can quickly become out of control and burdensome.

If your teen’s online shopping habits seem to be out of control, you should look into signing up for a prepaid card. This way you can teach your teen responsibility and money management skills. You can put as much money on the card as you want and reload it at any time. It can then be used just like a regular debit or credit card to make purchases. This way your teen knows the amount they are allowed to spend, but you don’t have to worry about them going into debt because the card does not work on credit.

Older teens should get a job and reload the prepaid card with money themselves. It is the younger teens who really benefit from prepaid cards. It teaches them about the credit world and helps them make wiser decisions with money.

It is important to teach teens how to manage money and having a card to use to make purchases is a great way to learn, especially since there are no risks. If your teen’s online shopping habits are out of control, look into this option.

 

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Dealing with Your Teen’s Resistance to Change

It seems to be a fact of human nature that change is difficult to accept. That’s true, regardless of how old you are. However, change can be especially challenging for teens that can be emotionally fragile.

Give Them a Voice

Feeling powerless is one of the most basic reasons teens struggle to accept changes in their lives – a result of the many emotional and physical changes they undergo as they grow. By empowering your teen to have a say in the change process, you’ll help with the transition.
Whether you’re moving in the middle of their senior year of high school or you and your spouse are filing for a divorce, think about small ways your teen can make his or her own decisions. Maybe your teen can have a say in how a shared custody arrangement will work. Perhaps you can develop a plan that allows your teen to earn and save money to pay for a trip to see old friends.

Listen

Sometimes, teens need to vent their frustrations to a parent who’s willing to listen. Being a good listener means paying attention to your teen’s concerns, asking follow-up questions, and using the mirroring technique (i.e. repeating back what your teen said to demonstrate you heard and understood him or her). Check in regularly with your teen to see if there are any new concerns you need to address.

If you have genuinely attempted to involve your teen in the change process and have been a good listener, professional counseling may be necessary. This can help to identify and address underlying emotional issues that may be causing problems for your teen.

Filed Under: Parenting, Relationships Tagged With: , ,

The teenage years

Why are we not looking forward to dealing with our children once they hit the teen years? We were once their age, and we remember exactly what it was like to be a teenager.  Teenagers all to often engage in bad habits.  For example,  the threats of running away from home, screaming at their parents, whining.  This is the most dreaded time for not only the parents but the child as well.  Teens are learning to become more independent and often distort against parental control.  What teenagers don’t realize is that as parent’s all we are trying to do is protect our children.

Remember all children are different.  What works for one might very well be disturbing to another.  It is certain that a particular situation will arise more then once, and what might have worked this time to correct or solve the issue might not work the next.  You have to be creative as a parent.

Try not to let the little things get to you.  If you are constantly nagging or lecturing about something no minute you teen will more likely then not begin to tune you out.  It becomes pointless to argue or lecture over the same thing day in and day out.  If they aren’t harming them or anyone else, or doing anything that could be considered illegal then drop it.  When possible give your teen choices to choose from.  This will make them feel like they are some what independent and that they are able to make decisions on their own.

Filed Under: Advice, Parenting Tagged With: , ,