Yearly Archives: 2010

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Appropriate Teen Attire

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My teen age daughter dresses in clothes that make her look too mature, and, I am embarrassed to say, a little too sexy. What do I do?

Before the school year ended, I had the opportunity to attend a high school prom. While some girls where dressed in traditional taffeta, many girls wore sleek, stylish and, yes, sexy dresses. Unfortunately, these adolescents looked mature beyond their years. These intelligent teens were able to push the limits of the school’s sensible dress code with heels that were too high, dresses that were too tight, and makeup that was too sophisticated.

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Traveling with Teens

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Our kids are now teenagers and it seem that their idea of a vacation differs from ours. What can we do to ensure that our family has a great time?

When your teenagers were tots, traveling was much simpler. A sandy beach with the occasional kid-friendly activity was all the family needed to have a good time. Now, however, your young children have become young adults, and the family vacation has become a complex negotiation as generations clash over what to do. To pave the way for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation, do some advance planning and allow your teen a say in the stay.

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Teen Texting

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On my most recent cell phone bill, I noticed that my teenage son had 1500 text messages. Does this seem like too much?

OMG (that is text talk for oh my god), 1500 messages sounds like a lot but it may not be. Consider that today’s teen texts for a variety of reasons. How, why, and when your son communicates may be more important than the actual number.

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ACT vs SAT

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Have your kids taken the ACT, SAT, or PSAT?  How are you to know which test is best for your child?  Dr. Hyken explains the difference between the tests and explains which test would be best for your student.


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Growing Up On Facebook

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iPads, iTouch, iPods, laptops, nooks, Kindles, cell phones and even handheld games all have internet access, opening the door to social networking for children. Facebook has become the new version of chatting on the telephone as a child, but it now is something kids in elementary school are doing. Is this a good idea?


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Teen Dating

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Last month, my ninth grade son ask me to help him pick out a Valentine’s present for his girlfriend. He seems so young to have a girlfriend. What age is normal for kids to start having dates?

First, it is great that your son still wants his mother’s input. When kids enter high school, they often start relying on their friends more than their parents. I hope you were able to help your son and that he had a positive experience around this very difficult time.

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Bullying Video

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The movie Mean Girls brought girl bullying to the spot light. Boys and girls bully in completely different ways. Dr. Hyken explains signs to tell if your daughter is a bully or if she is being bullied.


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Video Game Addiction

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Up to 15% of people who play video games are actually addicted to them. Video games are specifically designed to have  the player become an addict. There are several different tactics to make sure your video game player does not become an addict.


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Parent Bullying

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Parent bullying could easily happen unintentionally. Taking a minute to think about how you speak to your child or what you are hinting at your child is worth a second look.


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Teen Drug Use

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When our children have role models like Miley Cyrus, who was caught on video taking a hit from a bong, what are they suppose to do? Teenagers are also the target for many different tobacco companies these days and the pressure is getting greater. Dr. Hyken talks about what can be done to make sure your child makes the right choice.