My teenager constantly asks us to buy expensive things for him and says he will pay us back. The problem is he rarely does. How should we react to his requests?
Does your son understand interest rates, know that ATMs charge fees, or have the skill to balance a check book? Did you know that almost 1/3 of all teens have some form of debt (Schwab, 2007 Survey)? Teens are intelligent, but they still need mom and dad to help guide them toward fiscal responsibility.
I am not the parent of a bullied student, but I worry about my ninth grader. What can I do to make sure his school days are safe or to make sure that he does not make life difficult for others?
Lately, it feels like bully behaviors are being regularly reported in the news. Most recently, in two unrelated incidents, a 15 year old Massachusetts girl and a 13 year old Texas teen hung themselves due to the daily tortures and taunts inflicted by their peers. Earlier this school year, the St. Louis area received its own turn in the national spotlight for the bully bus incident that occurred in Belleville.
Watching TV with your teen is a great way to promote family bonding. Typically this consists of watching an adolescent drama and then attempting to engage in a relevant growth promoting conversation. I support and encourage all parents that do this.
Recently a beloved school teacher in Kansas City, KS was fired for making an inappropriate comment in the classroom. The teacher made a “bad” joke that pushed the limit of acceptable classroom banter.
