Teen Dating Rules

I was quoted in this article on this local article about Teen Dating Rules.  It was one of those times when I thought up all sorts of great tips after I finished the conversation.  I know you all have been there.  I would have probably said more about social media.  How it is important to monitor your kids use of social media but don't become all wrapped up in your kids Facebook page.  For example, don't respond to your child's friends, don't take up battle against another kid because you think they've hurt yours by a comment.  Don't make it become more important to you then it even is to them.  Your perception and your child's might be very different so if you are concerned - Talk to them and model appropriate responses.

I think my parenting advice generally boils down to this.  Trust your instincts.  Put out all the background noise, all the advice (except mine of course - whoops -even mine.) and do what you believe is right.  You know your child better than anyone else.  Trust this.  If your gut is telling you to do something, do it.  If your gut is telling you something is wrong (even if you don't want to listen,) act on it.  You can do this.  You are the expert.

Teen Self-Esteem Month

May is Teen Self-Esteem month.  I’m not always a fan of even the word “self-esteem” but what a great reminder to tell your teen something you love about them.  For some tips visit Tips.

I may not be totally on board with all of them but take what works for you.  All of us can take this a moment to remember to acknowledge and support the teens in our lives.  Value their opinions and be the best role model we can be for them.

Parenting Teens

Teen Behavior

Often one of the many struggles parents have is recognizing what is normal teen behavior verse teen behavior they should cause them worry.


What is normal? Has your teen begun giving you one word answers to any questions you ask? Does your teen seem to text an unbelievable amount? Are you wishing you could sleep as much as your teen? Are their friends the highest priority in their life now? Is your teen always irritable? Does it seem like your child is involved with a soap opera because he or she is so emotional, always a huge crisis and their world will soon end if it doesn’t work out.

All the above – normal behavior.

What should you worry about? Worry if your child seems to be involved with drugs and alcohol. Are there brushes with police involvement? Question if your child seems to have completely changed their friends. Peers really are a huge influence on teens and if your teen’s friends are into risky behavior it will be easy for your teen to fall into the same behavior. Meet your child’s friends. Yes, it may embarrass your youth but it is a huge red flag if you are never able to interact even minimally with your child’s friends. Is there a sudden drastic change of personality such as being excessively secretive or skipping school? Look a little deeper if you start catching them in lies – what are they doing that they can’t tell you?


Trust your gut – if something really feels off – it probably is.

Any hope? Well they will grow into adults eventually. Teens are supposed to be individuating themselves from their parents and they are clarifying their identities. There are still going to be good times and family togetherness but you did your job well if your youth is trying to be independent.


What should you do? Know your kid’s friends. Pick your battles. Say yes whenever you can. Be reasonable. Stay involved. One of the hardest tasks of being a parent is being able to be hated for short periods of time. Do your best not to personalize all the irritation thrown at you.