PARENTING IN REAL LIFE

Nearly every teenager on the planet admits to lying about something—and the ones who don’t admit it are probably lying about that! And while lying is highest around ages 13-15, younger kids lie too. Children learn early on that they can avoid consequences by fibbing and avoiding conversations. But not all lying is malicious. Kids often lie for altruistic purposes, like to save a friend from getting in trouble. As annoying, confusing and even hurtful as being lied to is, it’s

Our world today is very challenging. There are pressures at school—and in-home schooling--, home, friends, media, social media—pretty much all around us. And that’s not even mentioning current politics and racism. It’s difficult for adults to handle, much less teenagers. We need to acknowledge that anxiety, stress and depression are normal and valid feelings in today’s landscape. What can we do to reduce stress and conflict? We can hold space for it. Sometimes we need to fin

Everything feels both chaotic and tentative at the same time right now. Schools are out, but still teaching. Proms are postponed or canceled. Senior week and pranks no longer brighten graduation week, and graduation week doesn't even exist. The health of our country--and world--far surpasses these daily changes, but that doesn't change the fact that kids, especially seniors are really getting the short end of the stick. Seniors in high school and especially college are missin

Girls who have a positive relationship with their fathers achieve more academically, make better relationship choices and have more confidence. Growing up, I had a great relationship with my dad, and I love to see my husband with our daughter. They have a special bond too. They do projects together, act silly, and make terrible puns back and forth. And while we often hear more about the father-son and mother-daughter relationships, recently science has proven the great signi

Many college students come home for Thanksgiving, and while you're all looking forward to it, it can be an adjustment. You are excited about having her home, but you may also be nervous about what to anticipate. It's often the first extended time at home since they left for college in the summer, and the first semester at college may have been their first glimpse of "freedom". So they may be wondering if it is possible to come home and still maintain their newfound independ