Being a teenager is difficult: Adolescents, especially younger adolescents, face a challenging combination of emerging social pressures, physiological changes, and a strong need for independence. As a result, most kids between the ages of 10-15 experience an increase in negative emotions, including anger. It’s not uncommon for kids in this age group to lash out (sometimes dramatically) over issues ...
Few stages in life are as dreaded as puberty. Parents worry that during these turbulent years, their sweet, thoughtful child will be replaced by a defiant, moody adolescent. However, while it’s true that the brain pushes children in this age bracket to assert their independence, there’s no reason why your relationship with your child has to deteriorate. On ...
The behaviour of teenagers is notoriously baffling. One moment, our adolescents appear to be mature, rational people—true “young adults.” The next moment, they’re taking foolish, inexplicable risks or having dramatic emotional meltdowns. In the past, these vacillations were written off as being the product of out of control hormones. However, modern research has shown that the roots of ...
Politics has always been a controversial topic, but rarely has our political climate been as divisive as it is right now. Not only has society become more politically polarized over the last two decades, but the way we express our views has also changed. Political discussion has largely moved away from policy and instead become an issue of morality, with ...
For the parents of overweight children, every day is a balancing act; on one hand, there is the natural desire ...
For parents, even the little white lies that children sometimes tell - e.g., claiming to have completed their homework ...
With climate change becoming an increasingly common theme in politics, news, and even entertainment, it’s no wonder more young ...
Preteens are usually portrayed in the media as being bubbly, trend-loving young people who are, for most intents and purposes, still kids. Unfortunately, this image belies the truth of the preteen years; this period is often an incredibly turbulent, confusing time in a child’s life. It’s not exactly smooth sailing for parents, either. In fact, research conducted at ...
Many parents who criticize their children have good intentions. They often hope that by pointing out their child’s errors, they can help her (or him) overcome problem behaviours, learn the skills she needs to succeed socially and academically, and develop a strong sense of personal accountability. They intend, at base, to guide their child. Unfortunately, parents don’t always ...
One of the best parts of being a parent is getting to witness how your child changes and develops. Watching your child take her first steps, say her first words, and get dressed by herself for the first time invariably evokes feelings of pride and joy. Most parents enthusiastically do their best to facilitate these changes: They hold their child’...
For the parents of pre-teens, it can feel as though everything has changed overnight: Their child, once open and trusting, suddenly wants his (or her) own space much of the time. He may also become moody, rebellious, and defiant. He will almost certainly desire an unprecedented amount of freedom. If you find yourself in the aforementioned situation, take heart: As ...
