Adolescence - Clues and Advice

Be sure to respect the intellectual changes that mark adolescence. Adolescent thinking can and should reflect: abstract notions, the relationships of things to each other and people to each other, multiple responses to the same condition or question and the idea of thinking itself.

Too often, we are unwilling to recognize the leap from early childhood to adolescence, with its correspondingly complex growth. And another leap occurs between elementary school and middle school. Studies become specific, homework assignments become lengthy and complex. So, the many, many changes at this age level are a huge challenge to the adolescent and a stunning lesson for the unwary parent(s).

Language is the tool of learning as well as the basis for social interaction. Reading therefore, at standardized grade levels, is an extremely important benchmark. Empowering children to read at expected levels is one of the more important responsibilities of the school and parent(s).

We need to empower children with the tools of self-esteem, pride and accomplishment. Then we need to give them the tough love that balances love and encouragement with guided direction. Parental control needs to be firm, but loving; consistent, but resonant; guided, but understanding. More about that in the chapter on Family and the Role of the Parent.

The clue here is to empower children at every step of the way... empowerment should grow in style and magnitude as the child develops. Allow the child all the growth that good sense dictates. Advise, but do not constrain. Help, but do not muzzle. Love, but do not smother.

Excerpt from the Book, ???Empowering Children.??? See more at: http://www.buybooksonthewe b.com/description.asp?ISBN=0-7414-2331-6

Dr. Malkin holds a B.Sc. in Business and a Masters and Ph.D. in Religion. He has made hundreds of visits to schools with a moving and effective motivational presentation, urging teens to do their personal best. His mentoring programs have empowered many, many children. His quest for years has been to teach the power of Right Action, working towards the goal of a better world.

---

Parenting Your Teenager: Self-Decorating or Self-Harm - How to Tell the Difference

Q. I need your help with a question about my teen-age daughter. Getting her ears pierced was no big deal, but then she wanted to get a belly button ring and a tongue... Read More

Small Children, Languages and Myths

Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part of Canada ? Qu?bec. "That's fine", says everyone. "Even though they'll probably start speaking later because they're learning two languages at once, they'll... Read More

Powerful Tips for Increasing Your Childs Self-Esteem

Here is a list of ways to convey the message "You are worthwhile" to your children. This list could fill a hundred newsletters, since the ways to raise responsible, happy children are limited... Read More

Organizing a Car Wash Fundraiser

The key to a successful car wash fundraiser event is to eliminate chaos before it starts. Having done more than 100 car wash fundraisers myself, I can safely say that there is a... Read More

Americas Public schools --- Deteriorating Like They Did In Ancient Rome

The citizens of the early Roman Republic enjoyed an education system similar to ancient Athens. It was voluntary and parents paid tutors or schools directly. There was very little government interference, so a... Read More

Is Your Discipline Damaging the Spirit of the Child?

If your parenting methods include abuse of any kind; physical, sexual, emotional or verbal, please get help to stop as soon as possible. Adults are supposed to safeguard and protect the young among... Read More

Teenagers and Trouble - How Parents Can Keep their Teens Out of Trouble

Teenagers are a work-in-progress, and parenting teenagers can be tricky business. Many kids get into some kind of trouble at some point, and, although this can provide them a powerful learning opportunity, taking... Read More

The ADHD Parents Guide: Questions for the School

Here is something that you might want to keep if you are thinking about changing your child's school next fall or if you are planning to have your child tested by the school... Read More

Helping Your Children Develop Their Self-Discipline

We want our children to do the right thing, especially when they are out with their friends. We want to believe in them, but somehow, we don't feel certain that they would.Have you... Read More

Eye-Opening Questions for Working Parents to Ask

I remember watching my 18-month-old son eat a big frosted cookie while I was carrying him out of the bakery. I asked him, "Can you give mommy a bite?" He leaned over and... Read More

Are Public Schools Anti-Parent?

Some public schools try to turn children against their parents with scary classroom stories or lessons about child abuse. Public school authorities have increasingly decided that they are children's first line of defense... Read More

What Is Homeschooling And How Do I know If Its Right For My Family?

Do you know what these famous people have in common?Alexander Graham BellGeorge PattonAlbert EinsteinBenjamin FranklinWinston ChurchillAgatha ChristieGeorge Bernard ShawWill RogersIf you guessed that they were all homeschoolers, you'd be correct. This is a... Read More

Facing the Homeschool Super Mom

I know this Mom. She homeschools her 5 children, plus she tutors several other children that are dropped off at her house. AND she's a Pastor's wife. AND she's working on fixing up... Read More

Summer Camp Care Packages

Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks forward to it every year. I can't believe next summer will be her last opportunity to go to camp before she goes off... Read More

Why Creativity and Self-Expression are Important to Little Kids

Can you draw a straight line? Most adults don't consider themselves artistic. Parents do, however, worry about their toddler's art abilities. As a child care provider for the past 10 years, I've had... Read More

Stay at Home Mom You Need to Raise Cowboys

Now I know that is not how the song goes, I have had cousins from central Texas drag me to Gilley's to listen to that song live and they sang every word without... Read More

Don?t Make Fast and Furious Food Changes

OK, moms and dads out there, we hear you when you say, my children won't eat healthy foods. If we even say the word, they tune out and already decide they don't like... Read More

Let?s Google and Yahoo Our Kids? Education

I love Google and Yahoo. With Google and Yahoo I can search the Internet on any subject that interests me, at any time day or night, in the comfort of my home. I... Read More

How Two Quarelling Kids Helped Invent the Better Behavior Wheel

When David was nine and Laura was twelve, the battles started. Prior to that, they got along great. Laura was always protective of her little brother, and he in turn, doted on her.Perhaps... Read More

Real Monsters Under Your Bed

There may really be a real monster under your kid???s bed!Seriously, they could actually be there!If you are a parent you have heard about monsters under the bed and in the closet. There... Read More

Mommie Moments ? Taking Time For Yourself

Being a parent is a role that requires a large majority of our attention and time. Whether you have one child or fourteen children, you are more than likely aware that personal time... Read More

Starting School - What Age Should Children Begin School?

"What age should my child start school?"This is a common question that concerns many parents. It is complicated if your child's birthday happens to fall near a closing date for new school enrolments.There... Read More

Unschooling - the Benefits of Home Based Education

Home schooling benefits children. As a parent, I feel it is important to provide the best opportunities available to my children. Through a process of home educating known as 'unschooling' and eclectic educational... Read More

Guide To Choosing Educational Toys For Children

In the last few years, parents started getting more and more interested in choosing all sorts of educational toys for their children. Because a parent wishes the best for his child, a toy... Read More

Teach Children The Skills Of Optimism

Optimists do better academically, socially and enjoy better health than pessimists.Helping your child look on the bright side is a significant life skill to develop. When children think that can succeed they are... Read More

Mom, Dad and the Big Brother

Software for parental control is a useful tool, if applied right. Millions of parents in the USA alone do check their kids' online behavior. In November 2004 a telephone survey made by the... Read More

Because Every Child Is A Born Genuis

Graphology for Child development.:- Graphology is the science of understanding the human mind through person's handwriting. When a person writes, the signal in the form of letters get decoded / printed on the... Read More

A Guide To Help You Teach Your Children Positve Self-Image Through Fitness

Raising a pre-teen or teenage daughter (or son) is not easy and can cause any parent a lot of stress. There's so much to worry about ? dating, drugs, alcohol, sex, school grades,... Read More

Back to School - Disappontment?

Our back-to-school buying habits do not help kids succeed in the classroom!Parents are buying new book bags, school clothes, tennis shoes, notebooks, pens, etc., with the mistaken belief that this will help their... Read More