Responsibility

How Responsible Is Your Child?

Whenever I ask parents how responsible their child is, I hear interesting sound effects: hysterical laughter, deep groans, or long sighs accompanied by eye-ball rolling. I have yet to meet a single parent who is satisfied with how responsible their child is.

7 Tips for Keeping Tabs on Your Teen

By: Jennifer Griffin-Wiesner

We know from research on Developmental Assets that young people benefit from adults in their lives—parents and otherwise—who know where they are, where their going, when they’ll be back, and who they are with. They also do better when their peers and the adults around them are positive influences. Here are 7 tips for keeping tabs on your teen. Read more >>

3 Tricks to Try in the Event of a Tween Sleepover

By: Jennifer Griffin-Wiesner

Mom, Can I Sleep at Jack’s Tonight?

Ah, sleepovers…the epicenter, thus far, of peer pressure and questionable teenage behavior in my son’s life. As my kids have gotten older, I realize that I was unprepared for the transition from the little kid mega-event of a sleepover to the casual, “Mom, can I sleep at ____’s tonight.” This new, impromptu “crashing at someone’s house” version of sleepovers can bring along with it a series of puzzling (and maybe even disturbing) scenarios that will make you ask—both of your kid and of the host parents—“Really???” Read more >

There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch!

By: Jolene Roehlkepartain
In schoolyard culture, it goes without saying that lunchtime is rule-exempt. It’s not uncommon for kids to strike up deals with other kids, swapping part of their lunch for another child’s, or for kids to load up on foods they aren’t allowed to have at home. So, what’s a parent to do? Read more >

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

By: Jolene Roehlkepartain
What kind of habits does your child have? Are they mostly good? Mostly bad? Or downright ugly? Help is here!

Raising Kids Who Don't Gamble

Kids have different brains than grown-ups. These differences make kids prone to lifelong trouble if they start engaging in risky behavior while their brains are still developing.

Raising Peacebuilders

By: Jolene Roehlkepartain

Did you know that September 21 is the International Day of Peace? It’s a great time to ask yourself, Am I raising my child to be a “peacebuilder”? Read more >

Overscheduled? Find Balance with These Time Planning Tips

By: Jolene Roehlkepartain

So now that summer is coming to a close and the school year is just around the corner, sit down with your family and talk about the fall schedule. What do family members want to do? How much time will those activities take? How can you still have family time together once school starts? Read More >

Back to School and Beyond: Tips for Setting Routines and High Expectations

“High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectations.”—Charles F. Kettering, engineer and inventor

The back to school season is a great time to revisit or set expectations.

Revisit Your 'Declaration of Independence' This Holiday Weekend!

By: Jolene Roehlkepartain
Every Fourth of July, I not only celebrate the independence of our country, but I assess how my kids’ path of independence is going. I challenge you to do the same this holiday weekend. Read More >