Parenting Help
By Denise Witmer, About.com Guide to Teens
Parents of teenagers can use all the help they can get. Here you will find articles that will allow you to dig deeper into this site's parents of teens resources so you can learn all there is to know about parenting your teen.
- Cars and Driving
- Coping with Grief/Loss and Teens
- Dealing with Youth Risk Behaviors
- Establishing Discipline, Rules and Responsibilities
- Fun Things to Do with Teens
- Improve Your Relationship with Your Teen
- Managing Everyday Life With Teens
- Observing Holidays and Special Occasions with Teens
- Managing Your Teen's Education
- Organizing Teen Parties and Get Togethers
- Parenting Contracts to Print and Use
- Parenting Young Adult Children
- Parenting Your Teen Athlete
- Raising Teen Boys
- Raising Teen Girls
- Raising a Healthy Teen and Promoting Wellness
- Support for Parents of Teens with Special Needs
- Talking and Listening to Your Teen
- Teaching Your Teen About Money And Financial Responsibility
- When the World Steps into Your Teen’s Life
Cars and Driving
Driving is one of the biggest responsibilities your teen will have. Help your teenager become a better driver with these tips, information on state laws and how-to resources.
- How To Set the Limits on Driving
- Teaching Teenagers to Drive; A Dos and Don'ts List
- Tips for New Teen Drivers
- Parenting Poll: Who should pay the added insurance?
- What are the statistics of fatal crashes involving teen drivers?
Coping with Grief/Loss and Teens
This section is for parents who have faced the loss of their teen or for parents of teens who have had a loss in their lives.
- 5 Things Parents Can Do to Help Grieving Teens
- Grief Articles for Teens
- Online Communities for Parents and Teens Coping with Grief
- Book Review: The Grieving Garden: Living with the Death of a Child
- Five Things Your Teen Needs From You After a Divorce
Dealing with Youth Risk Behaviors
Parents and teens face tough issues and problems can occur. Here are resources on where to get help and how to prevent deliquent behavior - drinking, drug use, sex, violence, running away and more.
- 10 Essentials Your Teen Needs to Know About Sex
- 4 Bad Food Habits Teens Have and What Parents Can Do About Them
- 5 Things You Should Do if You Think Your Teen is Depressed
- FAQ: Why should teen pregnancy concern everyone?
- Bullying and The School Bully
- Drinking and Driving
- Help Your Teen Handle Peer Pressure
- Help Your Teen Shape a Healthy Body Image
- How Can I Help My Overweight Teenager?
- How to Raise a Drug-Free Teen
- Keep Your Teen From Becoming an Online Porn Star
- Prevent Teen Smoking Series: Five Truths About Teen Smoking
- Self-Injury Resources
- Shoplifting and Teenagers
- Signs of Gang Involvement
- Teen Pregnancy: Tips on Prevention
- Teen Suicide Risk Factors
- Teenagers Running Away
- Truancy Prevention
- Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence
Establishing Discipline, Rules and Responsibilities
Discipline can be one of the hardest jobs parents have to do. Using active discipline techniques can lead to positive character traits in our teenagers which will guide them to becoming happy young adults. With these articles you will learn about setting limits, establishing rules, developing a discipline style and teaching responsibility.
- 3 Reasons Why Parents Shouldn’t Use Scare Tactics
- 3 Reasons Why Your Teen Needs Fair and Firm Discipline
- Delegate a Responsibility to Your Teen
- Discipline in School
- Discipline: Logical & Natural Consequences
- Help Your Teen Regain Trust
- How To Give Choices
- Learn CONTROL When Arguing with Your Teen
- Learn to Fall Back and Regroup In 5 Easy Steps
- Must Have Books for Parents: Developing a Discipline Style
- Parenting Tips on Discipline: Don't freak out!
- Quiz: Are You a Pushover Parent?
- Setting Limits & Rules
- Setting Your Expectations
- Teach Positive Values - 5 Ways People With Strong Moral Fiber Act
- Teens and Power Struggles - What Do You Do?
- The Myth of the 'Bad Kid'
- What Do I do If My Teen Lies to Me?
- What is Behavior Modeling and How to Use It
- What Is Discipline?
Fun Things to Do with Teens
Just because your child is growing up, doesn't mean all of the fun is over. Try these resources to add more fun in your day with your teen.
- Surprise Your Teen During for Special Occasions or Holidays
- Things to Do With or For Your Teen This Year
- Cook with Your Teen: Recipes for Kids
- Quiz: Do you spend enough time with your teen?
Improve Your Relationship with Your Teen
Parents who take the time to understand their teen's needs and learn about who they are as the person he/she is becoming will build a strong and lasting relationship with their soon-to-be adult child.
- Strengthen Your Family’s Bonds with These Ten Tips
- Be Your Teen’s Biggest Fan
- Communication Skills for Parents: Active Listening
- FAQ: What do you do when you don't like your teen's friends?
- How to Help Your Teen Control Mood Swings
- How to Praise Your Teen
- Parenting Quiz: Are You Sabotaging Your Teen's Social Life?
- Parenting Quiz: How Well Do You Really Know Your Teen?
- Teen-Approved Rewards
- Top 5 Factors That Contribute to Raising Resilient Teens
- Why Trapping Your Teen Won’t Work
- Your Role as the Reinforcer of Your Teens Self-Esteem
- Ten Tactics Parents Use to Stay Involved
- Quiz: Do you spend enough time with your teen?
Managing Everyday Life With Teens
You knew what to do when you brought the baby home from the hospital, but did you know that life would just keep getting busier? Here are some resources for parents who are past babyhood and into the realm of teenagers.
- 3 Reasons to Observe Family Traditions
- Get Rid of Manic Mornings; Adopt a Calm Morning Routine
- Organize Your Family's Schedule in No Time
- Organizing from the Inside Out for Teenagers
- Teens Staying Home Alone - Tips for Parents
- Parenting Quiz - Is Your Teen Ready to Stay Home Alone?
- FAQ: Why does my teen need privacy?
Observing Holidays and Special Occasions with Teens
Fun and happy times make for great memories for both you and your teen. Find resources here that will add fun to your holidays and special occasions and/or help them run more smoothly so that the whole family can enjoy these times.
- 3 Reasons to Observe Family Traditions
- List of Teen-Approved Rewards for Parents
- Things to Do With or For Your Teen
Managing Your Teen's Education
Whether your teen is a straight-A student or struggles in school, he/she needs you to help him/her guide the way to obtaining the best possible education. Your teen needs your involvement in his/her school in order to achieve. Learn what you can do with our education resources for parents of teenagers.
- Back to School in 5 Trouble-free Steps
- Everyday Tactics That Will Encourage Your Teen to Read
- Get Rid of Manic Mornings; Adopt a Calm Morning Routine
- Getting Your Teen Into College Series
- Help! School Problems: Too much time in detention/suspension/principals offfice.
- Help! School Problems: Your teen has a hard time taking tests.
- Help! School Problems: Your teen is falling asleep in class.
- Help! School Problems: Your teen is having trouble doing the work or homework.
- Help! School Problems: Your teen is never prepared.
- Help! School Problems: Your teen is not involved in extracurricular activities.
- Help! School Problems: Your teen is too involved and over scheduled.
- Help! School Problems: Your teen lacks direction.
- How To Attend a High School Parents' Night
- How To Build a Winning Academic and Personal Record
- How To Encourage Your High School Student to Do Their Best
- How To Help Your Teen Ace the Test
- How To Set up a Mobile Homework Center
- Parenting Quiz: Is Your Teen Ready for High School?
- School Violence Poll: Zero Tolerance?
- Tips On Getting Your Teen To Do Their Homework... and Keep Your Sanity
Organizing Teen Parties and Get Togethers
Do you know how to throw a teen party? What do you do to keep your teen and their friends from being bored in your home? Answer these questions here with our teen party and get together resources for parents.
- Five Reasons You Should Throw a Party with Your Teen
- Graduation Party Planner
- Halloween Party Planner
- How to Throw a Super Bowl Party for Teens
- Plan a Harvest Party for Teens and Older Kids
- Teen Birthday Party Planner
- Teen News Years Eve Party Planner
- Teen Parties: Setting the Rules
Parenting Contracts to Print and Use
Sometimes clear communication takes the written word. While, your teen may feel that a parenting contract isn't necessary, often may arguments and bad feeling could have been prevent if parents had used a contract. Help your teen think of these as more of an action plan, where his/her say is important and can be written down to be abided by also. Be sure to compromise with your teen and feel free to cross things out or add things to make these parenting contracts your own.
- Parenting Teens Contract on Cell Phone Use
- Parenting Teens Contract on Laptop Use
- Parenting Teens Contract on Teen Driving
- Parenting Teens Contract on Teen Dating
Parenting Young Adult Children
Your young adult is still your child and will still need you. Although, it behooves us - and them - to take a large step back and let them live their lives, it's not always easy. This is especially true when your young adult child is living in your home. Here are some resources that will help.
- 6 Tips to Aid in Preventing or Overcoming Empty Nest Syndrome
- Care Package Ideas for College Students
- Five Reasons Your Young Adult Should Consider the Military
- How much rent should teens pay?
- Must Have Books for Parents of College Students
- Surviving Your College Students Visit
Parenting Your Teen Athlete
Teens who play sports have some extra concerns with getting to practice, learning teamwork, school spirit and more. Parenting a teen athlete can be exhausting, but also fulfilling. Take a look at our resources for any help you may need.
Raising Teen Boys
Issues, tips and concerns relating to bring up a teenage boy.
- Do boys have body image issues too?
- How to Teach Your Teen Son to Shave
- What's Going on Down There Answers to Questions Boys Find Hard to Ask
- FAQ: My teen son just told me he got his girlfriend pregnant. What do I do?
Raising Teen Girls
Issues, tips and concerns relating to bringing up teenage girls.
- FAQ: Can my daughter get an abortion without my consent?
- Girls Fighting YouTube Videos – Are Mean Girls Getting Meaner?
- Period: A Girl's Guide to Menstruation
- Teach Your Teen Daughter to Shave
- FAQ: My teen daughter just told me she is pregnant. What do I do?
- Book Review: Powder Box Secrets
Raising a Healthy Teen and Promoting Wellness
Health resources specifically related to teen issues such as hygiene, emotional health, diet, exercise and more. Learn how to be proactive about your teen's health and teach that positive skill to your teen.
- 3 Reasons to Encourage Your Teen to Do Breast Self Exams
- Is your teenager capable of keeping a healthy hygiene routine without your help?
- Is your teenager capable of taking care of his/her own health issues?
- Tips on Teaching Your Teen How to Deal with Stress
- 4 Bad Food Habits Teens Have and What Parents Can Do About Them
- How to Get Your Teen to Eat Breakfast
- Ultimate Weight Solution for Teens: The 7 Keys to Weight Freedom
- Teenagers and Sleep
- Help Your Teen Shape a Healthy Body Image
- So, your teen wants decorative contacts, huh?
- Sport Injuries
- Help Your Teen Prevent Acne
- 7 Parenting Tips on Shaping a Positive Body Image
- 5 Things You Should Do if You Think Your Teen is Depressed
- Ten Signs Your Teenager is Burning Out
- Parenting Quiz - Are you helping your teen prevent an unwanted pregnancy?
Support for Parents of Teens with Special Needs
Special needs in children can mean anything from children of divorce to children with disabilities. Here you will find resources to help you deal with these concerns as they relate to teens.
Talking and Listening to Your Teen
Communication is the number one way to keeping your teenager happy and healthy. Talking to your teen will open doors for both of you and strengthen your relationship. Learn to talk to your teen about the life issues they are facing using our communication resources.
- 10 Ways to Send a Clear Message to Your Teenager
- Active listening
- Door Openers Verses Door Slammers
- How to Role Play with Your Teen
- How to Talk to Your Teen About the Future
- How to Talk to Your Teen About the Future
- Talking to Teens About Friendship
- Things That Make Talking About Sex to Teens Tough and What to Do About Them
Teaching Your Teen About Money And Financial Responsibility
Teens love to learn about money, especially when they can have some to help with the lesson. Here are resources that will help you teach your teen financial responsibility.
- Give an Allowance That Includes Financial Responsibility
- Teens and Taxes - Things Your Teen Needs to Know About Taxes
When the World Steps into Your Teen’s Life
Between violence in the media, ads marketing to teens and teen celebrities doing what they do, you have to wonder if anyone's teen will grow up normal. Use these resources to help you.
