Parenting Teens
Are we damaging our kids’ academic results?

Are we damaging our kids’ academic results?

As our kids get older, the exams they take and their academic performance can determine their whole life outcomes. That’s scary. But new research shows that wanting them to do too well can actually have the opposite effect, and make them do badly. Research published by the American Psychological Association

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A Change In Holidays

We tell our kids that the holidays are about spending time with family. But, at the end of the day, don’t we focus we more on the traditions the holidays have assigned to them, than the actual time spent together? This actually changes. When are children are away for months

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Role Models Don’t Quit

Role Models Don’t Quit

A couple months ago, I talked about how your kids leaving home isn’t that bad. In that post, we talked about staying busy. We talked about following some before-I-die dream. We also talked about the idea of this gaping hole that is created when your kid leaves home. The reality

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Becoming THAT Parent

Becoming THAT Parent

I made a deal with my daughter when I bought her a car. SHE was responsible for everything. So, when I was borrowing her car and realized the registration was out of date, I didn’t quite handle it smoothly. Back Up A Tick Raising her, I was very adamant that

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When Your Kid Leaves Home

When Your Kid Leaves Home

When you’re used to having your kids around all the time and suddenly they’re living at college, it’s a huge change for both kids and their parents. I joked recently about all the positives about your kids going off to school – though some of them weren’t really jokes. Most

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  • Should we criminalise kids for sexting?

Should we criminalise kids for sexting?

A case hit the news last week about a 14 year old boy in the UK who sent a naked photograph of himself to a girl at school. The girl captured the photo and distributed it around her school. Teachers got wind of it, and called the police. The boy

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The Results Are In

The Results Are In

Nothing makes your heart been faster than those five magic words… I got my test back. This is the make-it or break-it time of the day. Good grade = good night. Bad grade = moody and frustrated, maybe some self-deprication, possibly some yelling, and most assuredly the end of time

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  • Parenting Teens: Go the F*** to Sleep

Parenting Teens: Go the F*** to Sleep

Recently I was reminded of a brilliant book, which, while shining a light of one of the most irritating parts of early-years parenting, currently resonates with me as the parent of a 17 year old.  Go The F**k to Sleep written by Adam Mansbach, is a children’s book for adults

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  • Should I get my kid a card? Valentine’s Day and how to get your kid through

Should I get my kid a card? Valentine’s Day and how to get your kid through

Parenting wisdom for Valentine’s Day 1) Thinking of getting your kid a Valentine’s card just in case? Resist! Resist! Resist!  If they find out, they’ll throw furniture across the room or sulk for a week 2) Show them that you care in a different way 3) Start by sharing your

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  • Parenting Teens?  I’m making it up as I go along

Parenting Teens? I’m making it up as I go along

Hello, my name is Rachel. I live in Bedfordshire and I am the mother of a seventeen year old.  There are days when I have no idea how that happened.  I think I blinked and missed it. If I ever meet Dr Miriam Stoppard she and I will have words

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