Dating & Sex

Parents are a teenager’s primary source of information and guidance in matters of sex, sexuality, dating and love. “The Talk” should be an ongoing series of discussions that take place whenever your teenager has a question concerning sex or whenever a “teachable moment” presents itself.

Fitness

Getting teenagers into the routine of exercising increases the likelihood that they will grow up to value healthy living and stay active. It will take concerted efforts of parents, schools and communities, however, to encounter the many diversions vying for a youngster’s time and attention. 

Nutrition

One of the first ways teenagers assert their independence is by making their own eating choices. So, it may not come as a surprise that good eating habits are often a problem for teenagers. One way to make sure your teen is consuming a nourishing diet is to have family meals together. 

Driving Safety

The best any adult can do to safeguard teenagers is to make safety a way of life and to instill in their sons and daughters respect for firearms, motor vehicles and other potential hazards. Then they have to trust them to go out into the world and observe the same standards practiced at home.

School

School is where your child hones skills that are every bit as essential to his all-around development and future success as English, math, science, and social studies, even if they don’t appear on a report card. These include critical thinking, problem solving, respecting authority (and, when appropriate, challenging it), asking questions, defending positions and learning to get along with one’s peers.

Substance Use

The peer pressure to try drugs is no less intense than the sexual pressure that so many adolescents face. As with any situation that could conceivably lead to trouble, we need to prepare our kids to refuse offers of alcohol and other drugs–preferably without alienating their peers, although sometimes that isn’t possible.