Blog
-
Parental Alert
What was your world like when you were ten or fifteen years old? How did you spend time with friends? What was neighborhood safety like? Did you have a cell phone? Did you have a smartphone? Was there even anything such as internet safety? Was…
-
The Exit Plan
Last September, we helped parents understand the importance of having “The Talk” with their children. Today, we want to expand on bullet point #5 — Build your child’s strategies and skills to avoid alcohol and drug use and talk about The Exit Plan. You and your…
-
Better & Stronger
We made it through 2020, and I think we can all say 2020 was not without its fair share of hardships. Life can be hard all on its own, but then you mix in a global pandemic and all the aftermath that comes with it,…
-
Question & Silence
Get in the Way Tip #8 Through the years, I have learned a very productive habit when helping people solve problems on their own. The habit is – Ask a great question and then shut up! People are more likely to do something when it…
-
I Am Proud of You
One mantra I have used to get through this time of uncertainty is “success is your duty, obligation, and responsibility.” Lately, I’ve been thinking about that from a parenting aspect. The success of our children is our duty, obligation, and responsibility. As 2020 comes to…
-
The Talk
It is not always easy to start conversations with your children about certain topics. They can become awkward and uncomfortable fast. But those are the types of conversations that are the most important for your family’s future. You know the talk, right? The talk you…
-
Testing Hot – Update
Last January, I published an article written shortly after getting off the phone with a mother whose twenty-five-year-old son had tested “hot” for opioids. This mom was beginning to lose hope because he had been admitted into drug treatment centers multiple times. She was now…
-
Creating Purpose
The teen brain focuses on risk and excitement. As parents, grandparents, or caring adults, there are times when we must Get in the Way and be the guiding force—and at times—foil these high-risk situations teens create or put themselves in. Get in the Way Tips…
-
The Peer Factor
Get in the Way Tip #7 Parents are the #1 influence on their kids growing up. BUT, as they get older, peers take on that influence. Teen’s priorities switch from making their parents proud, to making their peers proud; a people-pleasing mentality that is detrimental…
-
Roadblocks to Change
As a teen, my mission in life was to never be like my father. The worst day of my life was the day I realized I was just like him. That was the day I realized I had to do more than think I wanted to be…
-
Suicide Prevention
Are you contemplating suicide? Please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline here: 1-800-273-8255 or chat here with someone who can listen and help. During the COVID-19 quarantine, mental health has been a hot topic. Tragically, many have committed suicide due to the overwhelming nature of…
-
Verbalize Your Expectations Often
Get in the Way Quick Tip #1 So who has the most influence on a teen’s choice to use drugs or alcohol? The answer: parents and peers. I mention peers just momentarily, as we’ll talk about the “peer factor” in an upcoming segment. But for…