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While it may be painful to watch your children grow so quickly, one good thing about them hitting the preteen and teenage years is that your days of playing simple, not-so-interesting-for-you games are over. Children who are age 12 and up are able to play games that are more complex and that may be enjoyable for adults as well. Break out the deck of cards and some fun board games for a game night that will entertain everyone.
Get ready for the invasion of the teenagers by planning specific games for guests to play at your teen's 16th birthday party. Choose the games carefully, based on what your teenager likes. While some teenagers like to pretend they are little adults, others may enjoy the opportunity to spend a few hours being silly and childish once again.
Sixteen is the age at which most teens can get their drivers' licenses, and many people believe that it's the age at which they become adults. Although it's often more popular with girls, a Sweet 16 birthday party can celebrate the occasion. Whether you want to do something that's more low-key or spend a lot of money on a formal affair, you can throw a great party for your child.
Does anyone else think kids today are growing up too fast? It’s not that they are growing into responsibilities of adulthood or suddenly learning faster than the rest of us did, but the youth of America is becoming more and more mature as they become more and more overexposed. And while many of you are thinking about our culture teaching children new and exciting curse words or spreading violence, I’ve noticed kids today are exposed most in matters concerning sex.
The teenage years are full of firsts, including first dates. As exciting as it is for your teen, it can be equally terrifying for you as a parent. It's important that you lay the ground rules so that all expectations are understood. It's a good idea to provide your teenager with rules to follow while out on a date.
As if parents didn't have enough to worry about already... In addition to sensationalizing celebrities, natural disasters and philandering politicians, news outlets always make a point to intensify the fear of every parents' never-ending checklist of concerns and paranoia: that their teenage son or daughter is not only sexting and getting drunk on weekends--they are now sneaking off with their iPhones and Blackberrys to "I-dose" on digital sound drugs that make them feel like they are getting high! Seriously? What other bizarre teenage rituals and activities have parents had to worry about in recent years?
Dating is a natural part of growing up, but watching your teen go out on his first date can be difficult for you. Today's teenage romance may not be similar to the types of interactions that you had as a teenager. In fact, you may not even know that your teen is dating. There is perhaps no time when it is more essential for you to keep the lines of communication open with your teen.
As a parent, you want what is best for your children and you try to do the best job you know how in raising them. The fact is, as your children grow up, you can’t control every aspect of their lives. Some children go down the wrong path and become addicted to drugs or alcohol or are generally out of control. One method that parents turn to is tough love.
It can be difficult to decide whether to plan activities for a teenager's birthday party. Some teens prefer to be left alone at the party, while others really need a push to get everyone together. Talk to your teen about what she wants to do for her party, so that you can begin to plan it.
One characteristic of being a teenager is the ability to fall in love romantically for the first time. Although first love can be exciting, it can be confusing as well. Parents can help their teens get through this mysterious time in their lives by letting their teens talk to them about their feelings and by giving their teens some advice.
Teens are spending increased amounts of time on their cell phones and sending increased amounts of text messages. According to Nielsen Mobile, about 80% of teens 13-17 and 93% of adults 18-24 use cell phones. A new trend, called “sexting” on cell phones is becoming a problem among teens. “Sexting” is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos between mobile phones. Are your teens using their phone to send inappropriate sex messages?
Teenagers can be hard to please, making the task of hosting a teen party quite the challenge. To ensure that your finicky party guests stay engaged from the start of your event to the conclusion, prepare an assortment of games. With some ingenuity and the assistance of your teen birthday girl, you can throw an exciting teen bash without breaking a sweat.
While many teens fear looking childish, most of them still enjoy lively, silly or challenging party games. Long after your party decorations have been recycled and the leftover snacks have gone stale, guests will still remember the games and activities from your teen's birthday party. Put away that Pin the Tail on the Donkey poster and set the stage for some age-appropriate and fun teen party games.
As your child hits the preteen years, usually between the ages of 9 and 12, you may notice that she wants different things for her birthday party. Gone are the days when playing Bingo, hiring a clown and eating birthday cake were good enough. The preteen years are when your child will start to discover who she really is. Plan a party with her that will let her express who she is and what she likes right now.
The key to a successful party for a 10-year-old girl is to make it as grown-up as possible. No matter if she still sleeps with the remnants of her favorite baby blanket or sits on her daddy's lap for bedtime stories--when it comes to her first double-digit birthday, a 10-year-old girl wants a party that, to her, spells sophistication.
Throw a teen boy a birthday party that won't embarrass him, cost you a fortune or cause any trouble. Coming up with ideas for a party for a teenager can be tricky, since you don't want to pick anything that he will deem too childish and you also don't want to surrender the planning of the party to him completely. Ask your son what he wants, but make it clear that you will there to keep an eye on things.
Teen girl birthday parties typically reflect the girl's interests, hobbies and tastes, as well as those of her friends. However, parents also want the party to fall within the realm of good taste and have a positive atmosphere. Plan a teenage birthday party that offers something surprising or different--whether it features a special theme or centers around a specific activity.
Teen boot camps are generally considered to be a short-term solution for helping troubled teens overcome their defiant behaviors. Sending teens to boot camp is meant to be a way to teach them to respect authority, as a program of strict discipline and rigorous physical exercises is intended to make a teen more conforming. Achieving change is difficult, but once a teen accepts personal responsibility for his behavior, he is probably going to develop a better attitude. According to the American Psychological Association, individuals are more likely to make positive changes in their lives once they discover their own strengths. One of the benefits of boot camp may be that it gives teens an opportunity to learn more about themselves.
Did you see fourteen year old Phoebe Prince on the cover of PEOPLE magazine several times? She's the 15-year-old teen that committed suicide after being bullied at her school. Now, many of the administrators at the school are resigning, because they are being blamed for her death. Is it the school's fault?
The last thing you probably want for your teenage child is an unplanned pregnancy. Parents and teachers alike share that sentiment. The type of sex education teenagers receive is another matter--one often filled with argument and debate. One camp believes that teenagers should practice abstinence and teaches children to just say "No." The other camp believes that sex education and teaching about birth control is more effective.
Throw your teenager a 16th birthday party he'll never forget. For many teenagers, turning 16 means big changes in their lives. Many will learn how to drive, some will start their first part-time jobs, and most will gain some independence. Before you begin planning the party, set some ground rules with your teenager. Decide whether the party will be coed, and set a budget that will determine the party's size and location.
If you're like most parents, you've probably said the phrase,"You can't date until you're 30," to your pre-teen or teenager. While parents would like their kids to wait as long as possible to get involved in the dating scene, the reality is that kids are connecting in school, during after-school activities and online. They are forming relationships and becoming smitten with their friends. Dating can be a troubling time for teens and their parents, but when you communicate dating rules early, teens learn what's expected and the consequences if the rules aren't followed.
The facts are in: According to the New York Times, plastic surgery is rising steadily in teens (and even tweens) and with girls like Heidi Montag Pratt as potential "role-models" for girls, we should be very very scared. The 23-year-old reality star recently underwent no less than TEN plastic surgeries in one day -- everything from getting F-sized boobs to face injections and a chin implant. It's scarily not uncommon, for parents to buy their kids boob-jobs for graduation, but isn't this going just a little bit too far?
If you are planning a birthday party or sleepover for your little lady, coming up with games and activities that she and her guests can enjoy during the party can be difficult. Dress-up and makeup games, however, can help the girls use their imaginations, get to learn about each other and have fun, all at the same time.
After school and during the summer months when school is out, tweens seek ways to keep busy and earn extra money at the same time. Earning money by working teaches tweens responsibility, can improve their self-worth and introduce them to the proper ways of budgeting their money. Help your teen come up with easy ways to make money, based on the knowledge and skills he already has.
When it comes to keeping kids preoccupied during summer, long rides, long rainy days or on any given day that boredom kicks in, electronic handheld games are among the top contenders. Electronic handheld games can make the time seem to go by faster and more enjoyably, not only for children, but for parents, too. If you want to keep the whining at bay, give your child an electronic handheld game to keep him entertained and happy.
The emotional development of adolescents seems ever more complex in a changing and challenging world. With new ways of communicating with one and another and the ability to remain in close touch with parents, or to "turn parents off," adolescents pose a challenge to themselves and those who care about them. Nonetheless, by the end of the teenage years, most adolescents have turned into lovely young men and women.
Mark a 13th birthday with something special that reflects your child's entrance into adolescence. Ask your child for ideas regarding the theme, activities, menu, guest list and location. For most teenagers, hanging out with friends tops the list of priorities--be it a few close buddies or everyone from summer camp and school. Personalize the event by having guests write notes, draw doodles or contributing a song to a mixed CD that commemorates the special day.
Gone are the days of Sponge Bob cakes and pirate pinatas. Birthday parties for teenagers demand a whole new planning process, from themes to activities, location to guest list policies. Make the event fun for both you and your teen by allowing your teenager to have some control over the birthday party, such as the guest list, the party snacks or the activities, as long as the plans meet with your budget and your approval.
