Teens & Preteen

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  5 Dating Rules for Teenagers

  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.

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  Are Your Teens "Sexting"?

  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?

• Boot Camps for Trouble Kids

  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.

• Emotional Development of Adolescents

  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.

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  Healthy Diet for a Teenage Boy

  Teenage boys grow rapidly and gain weight rapidly throughout their adolescent years. For some, it seems impossible for their weight to catch up with their height; they may feel too lean and be sensitive about the lack of mass. For others, prepubescent weight--added to the additional weight gain of the adolescent body--can become too much; they may exceed a recommended weight for their height. Even for teenage boys who walk a middle line between the two weight extremes, eating a health diet is a very important part of good adolescent growth. The basic diet for all body types is the same; more or less weight gain can be dealt with simply by adjusting amounts of particular food types. Regular exercise is also an important component of any good diet.

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  Helping Kids Understand the Dangers of Smoking

  Every day, 3,600 kids between the ages of 12 and 17 start smoking, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A fact sheet on youth and tobacco use states that 20 percent of high school students in the United States were current smokers in 2007. Ninety percent of adults who smoke are likely to have started smoking as kids, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). These numbers are startling and continue to be a cause for concern. The fact is, kids continue to start smoking despite the fact that there is so much information and statistical data available that ought to deter them. It is the responsibility of parents, caregivers, teachers and mentors to help kids understand the dangers of smoking. This article offers tips and step-by-step instructions to help you in the process.

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  How Do Teenagers Build Credit?

  Establishing a good credit history early is as important as not creating a bad credit history. Start teaching teens about money, budgeting and the importance of credit at an early age. Give them some freedom with money to teach them about personal responsibility. Be open to discussing your own credit history and mistakes with teens. Continue to set a good example with your own limited credit card use, reliance on debit cards or cash, and maintaining a budget.

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  How Does a Teenager Open a Bank Account?

  Landing his first job is the perfect time for a teenager to also land his first bank account. While visiting a bank for the first time as a customer may seem intimidating for a teen, knowing the requirements and process will give him a boost of confidence and perhaps their first glimpse into the responsibilities of adulthood. Learning to manage money as a teenager will give your child a head start when it comes to building life skills.

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  How Does Parental Drinking Contribute to Teen Alcoholism?

  Can a parent's drinking habits increase the risk of alcoholism for a teenager? According to the National Institutes of Health, a family history of alcoholism is a major risk factor for problem drinking. In addition, some studies have found that certain genes passed from parents to children increase the risk for alcoholism. Many other factors play a part in teenage drinking, including peer pressure and stress. Still, it seems clear that parent's drinking habits influence how their children use or misuse alcohol.

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  How to Find Summer Jobs for Teenagers

  Hit the pavement with your teen to help them get a feel for job searching. Be prepared to go back home and help the teen fill out an online application if the teen is trying to work at a chain store or chain restaurant. Once the job search starts, or job offers come in, be prepared to discuss work hours and who will get the car and when. Familiarize yourself and your teen with the minimum wage law in your state, as well as the child labor laws.

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