To answer the question should your teen still get an allowance, you would have to start from the time they were toddlers. Children receive monetary gifts for birthdays, holidays, and graduations. Hopefully, they have put this money away for their college education. However, parents teach responsibility to their children by setting up an allowance structure for completing chores, taking out the dog, helping with laundry, or cleaning their room.

An allowance these days may average $1.00 to $5.00 depending upon the chore completed. A child may put the money in their piggy bank and eventually, with the parent’s help, open up a bank account. Eventually, as the child grows, your teen may ask to use the money to buy an electronic toy or CD or a more expensive item such as an iPod or Xbox. If you’ve taught your child the value of money by example, your teen may not be so inclined to buy every new gadget that comes out.

If all of the prerequisite components of teaching responsibility on how to handle money have taken hold, then there is no need to continue with the allowance structure per se. It may be more prudent to undertake a new level of responsibility, which is to provide that which the teen needs more than wants.

While some teens apply for summer jobs to help them with expenses, others may not. Does this mean the family bank is still open to them? Hopefully, not. If your teen wants to buy the latest gadget, the best way to handle it is to lend the money, and explain the terms of the loan. This is the only way your teen will understand the value of a dollar, and will come to terms with the fact that you will not simply shell out money every time your teen asks.

While there are some teens that scrimp and save, others see money as an opportunity to buy the latest fashions, including sneakers, which cost a bundle to begin with. So too, fashion sense and peer pressure go hand in hand. Consequently, your teen may begin to withdraw money from the savings account. But, at some point, your teen will run out of money and come running to you.

Here is when you have to be firm and adamant in your assessment of your teen’s needs, and discuss financial responsibility in an open and honest forum. Once your teen understands the terms under which you will honor the request, your teen may not be in such a hurry to buy an expensive item the next time.

Should your teen still get an allowance? Honestly, no.

Many parents have problems getting their teenagers to read and do their homework.  However, there are many great authors teens love to read.  If you’re looking for a gift, you may want to consider purchasing a book from one of these authors. Read the rest of this entry

Ask anyone who has ever smoked and then quit, and they’ll tell you they wish they’d never started to smoke. Instead of starting as a teen, smoking could have been avoided. In fact, those who have been smoking for years will tell your teen that smoking is a dead-end addiction that should be avoided at all costs. Read the rest of this entry

Owning a car is a serious responsibility. Not only are you responsible for the vehicle, but you are responsible for the lives of everyone in the vehicle and everyone that comes around the vehicle when it is moving. A license is not the best sign to determine if your teenager is ready for his own car. Here are some points to consider.

1. An understanding of finances can be invaluable when it comes to owning a car. Ideally, the teenager needs to have earned at least a portion of the purchase price. After the car has been bought, it is a good idea for the new driver to be financially obligated to purchase the gas, do regular maintenance and pay for the insurance – all with his own money. The need for income cannot replace the need for good grades in school. A responsible person will figure out how to balance the two needs in order to accomplish his goals.

2. Almost anyone can pass the driver’s test given locally. It is far more important that Mom or Dad give the new driver a passing grade. Not only should the teenager know the legal rules, but he should understand how to drive defensively and learn to see problems before they arise.

3. A teenager that is respectful to Mom and Dad and other adults is much more likely to be respectful to authority. Attitude is not a good thing on the road. If your teenager shows respect and a mild temperament then he may be ready to have his own vehicle.

4. One good turn deserves another. Let your teenager borrow your car for a few nights (or even a couple of weeks). Long enough for the novelty of driving to wear off. After that you will likely see how he is going to treat his own car if you ever decide he is ready for one.

5. It is extremely important that your teenager have plenty of time behind the wheel before she flies solo. It is just as important that she experience different driving situations. Take her on a road trip and let her do some driving on the interstate, in city traffic and other situations you think might arise. Give her the experience a little bit at a time and her sense of responsibility and confidence behind the wheel will continue to grow.

6. Each teenager will be different. It’s not a good idea to set a date deadline for getting a teenager his first car. Instead judge each individual on his (or her) attitudes and actions.

Giving a teenager a car is like providing her with a weapon that weighs over a ton and that goes 70 miles an hour. It can be dangerous and scary. Be sure that your teenager appreciates the severity of the situation, is willing to take financial responsibility and is determined to respect the rules and authority that govern the road.

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Parents of teenagers know how important fashion is to them. Each teen has his or her own individual style. Some love to follow the latest trends, while others have a fashion sense all their own. Here are some of the hottest fashion trends for teens this spring:

The Little White Dress

The little black dress is a perennial favorite, but one of this spring’s most notable trends is the little white dress. Whether it’s a simple A-line or a cute little crocheted number, the little white dress is versatile and easy to accessorize. You can also easily add some punch to it with some brightly colored jewelry and shoes.

White is also a hit for the prom, for both boys and girls. White dresses and tuxedos are quite elegant, and they can be accessorized with virtually any color. If all white is too intimidating for your teen, there are some nice black and white options for the prom.

Belts

Belts are a big deal this spring. Skinny belts are making a comeback in a big way, but big, thick belts are a favorite as well. Both are being paired with dresses to slim and draw attention to the waist.

Patent is popular in accessories, and belts are no exception. A shiny patent belt can add lots of interest to almost any outfit. You can find these belts in a variety of colors, not just black and white.

Sheer Fabrics

Sheer fabrics have been all over the runways this season. There, they leave little to the imagination. In real life, they are great for layering with solid pieces.

Sheer jackets or button-up shirts in vivid prints look great with coordinating solid-colored tank tops. Scarves are also a hit this spring, and there are lots of lovely sheer ones to choose from.

Lots of Silver

Silver is one of the most popular colors of the season. There are plenty of ways that teens can incorporate it into their wardrobes. Jewelry is one of them, but not the only one.

Metallic fabrics are both trendy and elegant, and they can be found in everything from dresses to outerwear. Shoes and handbags are also great in silver, and they complement the season’s neutral colors very well. Even belts and scarves in silver tones can add some shine to an ensemble.

Floral Prints

The femininity of floral prints is often seen in the spring. Large and mid-sized floral prints are all the rage for both teens and adults this season. Dresses are the most obvious place for them, but they can also be found on shirts, jackets, pants, and handbags.

Floral prints also provide a great way to introduce color without wearing it from head to toe. White or neutral backgrounds are unobtrusive, yet when you add some brightly colored flowers to them, it really makes them pop.

Aurelia Williams owner of the Parenting My Teen talk-show, held a 2-day seminar event, ‘School’s Out! Plan For The Perfect Teen Summer’ on May 16th – 17th, 2007 featuring 4 experts that discussed many positive things that parents and teens can be focusing on during summer. Things like: Education, money, staying out of trouble and more.

The seminar included:

- A 10 Week Summer Action plan with ideas for keeping your teens occupied.

- Access to the recordings of four great speakers with advice for you on ’summer with your teen’. The recordings also include a question and answer session.

-11 page report on Summer Learning For Your Teen: That discusses “summer brain drain”, the loss of learning that occurs in students over the summer and how parents of teens can help prevent summer learning loss.

-15 page report on all the basic skills your teen needs to live on his/her own down the road.

-A 90 minute audio explaining Nine Easy Steps to Solve Conflicts with your Child or Teen (complete with handouts).

-1 page report on how to assist your teen in the search for a summer job.

She just informed me that this package is still available for download for a very affordable price. If you are struggling for ideas to keep your teen busy this summer I recommend you get this special report today, summer will be here before you know it

==> Click here to learn how to plan for the perfect teen summer!

So many teenagers the country over have cell phones.  Either they’re talking on them constantly or using text messaging to communicate with friends.  While you want them to be able to stay in contact with friends, you probably also want them to stop spending so much time on their cell phones. Read the rest of this entry

Today’s teenagers are often thought to be selfish, uncaring, and disrespectful people who don’t have any redeeming qualities. That image of teenagers is wrong in most cases. Talk with your teen about sensitive issues and you’ll see how they really do depend upon you, as parents, for guidance. It’s never too early to begin opening the doors of communication about sensitive topics, but unfortunately it can be too late. Read the rest of this entry

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 10 million females are currently dealing with eating disorders such as anorexia, and bulimia. It is also estimated that 25 million more are struggling with the bingeing and purging disorder. Among these disorders, however, anorexia is the most prevalent and has become a pandemic in our society. Yes, teenage eating disorders are on the rise.

While these statistics are frightening, you as a parent can recognize the signs and help prevent your child from becoming a statistic. Let’s focus in on anorexia, since it is the most serious and debilitating of all eating disorders.

Here are the signs and symptoms to look out for in your child.

1. Is she losing weight at an alarming rate?
2. Are her clothes too big for her?
3. Has she taken on a paler look?
4. Is she spending more time in her room than usual?
5. Does she make excuses for not eating dinner with the family?
6. When she does sit at the table for family dinner, does she move the food around her plate simulating that she is eating.
7. Have you heard her comment she is too fat?
8. Does she seem lethargic and guarded?
9. Is she having many unusual mood swings?

If you notice any of these signs, your child is probably anorexic. To be certain, you would have to confront her at a time when she is just coming out of the shower or bath so that you can look at her body. Then, you can confirm your suspicions. Remember, you can place your teen in front of a mirror to show them they are not fat, but fat is all they see. You can’t convince them otherwise.

As an anorexic, your child will experience dizziness and fainting spells. Symptoms will advance including damage to her kidneys, her menstruation will cease, and her muscles will begin to feed her body. Finally, upon diagnosis, the doctor may recommend hospitalization wherein she would have to be tube-fed, followed by rigorous counseling.

Teenage eating disorders are on the rise, and they can be a devastating consequence to a child’s early perception of what they think they look like. Karen Carpenter and other famous celebrities succumbed to anorexia at young ages, and it is important for all parents to become knowledgeable on all eating disorders which may affect their kids.

Teen acne is a condition that is common among teenagers across the world. Over 70% of teens between the ages of 12 and 19, and sometimes into adulthood, have acne in some form or severity. This could be caused by hereditary or poor skincare, but there’s no doubt teen acne can scar more than skin. Read the rest of this entry

If you didn’t start teaching your teen to cook when they were younger, take heart.  It’s not too late.  The easiest way of teaching your teenager how to cook is by having them help you prepare meals.  Let them watch some, then get them started cutting, peeling, slicing, and stirring.  Before too long, they’ll be fixing dinner and you can relax. Read the rest of this entry

Teenagers have not always been known for their wise decisions.  More often than not, teenagers make rash decisions that have very little conscious thought involved and are more likely spurred on by the crowd.  In the past, these “adventures” involved car races or some form of dare that might cause harm (or embarrassment).  Today the adventures have turned more deadly.  The trend is to play a game – only this game is one of life or death.

The Choking Game (also known as the Blackout Game or the Fainting Game) is when one person shuts off the oxygen to his brain (sometimes by strangulation) in order to get a high from the experience.  This intentional deprivation of oxygen to the brain can result in unconsciousness, temporary or even permanent brain damage, or death. 

It is important to talk to your teenager about who he (or she) is spending time with or what he is doing with his friends when he is out.  These recreational activities that teenagers are participating in are no games.  Not only can they cause problems in youth, but they can also lead to more dangerous scenarios as the teenager grows older.  Some teenagers who participate in the Choking Game eventually develop an unnatural fixation on erotic asphyxiation.

There are a variety of reasons that people say they participate in the Choking Game – none of which have ever been substantiated.  Some claim that it produces a brief high.  Others say that cutting off the oxygen produces a more enhanced sense of erotic feelings.  Some even suggest that it gives the same feeling of being intoxicated.  No matter what the reason, the truth is that no one can be sure just how much damage is being done neurologically each time the “game” is “played”.

It might surprise you to find out that this game has been around for longer than most experts realize.  As long as thirty years ago, kids in the school yard were hyperventilating on purpose to get a high or dizzy feeling associated with intoxication.  Unfortunately, the teenagers of today have found more effective ways to play the game.  Even more unfortunate is that few parents realize it is going on.  There are very few documented cases of injury or death from this game.

Make time to talk to your teenager on a regular basis.  Talk about things in the news, hobbies and interests or whatever your teenager wants to discuss.  When things come up, talk about situations like the Choking Game and how deadly serious they can be.  The more open and honest you are with your teenager about little things, the more open he (or she) will be to your opinion about important issues.

Spring break is coming up, and you’re looking forward to spending some quality time with the kids. Maybe you’ve even planned a trip or some activities for the week. And then your teen comes to you and asks if she can take a trip with her friends. What do you do?

This is a tough question for many parents. We’ve all heard the horror stories of teens and young adults who have been victims of crime during spring break. Your first instinct may be to panic and say no, but wait. It’s important to hear your teen out before making a decision.

Once your teen has told you what it is she wants to do, ask her some questions. Here are a few that it’s good to know the answers to, if she hasn’t already told you:

* Will there be a responsible adult chaperone present?
* What is the destination, and where would she be staying?
* Who else is going, and are these the kinds of people she would be allowed to hang out with at home?
* Who is in charge of setting up the travel, activities, and accommodations?

Has Your Teen Earned Your Trust?

When considering letting your teen go on a spring break trip without you, it is important to examine any trust issues. If you have had problems with your teen lying to you on a regular basis, it is probably not a good idea to allow her to go. If you’re not sure that she is telling you the truth about the trip, it’s possible that she could end up in danger.

If, on the other hand, your teen has always been honest with you, it is best to give her request serious consideration. If she has answered all of your questions to your satisfaction, that is good. But it’s also a good idea to do some investigating of your own.

What Kind of Research Should I Do?

First, see what you can find out about the proposed destination. Is it frequented by spring breakers? What is the crime rate? Have there been reports of kidnappings or other crimes against kids there on spring break?

If the destination looks okay, check out the people behind the trip. If it is planned by an organization, do some research to find out if they are on the up and up. Some unscrupulous organizations take advantage of young people who are looking to have some spring break fun.

If everything checks out, consider letting your teen go on the trip. She is at a stage where developing independence is very important, and such a trip could be good for her. Just be sure that she understands that the rules of conduct that would apply at home also apply while she is away, and that she knows everything she needs to know to stay safe.

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Well, it’s nail-biting time. Your teen has just passed the test and has received a license to drive. Whether you taught your teen to drive or a driving course was taken, your teen now feels ready to drive to school.

Driving to school encompasses a myriad of rules and regulations, not only those mandated by law, but by parents as well.

* Always wear a seatbelt.
* Never talk on a cell phone while driving.
* Do not drink and drive at any time.
* Do not engage in putting on makeup while driving.
* Do not comb hair while driving.
* Do not eat or drink while driving.
* Do not blast the radio or CD.
* Do not use the horn unless absolutely necessary.
* Park in a safe area at school or use their parking lot, if applicable.
* Follow all of the rules and regulations of the road, including:
o coming to a full stop at stop sign
o adhering to pedestrians crossing the road
o stop at a yellow light and not try to drive through it
o if a school bus has its stop sign poised at the out position, stop and wait until the bus moves before driving
o always check front and side mirrors for approaching cars
o always signal before making turns
o turn on headlights during inclement weather
* Ensure no one is behind or in front of you when parking.
* Observe all street signs and speed limits.

Since this is the first time your teen is using the car to drive to school, it is understandable that you are a bit anxious. However, trust in the fact that your teen fully understands all of the rules of the road, has driven responsibly with you, and has followed your every direction.

Cell phone use is only for emergencies. Parking the car and then making a call is recommended. Teens know they are responsible for their actions. If they falter in any way, there is always public transportation. You can be sure they would never want a parent driving them to school, so they fully understand their actions have consequences.