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So your teenager is behind the wheel

June 9, 2011 By
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You have dreaded the day that your son or daughter gets behind the wheel of a vehicle for their first drive by themselves. You will want to make sure that your teenager has all of the proper training before you let them take the wheel for their very first drive.

First of all, enroll them into a drivers education course. You can check with your local DMV office or check with the high school that they are or will be attending. Make schools offer this course as an elective as has little to no cost to you. This will give your teenager a great foundation for the road ahead. They will be taught the basics of driving safety and prepare them to take and pass the driving test to be able to obtain their drivers license.

Once they have their driver’s permit, which most states give at 15 years of age, or their actual license make sure to allow them to drive under your supervision. There is nothing like parental advice and supervision to help make a new driver feel comfortable.

Finally, set some ground rules. Let your teenager know up front what is and isn’t allowed. Let them know when they are allowed to use the vehicle, how far and where they can go, and who is allowed in the vehicle with them. By setting boundaries, you let them know up front that there are consequences for breaking the rules and your teenager will be more responsible when it comes to driving.

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Underage drinking

June 5, 2011 By
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Underage drinking can be very dangerous and is completely illegal. Stopping the underage epidemic starts with the parents. Parents have a huge influence in their teenagers lives and should be discussing these types of issues before they happen.

Alcohol is the number one abused substance in the United States. Teenagers use alcohol more then they use tobacco and drugs. Most of the alcohol consumed by teenagers is in the form of binge drinking. This type of drinking has led to approximately 190,000 emergency room visits in 2008.

Some of the problems that underage drinkers may have include DUI arrests. This may present a problem getting employment in the future. Some employers look at driving and criminal records before hiring employees. Sexual assault can also be a consequence of drinking. All too often we hear about a young female being drugged while drinking or getting too drunk and ending up getting raped or even killed. Underage drinking can also lead to the use of illegal drugs. Once a teenager sees how good the buzz feels, they will want to experience other highs.

Having open communication with your children is key to avoiding these types of problems. Discuss with your child the dangers of drinking, drinking and driving, and what could happen if you drink too much. Educate your children. Some of the best ways to curb underage drinking is to show them the effects and what could happen.

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Raising a teenager

June 1, 2011 By
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Raising a teenager can be a daunting task. Most teenagers will tell you that they know everything there is to know about life. However, it is your job to help them realize otherwise. Teenagers need to continue to be guided by their parents whether they like it or not. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

First and foremost, listen to your teenager. Listening and paying attention to your teenage gives them someone to talk to when they have questions. Just think, if you are listening to them and giving them advice, who is?

Be their parent, not their friend. Some parents want to be their teenagers best friend. This can create problems by allowing the teenager to not listen to their parent. Your child needs to be given clear responsibilities and disciplined. If you are acting like their best friend, then you will have a very rebellious teenager.

Be firm with your teenager, but not overbearing. Give your child rules to follow and consequences for not following the rules. Make sure their are clear cut guidelines and not just rules that you make up as you go. Children want the feeling of protection and comfort from their parents and a routine and rules to follow will help them later in life as well as help you control your teen now.

With different parenting styles out there, there is no right or wrong way to be a parent. Just make sure that you raise the best child that you can with the circumstances that are given to you.


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How To Tell If Your Teen Is Taking Drugs

May 29, 2011 By

Many parents struggle with the fact that their teen might be doing drugs. There are many signs to look out for. The first one is change in behavior. There are many different kinds of behaviors that are a result of drug use. Keep an eye out for strange behaviors such as your teen wearing long sleeves all the time. This can mean they are trying to hide needle marks on their arms. If they have just been out with friends and they avoid all eye contact, this can mean they are trying to hide bloodshot eyes. Being sneaky and suspicious are very common behaviors when someone is doing drugs.

You may want to keep a record of all the different kinds of strange behaviors or behavior changes your teen might have. Keep an eye out to see if your teen is stealing money or other valuable possessions. When someone has a drug problem they need a lot of money to pay for it. Also keep an eye out for where their own money goes.

Another sign of drug use is if your teen looks different. Rapidly gaining or loosing weight, poor hygiene, fatigue, bloodshot eyes, and dilated pupils are all signs of drug use. Extreme changes in behavior are common as well such as being happy and hyper one minute and tired and moody the next. Sickness is very common as well. If your teen appears to be sick more than usual, this could be a sign of drug use. Simply talk to your teen and let them know about the dangers of drug use.

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Apartment Decoration: Tips for Teens

May 25, 2011 By
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When it comes to a teen apartment, less is really more. Teens are busy and they do not have a lot of time that they are going to invest in cleaning up their space. So simple ideas for decorating a teen apartment are the best way to go.

If your teen is obsessed with their favorite color than decorating can be as simple as having the bed spread, curtains and some basic wall decor all be the color that they love.

If they love music, their Cd’s and sheet music can be the artwork that is on the walls. If they love sports, then a few posters with their favorite athletes on them will work as well.

Is your teen a diva or glamour girl? Then using glittery fabrics and throw pillows can make her feel like she is already made it big in Hollywood, including the star that is on her door and the director’s chair that sits at her vanity.

Once you choose a theme, your imagination makes it easy to start brainstorming some great decorative ideas. While creating your fabulous decor, remember that education and other activities are still going to play an important role in their lives, so you want to make sure that there is a space to write, study and use a computer. Sometimes creating different areas for activities can help set the mood too. A corner that is for reading with their favorite books and beanbag can give them a change of pace after staying up late to write an essay.

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Important Money-Saving Tips for New College Students

May 18, 2011 By
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Moving out on their own and going to college is a rite of passage kids get to experience without their parents. It is responsible parents’ duty to teach their young adults how to budget their money before they move out on their own. Here are some tips from students at Portland State University in Oregon.

Laundry: Smart students will be careful with their nice clothing, such as their Rocawear clothes, so they can save money on doing laundry each week. 

Fast food: Dollar-menus make it far cheaper (and faster) to eat than students would spend on groceries to make a meal at home. Also, don’t forget boxed foods: mac and cheese, Top Ramen, etc. These foods are filling, but not nutritious on their own.
Internet: One valuable tool for both parent and student is the Internet. Sometimes, the price of Internet is rather steep. However, using the school’s Internet to keep in touch is available at no charge. 

Haircuts: Unless students befriend someone who does hair for free, the students will pay for it. Going to a professional cosmetology school may be a good idea. All cosmetology students are closely watched and helped by their trainers. 

Tools: Another valuable tool for the newly independent young adult is craigslist. Books and furniture can be found, and prices can be free or very cheap. Another site is The Freecycle Network. Register and browse all the free items people want to give away locally.

 

Also, talk to other students who have recently moved out on their own, and find out how they found ways to save money.

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Spa Day Anyone?

May 15, 2011 By

The pressures of taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or finishing the first semester of college can become overwhelming for many teens. Finding ways to have an economical but relaxing day is necessary. One of the best ways for teenagers to relax during stressful days is to treat themselves to a spa day.

ESTELA, Tratamiento Facial (2) 

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Find a Deal

Look for discounts online for local spas in your area. Websites like Offers.com frequently stock coupon codes and deals for all types of businesses with a variety of services. A few clicks and you can be on your way to relaxation at a discounted price.

Go to Schools

Beauty or cosmetology schools that teach spa services offer clinic days for students to work. Trained students work under the direction of experienced personnel to perform spa services on patrons for a very reduced rate. This budget-friendly option is a viable choice for those who do not have much to spend but who want to be pampered.

Do It Yourself

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The person who wants to relax at home can purchase products at a beauty store and make a spa. Most items can be bought at large department stores to reproduce the spa experience at home while saving money. Add a few candles with nice music to replicate the relaxing atmosphere of a spa.

The above suggestions are a few ways to enjoy a relaxing spa day on a budget. Many times people like to reward themselves after stressful events without breaking the bank, and a spa day is just the thing.

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Preparing Your Teen For College

May 12, 2011 By
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The earlier you help prepare your teen for college the better. Many teens struggle when they go from home to college life because they have not always taken on as much responsibility as they need to in order to be fully prepared to be one their own.

A great way that you can help your teen be prepared for college life is to encourage then to hold a summer job, and if they can maintain their GPA and other activities, even consider having it part-time during the school year. Having a way to make money will help teach them the value of work and budgeting their money early. When they see that a dollar does not go all that far, they will eventually learn to manage their resources better and value what a college education will help them accomplish income wise.

Teaching your teen how to cook basic meals will also help them budget better in college as well as keep themselves fed. When they can cook rather than ordering pizza or eating out all the time, they will be able to save more money and maybe even impress a date or two.

Insisting that your teen help save up for their college education will help them determine that it is valuable to them since they too are investing in it. They will know that everything is not just handed to them in life, if it is worth having then it must be worked for. This also teaches them about setting goals and using restraint until they reach their financial goals.

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How to Eliminate That Expensive Cell Phone Bill

May 8, 2011 By
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Cell phone bills have become almost as expensive as they are ubiquitous. Almost everybody has a cell phone, after all. But just like with gasoline, no matter how much one may complain about its price, the fact remains that it isn’t really optional. However, there are ways to get around having a cell phone bill larger than your house payment. That way is by being very choosy, and making your choices based on what you actually need.

When you compare cell phone plans, you are going to find a ton of options available to you. You will find everything from prepaid plans where you get a certain number of minutes, all the way up to plans with unlimited texting, unlimited talk and even unlimited downloads. And as tempting as it will initially be to simply choose the cheapest plan and be done with it, that may end up not being the best plan for you. Remember, there is a difference between value and price. And when it comes to your family’s cell phone plan, you need to keep your actual needs in mind.

Allowing your kids to text their friends 5,000 times per day is not a need. Your kids may complain when you tell them that after a certain number they’ll either pay for their usage or get their texting dropped, but ultimately this will be a lesson to them. If nothing else, they’ll learn to get out with what they’re trying to say to their friends, instead of just texting ad nauseum whenever they get bored or have chores. At any “rate,” choose your plan carefully.

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Keeping Your Teen’s Halloween Costume Appropriate

May 7, 2011 By

When your children become teenagers they often want to dress a little too mature for their age. It’s pretty common when Halloween rolls around; your teenager is going to want a more mature, adult-like costume to wear.

Here are some ways to keeping your teen’s Halloween costume appropriate.

If your 13-year-old daughter wants to dress up as Britney Spears, choose a more appropriate costume from costumeexpress.com. We all know Britney liked to dress a little provocatively, but there were outfits that any teen can wear on Halloween. The most popular option would be the schoolgirl uniform; just make sure the outfit doesn’t look exactly like how Britney wore it in her music video!

While so many pop stars are showing off skin, there are ways your teen can dress like their favorite singer without having to wear a revealing outfit. The best way would be to choose an outfit worn in a music video. For example Britney’s schoolgirl uniform or the outfit she wore in her ‘Lucky’ video.

Many teens like to think they’re adults who can dress how they’d like, but that’s not the case. Let your teenager know why certain Halloween costumes won’t be appropriate for them to wear.

Halloween is the time when people can be creative and dress up in crazy costumes. With teens they have to remember one important thing … they have dress codes to follow. It may be Halloween but your teen’s school will still have a strict dress code.

Your teen can still have fun and wear outrageous costumes for Halloween as long as they don’t cross the line with an outfit that’s inappropriate for their age.

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