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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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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.

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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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What Type of College is Right for you?

February 19, 2011 By

Is college right for you? Most people think that going to college is a automatic thing after high school graduation. If you do not go to college you will not be able to be successful is another way that people think. This people are not looking at whether college is actually right for them. They need to be looking at what type of college is best for them. There is another way of getting a college education other then attending a college. You can now attend college online. There are benefits to either it just depends on you and what will benefit you the most. Let’s look at them and see the benefits of each.

A traditional college which is one where you actually attend classes. This is one of the most popular ways to get a college education.It is great for a student that needs to be able to socialize. There is also the benefit of being able to connect with others who have similar interests and form a study group. You can also have events and fun things to do on campus. Attending a traditional college will give the student a chance to experience the real world and be out on their own.

At one time getting a degree online was considered a scam however, now there are many legitimate colleges online to obtain a degree. Now the public seems to accept that you can get a degree online. A online degree program has become a great way for one to get their degree. These people may not have gotten their degree otherwise.This is a convenient way for working or stay at home parents to get their degree. It offers the convenience of being able to attend class around the clock.

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Prescription Drug Abuse Among Teenagers

February 12, 2011 By

Prescription drug abuse has become a growing problem over the past decade. The teenagers do not have to hang out around bars or anywhere else to get the prescription drugs. They can easily get the drugs over the counter or in their home medicine cabinet. These are found in the form of painkillers such as oxycotton or vicodin.

How do teenagers get these drugs? Some teenagers who can not get these drugs at home will order them online. However, most will buy the drugs from someone who does have a prescription. There was a survey done recently that showed more teenagers abuse prescription drugs than those that abuse drugs like cocaine. There is only one exception to this and that is marijuana. Many teenagers believe that these drugs are safe because they are FDA approved. Teenagers that would not touch a illegal drug may try prescription drugs because they are accessible to them.

Some teenagers that do not have access to prescription drugs may abuse over the counter drugs like cold medicines.These medicines may contain dextromethorphane (DXM), which suppresses a cough, and will give a high. The dextromethophane is not just available in over the counter medications but is also found in anesthetics. This can cause some side effects that can be serious. There was a survey conducted in 2006 that showed that over 3.1 million people who are between the ages of 12 and 25 have achieved a high from using over the counter medications. Even today this number is showing a increase.

These teenagers need to get into a treatment program before their situation becomes fatal. The parent should talk to their teenager about their problem and keep all of their medication away from their teen. The parent of the abuser should take them to a treatment center to help them.

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Relating to Your Teen

January 10, 2011 By

Many parents worry about the teenage years long before their children reach adolescence. Whereas excessive early worrying is not always a good thing, in this case, thinking about your teenagers before they actually become teens is a wise thing to do. Understanding your children early on, who they are at their core, what makes them tick and what turns them off are critical components to having a positive relationship with them into their teenage years.

It is never too early to create a bond with your child, keeping in mind that the relationship must grow and change over time, just as the child does. For example, tickling your little ones is a great way to wake up on a Saturday morning and start the day of with smiles and giggles, but tickling your teens won’t generate the same response, so make sure that your connections mature and grow over time to keep pace with your child. Also, remember that each child is unique and as a result the things that you do to keep current with each one may vary from child to child.

For example, if you have a child that is really into music, take time to connect with them at that level. At an early age introduce them to the music you love and expose them to different types and styles of music so that they can find the one that resonates with them. If another child is much more social and outgoing, teaching them how to play group games such as board and card games can be a great way to interact with them as well as prepare them for social interactions with other children. Invest in one of those custom poker tables, and you’re sure to be the coolest parent on the block if you’re teaching your teens and teens how to play poker, blackjack and 21!

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Visiting a College Campus with your High School Student

December 21, 2010 By

Visiting a college campus with your child can be an exciting time in your relationship. It is important to remember that these college visits are about your children finding the places that are right for them for the next four years of their lives. It is a time for serious thought, but also a time to step back and let them handle the majority of the visit.

Chat Ahead of Time
Talk about each school before you visit, some of the things that your child wants to see and do while on campus, questions to be sure to ask, and where it ranks originally on the list of potential schools. This will help you both to organize your thoughts and have a good mindset going in. Write down some notes that you can hang on to during the day in case your child forgets something on the list.

Let Your Child do the Talking
At information sessions, encourage your child to ask questions. You can chime in if it is something related to financial aid or parents or other issues that will tend to affect you. Otherwise, this should be a time for the student to think about the future, not the parent to pry information out of a student tour guide. Feel free to fall a few steps behind and let the tour guide interact with your teenager first.

Give Them Some Time to Explore
Plan some time outside of scheduled tours and interview sessions to simply wander campus, get lunch somewhere nearby, check out a coffee shop on campus. Your teenager will get a better sense of the vibe of campus and whether or not it is a place that he or she feels comfortable. This time is often when real information about the college search process will come to light and your teen will be able to make the best decision possible for the future.

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Care Package Ideas for your College Student

December 13, 2010 By

Sending care packages in the mail can be the perfect way to stay connected to your teenager during the college years. Just about every college student loves to receive mail in their campus box and will enjoy just about anything you can think of to send.

Food
Snacks for the dorm are always the hit of the care package. Granola bars, popcorn, chocolate, or other easy-to-mail snacks are great to have on hand. Pick out your son or daughter’s favorites and pack them up together for late night studying. College standbys like canned soups, ramen noodles, and easy macaroni and cheese are always a hit. Any foods that have special significance to your family can be a great reminder of life at home–like sending a dozen of their favorite homemade cookies.

Regional Wonders
If your teenager is attending college further away, consider what kinds of things they can’t get in that location. Pack up some snacks that you can only get at home or at the local stores. It’s okay to be a little cheesy when you design care packages and many students will enjoy sharing local treats with their new friends.

Gift Cards
A gift card to the Starbucks, the grocery store, or the campus store can be great gifts for your college student. A little extra money to spend is always appreciated by full time students who may be struggling to pay for everything. Caffeine addicts will love a little extra coffee money too. A Netflix subscription can also be a great gift for students who can watch movies in the dorm with roommates and friends.

Other Ideas
Paper and envelopes for letters home along with a few stamps can be a fun reminder to write. A favorite board game, a coffee thermos, or seasonal decorations for the dorm room can all be great anytime-gifts for care packages.

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The First Trip Home: A Parent’s Guide

December 11, 2010 By

A teenager’s first visit home from college can be a challenge for every member of the family. Whether it is a weekend or winter vacation, coming home is challenging for students and can drastically change the dynamics of the household.

Give Space
Allow your college student plenty of space to get settled in back at home. Coming home to the childhood bedroom and house can be a big change and many students feel stressed or uneasy about it. Every student will need to adjust in their own way and it is important to allow plenty of time and space for them to get adjusted before rushing to catch up on everything that has happened since they left home.

Give Them A Space
As tempting as it can be for parents to re-purpose the room, try to include your child if plans include a room revamp. Let them have some say in what stays and how you go about it. They will always want to have a place in the home and coming home to a room-turned-gym can be startling and upsetting to your student.

Revisit Old Spots
Go out to dinner as a family to a favorite restaurant from when your student lived at home. This can be a fun way to revisit their childhood without a lot of fuss. If there’s something new in town, invite them along for a drive to check out the new shopping mall or movie theater that’s gone in since they left. Taking a drive can be a good time to chat about how things are going at school.

Make New Traditions
Resist the urge to fall completely into old patterns and be mindful that nothing will seem exactly the same for either of you. Your teenager has been living at school and making a life separate from the family, respect that new role and you will find that your college student will look forward to future visits home.

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