Category Archives: parenting

Using the Holidays to Complete College Tasks

college tasks

The holiday season is fast approaching—a chance to catch your breath, spend time with family, and recharge. But if you’re a parent of a high school junior or senior, you probably feel a familiar tug of responsibility, wondering how are you going to find the time for those college tasks.

While it’s important to enjoy the festivities, this season can also be a great time to help your teen finalize their college list and start applying for scholarships. With a little planning, you can work on these college tasks together, even during the holiday hustle.

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Helping Your Teen Deal with Election Trauma

election

The landscape of politics can be complex and, at times, overwhelming—especially for our teens, who are trying to make sense of the world around them while dealing with their own personal and academic stresses. Election seasons often bring heightened emotions, and the outcomes can spark concerns or fears that are hard for young minds to process.

As a parent, you can play a vital role in helping your teen understand the impact of election results and navigate the emotional landscape that often follows. Here’s how to start these conversations with empathy and insight.

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Ensuring Your Child’s Academic Future

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Photo by Eliott Reyna on Unsplash

Every parent wishes for their child to have the best opportunities in life, and a university education often forms a cornerstone of that journey. Finding your way there may feel exhausting at times, but hang in there. This article will give you some great tips and fun commentary to keep your child’s academic journey on track.

Plant the Seeds of Curiosity Early

Toddlers might not exactly pore over college brochures between episodes of their favorite shows. However, you can still form a love of learning from an early age by encouraging reading with books that are both captivating and educational, or sparking their natural curiosity with science kits or art supplies that grab their interest. Remember, universities love discovering young minds filled with knowledge and curiosity.

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Navigating Your Teen’s Hesitations About College

Hearing your teen say, “I don’t want to go to college,” can be a heart-stopping moment for many parents. This is especially true if college has been a long-anticipated step in your child’s future. However, it’s important to approach this situation with patience and understanding. College may not be right for everyone.

Before the door to higher education closes entirely, there are several steps parents can take. These steps can help their teen reconsider college in a more thoughtful and informed way.

Here are five practical steps to guide you while navigating your teen’s hesitations about college:

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Understanding Hazing: What Parents Need to Know

When my daughter was in college, she pledged a sorority. I had my concerns. Turns out, they were valid. Even though it was against campus policy for any fraternity or sorority to use hazing on its members, it happened during “hell week”. The hazing not only affected her health but her first semester grades.

As a parent, I voiced my concerns and wanted to report the sorority. My daughter begged me not to get involved. In hindsight, I wish I had.

hazing
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How to Spot Changes in Your Student’s Mental Health

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Photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash

Recently released numbers from the CDC show that the number of students suffering from persistent sadness or hopelessness fell from 42% to 40% between 2021 and 2023.

“This may seem like a small shift, but in terms of the numbers we’re talking about, that means roughly 840,000 fewer U.S. students are suffering now than they were in 2021,” says Dr. Michael Olla, a psychiatrist at Valley Spring Recovery, a premier addiction treatment center. 

“However, youth mental health is still an ongoing and major problem in the USA, so it’s important to spot the signs of mental health issues early to effectively intervene. Look out for these five signs of poor mental health in kids, and approach a health professional if you do spot them.”

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Is Your Teen Ready for College? Key Factors to Consider

ready for college
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

As your child approaches the end of high school, the question of whether they’re ready for college looms large. It’s natural to have mixed emotions—pride, excitement, and maybe even a bit of anxiety. College is a significant step toward adulthood, but how can you tell if your teen is prepared to take it? Here are a few key factors to consider when determining if your teen is ready for college.

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Settling into the New School Year with Your Teens

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Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay

The start of a new school year brings a mix of excitement, nervousness, and anticipation—especially when you have teens at home. As they transition from summer freedom to academic responsibility, it’s essential to support them in finding their footing. Helping your teen focus on their studies early on sets the tone for a successful year ahead. Here’s how you can make this transition smoother and encourage academic excellence.

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Helping Your Student Get Into College

What can you do to help your child get into their chosen college? This is a good question, and one that we think parents should be asking more regularly. Of course, your child has to do the majority of the work as it’s their college place, and they are the one who has to work for it. But, this does not mean that there are not things that you can do as a parent to make it easier for them. That’s what we’re going to be focusing on today, so keep reading if you are interested in learning more about this.

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10 Tips to Help Your Teen Get Ready for Back to School

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Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

As the summer draws to a close and the new school year approaches, parents and teens alike may feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as they prepare for back to school. The transition from vacation mode to school mode can be challenging, but with some thoughtful preparation, it can also be smooth and successful.

Here are some tips for parents to help their teens get ready for back to school.

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