ONLINE PARENTING COACH

Honesty – and dishonesty – are learned in the home. Moms and dads are often concerned when their child or teenager lies. Lying that is probably not a serious problem— Young kids (ages 4-5) often make up stories and tell tall tales. This is normal activity because they enjoy hearing stories and making up stories for fun. These young kids may blur the distinction between reality and fantasy. An older child or teenager may tell a lie to be self-serving (e.g. avoid doing something or deny responsibility for their actions). Moms and dads should respond to isolated instances of lying by talking with the youngster about the importance of truthfulness, honesty and trust. Some adolescents discover that lying may be considered acceptable in certain situations such as not telling a boyfriend or girlfriend the real reasons for breaking up because they don't want to hurt their feelings. Other adolescents may lie to protect their privacy or to help them feel psychologically s...

Parents are the single biggest influence in their kid’s lives. Use your voice and let your kids know that smoking is bad news. Your adolescents may seem to be tuning you out and accuse you of lecturing, but they are listening. Discuss the dangers of adolescent smoking with them early and often. The smoking facts in this article have been compiled with adolescents in mind. Arm yourself with knowledge and information that will get your youngster’s attention. The ingredients and additives in cigarettes when burned, create toxic, harmful chemical compounds. There are over 4000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, and more than 40 of them are known carcinogens. Smokers inhale some pretty disgusting things with every puff: • Acetone It’s in nail polish remover and it’s in cigarettes. • Ammonia We use this chemical to clean our houses. • Benzene This chemical is used in manufacturing gasoline. • Carbon Monoxide It’s in car exhaust, and it’s in cigarette smoke. • Formaldehyd...