Although our tweens and teens are probably a little too old for it, I was a little bit giddy when I heard there’s a new Electric Company on PBS.

Are you keeping up on the new slang terms for 2009?

Thanks to government regulations meth use has steadily declined in the last couple years, but the popularity surged again in 2008.

The Pope has his own YouTube channel.

Two students were sent home from school because their hair was too blond.

There’s a new fashion trend for boys; knit beanies worn at the hairline.

The Supreme Court killed the Child Online Protection Act.

What do our teens wish we knew?

We have to wait until our kids are 22 before they’ll start to appreciate us?

What stresses college students out?

The next generation, Gen Z, will change the way we do business.

Young adults use more sleep aids.

I can’t get over a chest cold without a steroid, but apparently steroids don’t help wheezing preschoolers.

Girls are more techie than boys.

A researcher at Texas A&M International University says there is “no significant relationship” between school shootings and video games.

The Do’s and Dont’s of connecting with your kids on Facebook.

Provide an open atmosphere for your teenagers to talk to you about their love problems.

I remember when I was a teenager and a family member would buy me clothes for Christmas. It was usually something I really couldn’t see me wearing (like the year I got these two really ugly brown striped turtlenecks). I thought old people just don’t understand good fashion.

Up until this week I thought that wasn’t me. I’m a parent now, but I’m a hip parent. I watch MTV. I glance at the teen magazine covers. I read TMZ. I know what everybody’s wearing.

But then I found myself standing in the middle of the men’s department at Kohl’s and I realized, I have no clue what’s hot this year. Well actually I have an idea of what’s hot, but I don’t know why. All of these latest men’s fashions are ugly.

And that’s when I knew. I was one of those people thinking why would anybody wear this? I was one of those old people.

Everything has skulls on it. What is up with the skulls? What happened to a nice college sweatshirt. Or football tee. And everything is either black, gray or brown. What happened to bright colors? I like bright yellow, red or orange. Happy colors. Not colors of death.

But I don’t have to wear it. My boys do. And they want to wear what everybody else is wearing. Jeans with holes in them. Jean you buy with holes already in them. And sweatshirts with skulls on them. *sigh*

Since clearly I’m well passed my fashion prime, I spent the whole time at Kohl’s following these two young men around. I’d guess them to be around 20. They were there with their dad, but their dad was just doing what I was doing; following them around and letting them pick out the good stuff.

I listened to their conversations. If they said, “This is awesome. But it’s not in my size.” I snagged that sweatshirt. When they said, “This rocks.” I grabbed one of those shirts in my teen’s size.

And apparently it worked. My 16-year-old got to open his gifts on Monday night since he’s going to be visiting his mom for the break. And he LOVES his new clothes. I’ve never heard him be so enthusiastic about the clothes I bought him.

So going forward my shopping trips will start with me scouring the crowds looking for the nearest hip teen. And then following him around. Hopefully I don’t get arrested for stalking.

Have you finished your back-to-school shopping yet? I hate to admit it, but we haven’t even started yet. And school starts on Wednesday. I’ve always been kind of a procrastinator. I admit it.

Being fashion challenged I had no idea what’s in these days. That is, until I had dinner with some friends last weekend and discovered all things 80’s are coming back in. I believe there was a noticeable groan coming from my direction.

I guess we knew this day would come. After all it was that long ago girls were pulling 70’s items from their parents closets and donning the high school hallways in *gasp* bell bottoms and hippy tops. But I firmly believe there is not one single thing from the 80’s that should ever come back in style. Except maybe leg warmers.

So what’s hot this year?

Huge Accessories. Girls are wearing big earrings, big sunglasses, big belts and carrying big handbags. Gone are the backpacks and in are big canvas bags and messenger bags. Girls aren’t carrying small purses anymore. Now they carry handbags that look like a piece of luggage. I’m ok with that as long as big hair doesn’t come back. (Please. I’m begging you.)

Skirts. Apparently skirts are the must-have item this year. Thank goodness I’m not a teen trying to be trendy anymore. I was never much of a skirt or dress girl. But girls today are loving the skirt. But be sure to choose a skirt that’s right for your body type.

Babydoll Dress. I blame MTV for this trend. Lauren Conrad and other MTV stars seem to be rocking the babydoll dress and teenage girls are quickly following suit.

Bold & Bright Colors. No more pastels. Now it’s all about the color. Whether it’s a cute feminine top or a vintage tee, the brighter the color the better. Look for vivid blues and purples as well as greens and yellows. Teens want to stand out this year.

Graphic Tees. The t-shirt is back. (Although did it ever really leave?) But kids don’t want just any kind of tee. They want tees with big bold graphics. And vintage tees are fly. (Do kids still say fly?) My teenage son has some Motley Crew and Metallica t-shirts in his collection. Too bad I didn’t keep my old Skid Row t-shirt from back in the day. And tattoo designs are hot. Not tattooed on your skin, but all over your clothes and shoes.

Hoodies. For both boys and girls. I can hardly believe it, but hoodies are hot. I blame Avril Lavigne for this trend. Apparently she even has her own line of skater hoodies that are quite popular right now.

Layering: Yes, the dreaded layering is back. When I was in high school I lived in leggings and oversized sweaters. And now, so will my kids. (I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.) Today’s teens are layering leggings under dresses, skirts, long tunics, babydoll tops and trapeze tops. The leggings should be a dark neutral color while the top should be a bright color like fuchsia or teal. Teens are also layering simple black dresses with big belts, scarves and cardigans. And don’t forget the importance of shrugs, vests, hoodies and blazers. Whenever you can layer, do it.

Dark Wash Denim. My drawer is filled with stone-washed denim. I’m going to be so out-of-style this year because the new trend is dark, dark and more dark. The style of jean isn’t as important as the color. From skinny jeans to boot cut, it’s all good as long as it’s dark washed.

Boots. Boots are making a comeback. While high heeled boots will never go out of style, flat ankle boots are starting to make a comeback. As are Lace-up boots.

Flats. Flats are the hot thing too. Canvas flats and ballerina flats are stylin’ right now. (Am I showing my age here? Stylin’? Fly?)

Skater Inspired Shoes. Guys are digging the skater style; big, bold graphics, including the tattoo graphics, with big shoelaces tied loosely if tied at all.

What are your kids wearing?

Do you know how to talk to your teens about LGBT issues? Even straight teens need to be informed about LGBT issues so they can put an end to intolerance and bullying.

What should you do if your daughter encounters a mean girl at school?

Cell phone companies are coming up with ways for parents to restrict teens usage, text messages and downloads on their cell phones.

Is wearing two pairs of pants a new fashion trend? Apparently it’s a way for a drug deal to conceal drugs.

Even grandparents are starting to text now.

Young people are getting their political news online.

Are you a competitive parent?

Have advertisers crossed the line by promoting underage sex in their ads for products geared towards teens?

Who are your kids’ role models?

Is Miley Cyrus really a bad girl or just a normal teeanger?

There’s a new way to parent; yoga parenting.

In the fall Stanford will be offering a class on programming iPhone apps.

Schools are now coming up with social networking policies for students, especially athletes.

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads! Put the lawn mower away, drop the power tools and step away from the grill. Today is our day to pamper you. So sit back and surf the net while your wife and kids take care of you.

When you ask how school was, what response do you get from your teen? If your teen is like most teens you get “fine.” But Vanessa Van Petten has some great conversation starters to get teens talking.

Disney is showing full-length movies on their website…for limited times. Finding Nemo ended on Friday, but you can now watch Monsters Inc. through the 20th.

Does your teen like to cook? He/She could be on Top Chef Jr., a new version of the popular reality show Top Chef. Only this ones for teens ages 13 to 17.

Today’s teens are looking for uniqueness and individuality with their fashions rather than sticking to old stereotypes.

Two children, ages 12 and 13, have been sent to treatment for cell phone addiction. Is your child’s cell phone causing problems in his/her life?

New laws about texting or talking on cell phones while driving are hard to enforce, but parent’s are still a big influence on kids. Make sure you make it clear your teen is to pull over when he/she gets a phone call. Make sure they know the dangers and they know the consequences.

Is your teen sexting; sending naked pictures of themselves to friends and talking to dirty to members of the opposite sex?

Parents are using new technologies to keep in touch with their kids. Experts say parents will have better luck keeping in touch if they learn to use some of the same tools employed by their offspring; including texting.

Need help understanding the teen brain? The Partnership for a Drug-free America has A Parent’s Guide To The Teen Brain.

A judge in Florida made some kids apologize on YouTube when they posted video of a prank on the video sharing website. The judge, prosecutor and defense attorneys who devised this punishment hope it will serve as a deterrent.

Two mothers were arrested after participating in sex acts with a minors at a teenage party at one of the women’s homes. Do you know (and trust) the parents who are hosting the parties your kids are attending?

We’ve heard the stories about the boy who died from “dry drowning,” but do you know what signs to look for to determine if your child has water in his lungs?

The Wall Street Journal has a list of 26 college commencement speeches by some of today’s most famous people.

Rob Stafford shares five things students should know before they begin college.

Gone are the days where I can shop for my girls without them being with me! Apart from the fact that their choice in brands is different from mine, they have such different styles, I just can’t pick out the right things with out them being with me.

Right now my girls love Limited Too and its’ sister brand, Justice - Just for Girls. The monkeys, sports graphic tees, fun prints, and trendy look has them by the purse strings. I have been trying to teach them that brand isn’t everything and how to save money by buying basics at Target or Kohls and getting 2 or 3 good pieces from the more expensive stores.

I know that before long they will “graduate” to wanting Aeropostale, Hollister and other brands - after all, it seems like yesterday, I was holding out for a good sale at Gymboree! Where is your kids’ first choice for clothes shopping these days?

Are you a bargain shopper or a trend setter? Can you still shop for your kids or are those days over?