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.

Post from: Blisstree

Sunday Reading

Boys handle puberty differently than girls. Many people think puberty is easier for boys. After all, they don’t have periods or growing breasts. But boys have a lot of questions too. Make sure they are prepared.

More teens are having sex and fewer of them are using contraceptives. Scary.

Turns out third base is no longer going up a girl’s skirt. Now it’s oral sex.

Summertime is partytime for many teens. Teens are drinking at parties and many of them are doing it to the extreme. Even though you’ve talked to your teen about drinking, you need to do it again. Set rules for special occasions. Make sure you expectations are clear as are the consequences. Come up with a plan B.

Now kids are getting drunk using tampons. Very disturbing.

Here’s an excellent example of why teens should not text and drive. Thankfully this teen was not hurt.

A new study finds that teens with cell phones may be sleep deprived. “The first study found teens who made more than 15 phone calls and sent more than 15 text messages a day, slept poorly and had more careless lifestyles compared to those who made less than five of each per day.”

Disney has their own website on internet safety.

Teens watch TV. Tweens are going green. Tweens spend money on candy and gum. Teens spend money on clothing. Read more interesting facts on teen and tween lifestyles.

Still need help finding things to do with your kids this summer?

Do you tweens and teens know proper phone etiquette? You don’t want this to happen to you.

Sandra Day O’Connor is creating a new video game; Our Courts. The game lets kids “step into the shoes of a judge, a legislator, an executive — teach them how to think through and analyze problems, take action and voice opinions to their elected representatives.”

Instead of pushing kids to diet, encourage them to move.

Are you kids excited about Disney’s next big movie; Camp Rock. On June 14th and 15th they can hear the premier of the new soundtrack as well as interviews with some of the stars.

Post from: Blisstree

Sunday Reading