by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Health & Nutrition, Parenting, Peer Pressure, Teen Culture
“Every year, teens are asked about their general happiness, in addition to how they spend their time. We found that teens who spent more time seeing their friends in person, exercising, playing sports, attending religious services, reading or even doing homework...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Critical Thinking, Encouragement, Parent-child Communication, Parenting, Parenting Blogs, Self-Esteem
During the first 12 years, you may have enjoyed a close, affectionate relationship with your child. But after puberty, things change. Your child wants to put early childhood in the past, and the push for self-definition and independence begins. The older teens get,...
by Dennis Coates | Parenting, Teen Culture, Teen Driving, Teen Success
The other day I pulled up to an intersection where I turn left to leave my community – something I’ve done hundreds of times. I looked both ways, began my turn, and almost instantly I was surprised by a loud honking behind me. I instinctively swerved and...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Education, Health & Nutrition, Parent-child Communication, Parenting Books, Teen Sex
As I write this, it seems as if the news reports a new story of high-profile sexual misconduct every day. A few days ago, a story of over 180 sexual assaults by therapists employed by the spa chain, Massage Envy. Yesterday, Matt Lauer is fired by NBC. Today, Garrison...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Encouragement, Inspiring Quotes, Parenting
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” I love this quote. For me, this plea for compassion hits home more than any other quote on the subject. It’s often attributed to Plato, but it comes from Ian Maclaren, 19th-century Scottish...
