by Dennis Coates | Adolescent Brain, Education, Fitness, Health & Nutrition, Parent-child Communication, Parenting Books, Teen Success
A few years ago I wrote a book for middle school boys, called Conversations with the Wise Uncle. I then wrote a similar book for young girls. My purpose was to model some of the key conversations young people need to guide them along their journey to being adults....
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Parent-child Communication, Parenting Books, Teen Culture, Teen Sex, Teen Success
In the adult world, dating is like an audition. An acquaintance asks you out to dinner or an event, which will give you time together to learn more about each other. Will you enjoy each other’s company? Will you have shared values and common ground? Will you...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Education, Health & Nutrition, Parent-child Communication, Parenting Books, Peer Pressure, Teen Culture, Teen Sex
One evening when I was 14, I was sitting on my bed reading a novel when my mom walked past my door. Then she came back, stood in the door, and asked me, “You know about sex, don’t you?” Her question took me by surprise. I answered, “Uh,...
by Dennis Coates | Inspiring Quotes, Parent-child Communication, Personal Strength, Teen Success
Once upon a time, when my youngest boy was about 18 years old, we were walking together and he asked me, “Dad, what does masculinity mean to you?” A loaded question. I sensed that he was aware that he was growing into manhood but was unsure what it meant...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Inspiring Quotes, Parent-child Communication, Rebellion, Self-Esteem, Strong for Parenting
I learned to never disagree with my dad. For reasons I’ve never fully understood, the few times that I expressed a contrary point of view — when I was old enough to feel confident that I had something to say — he physically attacked me. He never hurt me, because I was...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Drugs, Guest Blog Posts, Health & Nutrition, Parent-child Communication, Parenting
When teens abuse any kind of drug – legal or illegal, prescription or OTC – it can disrupt ongoing brain development in the prefrontal cortex, with lifelong consequences. This guest post comes from Blaise Brooks, a mother of one, caregiver of two and a...
