by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Parent-child Communication, Parenting, Rebellion
Both my sons are in their 50s, still pursuing highly successful careers in IT. But I’m still trying to communicate with them effectively, being aware of moments when a particular skill will work best for me — with my sons, and also with my wife, my...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Education, Parent-child Communication, Parenting, Peer Pressure, Teen Culture, Teen Success, Teen Suicide
Today I read a disturbing article. The truth: the executives of tech companies that create social media don’t care. They not only don’t care if their technologies are addictive, they’re counting on it. They don’t care that vulnerable children...
by Dennis Coates | Parenting
I sometimes reflect on what I’m grateful for. And not just on Thanksgiving. Number one for me is the fact that I’m still alive. I’ve sidestepped death a few times in my life. Plus, the lives of several dozen of my friends have already ended. But...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Behavior Change, Education, Mentoring, Parent-child Communication, Parenting, Strong for Parenting, Teen Success, Work, Youth Athletics
I had the chance to interact with a niece recently, a high school freshman I hadn’t seen in a while. These encounters are rare, since both of us have busy lives and she lives 50 miles away. So I couldn’t help myself. I had to take the opportunity to gift...
by Dennis Coates | Adolescence, Behavior Change, Education, Encouragement, Parent-child Communication, Parenting, Parenting Books, Strong for Parenting, Teen Success, Teen Suicide
Truth-telling time. The most common mistake parents make when interacting with their child is failing to recognize when they should be listening, and they miss the opportunity. I call these opportunities listening moments. Here are some of the most common parent-child...
by Dennis Coates | Behavior Change, Critical Thinking, Parenting, Strong for Parenting
Youth is a time of growth, and it also needs to be a time for lots of learning. I’ve explained how with “4 Magic Questions” you can help your child get stronger from successes and mistakes. Being the parent you want to be can also mean learning for...