Chiladult? Whatever you call them, teenagers are a changin' and parents need to know what to do.
Wow... What Happened?
That's what most parents find themselves asking about the time their kids hit twelve or thirteen. But the changes really start unfolding between nine to eleven years old.
Your sweet little babies who's whole world has revolved around you start revolving around everything but you. This can be really hard on the old ego, but it requires a steady hand, and an even temper. While your kids may not agree, they need you now more then ever.
This is a time when they start to explore new worlds, take steps of independence, and try to spread their wings and see what it is like to "Fly Alone". Scary stuff for a kid, a lot more scary for the parent.
The best thing you can do as a parent is stay involved in their daily lives. Spend time together. Listen to what they are trying to tell you. Don't be too judgmental. And help provide the tools that will still educate them, and steer them in the direction you want them to go.
Most kids who get into trouble admit two primary things: Their parents don't care about them (you have to stay involved for them to believe you care), and they are bored (they don't have anything challenging their minds, or stimulating their creative energy).
Most kids this age actually love to build things, or create projects. They love to see the results of something that they did. They love to pursue talents they feel they have, and we should as parents encourage this, even if they give it up in a few months, this is how they experiment and "Find Themselves".
They like sports, computers, hobbies, music, building stuff, and scientific discoveries. There is really an endless world of "Educational Toys" for kids this age, it really is too bad that so many kids are left to MTV and evil computer games that waste away their ability to think.
Recent studies have shown that kids left to play computer games more than 30 minutes at a time, and more than once a day actually change the chemistry of their brain and lose some of their ability to think creatively. They become to some extent Zombies.
As parents, we have a responsibility to make sure our children aren't playing computer games, watching movies, and listening to music that is demonically inspired. There is a "Culture of Death" that invades the lives of our children today, and you can prove it to yourself by walking down any computer game isle and looking at the game covers and titles. Or tune in any music video channel. It is all Death or Sex. I often think that if we were to transplant someone from one hundred years ago into our popular culture and sit them in front of most of the movies we consider entertainment, they would likely have to be put in a straightjacket and hospitalized for mental trauma. If we abandon our kids to such filth, how can we be surprised when they walk into school and shoot down their classmates and teachers? How can we be shocked when they get pregnant, have abortions, and lose their innocence?
That is why we started our website, educational-toys-4u.com, to try and provide healthy alternatives, and to give you as parents a little encouragement to keep up the battle for your children's future. Don't just turn them over to the popular culture, they deserve much better, and they will thank you for your standing in the gap for them for the rest of their lives.
Just think? someday there will be grandchildren sitting on your knee, and thinking that you are the greatest thing since peanut butter.
Ain't life Grand? ;-)
Tom Cooper
Tom & Shelley Cooper are the founders of http://educational-toys-4u.com offering healthy alternatives for the educational toys your children need to learn and grow.
Tom is the administrator of a large humanitarian aid project and Shelley left a successful career as a financial analyst to work in education. With a 12 year old son and a 9 year old daughter, they are keenly interested in the educational process and welfare of their children, and children everywhere.
How we train our children today will determine their futures tomorrow.
Visit now and subscribe to our Smart Play Newsletter: http://educational-toys-4u.com
tidy up service Northbrook ..The word no is probably the most overused word in... Read More
How are parents to know they are doing the right... Read More
Just the other day, I was talking to some other... Read More
Are men to blame for the divorce problem in this... Read More
Sitting by her Pinocchio lamp, she smiled at me as... Read More
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
Do you praise your child when he fulfils a basic... Read More
Non-compliance is the family therapist's big word for your child... Read More
There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More
In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More
Q. We just got our daughter's progress report, and it... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
I don't know how people raise daughters because I have... Read More
As a parent is seems that the majority of your... Read More
There are only two ways to get more money:1) Increase... Read More
Age 1: Invite only family members and close friends only... Read More
It's no surprise that the self-image and self-esteem of overweight... Read More
The purpose of this article is to address some of... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
My son recently had his third birthday party and it... Read More
Everyone knows that exercise is good for your health. Exercising... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
Q: My husband and I are at a loss as... Read More
reliable home cleaners Buffalo Grove ..The purpose of this article is to address some of... Read More
"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything... Read More
Lets face it becoming a mum is a bit of... Read More
Parents of hyperactive children know the "Would you please just... Read More
Voices!So many voices crying out for adherence and so many... Read More
Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More
As the kids go back to school, you can go... Read More
What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
Winifred or Willow? Thomas or Troy? The name you choose... Read More
When kids try new things, sometimes it's a 'fit' and... Read More
How can two or three children in the same family... Read More
Have you ever experienced one of those days when you... Read More
If you're looking for toys that are both fun to... Read More
Winnie the Pooh is the classic picture of Inattentive ADHD.... Read More
This article on parenting is by a practicing relationship counsellor/therapist,... Read More
Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles,... Read More
Early childhood educators have called play "children's work". Many parents... Read More
It's that time of year when mom and dad look... Read More
O.K. I've heard it a hundred times from my prison... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average... Read More
Many parents seem to be more than a little confused... Read More
It can be difficult on all family members to have... Read More
Parenting |