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
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More
Baby names are as diverse as the people to whom... Read More
Have you made your usual New Year resolutions? You know... Read More
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
At first I thought of titling this article "The Lazy... Read More
We begin forming healthy habits at a young age. With... Read More
Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and... Read More
Detox To Conceive.. If you're having trouble conceiving... Read More
the woes of being a parent of an ADHD child.....Like... Read More
Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you... Read More
We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
It happens every year. Just when you are settled in... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
What's new and effective in the treatment of Attention problems?... Read More
Ok. So you're a dad to be. If you're like... Read More
So you have just returned home from your third meeting... Read More
Home schooling. What is it? What does it mean to... Read More
There are millions of young children in this country who... Read More
Learning responsibility is an ever widening and lifelong process.As thinking,... Read More
There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More
'And all because of a damned cat! It's only a... Read More
Oh yes you have! Suddenly, "Where's Bobby?" You instantly realize... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..In our last issue we posted some of our suggested... Read More
Even if your teenagers do not use drugs, you still... Read More
Do you want to create a deeper, more loving relationship... Read More
Being a single mother is no easy task. I know.... Read More
Dear friends here we will charge up our mind with... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
Creating and making special memories with your child is very... Read More
During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More
In "The Ring Bear," a picture book by Tigard resident... Read More
Whether children attend public or private schools, they benefit when... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
As thinking, acting human beings we have the ability to... Read More
Did you know that over 75% of teens aged 16-17... Read More
You have a chore to do around the house, and... Read More
Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism.... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
Have you ever sat and watch a child struggle with... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
Although many parents become frustrated as they try to maintain... Read More
Q. Our 17-year-old son wants us to let his girlfriend... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
All children will likely have many different health problems during... Read More
The time you will need to teach your children the... Read More
Dan Rather made a significant and tactical error and got... Read More
Over a number of years there have been issues raised... Read More
Parenting |