teenager Archives - Dad of Divas

5 Ways to Reward Your Teen for Their Good Behavior

September 8, 2020 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Reward systems and charts might have once helped to regulate your son or daughter’s behavior, but they might not prove as effective when they enter their teenage years.

However, you can connect privileges to their actions, which could ensure they follow the rules set for both inside and outside the home. Find out how you can reward your teen for good behavior.

Screen Time

Many parents often limit a teenager’s screen time, which will ensure they don’t spend their days playing games, scrolling through social media, or watching videos. However, if your teen has received a good report card or completed all their household chores, you could reward them for their hard work and effort by providing extra screen time.

A Fun Birthday Party

You can guarantee your teen would jump at the chance to climb walls, complete obstacle courses, or bounce on a trampoline with their friends on their birthday. However, you could promise to only organize a party at the likes of a trampoline park if they’ve been on their best behavior throughout the year.

For example, you must state they can have a birthday party if they:

Complete their daily chores
Work hard at school
Are polite and respectful both inside and outside the home

You can rest assured they’ll follow the above rules if they know they’ll enjoy an epic birthday party with their friends.

An Extended Curfew

If your son or daughter never argues when given an instruction, is performing well in school, and maintains a clean and organized bedroom, you could consider extending their curfew by an hour when requested.

If you believe it is safe to do so, you should allow them to spend a little longer with their friends, which will show them the benefits of good behavior. Plus, it could help you to establish trust between each other, so they’ll be less likely to break their curfew rules in the future.

A New Bedroom

Many teenagers often view their bedrooms as their haven away from the rest of the world. Help them to stay on their best behavior by promising them new wallpaper, furniture, and/or accessories, which can help them to put their stamp on their interior. You can guarantee they’ll stick to every household rule if they can create a more stylish, grown-up space.

Concert Tickets

Have you heard your teen’s favorite band or artist is coming to your town? If so, you could reward them for performing well in school with concert tickets, and you could even book an extra ticket so they can invite a friend to the show, too. It is a great way to show your appreciation for your son or daughter’s hard work throughout the year. Plus, it could encourage them to work harder to secure top grades and make you proud.

So, if you are scratching your head about how to improve your teen’s behavior, the above tips could be an ideal solution.

Buying Gifts for Your Teenage Daughter: Tips to Help You Find the Right Gift

February 27, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Buying gifts for your teenage girl can be a difficult task, because there is no guarantee that what she wanted so badly last year for her birthday is still going to have any value to her this year! These are the years when they grow and change every day and therefore, extra caution is advised if you are planning to get her a surprise gift. That being said, there are ways to figure out what would actually be a great gift for your teenage or preteen daughter, and here are a few tips that should help.

What is She Like?

It may seem like a rudimentary question, but it is the most important question of them all. Just because a girl is a teenager, there is no guarantee that she will like stereotypical teenage stuff, so in order to find the perfect surprise gift, a dad needs to know her daughter’s hobbies, likes and dislikes. For example, if she is the more outdoorsy type who loves to go camping, hiking or playing sports, chances are that she will love a pair of Gucci sneakers more than high heels from the same brand. On the other hand, if she is a fashionable girl who likes to dress stylishly, a pair of Gucci high heeled sandals will appeal more to her than a pair of Gucci sneakers. For a wide set of options to choose from, check out the huge collection of Gucci sandals, Gucci slip-ons and Gucci sneakers from SSENSE on their official website. It doesn’t matter what kind of a lifestyle she has, you are guaranteed to find a pair that she will love.

How About Better Music for Her?

The list of teenage girls who do not like music would indeed be very short, so it’s safe to assume that your daughter probably likes listening to music. That being said, what she exactly likes to listen to will differ a lot, depending on her influences and personality, but what she uses to listen to her music has to be good and that is where our gift idea comes in. Does she have a good pair of headphones, or can she use an upgrade to something in the realms of the Philips Fidelio X2 or maybe the Sony WH-1000XM3? There are a lot of options to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with Beyerdynamic, provided you can afford a pair!

If she already has a good pair of headphones, or if your daughter prefers to listen to her music from speakers, get her a Bluetooth speaker instead. The Bose SoundLink Revolve or the JBL Charge 3 will do just fine and won’t cost as much as a pair of premium headphones either!

Should You Get Her a New Phone?

This suggestion is as controversial as it is practical at the same time. While smartphone addiction can be a real problem in not just teenagers but adults as well, there is no denying the fact that having a smartphone is a necessity these days for almost everything from calling a cab to staying in touch with her friends and even for navigating. Besides, if your daughter’s phone is older than 2 – 3 years, then it is at risk of being hacked, which is never good, given how much sensitive information is stored on these devices. So, the bottom line is that if your daughter is using an old phone that’s probably a bit too close to being outdated, a new phone with better security might actually be a great idea for a surprise gift.

How About a Surprise Trip?

Vacations are one of those rare things that almost everyone likes, and getting tickets to that location your daughter has often told you about could be the perfect surprise gift for. The chances of her not loving that surprise are almost non-existent too. Just make sure that the plans do not clash with anything important in your daughter’s schedule. A few subtle questions in advance should take care of that part. As an added bonus, it could be the perfect opportunity for the whole family to spend some time together and for you to get a much-needed break from everyday life.

If all else fails and you are still not sure about what to get her, maybe it’s time to drop the surprise gift idea and take her to the mall. It’s not the most innovative or clever plan, but it’s effective nonetheless. Even then, this kind of ruins the whole point of buying a gift for her, as you are now paying for something that she picked out, which is close, but it is not the same as buying a gift that you chose for her on your own.

5 Strategies For Handling Difficult Teenagers

February 12, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The teenage years can be a difficult time for just about anyone, so be prepared for dealing with a lot of ups and downs as a parent during this stage in your child’s life. What you’ll need are strategies that are going to help you better manage and handle stressful situations you encounter with your teen.

It’s in your best interest to educate yourself in advance so that you’re not caught off guard when these moments arise in your home and personal life. Know that you’re not alone and although it may be a challenging time in your life, remember that it’s a temporary phase and won’t last forever.

1. Stay Calm

You getting yourself worked up and acting out in a heated situation with your teenager is only going to make matters worse. Commit to staying calm in the moment and setting boundaries so that your teenager knows that their unruly behavior won’t be tolerated. Keep in mind that you may need to walk away or take a short break to collect yourself before you’re able to address the circumstances at hand.

2. Seek Professional Help

Be mindful that if your child is consistently acting out, there might be a bigger underlying issue going on. It’s a wise idea to research mental health disorders further and consider getting help from a rehabilitation treatment facility such as The Recovery Village if you think this is the reason behind their unpredictable behavior. They have highly skilled and trained professionals on their team who are ready to jump in and help your child who’s struggling.

3. Take Away Their Privileges

Remember that you’re the parent and have the ultimate power in the relationship. Be careful not to let your teenager take this authority away from you. Instead, stand up for yourself when your child is behaving poorly and consider taking away their privileges such as using their phone or the car. Sometimes all they need is to be reminded who is boss and have a little time to think through their actions.

4. Sit Down & Facilitate A Conversation

Another strategy that you should give a try is to sit down and have a conversation with your teenager. Make sure you utilize assertive and effective communication so you can get your points across without being walked all over or yelled at. Get on the same page so that you can better understand where each of you is coming from and focus on problem-solving as a team instead of fighting one another.

5. Show Empathy

All your teenager may be looking for is love and support when they’re difficult to handle. One strategy to consider using is to show empathy for your child and let them know you can relate to where they’re coming from. Be vulnerable and open to sharing a personal story of yours to help them see you genuinely understand their viewpoint or situation they’re facing. This may help them to soften up and share more details with you instead of being angry and closed off.

How To Connect With Your Teenage Kid

October 2, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Every parent has that fear that when their child gets older that they’ll start to grow apart. This is only natural, and it is something which you’ll be lucky if you can avoid. Of course, there are ways to slow down the process and keep your relationship going strong. This includes things like eating together, having a catch up and much more. Here, we are going to give you some tips on how you can connect with your teenage kid. Keep reading this article to find out more.

Start A New Hobby

Our first tip for connecting with your teenage kid is to start a new hobby together. This doesn’t have to be something extremely active, you could try something like scrapbooking or going to see new movies when they come out. If you start doing something together, it will become a tradition and you can continue to do it together for a long time. Try to come up with an idea for a hobby together or else you might find that your teenager does not seem interested at all.

Eat Together

Families who eat dinner together stay together. Making sure that you sit down for a family meal every night or at least once a week will make your relationship a lot stronger. You should also be sure to eat at the dining table and not on the sofa. Do some research into what would be the best table for your family if you don’t already have one. This article has some useful tips on how to choose a dining table and you can also find some options to purchase using their website if you see something you like. Once that’s sorted, all you need to do is cook a nice meal, get your family around the table and you’ll be spending more time together in no time. This way, you can all talk about your day and catch up on what you have been up to.

Focus On One Child At A Time

If you have a few children, you might find that your teenager feels like you are not focusing your attention on them. This is often why teenagers act out against their parents. If you want to connect with your teenage kid, then you should think about focusing on one child at a time. This is extremely useful if you have a few teenagers and want to give them an equal amount of attention. Choose a different activity based on what each child likes and spend a day with them.

Tell Them You Love Them

This one might seem obvious, but you would actually be surprised by how many parents don’t tell their kids that they love them. Although your teenager might not seem like they care at the time, you are reinforcing the idea that you love them by saying it often will make your relationship stronger. Make sure that they know how much you love them, and you will become closer over time.

Go Shopping With Them

If you want to learn more about your teenager and what they like, then you should take them shopping. This doesn’t mean that you should take them to the shops that you like, let them take the lead and see what they would like to buy. Of course, you’ll need to set a limit on how much you are going to spend but you will start to see what sort of clothes they like, their favorite bands and much more. This can then help you to make conversations about their interests.

Listen To Them

The most important thing that you can do to connect with your teenage child is to listen to them. Just because they are only a teenager doesn’t mean that they don’t have good ideas. They might be crying out for attention from you but if you aren’t there to listen then you won’t be able to help them. Make sure to focus completely on them when they are talking to you and don’t get distracted by your phone or the daily newspaper. Listening is easy so make sure to try it out some time.

Final Verdict

It is important that you connect with your teenage child before they start to grow away from you. They are going to grow up, this is inevitable, but you need to make sure that you are preparing for this. Make sure to take on board the tips that we have covered in this article. Think about organizing a family dinner each night or even once per week if your schedules are really different. You could also consider taking up a new hobby with your child. Once you start paying more attention to your teenager and being proactive about connecting with them, you’ll find that they become more receptive to it. Remember to respect their privacy and never force a conversation on them unless you have to. Once you take on board our tips, you will be well on your way to connecting with your teenage kid.

How a Teenager Should Talk to Their Dads About Cars

September 10, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The dynamics of a conversation between a father and his teenage son or daughter have significantly changed. One of the reasons is that it is simply hard to even focus. Parents have to compete with phones and screens and other distractions.

Among the conversations that dads need to have with their teen children is about cars or about driving. Apart from the technical aspects, the most important subject of car conversation with teens is responsibility. If you are a teenager or a young adult who would like to drive his or her own vehicle, it is important that you ask the right questions and the right intentions. This shows you are ready and that you understand what you are getting into.

Are you ready to take the big leap? Your dads are the perfect go-to guys. Here are things you need to find out, and why.

Is it important that I know about cars and driving?

Driving is a life skill. It is one of those things that can get you places, literally and figuratively. It is of course not mandatory, but it is always a plus.

You want to have the right intention for even asking about cars or driving. Asking why it is important or necessary is a good conversation starter. From here, lead the discussion to dependence. Those who are not skilled and trained to drive need to depend on other people’s time, availability or resources. Talk about flexibility, too, and how driving can give you more options in terms of managing your time, getting yourself from point A to point B, and so on.

Can I handle it?

Photo courtesy of kaboompics via Pixabay

Admit it: your dad’s approval matters to you. If he trusts that you can handle a wheel, you will be able to handle a wheel.

This is important to be part of your conversation because this shows that you value your dad’s opinion. And the truth is that this is one of the most important questions you’ll have to ask yourself before taking the driver’s seat. You need to be able to convince yourself that you can handle it, and your dad’s assurance and approval will help boost your confidence.

How tough is the financial responsibility?

You will most likely not pay for your car, and you’ll probably drive the family car anyway. But this does not mean you should completely excuse yourself from all the financial responsibility.

This is important in engaging your dad on the conversation on cars because it shows that you are willing to shoulder some responsibility and make sacrifices in exchange for the convenience. This includes shouldering parking expenses or fuel costs.

How tough is the maintenance?

Photo courtesy of RyanMcguire via Pixabay

There’s more to car maintenance that just having it washed regularly. No car conversation between teens and their dads should go without the cost of maintenance, not just monetary but also time and effort.

Some of the basic questions regarding maintenance that any teen should ask are: how often do you need to perform a tune-up? When do you change tires? What is the lifespan of a car battery? What’s an air filter and how often does it need to be replaced? How do maintain the car’s paint? Does waxing and washing too often make it lose its original shine?

Dads will have a ready answer to everything. He is also most likely to provide you with the cost and the scenarios you are likely to encounter if you don’t know a thing about proper preventive maintenance.

What do I need to do before driving off?

Photo courtesy of StockSnap via Pixabay

A teenager can be very excited, and sometimes reckless, about cars. The moment they get behind the wheel, they step on the gas and drive off. Such act demonstrates carelessness and irresponsibility.

On the other hand, if you ask about essential car tips, specifically on the drill before driving off, it shows some semblance of being responsible, accountable, and in control.

Your basic driver checklist should include these questions: Have you inspected the vehicle? Is your tire pressure okay? Inside the vehicle, are you alert, tired or feeling sleepy? Are you buckled up? Are your rear and side mirrors aligned to your vision? Are your doors locked? Do you know where you are going? If not, set up your navigational app first. Are you capable? Are you calm or emotionally stressed? These questions are important because they basically show your regard for your own safety and everyone else’s.

What if I get a ticket?

Getting a ticket can be very intimidating to a teenager who is a first-time drivers. What are you supposed to do? This is also a good conversation starter with your dad because it shows that you are responsible, that you want to do things right, and that you have high regard for the law. It also teaches you about accountability in so many ways.

A privilege and a responsibility

This should be the core of every car conversation with a teenager — your dad knows it, and you know it. Having a car or a license is not a right; it is a privilege given to you by your government and your parents, if you are still under their guidance. This privilege comes with a great deal of responsibility. If you are behind the wheel, safety should be your top priority. You owe it to yourself, other motorists, and pedestrians.

A conversation about cars or driving is one that is bound to take place, and one that parents, especially dads, prepare themselves for. A teenager or a young adult who wants to take this leap are blessed to have dads who will walk them through the basics, as well as support them along the way. Ask the right questions, and have the right intentions.

3 Tips for Raising Teenagers

May 2, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Raising kids can be difficult, and each stage has its challenges. It can also be one of the most amazing adventures you’ll ever go on as it’s often unpredictable and full of surprises. Raising teenagers, in particular, can be a roller coaster ride depending on their personality type. They’re often going through different physical, mental, and emotional changes which result in them becoming more self-aware. As a parent, this could mean you’re dealing with more affectionate moments or a more withdrawn kid. Whatever the case, there are some things that you can do to prepare and better handle these changes. In light of this, you’re going to find three tips for raising teenage daughters in the following article.

Educate Yourself

Education is key, especially when raising teenagers. Although you were once a teenager, times have changed which means youth culture, peer pressure, and the challenges your child may face are likely different from the ones you did. For this reason, you should try and learn as much as you can about the culture surrounding your child and possible external influences to give you a better understanding of them. Some ways you can better understand the teenage years include educating yourself on the changes they will be going through, so you notice any signs, reading books about teenagers, talking to them often to understand them better, and putting yourself in their shoes to help understand their point of view.

You should also educate yourself on how to help your teenager through certain issues and stresses in their life. School is one of the biggest parts of their life and when it gets to exam time, they’re going to need your support. You could do some reading yourself or provide them with the resources you find that can help them, for example you can learn how to beat exam stress in this article by Daniel Wong or watch some YouTube videos on how to revise properly.

Spend Quality Time Together

Spending time with your teen is important if you want to improve your parent-teen relationship. You may find that sometimes they’d rather hang out with their friends than you, but that shouldn’t stop you from persisting on quality time. You could also think about doing things together in the house on days that you’re both home such as cooking together, watching a film, or having a family games night. Activities like these are usually the cement that helps create a lasting bond. Aside from being a lot of fun, it is also a way to get to know your child better as well as work on your communication with one another.

Lead By Example

Once your child becomes a teenager, they’re old enough to understand what’s going on around them. This means that they can smell hypocrisy from a mile away so practicing what you preach is important. For this reason, it’s key that you try and continuously better yourself and overcome any bad habits you may have that they could pick up such as anger issues, aggressive behavior, not keeping to your word or alcohol addictions. By showing that you understand the problems you may be facing, and tackling them, they will be able to lead by example. If you think you are suffering from an addiction, look into seeking help from an alcohol rehab facility. By dealing with your problems in a mature way you will be able to lead by example on how to take practical steps to better yourself. Nobody is perfect. However, you should do your best to walk the talk.

Raising teenagers isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s possible that looking back on your days as a teenager may help you fill some of the knowledge gaps. Although that may have been a few decades away, some things don’t change such as puberty, a desire to be accepted, and the confusion that often accompanies self-discovery. However, being there as both a parent and a friend may make the journey easier for both you and your kids.

Giving Your Teen Daughter All The Nutrients She Needs To Thrive!

April 22, 2018 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

As a father of two girls, one of which is a teenager, I am always trying to make sure that my teenager is eating healthy and taking in the nutrients that she needs to keep up with the hectic schedule that is her life. This month alone has become even more crazy as she is balancing soccer, track and band competitions. This craziness not only takes a toll on parents like myself, but on top of this it takes a toll on my daughter and many times she is completed wiped out by the end of the week.

When I went to the recent Dad 2.0 Summit I re-connected with my friends at Smarty Pants Vitamins. You might remember that I have mentioned them in the past because I was really impressed with their story but also in how they are creating vitamins that are specifically made for people of all ages.

At the Dad 2.0 Summit I was excited to see that they had recently come out with both a vitamin formula for both Teen Girls and Teen Boys. As I started talking to the representatives from Smarty Pants Vitamins I was impressed to find that the Smarty Pants Vitamins Teen Girl Complete blend provides 19 essential nutrients, lutein and zeaxanthin to help protect her eyes from blue light*, biotin, and omega 3 fish oil, all in one vitamin package that is made to taste great.

What is great about this is that through taking the Smarty Pants Vitamins Teen Girl Complete she can continue to attack the daily schedule that she has for herself without feeling like she has to slow down and on top of this she can safeguard herself for her future as well.

This new Teen Girl Complete vitamin blend is something that gives me peace of mind as a father. I have no qualms at all in giving this to her and as you will see below in the video my daughter made, she likes the vitamin as well!

You can find this great vitamin on Amazon and also through the Smarty Pants Vitamins website!

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Giveaway – 3 New Teen Novels Support Reading Through the Summer!

May 28, 2010 by dadofdivas 17 Comments

About the Books

1. Starlighter (Zondervan/HarperCollins, Spring 2010), by Bryan Davis
It’s a kidnapping plot no one thought possible: Dragons snatching humans and enslaving them on an alternate planet.

One of the most long-awaited young adult fantasy novels hitting bookstores everywhere this Spring, Starlighter imagines a world where humans are second-class citizens, and dragons aren’t as mythological as we think.

Bryan Davis is a bestselling teen fantasy author, with over 1,000 teen fans on Facebook. He is currently on a stunning 50-city book tour to promote his third dragon fantasy series, where two young teenagers must work together to rescue the world – before the unthinkable happens. www.starlighterbook.com

2. The Prophecy (Zondervan/HarperCollins, May 2010), by Dawn Miller

It was a night in St. Louis no one would forget.

A freak hailstorm during the Mardi Gras parade. Strange pockets of wind smashing into revelers. A sudden jump in crime across the city. But Jonah Becker and his ragtag friends would remember it as something else: the night of the curse – or gift – each are now destined to carry.

They are The Watchers: Witnesses to the epic and otherwise invisible battle for souls that rages around us. Jonah, the handsome musician who lives from one party to another; Sam Becker, kickboxer, and artist, whose tortured visions lead him into a fatal web of deceit; Carly Hagan, successful young entrepreneur and rebel, who will have to see with her own eyes that her father’s faith is not so blind; Jenna Moore, a young single mother who has made some dangerous mistakes; and Jeremiah Harvey, known ominously as “Big J.”

A thrilling fantasy novel for young readers, The Prophecy releases this May by Dawn Miller, acclaimed filmmaker. She is currently working on both a graphic novel and film version of this book. http://tinyurl.com/TheProphecy-Dawn-Miller

3. Never Blame the Umpire (Zondervan/HarperCollins, Spring 2010), by Gene Fehler

How do you trust God when tragedy strikes?

Baseball, tennis, poetry classes: Eleven-year-old Kate is having the best summer a kid could have. And in her close-knit family, Kate has always felt God’s love and protection. But when her mother is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, where can she turn? Do sports or poetry matter when tragedy strikes?

In Kate’s darkest hour, her mother’s faith shines its brightest, helping Kate to see that life is still beautiful and God is still good. Always, no matter what.

Gene Fehler, an award-winning and widely published poet, is the author of ten published books and over eighteen hundred published poems, stories, and articles. His poetry has featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” as well as the HBO production When it Was Just a Game II. www.genefehler.com

My Take on the Books
I am always on the watch for books that have great messages within them and that are spiritually based and these three novels do all three. I found all three books to be engaging in their own distinct ways and found myself easily getting through them all as they were quite engaging and page turners!

I would recommend all three of these books to teens that are looking for some quick, fun and meaningful reads that will keep them on the edge of their toes as well as keeping them engaged with the material in general.

My Take On The Book
As a part of the award winning Chicken Soup for the Soul books, this book does a great job at continuing the tradition of great motivational and inspiring stories that readers have come to expect within these books.

I enjoyed reading this collection of stories. As a father I am always looking for stories to inspire and give me ideas for being a better father myself, and this is filled with over 100 of them!

The stories were humorous, heartfelt and inspiring and I found that the different authors bring a great mis and variety to what being a father means. In reading the book I found that my favorites were:

“Crazy Curtains” and
“A Real Dad”

This is a great gift for any father out there!

If this book sounds like something that you are interested in, you can find it over at Amazon!

Giveaway

How would you like to win a copy of these books? I will be giving away a copy of each of these books to a to lucky reader! All you need to do is let me know why you would have an interest in these books to be considered. The contest will run for one week and will end on June 4, 2010.

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This contest will run until June 4, 2010 at approximately 11:59 pm Eastern.

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Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

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Teen DO’s and DON’T’s for a successful summer

May 19, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Summer is almost here! Teens across America are getting ready to trade in their notebooks and calculators for some much-needed tank tops and flip flops. The only problem with those long, lazy days of summer is that they fly by before you know it. “The best way to maximize your summer is to get some needed rest, recharge your batteries, and be ready to hit the ground running this fall,” says 19 year-old national radio personality and teen advocate, Chelsea Krost. The young teen advocate addresses many of these topics on her weekly radio show Teen Talk Live, which broadcasts live on TeenTalkLive.net.

Below, Chelsea lays out some essential DO’s and DON’T’s for the most successful summer yet:

· DO find a summer job that suits you

o Before sending out your summer job applications, figure out what interests you. “If you get stuck with a job you hate, you’re going to be miserable all summer,” Chelsea advises. Interested in working with kids? Consider a job as a camp counselors or nanny. Enjoy competition? Many retail jobs offer commission-based pay that will keep you motivated to do your best. “Most teens don’t have financial concerns and job issues, so it’s best to find a job that makes you happy – the extra dough in your pocket won’t hurt either!”

o For the real go-getter, you can even use this summer to get an internship, which can be paid or unpaid, but offers invaluable experience.

· DON’T let the summer fry your brain

o Use the down-time to explore different activities and hobbies. Sure, summer time doesn’t require long hours of studying and test-taking, but it can’t hurt to learn a thing or two during your time away from school. Many local fire departments offer courses to get you certified in CPR and first aid, for example. You could even take a speed reading or a cooking class at a local community college.

o Completing skill-enhancing programs is a great way to set you apart from others. You’ll thank yourself later when you apply for a real job! “Extracurricular activities and special certificates are great résumé boosters, which are essential in today’s competitive age,” says Chelsea. Improving basic life skills will give you a sense of accomplishment and help keep your brain running until the fall rolls back around.

· DO stay in shape by bringing out the kid in you

o “Just because you’ve grown out of your childhood games doesn’t mean you can’t play outside,” says Chelsea. The warm weather allows for more physical activity than usual, so take advantage of the heat by meeting up with friends for a pick-up game of soccer or joining a summer softball league.

o Exercising outside is also a great way to relieve stress. For those who enjoy working out alone, a fun hike or a long run in the park always leaves you feeling energized. “The summer is all about relaxing and having fun,” says Chelsea, so what better way to do so than with a little running around?

· DON’T let the sun get the best of your health

o The new rule of sun protection is to seek the shade. Many doctors and dermatologists admit that it may not be feasible to apply sun block every 15 minutes of the day or to cover up in the scorching heat, so if you find yourself outside for more than twenty minutes without look for a tree or an umbrella to shield yourself from the sun’s damaging rays.

o Just one burn increases the chance of skin cancer by 50%. “Most teens don’t worry about sun damage and wrinkles, but the truth is most of the harm caused by the sun occurs before age 30,” Chelsea warns. Go out and enjoy the weather, but stay safe! Exercise, a moderate caffeine intake, and a healthy diet can also help prevent sun damage.

· DO spend some time with Mom and Dad

o “A great way to appease your parents and keep them on your good side is to spend a little quality time with them,” suggests Chelsea. Gone are the days of early bedtimes and family vacations to Disneyworld. While you may be enjoying your newfound independence, with a new job or a driver’s license, Mom and Dad may not be so pleased. If your Dad digs a good work-out, why not join him on a bike ride around town? You can be Mom would also enjoy your company while she gardens or tidies up the house.

o You may not realize it, but these small gestures mean a lot to parents. By checking in with them on a regular basis, you can help them worry less, especially if your parents are strict. Chelsea says, “Better relationships with your parents can only mean good things for you, particularly in the curfew, allowance, and dating department!”

Meet Chelsea Krost
In March 2008, at the age of seventeen, Chelsea created the radio show Teen Talk Live with Chelsea Krost where as the show’s writer, producer, and host, she researches show topics and features a rotating panel of teenagers and experts to discuss prevalent teen and young adult issues. In January 2009, Chelsea traveled to Washington DC as the exclusive teen journalist for a non-profit group to cover the inauguration of President Obama, where she interviewed several political greats. Chelsea also reported live from the CNN building with Florida news anchor Suzanne Boyd. In the summer of 2009, Chelsea coordinated a philanthropic Teen Talk Live “Mission to Africa,” traveling to Nairobi, Kenya in conjunction with organizations including Kotex® and Delta Air Lines to hand-deliver hundreds of feminine hygiene product donations. As the exclusive teen correspondent for the local Florida CBS and Fox affiliates, Chelsea documented her compelling mission for a special four-part television series that aired throughout the month of July and was also highlighted on a segment on Bravo’s Split Ends.

The excitement continues in 2010 as Chelsea recently became the millennial spokesperson for Kotex® and was featured on The Tyra Banks Show. She was also awarded the Teen Image Award by M-Now Magazine for her outstanding philanthropic contributions and for acting as a role model who provides a positive and informative teen voice through her radio show. Recently, Chelsea interviewed season six American Idol winner Jordin Sparks about her busy career at an SOS Children’s Villages event, which aired on local CBS and Fox affiliates following American Idol. In March, Chelsea hosted the 2010 Future Stars Awards in Boca Raton, which aired on local CBS and FOX affiliates. Chelsea is also currently writing a book about teen issues which is scheduled to be released this summer. She is currently a Broadcast Journalism major at Marymount Manhattan College and hosts Teen Talk Live from New York City on LATalkRadio.com and TeenTalkLive.net every Wednesday at 7p.m. Chelsea continues to report on topics facing today’s teens and young adults, in addition to focusing on a new angle – leaving the nest, starting college and adapting to big city life.

About Teen Talk Live with Chelsea Krost
Founded in March 2008, Teen Talk Live is a topated teen radio talk show that airs Wednesdays from 7-8pm online and on LA Talk Radio. The show, hosted by inspiring Boca Raton, Fla. teen Chelsea Krost, provides teens with a safe outlet in which they can voice their opinions and gain advice. Furthering the show’s message, Chelsea coined its tag line, “Our Voice, Our Opinion, Our Time to Talk.” Teen Talk Live welcomes a rotating panel of teens as well as an expert from the field in which the topic of the show is about and covers a variety of topics ranging from fashion and relationships to more serious topics such as eating disorders, drug abuse, safe driving and cyber bullying. The show continues to raise awareness for charitable foundations including SOS Children’s Villages and The Pajama Program amongst other. In addition to hosting and producing Teen Talk Live, Chelsea is a reporter for the local CBS and FOX affiliate stations in Florida, covering local stories in Florida as well as Washington D.C. and Africa. For more information and to view Chelsea’s television news segments visit www.teentalklive.net.

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Help! My Teen is Dating: Real Solutions to Tough Conversations

May 2, 2010 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Book and DVD – What They Say

We need to be blunt here: sexual dangers are monumental for today’s teenagers. With TV, teen magazines, music, and movies promoting sexual activity among teens, your kids are exposed to images making sexual activity look exciting and even popular.

Think of all the kids at school talking about how “far” they went on a date last weekend or even last night.

The pressure for your teen to be more sexual, including engaging in sexual activity, is stronger than ever. With all the talk of fondling, oral sex, and intercourse among today’s teenagers, how do you protect your daughter (or son)?

You know the old parenting tactics of the past will not work with your children, and letting them find out on their own is way too dangerous and scary! Why is “making your child safe” such a daunting task? Because you can’t always be there to protect them, especially when they’re dating or going to parties where “hook-ups” are going to happen.

With parenting magazines and websites typically geared at parents of kids under 10 years old, where do you find advice for talking to you teen? Have you tried talking to your teen about dating, sex, and intimacy? Isn’t it amazing how teenagers don’t believe you can possibly understand the feelings they are going through

“The Look.” If you’ve tried talking to your teen about dating, then you’ve probably already gotten the “look.” You know the one. The look of “don’t even bother.” Sometimes you give your kids that same “look” when you get frustrated with them. The more annoyed you become, the more you start to lecture. Let’s see if you can relate to any of the responses below:

Usual teenager responses to” the talk”

– Rolling of the eyes

– The look of “You don’t know anything. You don’t get it.”

– “Yea, Yea, Whatever” as they walk away.

– “I am not talking with YOU about this.”

– “I’m not doing any of this stuff anyways. You don’t need to worry.”

– “I get it, okay?”

As you know, many teenagers love to talk with their friends about intimacy, dating, boys, girls, and even sexual situations. If they are having fun talking to their friends while getting lectured to by their parents, who are they likely to follow? Think back to your teenage years for a moment.

As a parent, trying to “figure this out” on your own can be a very difficult. Once you say one statement your teen feels is not “cool”, you can lose your credibility with him or her. Then you are likely to fall into 1 of 2 traps. You try to overcompensate and suddenly be cool or you go into the “Because I said so” mode. Now your teen is reminded of how much you don’t understand them or their world. Suddenly, you’ve lost a golden opportunity for a vitally important connection to your teenager. Who wins? Their friends. Who loses in the longun? You and your teen!

You can protect your teen

To overcome this communication barrier and truly protect your teen from today’s dangers, you need a precise and proven plan of what to say and how to say the right words. Once you understand the dynamics to this comprehensive plan, talking with your teenager about dating and sex no longer has to be synonymous with arguing and frustration.

Whether you are deciding the right age for them to start dating or discussing a date trying to go too far with them sexually, being properly prepared is the key to you helping your teenager make the safest choices.

You must find the way to engage your teenager in a caring discussion.

As you start having more personal talks together, you must be careful with every word you choose to share with your teenager (including “how” you say it).

You need to fully explain the “why” behind every belief you share with them and they have to believe in the reasoning.

You have to understand exactly what encourages an open discussion verses the statements that stop your teenager from turning to you in a time of need.

Having read all of this…you know your communication is key in keeping your teen safe. Sounds fine, but now you need real-life examples to show you how.

You’re a busy Mom – that’s a given. So, wouldn’t it be great to have a simple DVD you could watch with your teenager that actually teaches you how to connect on these tough issues? A movie that brought you and your teenager closer together than ever before? No, not one of those corny educational DVDs that make teenagers feel like they are 2nd graders. This DVD would be fun, interactive, cutting-edge, and thought-provoking for both your teenager and you. Good news, this DVD does exist:

“Help! My Teen is Dating. Real Solutions to Tough Conversations.”

This 85 minute DVD will help you start a fun, thought-provoking, and meaningful conversation between you and your teenager. Seriously.

Nothing can replace visually seeing and hearing the examples shared in this interactive DVD, especially the clear-cut way to word delicate conversations with your teen. You and your teen will find yourselves asking each other questions and appreciating each other’s views. Best of all, your teenager will realize what a valuable resource you are for them.

Think about how much better you’ll sleep knowing your teenager values herself AND the person he or she is dating.

Mike Domitrz created this interactive DVD with you in mind. Each year, he travels across North America speaking in schools and to parents [Watch CBS News Feature]. As one of the most sought-after experts, he continually hears directly from teenagers. Their e-mails and comments over the years have provided him with an inside understanding of what teenagers want and need from their parents. He takes those findings and reveals how you can use these “inside secrets” in your own home to enhance relationships with your sons and daughters in this one-of-a-kind DVD.

“Help! My Teen is Dating” has the answers you want

How and when to start the talk and get your teen to listen.
The best way to discuss the dangers: from alcohol to sexual assault. Necessary skills to get your teenager to make good choices.
Three questions that define whether your teen should be dating.
Essential tips to fun and safer dating for your son or daughter.
What to say to your teen’s date!
The exact words for addressing intimacy.
The power of “Asking First!” How to establish clear and reasonable boundaries.
How to truly “be there” for your child.

My Take on the DVD and Books

While my kids have a ways to go before they are teenagers, when I was asked to review this DVD & Book set I was excited to see what it offered as I knew that one day I too would be having to deal with these hard conversations.

When I received the DVD and books in the mail, I was excited to watch it and see how it approached problems and situations that teens today have to deal with. I had heard some good things online and thus, I had high expectations. I watched the program and enjoyed it and definitely could see how this would be a good item to consider using with a teen to open up some great conversations with your child.

One thing that I was truly impressed with was how attuned the presenter was with teens today. He talks right to the teen and the parent and helps then to try and identify common ground to stand on to start from. The books are also written in such a format.

I would definitely recommend this program to any parent of a teen today, it would definitely help you to level the playing field and open the door for conversations to begin.

If this sounds like something that you would like for your own family, you can find it on Amazon!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site’s Terms of Use for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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