TEEN CHANNELS

Teen Takeover The Hottest Stars

2008-12-20T07:15:00.000-08:00

Teen Takeover The Hottest Stars

MILEY CYRUS

Age: 16

The undisputed teen queen – estimated to be worth $1 billion by the time she turns 20 – has another season of her star-making Disney hit Hannah Montana on the way and is branching out with a new non-Hannah movie deal. "Madonna always reinvents herself, and that's what I want to do," says Cyrus, who broke records with this summer's Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds concert movie.

TAYLOR SWIFT

Age: 18

Turning 18 last December was good to the country star, who became the youngest person ever to write and record a chart-topping country song. "I wanted a No. 1 record, and I got that," says the double-platinum "Our Song" singer. Swift, who's been linked to Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, has a simple plan for her career: "I just want to be honest and tell my stories," she told "Redbook.

SELENA GOMEZ

Age: 16

The Wizards of Waverly Place star has been called the ""Next Miley Cyrus." And the Disney Channel actress – who's rumored to be dating Cyrus's ex, Nick Jonas – is adding recording artist to her resume with her in-the-works debut album. "It's something that I've been wanting to do for a long, long time," she says.

JORDIN SPARKS

Age: 18

The youngest-ever winner of American Idol, Sparks scored a Top 10 hit this year (for her duet with Chris Brown, "No Air") and performed for millions when she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl. And she's not afraid to take a stand: At the MTV Video Music Awards in September, the former plus-size model spoke out against British comedian Russell Brand's jokes about purity rings.

DEMI LOVATO

Age: 16

After starring with her pals the Jonas Brothers in Camp Rock and opening for them on their Burning Up tour, Lovato – whose profile was raised even higher when Miley Cyrus and friend Mandy Jiroux mocked her and BFF Selena Gomez on YouTube – has stepped out on her own. She released a debut pop-rock album, Don't Forget, and has her own Disney show, Sonny with a Chance, debuting next year.

DAVID ARCHULETA

Age: 17

Though he was the runner-up to American Idol season 7 winner David Cook, the quiet teen with the big voice has a rabid fan base – dubbing themselves "Archies." "It's pretty cool," says the singer, who recently released his self-titled debut album and first single, "Crush"". "People put the time and effort into making signs for you with your name and pictures on it! I do appreciate it."

HAYLEY WILLIAMS

Age: 19

The flame-haired, pint-sized teen kicked off her year at the Grammy Awards, where her band Paramore was nominated for best new artist. While their album, Riot! was certified platinum, the group set gossip blogs in motion after they canceled a tour due to "personal issues" – rumored to be frustration on the increased focus on Williams. But like No Doubt, who famously dealt with a beloved, iconic frontwoman before them, Paramore rebounded and began work on a new album, due next year.

SHENAE GRIMES

Age: 19

Grimes went from cult hero on Degrassi: The Next Generation to the halls of West Bev High as good girl Annie Wilson on the new 90210. "It's not as amazingly cheesy as the old one," the Canadian actress says of the remake, which has given her her first high-profile role. "It's so real. The issues are going to hit harder and closer to home."

MIRANDA COSGROVE

Age: 15

She successfully followed up her role in the Drake & Josh movies with iCarly, the breakout Nickelodeon show where she plays accidental Web star Carly Shay. Now the actress is ready to show off her musical chops: After singing on the successful iCarly soundtrack album, which debuted at No. 28 on Billboard's 200 Albums chart, Cosgrove began work on her solo disc, due next year.

JONAS BROTHERS

Ages: Nick, 16, and Joe, 19 (with Kevin, 21)

The threesome sure packed a lot into 365 days: They won six Teen Choice Awards, starred in the wildly successful Disney Channel movie Camp Rock, had a No. 1 album (A Little Bit Longer) and broke iTunes records as the first band to sell more than 100,000 downloads of three consecutive singles – and that's just the start of Jonas Mania. The platinum-selling band has a new TV series, J.O.N.A.S., a Disney Channel reality show and a 3-D concert movie (following this year's sold-out Burnin' Up tour) hitting in 2009.

Emma Watson Said I'd Go Naked

2008-12-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Emma Watson Said I'd Go Naked

Emma Watson "Hermione" sat down with The Times and told them she's okay to bare all in the name of her craft.

The 18-year-old Chanel model and "Harry Potter" star talked about making the transition from child star to grown-up actress.

"I'm at a strange age... I'm not a woman yet, but I'm not a girl any more. [Film companies] say, 'Oh, in a couple of years you'll be perfect for this.' I'll be like, yeah, but I want to be studying English then, so it's going to be quite tough to choose between the two...

"I have enough to hold me together without fame," she says. "I have a really supportive family and a full life away from Harry Potter. It's unlikely that I'll be part of anything this big ever again, so I need to deal with that. I'm not going to take a job just because, shit, I'm not doing anything else." She still loves acting, naturally -- she would even, steady chaps, go nude. "Yes," she says. "For Bernardo Bertolucci. It . . . depends. I'm not getting my kit off any time soon, but it is part of my job."

Top TV Shows for Teen in Fall 2008

2008-12-08T02:44:00.000-08:00

Top TV Shows for Teen in Fall 2008

Gossip Girl

I'm certainly seeing a new side of Serena van der Woodsen this season, hmmmm? She was all sweetness and light when she was dating Dan Humphrey, but now that they've called it quits, Serena seems to be turning into the snobby, backstabbing spoiled rich kid she was reputed to be before she hooked up with Dan. In fact, I'm feeling sorry for her supposed BFF Blair, who certainly can cook up a wicked plot of her own, but does show loyalty to Serena when Serena isn't sleeping with her boyfriend or stealing the spotlight at Blair's mom's fashion show. I'm also loving every minute of Chuck Bass screen time this season (for us, he's hands down the most interesting character on the show), and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he and Blair will once again return to the love aspect of their love-hate relationship. Also on my wish list: More storyline for Nate and Serena's bro, Eric, while I'm hearing Serena is about to get a new boyfriend. Sorry, Dan.

Smallville

Sure, Lex and Lana aren't regulars this season, but hottie hero Clark Kent (Tom Welling) is still in action, and he's started his journalism career with a job at The Daily Planet. There's also the return of Oliver Queen, whose alter ego is Green Arrow (one of Superman's Justice League cohorts), and, at last, some romance for Chloe, who's spent so many years crushin' on her best – but platonic – buddy Clark. In fact, I hear there may be a wedding for Chloe in November, and while Clark will be busy trying to keep his Superman identity under wraps, he also starts feeling all romantic 'n things about his Planet co-worker Lois. Well, until Lana makes a surprise return …

The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island: Hollywood

We all can probably agree that it may be time for these former Real World-ers and Road Rules-ers to grow up and get real jobs. But, that certainly wouldn't be as fun to watch, and this season of the RW/RR Challenge has definitely been fun. Former cast members – including some you love and some you love to hate – are stranded on a "deserted" island this time around, meaning none of the fancy, tricked out beach houses they've lived in during past seasons. In fact, even their supply of food is rationed, which makes for some cranky reality stars. The goal for the season: to win challenges that provide the winners with keys, one of which will unlock a buried treasure that houses a cool $300,000 prize. Yeah, that might be worth a few weeks of roughing it on an island and listening to "Johnny Bananas" alternately scream at and try to hook up with all the females. Or maybe not …

One Tree Hill

I thought it would be a little cheesy when the show employed its now-famous plot of jumping five years into the future, but I have to hand it to the OTH producers: It was a genius move! It was a great way to refresh the show and get us interested in the characters again … crazy nanny Carrie! Nathan's mom's hooking up with Skillz! Lucas and Peyton are FINALLY getting married! I'm still bumming about the death of a certain high school basketball player – which I won't spoil here in case you're still catching up with the new season – though I hear he'll be making some sort of appearance later in the season (as a ghost maybe?). Elsewhere, though Peyton and Lucas have set the date, all may not yet be resolved with Lucas' ex-fiance, and rumor has it that Brooke might finally find a love of her own, as well as a thriving new business.

New Beverly Hills 90210

Is anyone loving this new 90210 as much as they loved the original Beverly Hills 90210? I'll confess, I'm still longing for the days when Brandon Walsh helped Nate sling burgers at The Peach Pit. Still, this remake is a fun, soapy entry into The CW's line-up, and Tristan Wilds as Wilson family member Dixon is, IOHO, one of the yummiest guys – and best actors – on TV right now. The drama's good, too – Silver's sad storyline with her alcoholic mom, Naomi's heartbreak at finding out that her boyfriend was cheating on her just before finding out her dad was cheating on her mom … those characters could easily be one-dimensional, but like with Kelly and Dylan on the original series, Silver and Naomi manage to be sympathetic, even when they're acting like spoiled brats. I also love seeing the aforementioned Kelly and her old pal/rival Brenda mixing it up with the current West Beverly students, and another blast from the past – a certain Mr. Brandon Walsh – will also be returning to his old zip code soon.

Privileged

Like Gossip Girl, Privileged is also based on a young adult novel, in this case author Zoey Dean's How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls. The charming story revolves around recent Yale grad Megan, who dreams of a prestigious career in journalism, but has so far been toiling away at a tabloid. One day, she gets fired from her job and serendipitously meets make-up queen Laurel Limoges, who hires Megan to be a live-in tutor to Laurel's bratty teen granddaughters Rose and Sage. The girls prove to be quite a challenge – they're not making Megan's job easy, though it's clear she's going to win them over eventually. Besides, in the meantime, Megan has some killer job perks, like a fab private room, a hot car and a chef to whip up her fave foods. There are also plenty of gorgeous men in her 'hood, not to mention her yummy best friend Charlie, who's more than just a little head over heels in love with her.

Chuck

Chuck Bartowski, our favorite TV nerd. Actually, don't let the nerd tag fool ya … Chuck, as played by all-kinds-of-yummy actor Zachary Levi, is a nerd, but a very adorkable nerd. In fact, he's the leader of the Nerd Herd, the Geek Squad-ish computer experts who work at the fictitious Buy More superstore. But, through a fluke that later turned out to not be an accident at all, Chuck's big brain was filled with a computer download of the U.S. government's top secret spy info, meaning Chuck had to be recruited as an undercover spy himself. That has led to some dangerous – and hilarious – missions for the fake 007, as well as a crush on his beautiful spy handler, Sarah. He's also got a nerdy sidekick/BFF, Morgan, who's good for more than a few laughs; some quirky Buy More co-workers; and a sweet sister who's engaged to a doctor who's so smart, handsome and nice that the gang affectionately refers to him as Captain Awesome.

Lincoln Heights

This under-the-radar family drama has almost made us forget how sad we were that 7th Heaven left the airwaves. Lincoln follows the Sutton family, led by dad Eddie, who move into a rough neighborhood – where Eddie grew up as a child – so that policeman Eddie can try to make it a better place. There are problems along the way – race riots, bullies picking on the Sutton kids, mom Jen's problems and work … and much of the show also revolves around the teen romance of Eddie's daughter Cassie and her boyfriend Charles. The duo has gone through many dramatic trials – her father's disapproval of them dating, Charles' ex-girlfriend returning, a break-up – and this season they're taking their relationship to a whole new level, which leads to a pregnancy scare!

Greek

Are we still hoping for a Casey/Cappie reunion? Of course, but in the meantime, Greek continues to be one of the most clever, funny and heartfelt dramedies on TV. This season, as the Cyprus-Rhodes University crew gets older, they also start to deal with more grown-up problems, like Casey's new boyfriend Max, whose last girlfriend died. Cappie's still together with Casey's sorority sister (and rival) Rebecca, though I'm hearing rumors that the two are headed for splitsville. And since Casey's pairing with Max seems doomed, too, maybe that Casey/Cappie reunion isn't as far off as we thought. I also hear there's an upcoming episode where Casey's bro Rusty will have a little flirtation with Casey's BFF Ashleigh, while Casey's ex, Evan, will continue to be a rat, Rusty will be shocked when his ex returns and Casey and Ashleigh do a little snooping in Frannie's room and find out some very interesting – and useful – info. And all that's just in the next few episodes! No wonder I love this show so much. Oh, yeah, Cappie and those other hot cast members don't hurt.

Fringe

Four words: Cutie pie Joshua Jackson. Need we say more? Oh, okay. This latest drama from Felicity/Alias/Lost creator J.J. Abrams is a sci-fi-ish/conspiracy drama that stars the former Pacey Witter as Peter (the son of a famous, genius scientist) who, along with his dad and the FBI, is investigating a series of strange occurrences around the world that all fall under the umbrella of "fringe science," i.e. telepathy, levitation, invisibility, reanimation, etc. Peter and his dad had been estranged until they started working together on these mysterious happenings, and things still don't always go so smoothly for the father and son, but each of them is key in figuring out, and hopefully preventing, this pattern of strange events.

Top 10 Wii Games for Teen

2008-12-08T02:20:00.000-08:00

Get Cookin' on Wii

The best new "gadget" of the year, in our humble opinion: The Wii. Nintendo's cool new video game console is our favorite way to spend our gaming hours these days, and "addictive" doesn't even begin to describe how attached we are to our little game box.

What games do we recommend for summer Wii-ing? Here's our top 10.

1. Cooking Mama Cook Off.

It's more fun than real cooking, though the game feels like you are doing the real thing, as you chop, dice, slice, peel, fry, bake, and boil, using Wii's superinteractive controller. Make fun stuff like pudding, cream puffs, and Mexican, French, and Italian dishes. The best part: all the fun of cooking, none of the hassle of cleaning up afterward!

2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Video games based on the summer blockbuster movies Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and Transformers. From high-flying Spidey and Shrek and his pals Donkey and Puss in Boots to the wily Captain Jack Sparrow (the videogame version of Jack is deliciously lifelike to star Johnny Depp) and the shape-shiftin' Transformers, if you see the movies, you're going to want to play the Wii games based on them, putting you right in the middle of the same action stars like Tobey Maguire, Orlando Bloom, Shia LaBeouf, and Josh Duhamel are involved in on the big screen.

7. Sonic and the Secret Rings

Sonic's first solo adventure since 1991 finds him in trademark superspeed mode, as you get to play in cool Arabian Nights settings. There's also a great party mode where four players can play simultaneously, which is perfect for summer gatherings with your pals.

8. Tamagotchi Party On!

Based on the lovable little Tamagotchi characters, the game allows you and three other players to compete for the chance to become the new president of Tamagotchi Planet!

9. Super Paper Mario

Turn Mario from 2-D to 3-D, as you help him save Princess Peach and Bowser from an evil villain who's kidnapped them!

10. Wario Ware: Smooth Moves

This fun game (with a yummy cotton candy pink cover that makes us happy every time we see it) includes more than 200 mini games, and lets you do fun stuff like turning the Wii controller on its side to pump it up and down to blow up a balloon, and put the controller on your hips and wiggle them to play with a hula hoop!

Tips on Meeting Your Boyfriends’ Parents…

2008-12-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

You may have heard horror tales about meeting boyfriend’s parents for the 1st time, but pretend you didn’t (out of all my girlfriends just one of them had bad luck with her boyfriends’ folks, but those love birds still got engaged).

Anyway, I am sure you would still want his Mom and Dad go crazy about you. So, apart from an open mind and a positive outlook, here are a couple of other tips that you can use to make a great start with his family!

1. Wait

Don’t rush into meeting the family. Wait for the right time. Get to know your guy first. Once you’re sure that this relationship is ‘the one’ then mutually decide to meet the parents.

2. Research

Learn up names of family members and try to get photographs so you can recognize them before you are introduced. You’ll be more at ease if you know who is going to be present. I had an embarrassing moment when in the middle of the dinner I forgot the name of the aunt who was too at the table… Thank God I didn’t have to address her. Her name is Anna, and although we broke up with that guy, I remember his Aunt’s name till this day.

3. Venue

The right location is important. One good choice would be something neutral, like a restaurant. Choose one that is semi-formal unless you’re a pro at figuring out the cutlery!

4. Punctuality

Don’t you want to make a good impression? Don’t be late as it’s disrespectful to make others wait for you. If you’re running late then call and apologies and mention what time you can be expected.

5. Gifts

We all love them. However, finding the right gift is important. So find out in advance from your guy on what would be a good gift. Perhaps you could try a bottle of wine or some chocolates. I noticed that a box of expensive chocolates works perfectly. But make sure you know what kind they prefer - dark, white, milk chocolate…

6. Attire

Get as much information as you can from your mate. You don’t want to overdress or look sloppy. Stay away from mini skirts and anything that shows off your cleavage or underwear (bra straps in particular), see-throughs also should be avoided. Find out what style is expected - your boyfriend should surely know! Oh, and please, try not to put too much makeup. Many parents and grandparents might disapprove…

7. Conversation

So you dressed up real pretty, but do you have a mind? Then prove it but don’t go overboard. Try and not show off about your exploits and education. Try and involve all the members of the family. Be polite.

8. Flattery

Yes it works to an extent. Shower a little praise on them for making their son a fine gentleman. His mother certainly wouldn’t mind a few compliments on the food or home décor. But make sure you complement on things you really like (like their son :). You don’t want the compliments sound like little suck-up lies, do you?

9. Opinions

While it’s fine to have an opinion on certain matters, try and stay away from politics, religion and gender issues. You don’t want to find yourself contradicting all the other family members. Agreeing with things or staying politely quiet is the best policy when family debates begin. If giving an opinion can not be avoided, try to stay as neutral as possible, not to offend anyone.

10. Leave

After dinner stay a while and chat, but don’t linger on forever. They will probably want to wrap it up even if the evening went well. So thank everyone for having you over and make a graceful exit.

Meeting the parents doesn’t need to be a dreadful. So, basically just be nice, open and honest. If you plan things in advance or at least think over the questions they might ask you, you will feel more comfortable and prepared. I know it worked for me, and now my mother in law and I are in a great relationship :) I am pretty sure these tips will work for you too.

Good luck, and remember, if their son fell in love with you, they’ll love you too!

Alesha's changed!

2008-11-29T02:32:00.000-08:00

Never have we loved to hate a song so much. Or hated to love it. Or whatever. One thing's for sure, Alesha Dixon's latest song is so firmly under our skin, it's at one with our organs.

We love Alesha. Not only is she possibly the nicest lady in pop, but she's also pretty fiesty. Having had a catalogue of love life traumas (her hubby Harvey from So Solid ran off and had a baby with singer Javine) you'd excuse her for locking herself away for a good old blub. But not Alesha! She picked herself up, put on a smile, won Strictly Come Dancing and came back a lot brighter.

Look at how she's polished up over the last few years...

April 2003: With her girlband Mis Teeq. Alesha was the quick talking rapper. The other two were the..., hang on, what DID the other two do?

May 2003: With ex-husband and love rat Harvey. Altogether now, Booooooo....

June 2003: With a bit of a fro, on stage with Mis Teeq.

2005: In her towel when the fire alarm went off at the gym. WE'RE KIDDING! At the opening of a clothes store in London.

2006: Looking sharper and sporting a bob at the Mobo awards.

NOW: Sleek and sexy. And with a Beyonce / Nicole PCD edge. Alesha, we salute you.

Teens reaction to Barack Obama's victory

2008-11-29T01:31:00.000-08:00

Herewith I write some thoughts from teen of Barack Obama's victory

Obama's victory means change

Photo courtesy of Obama for America

I was restless as I stared at the TV. I couldn’t help but think about what would happen if Barack Hussein Obama didn’t win. As the time passed I became so nervous I began biting my nails and clicking my pen over and over. I did not want to start to think about a potential winner (even though it was clear that Obama had more votes) because I felt it might jinx Obama’s chances of winning. Yes I know it sounds silly but that’s how much this election meant to me. Obama becoming president means change and I believe he will lead American in the right direction, starting with bringing our troops home from Iraq and more importantly getting America out of this economic crisis. As a junior in high school one of the things I’m concerned about is the cost of education. In one of his past speeches, I remember him saying how he would help students get more financial aid and that education was one of the things he would work most on. Obama’s speeches helped me believe that he would change America for the better. As we at L.A. Youth sat around watching ABC news I became filled with anticipation and began to have doubts as John McCain’s electoral votes grew slowly. At exactly 8 p.m. my heart skipped a beat as Obama was announced as the 44th president of the United States of America. Obama, a president for change. Yes!
Stefany Macario, 16, King Drew Medical Magnet HS

I was watching history being made

I’ve supported Barack Obama from the beginning. I remember watching him announce his candidacy for president two years ago. I felt inspired to care about politics and the future of our country. It also made me realize that this would be the last presidential election that I would not vote in and I wanted to know about the people I could re-elect in four years. As I followed the primaries, I was worried that he would lose to Hillary Clinton. But as he became the Democratic Party’s nominee, I was excited for the possibility of a huge change in American history occurring during my lifetime: an African American becoming president of a powerful, predominantly white nation. And finally, watching the election coverage and watching Obama take key states, I was overwhelmed by that sense of history and a feeling of this country moving forward. I’m so excited for the prospect of a change in our government (mostly a change from the current administration and having our country not be hated through out this world) and Barack Obama leading our country to a better, more environmentally and humanly conscious, place in this world.
Sam Landsberg, 15, Hamilton HS

Will people be angry?

The results on the television seemed clear enough, but how I felt was far more complicated. I am a Democrat, so of course I was rooting for Obama. However, my positive reaction was dimmed by other thoughts—the results were close, though not as close as the last election. I’m glad that Obama won, but not everyone feels that way. Almost half of the country won’t be thrilled by this result. We know that many Republicans are really upset, and will feel cheated by the outcome. This isn’t a happily-ever-after situation. The novelty of a black president, the novelty of a Democrat…this territory is unfamiliar. I’m excited about the changes that will be made in America, but at the same time, the worry about the unknown and the fear of others’ anger puts a damper on the situation.
Fiona Hansen, 16, Marlborough School

Equality for everyone

Barack Obama’s victory will prove to be a change for the better for America. His presidency will not only unite this nation, but will also end the war between our country and Iraq and the troops will get pulled out. President Obama has the capability and intelligence to resolve the problems and federal debt left by George Bush. The election of an African-American president has also given me a sense of hope that people are becoming more open and less prejudiced. I hope he’ll help with giving every person equal opportunity. I think his main goal will be to have everybody be treated fairly and the way they deserve. That is what gives people hope.
John Lisowski, 16, Laurel Springs

Faith in the future

As I sat watching the election results come in, my stomach was filled with an overwhelming sense of nervousness. I was watching ABC, when at 8:03 p.m. the new president was announced. As many had anticipated, Sen. Barack Obama became the new president of the United States. I jumped for joy and did my famous victory dance. Since Obama won, we can expect major changes to our country. I am absolutely ecstatic that Obama won because his proposals including increasing financial aid and getting us out of the war quickly, help Americans (including me) have hope for the future. Since 2000 we have suffered through George Bush’s troubled presidency, now that Obama is our new president, there is a new faith that America can recover from our current economical, environmental and racially divided situations.
Stacey Avnes, 14, Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies

I never thought he'd win

In the beginning, I didn’t think he would get this far. But going into Election Day I was sure that Barack Obama was going crush John McCain. I was astonished by the lead Obama had in the polls. Everyone I knew, even if they were for McCain, would say Obama was going to win. Surprisingly the two candidates came a lot closer than I would imagine. I did not think it was possible for John McCain to get as many votes has he did. When I heard the ABC announcer tell America that Barack Obama was our new leader, I did not have to worry anymore. I felt like it was over. I felt relieved. I finally knew that that the country’s future was in great hands. From now on, I would no longer worry about John McCain becoming another George Bush.
Taila Proctor-Jackson, 13, Village Christian MS (Sun Valley)

I was excited to see a minority win

Even without high-definition flat screens and fancy computer graphics, Aaron knows how Barack Obama won.

On Nov. 4, 2008, my pride and faith in the United States was reborn as Barack Hussein Obama won the presidency. Dreams of Americans, including mine, of seeing a minority running for and winning the presidency of the United States became a reality. This victory is not only for Democrats or even the United States. It is a proud and historical victory for everyone in the world. As Obama proved, you don’t need to be white, come from a rich family or be a war hero to be a presidential candidate. All you need to be is an American willing to step up to the plate and be a leader.
Aaron Sayago, 17, Fairfax HS

Equality for everyone

We must work together now

As the polls closed and the votes rolled in, because my own vote went to Barack Obama, I cheered along. But I was concerned with one thing. Obama’s campaign stressed unity; it is a plan that involves everyone working together to grow our nation from the bottom up. McCain’s plan focused on the individual, with lower taxes and self-interest motivating the country. So what is the problem? Obama’s way requires every person to work together for the larger sake of our entire country. He encourages people to volunteer and wants to help people with issues such as college and healthcare. It is a plan that literally runs on hope. If we continue to be divided based on our political ideas, we will all fail. On the other hand, if Obama can unite America as he has the Democratic Party, everyone wins. As for me, I am hopeful. I’m excited to do my part by helping other people, then in the future having a job and paying taxes. I believe in Obama’s theory and I trust that the United States will live up to the “United” part of its name.
Alexander Gleckman, 18, South Pasadena HS

A disappointed Republican

I was disappointed when the election was called for Barack Obama even though I knew it was coming. I was still hopeful for John McCain. Many people ask me why I am a Republican. My answer is simple. Taxes. I just don’t want my family to pay more taxes. Also, despite what many Americans believe, there is no way Obama is going to bring the troops back home right away. It is hard to end any war and this one is especially complicated. But I commend Obama for mobilizing supporters with a perfect campaign. McCain had no chance against Obama ever since Sarah Palin’s stupidity was revealed to the public. President Obama will do his best for the benefit of the nation.
Elis Lee, 16, Crescenta Valley HS

Who will be in his cabinet?

In the beginning, I was an enthusiastic supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton. However, Sen. Barack Obama’s message of unity and his maturity throughout the campaign convinced me that he is the candidate for America.
Now that Obama has been elected, it’s time for him to fulfill his promise to Americans. His message of hope, change and unity should be reflected in his choice of a cabinet that brings both Republicans and Democrats together.
I am excited for my future and America. I understand that Obama’s victory doesn’t guarantee a successful presidency, but I believe that Obama will be able to carry the inspiration Americans experienced throughout his campaign into office. I believe Obama’s patience and ability to consider all angles of an issue will make him successful.
Se Kim, 17, Pacifica Christian HS (Santa Monica)

Obama will tackle college costs

I felt joy when I heard Barack Obama’s name called as the 44th President of the United States. Obama means change for me because he cares about the cost of higher education. The next four years will be a test for him to see if he can make sure that costs don’t keep increasing each year. College is the most important thing on my mind because in just nine months I will be heading to college.
I was also in favor of Obama not because of his race but because of his composure, especially when McCain attacked him during the campaign. I think it is very important that a president has leadership skills and composure because other countries will challenge him. He has to work with these countries and handle criticism so that he can lead our nation. We will see if Obama will grant America’s and my wishes of change over the next four years.
Aaron Siegal-Eisman, 17, Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies

Stay Organized

2008-11-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Avoid a clutter crisis before school starts.

Do you want to avoid drowning in the piles of paper that flooded your room last year? Make this school year different, and be more organized. Organization can take time and a bit of extra effort, but it's all worth it in the long run, especially when you're superbusy. Check out these tips on how to stay organized in the three most crucial areas.

Clean Your Desk Room
Knowing where everything is before the school year starts will help create a smooth transition into school. Once your desk is clean, collect any school supplies that you can reuse this school year. Start to fill your desk with any items that aren't already on it. Throw out old supplies and papers that are no longer useful. Keep extra school supplies or references in a drawer or box nearby. Have a thesaurus and dictionary nearby. Post-its are extremely useful; have them handy for quick reminders.

Get a filing cabinet
his will eliminate paper clutter on your desk (or floor). Use color-coded folders to organize your graded papers from previous years. Organize by school year and subject. If you're applying to colleges or searching for internships, use separate folders for these activities too.

Your Computer

File it!
Create an electronic folder for the current school year. Within that folder, make separate folders for the classes you will be taking. Be sure to place assignments, essays, review sheets, and class notes in these folders. Even if you handwrite your notes in class, retype them so you can organize and retrieve them faster. If you have material from previous years on the computer, organize it in folders too — you never know when it might be useful again.
Back it up!
When it comes to important documents on the computer, make flash drives and external hard drives your BFFs. Always back up your work. Save all your important papers, review sheets, and notes from your classes if you think they might be useful in the future.

Know your space
Design your desk area so that it's ideal for studying. A desk lamp and a comfortable chair can make your study sessions better. Sitting on your bed might be comfortable, but it can make you tired. Make sure you have an alternate study space available if your room becomes too distracting. If you're in college, jot down the library hours before school starts.
Know where your classes are before the first day of school to avoid getting lost. Memorize your schedule to make your routine less stressful. Looking at your schedule, mark down your free time and write down what you can do during that time.

Use Gmail
Even if you have a school e-mail account, you can forward all of that mail to a Gmail account. With Gmail, you can create color-coded labels to group and separate your e-mails. You can also filter your e-mails. Make sure to delete unnecessary e-mails. Reply to e-mails when you receive them to prevent a full in-box. In addition to a portable planner, online calendars and online to-do lists can be a big help because they often have notification features.

Your Backpack
Make sure your school bag is the right size for what you'll be carrying. One that's too big may cause you to bring more than you'll actually need — making it difficult to find items right away. One that's too small might cause you to leave things home or cram things to fit.

Carry your planner
Always have your planner with you when you go to and from class. Write down your due dates and test dates in your planner. Also, break up your study time and assignment work, so you don't have to do it all at once. This will make it easier to have time for other activities (like watching Gossip Girl). Make daily to-do lists to keep on top of your work and manage your time. Cross off what you complete. If you don't finish everything on your to-do list, make a note of it.

Separate your subjects
Whether you use a binder or a notebook with folders, make sure each subject has its own organized space. It's also a good idea to keep assignments separate from notes within the binders or folders. Carry a small bag or case for your writing utensils and smaller supplies. This will make them easily retrievable and prevent them from getting lost in your bag.

Planning for School

2008-11-28T03:51:00.000-08:00

The new school year is just around the corner. Whether you're heading off to college for the first time or entering your junior year of high school, it's a good idea to start planning now!

School Supplies
What you'll need and how much of it will depend on your course load and teachers' requirements. But there are must-have items you'll want to have on hand before the year begins.

— Pens
— #2 pencils
— Notebooks
— Notepad
— Folders
— Binders
— Highlighters
— Post-its
— Index cards
— Pencil case
— Stapler
— Ruler
— Calculator
— Scissors
— Dictionary/thesaurus

On Budgets?
Remember, these items don't all need to be new! Before you go shopping for school supplies, look through your old supplies and see what's still in good condition. Go through old notebooks and see if there are any unused pages. If so, rip out the old notes, so the rest of the notebook has blank pages. You can also reuse folders and binders.

Don't worry about old doodles or those cheesy portraits of your old crush — jazz them up with pictures of friends or a collage of your favorite celebrities.

There's no need to spend money on penholders or desk organizers when you can make them yourself! Save aluminum soup cans after you use them. You can use them as is or decorate them — either way, you're saving the environment.

Packing List for College
So, you're going off to college. With the change of scenery, the new independence, and the responsibility headed your way, packing might be the last thing on your mind. Figuring what (and what not) to bring to school can save you a lot of stress when moving-in day comes closer. Bring this checklist with you before you gather your things or head to the store.

FOOD: A Girl's Gotta Eat!
— Snacks
— Water bottles
— Cups
— Dishes
— Utensils
— Mini refrigerator
— Coffeemaker*
— Microwave*
— Toaster*
— Tupperware
— Ziploc bags
— Paper towels
— Dish soap
— Dishrag
* Make sure your school allows these items.

BATH: So Fresh and So Clean
— Shampoo and conditioner
— Toothbrush and paste
— Towels and bathrobe
— Shower tote
— Soap
— Razor
— Makeup
— Lotion
— Hairbrush
— Contact solution
— Hairspray/gel
— Face wash
— Deodorant
— Laundry basket
— Detergent
— Dryer sheets
— Tissues
— Air freshener
— Febreze
— Flip-flops

BED: Be a Sleeping Beauty
— Sheets (your school will tell you what size; generally it's an extra-long twin)
— Pillow(s) and Case(s)
— Comforter
— Extra blanket
— Bedside fan
— Reading light
— Bedside storage
— Bed risers
— Mirror that can be hung
— Posters
— Over-the-door hooks

CLOTHING/ACCESSORIES: What to Wear?
— Underwear (20)
— Socks (20)
— Pants (6)
— Shorts (2)
— Shirts (12)
— Pajamas
— Gym clothes
— Formal outfit (2)
— Formal shoes
— Sneakers (gym and casual)
— Sandals
— Slippers
— Clothing organizer
— Shoe organizer
— Hangers
— Lint brush
— Umbrella
— Backpack
— Purses
— Jewelry
If applicable:
— Winter coat
— Sweaters (5)
— Gloves/hat/scarf
— Snow boots
— Rain boots

TECHNOLOGY: It's Electric!
— CD/MP3 player
— Phone
— Computer
— Printer
— Computer paper
— Flash drive
— Radio/alarm clock
— Alarm clock
— Hair dryer/straightner
— Extension cord
— Batteries
— Ethernet cord
— Lightbulbs
Coordinate these with your roommate:
— TV
— DVD player
— Speakers

DESK: Get to Work!
— Bulletin board
— Dry Erase Board
— Extension cord
— Lamp
— Pens
— #2 pencils
— Notebooks
— Notepad
— Folders
— Binders
— Highlighters
— Post-its
— Index cards
— Pencil case
— Stapler
— Ruler
— Calculator
— Scissors
— Tape
— Glue
— Sticky tack (to hang pictures/posters on the wall)
— Staples
— Wite-Out
— Dictionary/thesaurus
— Permanent markers
— Wastebasket
— Small rug
— Flashlight
— Batteries
— Daily planner

The Truth About College Dating

2008-11-28T03:43:00.000-08:00

You've aced dating in high school — now get ready for a whole new class of relationships in college.

Remember The First Day of High School
You've heard the basics about college dating: more types of guys, more freedom, and more mature relationships (hopefully). But with close living quarters, no parents, and stressful classes, things get intense, and college has its own soap operas. Read on for the inside dirt you'd have no way of knowing until you're on campus — and need to know if you already are.

1. Hookups outnumber boyfriends
With so many different types of guys around, it's tempting to sample them all! Why not, right? Hookups can be fun, but a lot of times they're mini bombs that explode in one of two ways: into a relationship (rare!), or into misunderstanding, hurt, or just thin air. At the typical beer-soaked party (even if you're sober), you can't always tell which guys want a one-night thing and which ones truly like you. If you've been drinking, there's not always a trusted friend there to stop you from going too far with a guy you just met. Just like there might be things you're not telling him about your life, he could be hiding stuff too. What if that hot econ major has anger issues or a closet cocaine addiction? Meet guys and have fun, but stick with your friends at parties so you can watch out for one another. And don't make it a contest!

2. Things get way more intense
Relationships move faster in college, physically and emotionally. Basically, three months of college dating (where you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night pizza with a guy if you want) is like a year of high school dating (when you're living with your parents' restrictions). New college couples tend to rush from the getting-to-know-you stage to the practically-living-together one. It's like they're addicted to their new freedom. And the more intense it gets, the more it hurts when it ends. So hold off before stocking your guy's shower caddy with your Venus razor. Not only can you lose yourself if you spend all your time with a guy, you also lose the time you'd spend meeting other guys and potential lifelong friends. Be sure to make room in your busy love life for the rest of your college experience.

3. There's a new dating vocabulary
Love it or hate it: Dorms can be cesspools of debauchery! Living in the same building as guys creates interesting new situations (and vocab words!). There's sexile (when your roommate hooks up with someone in your room and you're shut out) and dormcest (dating people who live in your dorm). Dorm gossip can devastate your reputation more than high school gossip — you live with the people who know your business! Then there's the walk of shame: your trek home the morning after hooking up with a guy and sleeping in his room (it's actually against the rules at some campuses to stay over!). It's seen as a rite of passage, but doing it a lot won't make you feel great about yourself (the word shame isn't there by accident!). We know you'll pass college dating tests! Just watch out for the trick questions, okay?

Roxy Junior's Winterfest Bomber

2008-11-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

Roxy Junior's Winterfest Bomber

Roxy Cruizin Tank m467619

2008-11-27T21:54:00.000-08:00

Roxy Cruizin Tank m467619

Skechers USA Women's Waterlily Skimmer

2008-11-27T21:48:00.000-08:00

Skechers USA Women's Waterlily Skimmer

Roxy September Women's Handbag - Grey

2008-11-27T21:32:00.000-08:00

Roxy September Women's Handbag - Grey

Roxy Samantha Hoodie

2008-11-27T20:48:00.000-08:00

Roxy Samantha Hoodie

ROXY by QUIKSILVER Volley New Flats Black Womens

2008-11-27T20:38:00.000-08:00

ROXY by QUIKSILVER Volley New Flats Black Womens

Roxy Sammy Tote

2008-11-27T20:11:00.000-08:00

Roxy Sammy Tote

Roxy Daytona Tank - Women's

2008-11-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

Roxy Daytona Tank - Women's

Skechers Women's Bikers Pulsate Skimmer

2008-11-27T18:45:00.000-08:00

Skechers Women's Bikers Pulsate Skimmer

Skechers Women's Enlighten Sneaker

2008-11-27T17:34:00.000-08:00

Skechers Women's Enlighten Sneaker

ROXY Notary Tote - Brown

2008-11-27T17:04:00.000-08:00

ROXY Notary Tote - Brown

ROXY Kaycee Cool Sawdust Dress

2008-11-27T16:13:00.001-08:00

ROXY Kaycee Cool Sawdust Dress

ROXY Kaycee Warm Sawdust Dress

2008-11-27T15:18:00.000-08:00

ROXY Kaycee Warm Sawdust Dress

Roxy Valentine Tote

2008-11-27T14:59:00.000-08:00

Roxy Valentine Tote

Roxy Right On Time Bag - Women's

2008-11-27T09:29:00.000-08:00

Roxy Right On Time Bag - Women's

Vigoss Junior's 5 Pocket Destructed Skinny Jean

2008-11-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

Vigoss Junior's 5 Pocket Destructed Skinny Jean

Roxy Come-A-Long Tote

2008-11-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

Roxy Come-A-Long Tote

Vigoss Junior's Skinny Jean

2008-11-27T08:23:00.000-08:00

Vigoss Junior's Skinny Jean

Roxy I Am Bag

2008-11-27T08:21:00.000-08:00

Roxy I am Bag

Levi's 518 Superlow Skinny Junior's Jean

2008-11-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

Levi's 518 Superlow Skinny Junior's Jean

Railer 117481021

Roxy Gracie Satchel

2008-11-27T08:16:00.000-08:00

Roxy Gracie Satchel

Womens Roxy Cody Top

2008-11-27T03:54:00.000-08:00

Womens Roxy Cody Top

ROXY Sammy White Bag

2008-11-27T03:05:00.000-08:00

ROXY Sammy White Bag

Learning to love reading

2008-11-27T01:57:00.000-08:00

I was sitting in the library reading Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris and I looked up to see my friend staring at me with a confused face.

“Shannon, is that you? I didn’t recognize you!” I had just gotten reading glasses and figured she couldn’t recognize me because of the huge black frames so I said, “Yeah I just got reading glasses.”

“That … and you were reading a book,” she replied.

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that my friend who has known me for years was shocked that I was reading. I used to label her “bookworm” and marvel at the fact that she actually read for pleasure instead of watching TV or napping. So when she couldn’t recognize me buried in a book, I wasn’t insulted. After all, at one point I wrote, “I don’t read” in the Favorite Books section of my (since-erased) Facebook profile.

I can’t think of the reason I didn’t like to read other than the headaches I got when I was younger, which may have occurred because of my poor eyesight while reading, and that I’d never read on my own outside of school and found the majority of assigned books, like Gulliver’s Travels and Don Quixote, boring as hell.

I hated my family’s weekly outings to Barnes & Noble that began when I was 12. I got headaches when I went in a library or a bookstore. It was so common to hear me say that I was allergic to the smell of books and couldn’t stay around them for long that people knew I would say that phrase before I even said it. The fact that I hated the first Harry Potter and refused to read any more of the world’s favorite series, convinced me more that reading wasn’t for me.

But all that changed while I was performing my daily “I’m an only child now that my siblings are in college and the whole house is MINE, mine I tell you” ritual during the beginning of senior year. As I was enjoying the emptiness of my brother’s room I spied his bookshelf. There were dozens of computer books and AP prep books but in the midst of the evidence that my brother is a genius, two books caught my eye.
First, Naked by David Sedaris. The word “Naked” sounded scandalous, and I love scandal. Then as I perused through the rest of the shelf, I saw a larger book, Glamorous Disasters by Eliot Schrefer, right beside A Primer of Chess. It looked interesting enough from the binding, but when I pulled it out and saw the image of a young man from his lips to his chest, wearing a colorful tie and blazer, I couldn’t resist. An hour later, I was sitting on my brother’s bed, oblivious to time passing and tests that had to be studied for, lost in the glamorous world of New York high fashion and corrupt billionaire parents hiring tutors to take the SAT for their children. Realizing I’d been at this for an hour, I snapped out of my stupor and began the crap-load of work to do for the next day.

Eager to find out what happened in the first book I couldn’t put down since my fifth grade obsession with Twins by Caroline B. Cooney, I spent the next few days reading before school and during lunch. I was again lost in the world of Noah, the broke SAT tutor who desperately wants to join the elite upper class by tutoring the spoiled and stupid children of people like the ridiculously wealthy Thayers, while choosing between money and morals. Three days later I finished all 352 pages of Glamorous Disasters, a personal record by months. When I finally finished, I was in the library and I walked out in a daze, confused as to whether I was in a New York apartment or in the staircase leading to my school parking lot.

I had no idea that one afternoon perusing a bookshelf would change my perspective on reading. I became book hungry, wanting to read all the stories and scandalous plots of fictional people’s lives. Glamorous Disasters was better than any show on television.

I started reading Naked every day. The hilarity began on the first page and continued to the last. Never have I read anything about defecating or feces and Davis Sedaris wrote about a very realistic experience of having to deal with someone else’s crap, literally, that wouldn’t flush down the toilet. I read the sentence “I seriously considered lifting this turd out of the toilet and tossing it out the window. It honestly crossed my mind, but John lived on the ground floor and a dozen people were seated at a picnic table ten feet away” so many times and couldn’t stop laughing at the image of Sedaris in his embarrassing predicament, not being able to call for help.

After I finished Naked, using the library card I was forced to get because of school research projects I checked out another Sedaris book, Me Talk Pretty One Day. I was torn between reading that and reading Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, a book I had recently bought that enlightens readers to the horrible consequences of their piggish eating habits and gives them healthier alternatives.

I’m amazed at my transformation from the girl who couldn’t stand books to the girl who can’t get enough. I have a list of more than a dozen books right now that I’m dying to read. I’m even daring to do what I deemed impossible: read huge books like Gone With the Wind, which is actually really interesting even though I’ve only read like 50 pages. I base my choices mainly on recommendations and reviews from librarians and friends, such as other books by David Sedaris and authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald, and those suggestions have been well worthwhile.

I never knew I could enjoy reading so much. Though I borrow books from the library because I know I won’t read them more than once, I always go on bookstore websites like bn.com and Amazon.com to see their suggestions of what I might like to read based on books I’ve already read. I’ve also put my name on my local public library’s e-mail list and they send me titles of all different types of books I’m interested in, like interior design, cooking and dieting, and classic children’s books I’ve never read but wish I had. I even go to small independent bookstores and never want to leave. Taschen at The Grove and Book Soup on Sunset have officially beat Disneyland on my list of favorite places. And I’m waiting for a free weekend to come up so I can explore all the independent bookstores in my area that are listed on booksense.com.

Two years ago, I never would have predicted that I would spend my Friday afternoons reading rather than napping. But now, with all the fun I’ve had reading and finding new books, I see that there really are books for everyone, even those who swear off reading and put “I don’t read” in the box for favorite books on Facebook.

Wrote by Shannon Matloob, 18, senior writer, Beverly Hills HS (2008 graduate)

Roxy Women's Volley

2008-11-27T01:27:00.000-08:00

Roxy Women's Volley

BULLHEAD Venice Skinny Light Blue Destroyed

2008-11-26T19:12:00.000-08:00

BULLHEAD Venice Skinny Light Blue Destroyed

Roxy Junior's Brooks Skinny Jeans

2008-11-26T18:10:00.000-08:00

Roxy Junior's Brooks Skinny Jeans

GUESS? Hannah Babydoll Halter Top

2008-11-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

GUESS? Hannah Babydoll Halter Top

GUESS Olivia Top

2008-11-26T16:40:00.000-08:00

GUESS Olivia Top

Mosquitohead Women's ORBIT PRINT SLEEVELESS ZIPPER VEST

2008-11-26T11:03:00.000-08:00

Mosquitohead Women's ORBIT PRINT SLEEVELESS ZIPPER VEST

roxy boulevard

2008-11-26T10:42:00.000-08:00

Roxy Boulevard

Dereon D's Nocturnal Cropped Hoody - Women's

2008-11-26T10:20:00.000-08:00

Dereon D's Nocturnal Cropped Hoody - Women's

Mosquitohead Women's SPLATTER PRINT SLEEVELESS ZIPPER VEST

2008-11-26T10:16:00.000-08:00

Mosquitohead Women's SPLATTER PRINT SLEEVELESS ZIPPER VEST

Rxy tiger eyes bag

2008-11-26T09:51:00.000-08:00

Roxy tiger eyes bag

Roxy U-Turn Bag

2008-11-26T09:25:00.000-08:00

Roxy U-Turn Bag

Juicy Couture Grant Velour Hoodie

2008-11-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

Juicy Couture Grant Velour Hoodie

Classic Woman Jean Jacket w/ Detachable Hood

2008-11-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

Classic Woman Jean Jacket w/ Detachable Hood

OLIVE CROPPED HALF JACKET SHORT SLEEVE HOODIE - MEDIUM

2008-11-26T08:56:00.000-08:00

OLIVE CROPPED HALF JACKET SHORT SLEEVE HOODIE - MEDIUM

Kavio - Junior L/S Double Zip Fitted Crop Hoodie (0257)

2008-11-26T08:46:00.000-08:00

Kavio - Junior L/S Double Zip Fitted Crop Hoodie (0257)

Apple Bottoms Plus Size Cable Knit Hooded Jacket

2008-11-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

Apple Bottoms Plus Size Cable Knit Hooded Jacket

Beauty Tips for Teens

2008-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Beauty Tips for Teens

Being a teen in today's world brings many pressures from society to look good. The media is full of beautiful faces that add to the stress of growing up. Don't let that undermine your self-confidence!

What's a girl to do? There are many ways to enhance your natural beauty and keep a practical skin care and make-up routine. These tips will help bring out the best in you, but remember, good posture and a smile give a great first impression.

Skin Care Tips

Teenagers have different skin care and make-up needs than mature women. At what age should a teen begin a skin care regimen? Skin care should actually start when they are preteens, as early as the age of 10 or 11. Hormones start to kick in and blemishes may begin to appear.

As you mature, your skin care needs will change, as your skin does. Pay special attention to what products you are using and if there are any undesirable affects taking place. What makes your skin look radiant one month may cause blemishes and break-outs the next.

Moisturizer

At an early age, a light moisturizer may be called for -- but do not use heavy creams made for dry skin. Choose a product that is formulated for light skin care maintenance and does not block your pores.

A heavy moisturizer will probably wreak havoc and cause pimples. Try using a light moisturizer only once a day, before bedtime. Any more often than that is probably be overdoing it.

Pimples and Blemishes

Acne is a #1 skin care concern for teens. Keep your face and hair clean, wash your hands frequently, and keep them away from your face. There are many products available on the market today for acne prevention and cures, and they are much more effective than years ago.

Once you begin experiencing problems, take action to avoid lifetime scarring.

Make-up for Teenagers

Most teenage girls begin wearing light make-up around the ages of 12-13 as they become more aware of their appearance. As a teen, your make-up should look natural and enhance your facial features. Don't overdo it, this will only make you look silly. With a few simple, inexpensive products, you can play up your finest features -- and look great!

Keep your make-up light for school. You don't need to use make-up on every facial feature you have! Mix and match to find out what looks best on you.

For parties, you may want to add a little more make-up to enhance your features. Make sure you blend it in well with your fingers or a cosmetics brush and check it in bright light when you're finished.

Foundation

Foundation for teens is not necessary. While it can clog your pores, it will also look overdone. Skip the foundation and use a concealer on your blemishes only. Lightly dust on some loose powder over your entire face to even out your skin tone, control oil, and set the concealer.

Freckles

Don't try to hide your freckles. You may not appreciate them, but they are part of you. Exposure to sunlight makes freckles darker so avoiding the sun and using a sunscreen will keep them in check. As you get older, they can fade -- and then they won't be an issue.

Eye Make-up

You may not be interested in eye shadow until you're a little older. If so, that's great. When you do begin wearing it, keep it light and use any trendy metallics and sparkles sparingly. They can flake off into your eyes and cause irritation. Eye shadow does not have to match your eyes, however earth tones (tan, brown, gray) are very complimentary to blue, brown and hazel eyes.

When you begin using mascara, brown works best for both blondes and brunettes. Black is probably too harsh, especially in the daytime. If you think brown isn't dark enough, try brownish-black.

Waterproof mascara may be necessary for sports and outdoor activities in warm weather. It stays on longer and doesn't run -- but it's harder to take off. It's best to keep make-up to a minimum and you won't have to worry about undesired smearing.

If you're going to use an eyeliner, a pencil liner looks more natural than liquid liner. Learn to apply it with a steady hand for straight lines, and blot it with a tissue if you get it on too dark.

Blush

Liquid and stick blush are popular choices for teens because they glide on smoothly and blend in well. Pinks and peaches compliment almost any skin tone. Apply to the apple of your cheeks and blend outwards, towards your hairline.

Lips

For luscious lips, lip gloss does the trick. If you want to add some color to your lips for a nighttime look, try a lipstick in a sheer color. For extra shine, put the lip gloss on over your lipstick. Always have lip balm handy for chapped lips.

General Makeup Advice

As with any make-up, blending is the key. Check your make-up in daylight if possible and don't be afraid to swipe off any access with a tissue.

If you ever experience any skin irritation, quit using make-up immediately until you find out what the problem is. Consult your dermatologist for the best remedy.

Roxy Junior's Lea Tank

2008-11-26T04:18:00.000-08:00

Roxy Junior's Lea Tank

Fossil Sweater - Logan (Color: Black)

2008-11-26T03:31:00.000-08:00

Fossil Sweater - Logan (Color: Black)

How To Find True Friends

2008-11-26T02:34:00.000-08:00

8 Qualities of a Good Friend

What are the qualities of a good friend? True friendships can start instantly but they take time to build. Here are a few qualities to look for when making friends as a teen -- and beyond.

1. A good friend is honest.

A good friend may not share every detail of every second of their life, but they do try to be clear about their intentions. This means that they try to present an accurate picture of who they are and of different situations. When something doesn't seem right, they let you know.

2. A good friend is fun, unique and interesting.

OK, this is a given, and probably the reason you became friends in the first place. But there's a lot to be said for chemistry and shared interests.

As for fun, it depends how you define it: Some friends are fun because they're the life of the party, others are fun because they notice every strange little detail about a situation. Some people are fun simply because they see life like no one else does.

3. A good friend is attentive and adaptable.

A good friend is at least a fairly good listener and notices how little, day-to-day things affect you. They can't read your mind, but chances are they can usually tell when you're happy, sad, excited, shocked or upset. If they're aware that they're doing something that annoys you, they try to change their ways or at least talk to you about it.

4. A good friend is supportive of you and your goals.

Sure, your friend may think you're cool, but are they on the same page as you? Do they know what you want most out of life? A really good friend will know what makes you tick and help you become the person you want to be. They won't try to change who you are or drag you into situations that make you uncomfortable or put you at risk of losing something that matters to you.

5. A good friend is a friend you can trust.

A true friend won't try to steal your girlfriend or boyfriend, your job or your personality. They won't gossip about you constantly or try to damage your reputation. They will let you know when they're concerned and do their best to stick up for you when you're in trouble.

6. A good friend makes it clear that they care about you.

Different people may have different ways of letting you know that they care about you. One person may give you a big hug whereas another person might gently tease you. A big clue that someone cares is that they talk to you fairly often and, in general, know what's going on in your life and act interested about it.

7. A good friend sticks with you in good times and bad.

Loyalty is a quality almost everyone lists when asked what they look for in a friend. A loyal friend will stick with you when your new play is a flop, when you bomb the SATs or when your parents get divorced. If you move or switch schools, they'll do their best to stay in touch with you.

8. A good friend accepts you for who you are, even when you're being a butthead.

In friendship, being accepting goes hand in hand with being loyal. A true friend rolls with the punches as you grow and change and know how to deal with your quirks and faults.

They are also patient with you when you make mistakes -- even big ones -- and learn how to forgive you when you hurt them. In other words, they treat you as you'd like to be treated, even when you aren't at your best.

FOX Coachella Sweater

2008-11-26T01:25:00.000-08:00

FOX Coachella Sweater

Mossimo Supply Co. Double Breasted Hoodie - Ebony

2008-11-26T01:19:00.000-08:00

Mossimo Supply Co. Double Breasted Hoodie - Ebony

Top Activities that Teens Do

2008-11-26T00:46:00.001-08:00

Top Activities that Teens Do:

1) Sports - baseball, basketball, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, skating, hockey, field hockey, skateboarding, track and field, football ultimate Frisbee, swimming, the list goes on.....
2) Go to movies at the theatre
3) Play video games
4) Watch T.V.
5) Play on the Computer, Surf the Web
6) Chat on the Internet - MSN, ICQ
7) Read books
8) Do homework
9) Go shopping
10) Hang out with friends
11) Rollerblading
12) Go to dances
13) Go on Dates
14) Go to Parties
15) Learn to drive
16) Work
17) Work out at the gym
18) Listen to music
19) Talk on the Phone
20) Gossip
21) Read magazines
22) Collect things
23) Volunteer in their Community
24) Baby-sit younger children
25) Go out for dinner
26) Start their own businesses
27) Make WebPages
28) Paint, draw, sculpt and sketch
29) Write short stories and poetry
30) Play! - Yup you are never too old to play!
31) Rent movies and video games
32) Shop online
33) Have sleepovers
34) Redecorate their bedrooms
35) Plan for their future - schools and career options
36) Hang out with their siblings
37) Make a difference in their community or schools - i.e., join student counsel
38) Experiment with their images - i.e., dye their hair or get their nose pierced!
39) Go on group dates
40) Travel with their families or their schools
41) Go camping
42) Go clubbing (this is for older teens!)

Teen Activities Tips

2008-11-26T00:40:00.000-08:00

A Little Family History

Encourage them to explore their family tree. It is really very easy. Start with themselves, then go to Mom and Dad, then both sets of grandparents and then to the great grandparents. It is not expensive, but encourages use of libraries and other resources, it is something they can do together in groups of 2 or more. It also encourages visits and dialogue with older members of their families who are usually a great resource of information and often have old photographs tucked away. Information can be put into something as simple as a school notebook. Often it turns into a life long hobby and something they can one day pass on to their children.

By:VBT

Organized for Good

Melanie is sitting on a gold mine of opportunity with the teens that want to just hang at her house with her kids. Many years ago, my husband's mother was the force behind a church group called Girls In Action. She had a giant van and every Wednesday night, my husband would go with his dad to do whatever they did at church and his mother would be driving around the mountain side in Eagle River, Alaska, gathering the girls who were in this group. She lead and I have no doubt that those girls, whose parents were too busy to take them to GIA, were positively influenced by her interest.

I hope that she can talk to one of the counselors at the high school and find out how to loosely gather the kids and do something like volunteer at the local nursing home one day or so a week, or find out if there is a senior who needs to have his or her house painted and ask the kids to join her family on the project. If they aren't junior delinquents, it won't be hard that once they get involved in something to get approval to go in on a volunteer basis.

Teens want to fit in and I think that many feel insecure about going out and trying for a job or a volunteer position. If they are doing this as a group, they will feel the safety in numbers and have something to talk about afterwards. I hope so much that Melanie can involve these kids-- no matter what they do, everyone will gain. Seniors love teens, and it amazes me now as I see my mother volunteering with a group of rough teenaged boys who, fifteen years ago, she would have looked at with fear and dread as she belittled everything that I did. Now she talks about the fresh ideas of our nations' youth!

By:JA

When We Were Teens

While growing up, my friends and I came to the conclusion "A cheap date = a fun date" We did so many fun things that cost almost next to nothing! These are date ideas we had but you can use them for any group of people. Have fun!

Play board games. Faster moving games where everyone participates are the best. Afterwards, move to the kitchen to make a snack.
Camera capers. Ask a member of your group who doesn't know the plan to write down about 10 random objects of ideas. Then take pictures of the items on the list. The first group to finish the list wins. Polaroid cameras make this activity even funnier.
Play sports. Make sure you don't have to sweat a whole lot and can still talk while you are at it. Volleyball and miniature golf are great ideas. You can even make up your own miniature golf course in the back yard.
Boat races. Live near a small stream or creek? Make boats out of available materials and race them downstream.
Go to a sporting event. It's better than a movie because you can still see each other and have a conversation. Pick something inexpensive that will interest everyone.
Do a service project. You'll be surprised how fun work can be when you do it together for a good cause.
Baby sit for free. Play games with the kids, watch videos etc.
Have a carnival for the neighborhood kids with penny toss, bean bag toss, etc.
Visit a free museum or historical site
Go to the zoo
Make dinner. Try a theme: Italian, 50's style with burgers and fries, ethnic, etc.
Have a poetry party. Tell everyone to bring their favorite snacks and verses then take turns reading the poetry
Go on a change date. Have everyone collect their spare change and put it all together. This will be the only money spent on dinner, entertainment, games, etc.. You'd be surprised how fun it is to "budget" your money. We fed eight people huge taco salads, drinks, had yummy dessert and rented a movie on about $7 to $10. The object is to not spend any more than you have!
Go to the airport and watch the planes fly in and out
Have a letter of the alphabet date. Pick one letter and then everything you do on the date should somehow correspond with that letter. Example a "P" date. Make "pizza", "play Picasso" (finger painting), and "play at the park"
Have your own dance in your parents basement, backyard, barn, where ever you would like! We found it most fun with only a few couples, maybe 4 or 5. Make your own decorations and set up a stereo with pre-recorded tapes or CD's. You date will thing you're amazing!
Go on a video date. Record everything you do that night like making dinner, playing games, visiting friends and then come back and watch with a bowl of popcorn.
Write a short play and act it out. (On video of course!) even put in the ending credits for that final touch. It's always fun to go back and watch these!
Go chalking. Go chalk a neighbor or friends driveway. Make tracings of your feet, write "you've been chalked!" cute sayings, etc. (It washes off very easily with the hose)
Go bowling at home! Collect cardboard T.P. rolls and set up the bowling game yourself. Use a tennis ball for the "bowling ball" It's fun to set up on the stairs!
Have your own game show. Family Feud, The Price is Right, Jeopardy, etc. Buy silly little prizes from the dollar store for winners. (Of course you should video record this!)
Have lip-syncs and make music videos
Feed each other pudding with your eyes closed
Suck jello through a straw and have silly prizes for winners
Play Bingo and again, have silly prizes for winners
Go up the canyon and make hobo dinners or make them outside in a fire pit.
Go for a bike ride. Not only will you have fun, but you will get exercise.
Have relay races. The losing team buys the winning team ice-cream
Go for a horse ride and take pictures of the sunset. Or, go earlier in the day and pack a lunch.
Take your dog out and play fetch.
Go buy coloring books and crayons and color. Then send the pictures in the mail to a niece, nephew or any young child. They will love getting mail!
Have a playdough sculpting contest
Play Pictionary. Either draw the pictures or "scoped the item out of playdough"
Tell stories with a deck of Uno cards. One person at a time sets down a card and adds to the story. Their part must correspond with the card they put down (the color, number, letter, etc)
Draw a hopscotch on your driveway and have a hopscotch match!

By: Marcie L. in W. Jordan, UT

Four Teen Activities

Find someone in the neighborhood who needs some help. ex: an elderly lady who needs leaves raked. Talk to the teens and ask their help. Helping someone they know is a good place to start. Plan a pizza party for afterwards. Bet you will get a positive response.
Try forming a group...with a meeting once a month ( week) whatever works. If the group is not too big...use your house. If it outgrows the house try a local recreation facility or church. Let the teens plan activities with some guidelines from responsible adults...make some form of community service a part of the groups plans even if it is only once a month. Teens do like to help. Contact and invite some special person to give recognition to the group....a local celebrity, a police officer, a local politician...anyone who will reinforce the teens helping attitude. Always follow up with something fun.
Try a scavenger Hunt---keep it local---keep control. Give teems of teens a list of things to find ex: A picture of a family member, a black comb,a lipstick, a soda can.....anything that is available. You can set limits as in the house or on the block...whatever works. If you are working with a small group--let them work in pairs.
A great fun project is to find an area that needs to be cleaned up such as a local park or playground. Give teams of teens trash bags and have them pick up all the trash they can from the designated area. The team with the most trash (either by volume or weight) wins. Follow with a cookout or wiener roast at the park.

By: Sharon

Rent a Youth

We have a new program in our church, "Rent a Youth". The youth do odd jobs for the people who rent them, and the people give a reasonable donation to the youth group. This is used for trips and other activities of the group. This could be done in their neighborhood and a nearby neighborhood. In addition to home fix it projects such as painting and yard work, some of the youth did computer work, accounting, etc. I spoke with one youth who was so enthusiastic about the work she had done for "Rent a Youth". You would have thought she got paid personally! It was very rewarding to listen to her. The woman who wants the activities for the youth could put the money they make in a special bank account and they could have a say in where they want to go on the money. It would keep them busy, and certainly benefit the whole community.

By: Betty G.

Puzzles

A 500 to 1000 piece puzzle out on a coffee table is a challenge some cannot resist, you may walk into the room and find all the teens sitting around trying to put the puzzles together.

By: Barbara

A Variety of Thoughts

Here are some suggestions - I hope they help.

Cold-Weather Activities:

Gather sleds and toboggans and go sledding
Have an ice skating party or rollerblading party at the local roller rink
Bowling Party
Volunteer at the local animal shelter to walk the dogs waiting for adoption -
Have a contest in your neighborhood for the best decorated house for Christmas
A Halloween idea is to have a treasure hunt - make a list of odd things to find while you wander around the neighborhood - in order to cross the items off your list you have to video tape the item - split up into two groups - each armed with a video camera or a Polaroid instant camera - have a designated time to complete the treasure hunt and return to the house and view the pictures or watch the video - the winning group gets some sort of a prize.
Libraries are always looking for literacy volunteers
Collect food or coats or toys for the needy.
Help the elderly decorate their house for Christmas
Go caroling

Warm-Weather Activities:

Plant a community vegetable garden somewhere in the neighborhood
Plant flowers at the local park - make or buy birdhouses to hang - turn a section of the park into a nature sanctuary
Raise money to buy sports equipment for community use at the local park
Participate in walk-a-thons to raise money for various causes
Volunteer at the animal shelter
Learn how to do something new
Open up a whole new world - read a book
Join some sort of activity - take some sort of lessons to learn something - join boy scouts or girl scouts

By: Kathleeen

From a Teacher

As a former teacher of teenagers, I am happy to hear of a mom helping keep teens out of trouble by welcoming them into her home. While it may seem that these teens may just want to "hang," most are hungry for activity (which is why many get involved in the wrong kind of activity). Here are a few suggestions:

Seasonal activities (pumpkin carving was good - stockings, candles, coloring eggs, etc.). Most teens love creating stuff. Things they can display in their rooms are especially popular.
Group board games (Pictionary, Guesstures, etc.).
Conversation starters (The Book of Questions, The Book of IF, etc.)
Homework help.
Swap meets (teens exchange things with each other that they don't want anymore).

This mom can be very helpful, but most teens want a little distance from their parents. So I'd suggest that this mom help out, but try not to "run the show."

Even if this mom tries to get these kids moving and they prefer to hang, they're better off in her home than on the streets!

By: SMB

Volunteer !

Teen girls seem to enjoy babies so I would suggest them volunteering at the local hospitals long term nursery. This is where babies who are too sick to leave the hospital in the first week following birth and/or abandoned at birth are cared for. The volunteers feed and play with the babies to give them extra love and physical contact. It's usually for only a couple of hours at a time.

The children's ward at the hospital is also a place teens like to volunteer. They mostly play games and read to them.

Fewer teens show interest, but some enjoy working with the elderly. They can volunteer to spend time with nursing home residents where they will read, participate in center activities and offer simple companionship to the residents.

If they are interested in drama, they can put together a show that they can present at the hospital and/or nursing home. It can be seasonal or just entertaining for anytime.

Last, some advice, pay attention to what they talk about when they lounge around. More often than not there will be the beginning of ideas in their conversation that just need a little cultivating. If they complain about something, suggest they come up with a solution and implement it. For instance, if they think the school social activities are boring or unimaginative, suggest they become committee members and improve/increase the student activities. If they've tried and were told that money was the issue, suggest they come up with some school drives and fundraisers to get the money needed.

By: TW

Neighborhood Theatre

One of the most innovative ideas I've ever witnessed was done by a couple here in Fort Collins. I think the two teenagers could "sponsor" the same type of activity with tremendous success.

Our local couple (and their children) hold slumber parties for their neighborhood children. The way it works is, they rent good children's' movies, and everyone in the neighborhood is invited to bring a sleeping bag and pillow to the "camp out." They show the movie on a large screen t.v. set up in their garage, and everyone camps out in the driveway. It has grown in popularity so much that this year, when they did it over the last weekend before school started, there were over 50 children and parents.

The camp out was instrumental in bringing the neighborhood together and strengthening the "good neighbor" feel. Everyone got to know each other while the kids had a wonderful time.

By: Polly

Craft Ideas For Teens

2008-11-26T00:30:00.001-08:00

Teens love to be creative. View these 6 craft ideas that teens enjoy. Teens are incredibly creative. I have always loved seeing the creations of my own kids.

Here are several ideas that teens can have fun with:

1. Make your own lip gloss. By adding kool-aid powder to Vaseline, you can create several "flavors" of lip gloss. Melt the Vaseline in the microwave. Try it 30 seconds at a time. Add the kool-aid and microwave one more time, again 30 seconds. Mix and then allow to cool. Once it’s cool enough to touch, move the Vaseline into its final storage container and allow to cool completely.

2. Wrapping paper and gift tags. Rubber stamps can create the most magnificent wrapping paper and gift tags. We use both ink pads and also pens on our stamps. The white shiny wrapping paper and gift tags can be bought through a paper supplier. We actually buy small cards and then punch holes in them, for gift tags. With corner punchers you make wonderful borders on the gift cards. We also enjoy making greeting cards with rubber stamps.

3. Candy plants. Start with a pot. Paint or decorate to your liking. Put styrofoam in the bottom of the pot. Now build the plant with an assortment of candy, wire and sticks. You can also add paper flowers. Use hard candies or chocolate kisses to cover the styrofoam.

4. Teens love to create clothing. Sewing fabric onto the bottom of jeans, or the pockets of jeans can create hours of fun.

5. Teens love to scrapbook. My own daughter can sometimes take enough photos in one day for an entire album. They can scrapbook any activity or club they belong to. They can also take photos at sports games and scrapbook those. The ideas for a teen and a scrapbook are endless.

6. Knitting and crocheting. You can find thousands of free patterns on the internet. Teens can make everything from purses, to boxes, to clothing. With string, instead of yarn, you can make bedspreads and desk decorations. With rug yarn, you can create a rug for your bathroom or bedroom.

7. Bulletin boards to hang on the wall. My daughter loves her bulletin boards. Buy a simple wood frame board. The wood can be painted or decorated to the teens liking. Photos or poems or even homework can be put up on the bulletin board once complete.

This is just a small sampling of the various crafts you can suggest to your teens.

Teens Can Earn Paypal Money For Writing Essays

2008-11-25T02:07:00.000-08:00

If you’re a teen or a college student that has a knack for writing, then you can definitely earn Paypal money for essays and other types of writing that you do. Even if you’re not perfect at it, you can still make money by writing. Thanks to the Internet, there are lots of websites that provide opportunities for people to earn money for things that they write. And in this article, I’m going to tell you about one of them.

As some of you already know, AC is perhaps one of the best known websites which offers the easiest way to earn Paypal money for essays and other written work. However, what some of you may not know is that there are a lot of people that are making a ton of money from it. Another thing you may not know is how they’re doing it.

But before we get into the details of how people are cashing in and making a ton of money for submitting their work on AC, it’s important to first understand what AC is and what you can publish there. AC is a media company that allows you to publish just about any kind of written work that you can produce. Almost anything can be submitted for publication to them including, essays, articles, movie reviews, product reviews, book reviews, short stories and lots of other types of writing.

Not only that, but they pay upfront for the work that you submit to them for publication on their website. The price that they offer you for your articles could range anywhere from $3 to $20. Additionally, work that you publish on their site will continue to earn you residual income for as long as your work is being viewed by readers.

You will continue to earn a residual income for your articles for as long as you keep your articles on the site â€“ and as long as it keeps getting viewed by readers. In other words, once you submit an article to the site, you never have to touch it again and it will continue to earn you a passive income for the rest of your life without you having to lift a finger! This is perhaps the most important key to you earning Paypal money for essays - because AC pays you via Paypal. So, you must have a Paypal account in order to receive payments. If you don’t have a papal account, you can sign up for one here. If for some reason you can’t get one, then perhaps you can arrange with a close relative or friend to use their papal account to receive payments.

Nowadays, maoney making for teens and college students is not as limited as it used to be. Today, just about anyone can make money for something as simple as writing an essay and submitting it. And while it’s easy enough to sign up with sites such as AC and start making money, there are a few important things that you should know that could double or even triple your earnings if you follow them.

Help a Teen Quit Smoking

2008-11-25T00:14:00.000-08:00

Many teens start smoking and then, like most other smokers, have serious problems kicking the habit. You should make every effort to help your teen quit smoking, but be prepared for a difficult battle.

Instructions

Step1

Help your teen mentally prepare to quit smoking. Get him to remember what life was like before he started smoking. Bring up things like all those 5-minute breaks for a cigarette, smelly clothes, shortness of breath and all the money spent on cigarettes.

Step2

Get the smell of smoke out of your teen's clothing, room and car. Even the stale smell of smoke can make a person crave a cigarette. Use air fresheners in rooms, wash clothes and leave jackets outside for a few days to help clear them of the scent.

Step3

Cut off the financial support that is providing your teen with cigarettes. If you give her an allowance, monitor how the money is spent so you can be sure she isn't buying more packs. If your teen has a job, help her keep track of her money and show her how much more she would have if she didn't spend money on smokes.

Step4

Help your teen understand the process of quitting smoking. Nicotine stays in the body for less than 48 hours, so he shouldn't feel any physical dependence after the first 2 days. Past that point, your teen will have to have the mental fortitude to resist lighting up, but it will get easier every day.

Step5

Consider putting your teen on a nicotine patch or gum to help her ease off of the addiction. Your teen's doctor may also be able to prescribe medication to help fight the depression that some smokers feel during the first few weeks of quitting.

Step6

Encourage your teen to start exercising more once he makes the decision to stop smoking. The body's natural chemicals that are produced after strenuous exercise can help him feel better and build up the stamina lost to smoking. Exercise will also help prevent the weight gain that some smokers experience due to their metabolisms dropping once the nicotine is out of their systems.

Encourage Kids Not to Start Smoking

2008-11-25T00:13:00.000-08:00

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 80 percent of adult smokers start smoking before the age of 18. From the media and peers, children are under plenty of pressure to smoke. A positive adult role model is a strong deterrent in offsetting the glamorization of cigarettes.

Instructions

Step1

Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Children learn by example. However, if you cannot quit, then do not smoke in front of your children and be sure to keep your cigarettes out of their view.

Step2

Understand that as a parent, you are the most powerful influence on your children. Television, movies, music and advertising will have less of an effect on your children if you are open to frequent dialogue about the dangers of smoking.

Step3

Talk to your children about the dangers of smoking by the age of 5. Many kids start smoking as early as 11, so it is essential to communicate early on.

Step4

Be straightforward when you talk to your children about the health hazards of tobacco. Give examples of smoking-related diseases and illnesses, and don't be afraid to tell children about someone they know who has died from a smoking-related illness.

Step5

Explain that the media often glamorizes smoking. Also, address situations as they occur. Talk immediately to your children about a billboard advertising cigarettes or an actor smoking on television.

Step6

Encourage your children to feel safe talking to you about smoking. Urge them to ask you questions, and let them know that you will listen without judging.

Step7

Help your children role-play different ways to say "no" when offered a cigarette by a peer.

Step8

Know who your children's friends are and whether they smoke. Discuss with your children the dangers of smoking for their friends, and again role-play how to say no.

Identify When a Teen Starts Smoking

2008-11-25T00:12:00.000-08:00

Many people start smoking when they are underage and take steps to hide their behavior from their parents. There are some signs to watch for to help identify when a teen starts smoking.

Instructions

Step1

Check for the scent of cigarettes on your teen's clothing. You can also smell stale cigarettes in your teen's hair, although it stays on jackets and fleeces longer. Look for ash and burn marks on the cuffs of coats and long-sleeve shirts.

Step2

Notice if your teen becomes very irritable when you spend 3 to 4 hours with her in your sight. This crankiness can be caused by nicotine withdrawal, but sometimes it can be due to normal teen and parent tensions.

Step3

See if your teen has started to chew lots of gum or use mouthwash when he comes home. He may also start brushing his teeth at odd times during the day in an attempt to prevent tooth stains from smoking.

Step4

Watch what your teen is doing when he goes outside without any real reason. You shouldn't follow your teen, but identify the signs of smoking when he comes back inside.

Step5

Ask your teen if she has any friends who smoke. It may not be your place to alert the other teen's parents, but remember that kids who have friends who smoke are much more likely to pick up the habit themselves.

Step6

Find out what your teen is spending his money on and notice if he is asking you for a few extra dollars each day or weekend. Check to see if he's buying things like air fresheners or cologne to help cover up the smell of smoke.

Step7

Identify items in you teen's backpack or room that could be used for smoking, like lighters, matches and rolling papers. See if there are ashes around the window or if it is often left open at night. Look around the yard to see if your teen is leaving her cigarette butts in one location, like under the porch.

Build a Teen's Self Esteem to Prevent Smoking

2008-11-25T00:10:00.000-08:00

Many teens are pressured into smoking because they think it will help them fit in and make more friends. If you take steps to build a teen's self esteem, you can help prevent him from starting smoking.

Instructions

Step1

Help your teen work on her image so she doesn't fall into smoking to be cool. Things like new clothes and accessories can help your teen feel like she fits in with her peers. Talk to your teen about ways for her to portray her confidence to those around her.

Step2

Encourage your teen to play a sport at school. Regular exercise and athletic accomplishments will often help build self esteem to prevent smoking. Many student athletes shy away from cigarettes because they understand the health problems that come from smoking.

Step3

Talk to your teen about different ways to cope with stress, worries and social pressure. Look for an outlet to release these feelings, like music or the visual arts, to help prevent smoking. Persuade your teen to exhibit these skills for friends to build confidence and social skills.

Step4

Respect and accept your teen for the choices she makes to help boost her self esteem. Lay down clear rules for school work and leisure time, but allow your teen some breathing space and independence.

Step5

Remind your teen that the social pressures of high school will be behind him before he realizes it. Teach him how to make friends with classmates and peers, but to avoid the teens who are disruptive and unfocused.

Step6

Urge your teen to solve social problems on her own, instead of relying on a teacher or parent. Discuss the kinds of decisions your teen will be making so that she knows how to handle situations the right way. As you build the teen's self esteem by preparing her to be independent, remind her that there are some situations, like violence and drug use, that should be handled by an adult.

Talk to a Teen About Alcohol

2008-11-25T00:09:00.000-08:00

Parents are often reluctant to talk to their children about hard decisions in life. Two-way dialog on substance abuse seems to be challenging for many parents. Refusal to talk about alcohol usage can be harmful to the child physically, mentally and socially. Parents must guide children during the teen years when young people gain more freedom, have access to money and are discovering their own interests. Talk to your teen about alcohol.

Instructions

Step1

Spend time together during family activities.

Step2

Make your opinions clear whenever the issue of drinking comes up. Use recent events or current newspaper articles on the subject as a means to raise the issue. Give your reaction to the events and ask your teen for a reaction. Listen.

Step3

Give the best answer possible to all of the teen's alcohol-related questions without lecturing.

Step4

Promise to let the teen know when you need to reschedule a conversation and that you will listen to and answer questions later.

Step5

Resist the urge to say that the teen is too young to understand alcohol usage.

Step6

Respect the teenager's feelings and ideas.

Step7

Trust that the teen will think before he takes action.

Step8

Respect the teenager as a person.

Step9

Prevent your own embarrassment or the teen's embarrassment from stopping you from discussing alcohol.

Step10

Refuse to assume that the teen wants to drink alcohol if they seek information on the subject. Understand that the desire to understand alcohol usage is a sign that the teen is trying to make wise decisions.

To Keep Kids From Buying Alcohol

2008-11-25T00:08:00.000-08:00

Peer pressure is out there, and unfortunately, it's stronger than ever. Today's kids get pushed to try all sorts of things, and buying alcohol has long been one of the common ones. You can keep your kids from buying alcohol by taking preventative measures and following these steps to educate and protect them from the pressure they receive.

Instructions

Step1

Teach by example. Kids watch what their parents do their entire lives. Whether it shows or not, kids care what their parents do and what they think. If you treat alcohol casually and that doesn't affect you in any way, then your kids will believe that the same is true for them.

Step2

Make alcohol less available to kids. While this seems obvious, many households have alcohol on hand either in liquor cabinets or in the fridge. You may think that you monitor your alcohol inventory, but kids often consume these products and replace them before you even know they're gone.

Step3

Talk to your kids about alcohol, but don't do this in a large dramatic meeting that is uncomfortable for both of you. Your children live with you for a lifetime, so let them know little by little the dangers and effects of alcoholism, and the dangers of buying and drinking underage throughout their lives.

Step4

Ask your child's doctor or pediatrician to discuss alcohol use and abuse during physicals and check-ups. Tell the school counselor that you would like them to discuss the effects of underage drinking with your child as a preventative measure during regular meetings. If kids hear the message from different respected sources, they will take the message more seriously.

Step5

Know your child's friends. If you believe they may be a negative influence regarding alcohol or other bad choices, step in and speak up.

Step6

Treat your kids with respect on the issue of alcohol. It is an adult issue, so treat it like one. If it becomes a yelling match or if you talk down to your kids, friends will sway them more easily by giving the opposite message in a friendlier way. Your kids will appreciate the respect and know that you are concerned rather than brow beating.

Talk to a Teen About Underage Drinking

2008-11-25T00:07:00.000-08:00

Underage drinking is more common among teenagers, ages 12 to 21, than smoking or marijuana use. It leads to poor decision making, binge drinking and a host of other potential problems. However, underage drinking issues often receive less attention than drug use or smoking. It is important discuss underage drinking with children at an early age.

Instructions

Step1

Include even the youngest children in conversations about underage drinking and alcohol. This sets the stage for open communication with teens later.

Step2

Maintain a clear family policy about underage drinking. Explain this policy to your teen, so that there are no arguments later about the expectations.

Step3

Explain that although drinking is legal for adults, it is not legal for anyone under 21. Remind them that this law must be observed by everyone, in and out of the home.

Step4

Listen to feedback from your teens and do not hold any information against them. Your children will be reluctant to talk to you about their social situations if you begin to pass judgment on friends or criticize them.

Step5

Clarify that most adults can drink in moderation and never have problems with alcohol, but that some underage teens tend to binge drink. Binge drinking can lead to car accidents, sexual assaults and general poor judgment.

Step6

Role play with your teen situations and conversations that can happen in everyday life. Have your child play the part of a friend who encourages drinking and demonstrate how you would say no, without ruining a friendship.

Stop Your Kids in Drinking Alcohol

2008-11-25T00:06:00.000-08:00

Drinking alcohol is not always bad if you limit your consumption and if you are in the right age to drink. Kids are drinking alcohol early of their age because of the family background. Maybe their parents love to drink and going out to the night clubs. Have parties most often at the house and invite friends girls and boys. Sometimes parents are to be blamed of their kids behavior. Do not let your children give an easy access for anything that will not help them in the future.

Instructions

Step1

Do not stock any alcohol in your refrigerator and give easy access to your children at a very young age.

Step2

Limit inviting friends for a party and leads to drinking and smoking.

Step3

Educate your kids the risks in drinking alcohol.

Talk to Teens About Drinking

2008-11-25T00:04:00.000-08:00

Teenagers don’t announce to parents, “I drank a wine cooler” or “I smoked a joint.” Experimentation with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes is done with friends, in secret. Parents can never know for sure if their teens are drinking, taking drugs or smoking, but they can certainly participate in open dialogue imparting the information that kids need to make safe decisions. Here are 10 areas to include in your conversations about drinking.

Instructions

Step1

Find Out What Your Teen Knows. I talk with many teenagers who tell me that they can’t talk to their parents about drinking or drugs because their parents immediately “freak out" or “start with the lecture.” Teens are curious about adult things and the only way to find out what your teen knows is to stay open-minded and let teens talk about concerns and ideas as they come up. Not only will you find out what they are thinking and doing, but you can throw in your two cents.

Step2

Give “Call Me” Instructions. Your son or daughter needs to be told specifically that they can call you no matter what. Tell them over and over: “You can call me, no matter what.” One mother told her teenage daughter, “I am not looking forward to seeing you drunk, but I’d rather see you drunk than dead.” Tell your teens that if they have been drinking or their friends have been drinking and it isn’t safe to drive that they can call you and you will come get them. Remind them many times.

Step3

Keep Conversation Ongoing. Education about drinking does not start and end with one conversation. Talking about drugs and alcohol needs to be ongoing so that all the aspects are explored thoroughly. When having discussions listen to the teen's point of view. When sharing your point of view try very hard not to lecture. Here are a few questions to pose to yourself and your teen: Is it ever OK to allow a teen to drink? What is your philosophy about a parent providing alcohol or drugs to a teenager? Do you think alcohol is a good way to relax? How much is too much? What is your philosophy about drinking and driving? How do you handle it when friends drink too much?

Step4

Allow for the Possibility. Allowing for the possibility that your teen might drink lets you employ realistic preventative measures. While you can’t be absolutely sure of what your teens are doing, you can be aware of what’s happening in their social circle. By paying attention to the clues you’re getting and asking your son or daughter what he or she thinks, you’ll be aware of their decision making process. That way you can handle your concerns before experimentation turns into a problem of habitual use or addiction.

Step5

Find the Balance Between Being Completely Naïve and Assuming the Worst. Imposing the rule that your teen never, ever drink is OK, however, there is a possibility that they will experiment with alcohol. You want them to know your expectations and they need to think about the issues in advance so that they can make a wise choice. Here are some questions to ask your teen: What do you do when you are at a party and all your friends are drinking? When, if ever, you do drink is your purpose to get drunk, buzzed, to relax or to be social? What do you consider to be social drinking?

Step6

Watch for Double Messages. Teens get far too many double messages about drinking. They don’t need double messages from their parents too. Teens hate it when they see their parents drunk or using drugs. If you come home from work and say, “I really need a drink,” you’re sending the message that alcohol is the way to handle stress and problems.

Step7

Set a Good Example. Parents are important role models for their children. Studies indicate that if a parent uses alcohol, his or her children are more likely to drink themselves. Use alcohol moderately. Don't tell your kids stories about your own drinking in a way that conveys the message that alcohol use is funny or glamorous. When entertaining other adults, make available alcohol-free beverages and plenty of food.

Step8

Encourage Friendships. Know your child's friends better. Do their friends drink? Talk directly with your teen about the qualities in a friend that really count, such as trustworthiness and kindness, rather than popularity or a “hip” attitude. Include friends on outings and in discussions. Invite friends to hang out with you in the kitchen. Teach them to cook.

Step9

Provide Exciting Activities One reason kids drink is to beat boredom. Encourage teens to participate in activities that are challenging and exciting.

Step10

Discuss Refusal Techniques. Help your teen find a few excuses for not participating in the alcohol and drug scene. Tell your teen that it's OK to never drink. Teens who have the courage to go against the norm and do what they know is best for themselves are very admirable. Oh yes, and while you're making this point, drop in this fact too: throwing up is a sign that you've had too much to drink.

To Prevent Alcohol Use in Teens

2008-11-25T00:03:00.000-08:00

Alcohol use in teens is a growing problem in our country. Many teens choose to experiment with alcohol in order to “be cool” and fit in with the crowd. Unfortunately, this decision can have serious repercussions when an immature teen overindulges. If you're concerned about this problem in your own family, here's how to prevent alcohol use by teens in your household.

Instructions

Step1

Set a good example. Many teens first learn about alcohol in their home where they watch mom and dad host parties that prominently feature alcohol. When alcohol consumption gets out of hand and the party becomes loud and raucous, many teens begin to think alcohol is “cool” and want to emulate that behavior. Plus, they think if it's okay for mom and dad, it must be acceptable for them. Don't send the wrong message to your teens.

Step2

Give your teens an alternative. Keep your teens busy with outings and activities that won't potentially expose them to alcohol. By keeping them involved in wholesome activities, they'll make friends who are less likely to experiment with alcohol and they'll be too busy to attend parties the “wilder” parties that are so much a part of teen culture. There are probably lots of well supervised activities sponsored by schools and teen clubs in your area, why not encourage your teen to get involved?

Step3

Keep the lines of communication open. Don't be afraid to talk to your teen about the danger of using alcohol and of getting into a car with anyone under the influence. Let them know they can call you if they're ever in a situation where a group of teens is drinking.

Step4

Network with other parents. By networking with other parents, you can send a unified message to teens that underage drinking is not acceptable. Be aware of the parent's stance on alcohol if your teen will be attending a party in their home. There are too many cases where the parents of teens are condoning drinking among under aged teens and actually serving alcohol to them. Don't let this happen to your teen.

Step5

Don't allow your teens to drink at home. If your teen is underage, don't allow him or her to drink at home. Many parents assume that it's better to allow their teen to drink in a controlled, supervised environment as opposed to a wild, teen party. Unfortunately, this sends the wrong message to your teen who interprets your good intentions as approval of teen drinking. This makes your teen more likely to engage in drinking behavior outside of the home.

Deal with Mean Girls

2008-11-25T00:02:00.000-08:00

If your daughter has been the victim of mean girls, what should you do (especially if they were BFF just yesterday)? Girls can hurt each other deeply by pulling away their friendship, refusing to speak, spreading gossip and rumors, or making nasty faces. This behavior is known as relational aggression. A counselor specializing in girls health and wellness offers parents four tips to help girls

Instructions

Step1

Avoid minimizing. Whatever emotional pain your daughter is experiencing, it's real for her. Remember that she does not have the life experience you do, and it may feel to her that her entire world is crashing down. Responding with empty platitudes like "Just ignore them," or "That's just the way girls are," minimizes her experience making her feel you don't understand. If so, she'll stop sharing anything with you.

Step2

Coach, don't solve. It's hard to see our children suffer, so you may be tempted to step in and fight your daughter's battles for her by calling the other parent or visiting the school. But, this doesn't help your daughter learn the necessary skills she needs to manage relationships. Solving her problems only validates that you don't believe she's capable of doing so. Instead, ask her what she wants to do about the situation. Then coach her through steps she may need to take, then let her act on them.

Step3

Role play. If your daughter decides she wants to solve the problem by talking to the other girl, help her become more confident by role playing what might happen. Don't tell her what to say, but help her think through how she's coming across and how the other girl might respond. Remind her that any conversation needs to be face-to-face and held privately in order to be effective.

Step4

Encourage personal interests. Girls who define themselves by their friends fall the hardest if the relationship falters. Help girls build a safety net of resiliency by encouraging them to explore personal hobbies and interests apart from their friends. The more your daughter can define herself in terms of her personal strengths and unique interests, the more confident she will feel in any situation.

Step5

Teach social skills. Assertive communication and conflict resolution are learned skills. If your daughter tries (and fails) to solve conflicts by texting, it's because she has not learned another way. Eye contact, posture, tone of voice, listening skills and word choice are all examples of positive social skills girls need to be taught. If you need help teaching your daughter consider finding a counselor who specializes in girls and social skills, or sign her up for classes like Circle of F.R.I.E.N.D.S. which is a social skills development program.

Help a Teen Deal With Gossiping

2008-11-24T23:57:00.000-08:00

Gossip can be ignored, but the impact of what is said often can't be overlooked or forgotten. Gossip can affect the way a teen acts and behaves, as well as his long-term self esteem. If you sense your teen is gossiping or being affected by gossip, help him deal with it from an adult perspective.

Instructions

Stop Teens From Gossiping

Step1

Put an end to gossip in your house by imposing a no-gossip rule with your teen.

Step2

Remind your teen about the damage that gossip causes. Whether intentional or not, there is always a victim of gossip. If you can point out that what he is saying hurts others, he may be more considerate when talking about his friends.

Step3

Be a strong role model for your teen. Show your teen that you don't participate in or approve of gossip.

Step4

Ask your teen to think about how he would feel if the same thing he was saying about others was being said about him.

Find Out if Your Teen Is Involved in the Gossip

Step1

Monitor your son's computer usage. If you suspect your teen is involved in gossip, check the computer chat logs. Teens tend to use computers to spread rumors because they feel less responsible for what is being said.

Step2

Approach the situation gently when you try to help. If you come off too harshly, you may impact your child's willingness to talk to you about the gossip taking place.

Step3

Watch your teen's friendships closely. If you observe things suddenly changing, there may be more to the story than what you are being told.

Step4

Help your teen understand that she is affecting her own friendships by gossiping. She may not be happy if she loses her friends because she is spreading rumors about other girls.

Show Positive Ways for Teens to Deal With Gossip

Step1

Encourage your teen to display morally unquestionable behavior. If girls are talking about her, she can deal with it by demonstrating behavior that contradicts the untrue rumors.

Step2

Tell your teen to make sure who his real friends are. He should only share secrets or sensitive personal information with those friends who have proven their trustworthiness.

Step3

Instruct your teen to avoid being an audience to those who gossip. By refusing to participate in the cycle of gossip, she can avoid becoming a target or hurting someone else.

How to Look Like a Teenager With Confidence

2008-11-24T23:55:00.000-08:00

Take control of your life by becoming confident and showing this confidence to the outside world. Even if you feel shy and nervous, portraying confidence will help you look strong so people will respect you. Follow this advice to look like a teenager with confidence.

Instructions

Step1

Be yourself and let your true personality shine through. When you like yourself and feel good about who you are, you will look confident to other people.

Step2

Look original and don't follow the crowd. You will look like a weak follower if you copy everyone else in style and manner. Choose to be different and you will look strong and independent.

Step3

Walk with your head held high. Look people in the eye and sit tall instead of slouching. Be aware of your body language so you can portray a look of confidence in all situations.

Step4

Smile at everyone and say hello. You will look friendly and self-confident. Happy people look confident.

Step5

Put your hand up in class. Speak your mind and give your opinion. Show you aren't afraid to ask questions or answer them even if you aren't always right.

Step6

Act confident even if you don't feel it. Others will perceive you as confident and they will treat you as a confident person which will then make you actually feel confident.

Step7

Convince yourself that you are confident. Tell your negative voices to quiet down and tell yourself how strong and independent you are. Eventually, you will learn to listen to the positive messages in your head which will make you act and look more confident.

Help a Shy Teenager

2008-11-24T23:54:00.001-08:00

Teenage years can be one of the toughest because of popularity issues and cliques. If teenagers are not outgoing, athletic and attractive, then others may pick on them in high school. Shy teenagers especially may suffer from being picked on and not being accepted within "popular" groups in high school, resulting in low self-esteem issues. Read on to learn how to help a shy teenager.

Instructions

Step1

Discuss with the shy teenager what kind of feelings that he's encountering. Even though the person may be shy, he may be perfectly fine with that. Another group of shy teenagers might have accepted him as well.

Step2

Help your teenager overcome her shyness by having her volunteer her time at a local hospital, child care center or science facility. If she's in a surrounding without many peers, she can speak up a bit more and get to know people on a more personal level.

Step3

Ask your shy teenager if he would like to invite a person over the house for dinner one night. While he may feel awkward about doing so, it may be a good idea to break social barriers that he feels at school with so many of his peers around.

Step4

Encourage your shy teenager to join one group at school that fits her personality and talents. By showing off her special knowledge or gifts amongst her peers in a small group, she may surprise some people and make new friends.

Step5

Talk to your shy teenager about his self-esteem issues. If he's fine with how he is, then he may not need counseling. If he's very down and experiencing depression or anxiety, counseling may be necessary to remedy the problem.

Get Your Shy Tween to Socialize

2008-11-24T23:52:00.000-08:00

When a shy child grows into a shy tween, it can be painful for parents to watch. While previously other kids would reach out to him or her, tweens are well established in their own clicks and seldom go out of their way to welcome children who don't demand entrance into the group. If you have a shy tween, here are some thins you can do to help your child socialize.

Instructions

Step1

Find like spirits. If you have a shy child, then you know how to recognize other shy children. Speak to parents and arrange a day when one or the other can drop off their child.

Step2

Have them join sports clubs. A good way for a shy child to socialize is to join a sport. If your shy tween does not like group sports, look for individual-type sports like martial arts and fencing. This will allow your tween to work on an individual basis among other kids and make friends with kids along the way.

Step3

Get them involved in church groups. Whether you go to church or not, have your child join a church or other supervised youth groups where kids get together to talk, play games and do community service. These kids usually form tight bonds with other kids.

Step4

Push them out of their comfort zones. Sometimes you just have to force them. In my case, we forced my very shy tween to take the oratory class and drama club at his homeschool program. While he claimed that he would rather be dead than participate, he found that it actually did not kill him, and he also found his niche in drama club. He may not be acting, but someone has to take care of lights and sound. While my son is still a little shy, he is no longer shy around other kids.

Talk to your teenagers about sex or drugs

2008-11-24T23:51:00.000-08:00

Not what your children should be involved in.

Trying to raise teenagers can be difficult at points in life. especially when it is your first child. There are many things out there in the world they will want to experience. But with the help of parents it will hopefully be later rather than sooner. By reading this "How to" article I'm hoping i can be of some assistance on how to talk to your children without preaching or nagging.

Instructions

Step1

Casually bring the topic up. Make sure your child is comfortable about talking where you are.

Step2

Ask him/her about their relationships with boys or friends.

Step3

If you have an experience with what they have to say, talk about it. It will make them feel like your interested and not just trying to invade their privacy.

Talk to Your Teen about Sex

2008-11-24T23:49:00.000-08:00

Talk, Listen and Learn

Having problems talking to your teen about sex? Follow these tips!

Instructions

Step1

Don’t show how uncomfortable you are about the subject matter. Even if you’re completely uncomfortable, don’t let it show thru.

Step2

Have an open mind because your teen may teach you something you had no idea existed. Times have changed so much so you must be willing to listen and learn from the “younger” generation.

Step3

Discuss sexually transmitted diseases with your teen but do not scare them with it. Talking on the subject to harsh or too forward may shy them away from the conversation.

Step4

Discuss the different safety precautions with your teen not just abstinence but also take into consideration that you’re maybe already be sexually active.

Step5

Don’t leave the conversation with your teen still having unanswered questions. Let them know they can always come to you no matter what!

Stay Close to a Teenage Daughter

2008-11-24T23:47:00.000-08:00

Daughters want to stay close to their mothers while branching out on their own.

The years between 14 and 16 are not easy for moms or daughters. Eight-year-old Carly told her mom, “I want to grow up and be just like you. At 14, she screamed, “I’m nothing like you, leave me alone.” As a daughter begins to discover her own identity and spend more time with friends, it often feels to mom that she doesn’t even want a relationship. As one mother said, “One minute she doesn’t want to talk to me and the next she's snuggling with me on the couch.” Teen transitions are confusing for both moms and daughters. Here are six ways to stay close.

Instructions

Step1

Send Reassuring Messages Your daughter is as confused about what she’s feeling as you are. Assure her that it’s natural to feel upset and distant one minute and happy and connected the next. The push-pull of how close to be and how separate to be is natural in all mother-daughter relationships. It seems contradictory, but the reality is that daughters want to stay close to their mothers while branching out on their own.

Step2

Allow Privacy Mother-daughter conflict often centers around issues of independence and autonomy. Socializing with peers, talking on the phone and emailing, writing private thoughts in a journal are all ways of learning about oneself and others. It’s practice for being an independent woman with independent thoughts. Daughters often tell me that they feel so guilty when they fight or are mean to their mom, but sometimes they just feel that moms are too intrusive.

Step3

Respond When She Needs Help As a parent, it hurts to see your daughter unhappy or worried, but try to resist the urge to fix every little problem. Instead, focus on helping her find her own solutions. When she is given a choice in the matters that affect her slowly but surely, she will grow into a good problem-solver. Ask her: What are you going to do? Is there anything you’d like me to do?

Step4

Encourage Her to Express Her View Point Don’t freak out or get mad if she expresses thoughts and feelings that you don’t approve of. While her thinking may not be perfect, she doesn’t need you to point out how wrong she is. An open discussion allows her to think out loud, explore her thoughts and feelings, and work them through without rebelling. When allowed to express her opinion and intentions, she often finds a middle ground. Moms who allow open conversation, respect privacy, listen to the daughter’s point of view and give choices are able to find a healthy balance between independence and closeness.

Step5

Focus on What Your Daughter is Doing Right When a teen girl messes up, don’t blow it out of proportion. Many teen girls believe mothers expect them to be perfect, and while moms deny that, often mom’s standards are so high that when the daughter messes up, the mom blows up or shows significant disapproval. The teen is left feeling that she can never do anything right.

Step6

Make Amends You will have disagreements and quarrels. No need to freak out if you remember that your daughter feels as devastated by these quarrels as you do. As mothers, it is our responsibility to make the first move toward making amends. Your daughter may never show you how hurt she really is. She might be afraid that if she approaches you, it will open the whole mess up again. Apologies are important because years from now you will not remember what most of your quarrels were about, but you will remember that you forgave each other and made up.

To help your teenager who is in an abusive relationship

2008-11-24T23:45:00.000-08:00

Your teenager is in an abusive relationship and you dont know what to do here are a couple of helpful hints for you.

Instructions

Step1

If you suspect your teenager is in an abusive relationship they are things that you should do right away. First thing is take away the phone at night time. If you know that they are in an abusive relationship take it away completely.

Step2

Notify the parents. If they don't live with their parents because they are an adult contact the police. Your teenager shouldn't be going out with anyone that is over 18. But that is up to you. Your the parent.

Step3

If this is happening online also. You must monitor you teenager on the computer at all times or just remove the internet right away.

Step4

If they can see the other person in school. Contact the school and notify them of what is going on.

Step5

talk to your teenager. Explain to him/her that what is going on is not there fault and tell them that it is best for him/her to end this relationship right away.

How to block pages containing porno

2008-11-24T23:43:00.000-08:00

Internet Explorer has a tool to block websites containing sexually explicit and violent material for adults that is based on a rating system. Although you do not have a total effectiveness this is a free option and available to everyone. To activate:

Step1

Open Internet Explorer and go to Menu, Tools, Internet Options. In the Internet Options window click the Content tab. In the Content Advisor, click on the Enable button. In the new window called Content Advisor selects the classification table. It shows a table with different types of adult content (Nudity, Language, Sex and Violence).

Step2

Select one of these categories, adjust the type of content that users can see on your PC and slide the bar that is below the table towards the level of permission you want to define. Repeat this operation with each of the categories and, when finished, click OK on the option.

Step3

To create a password so no one will change these security features without your permission, select the General tab in the window Adviser content. There, click the Password button. A small window to write-irmes and password. Once you press OK, and the Adviser content again OK.

How to Be a Great Kisser

2008-11-24T23:42:00.000-08:00

Do you want to be an expert kisser? Well, practice makes perfect... but that's only half the fun!

Instructions

Step1

MAKE SURE YOUR BREATH IS FRESH! Make sure you have brushed, flossed, seen the dentist, used mouth wash, chewed gum, and anything else you can do to keep your mouth as fresh and inviting as possible. Definitely no smoking, garlic, or onions allowed this time!

Step2

BE SURE THE OTHER PERSON WANTS TO KISS YOU TOO! Few things are more embarrassing on a date than trying to kiss someone who doesn't want to kiss you back. This can be tricky for those just starting out in the dating world, but after a while you will "just know" when they are feeling the same as you are.

Step3

DON'T RUSH IT! A great kiss is one that is slow, tender, and gentle, even if it is a short one. You can just give your partner a quick peck on the lips, or it can lead into a long, romantic experience. Or, it can also be a combination of both.

Step4

GET YOUR MOUTH AND LIPS READY. Don't tense up your lips, open your mouth like "Jaws," or expect to reach their tonsils with your tongue on the first attempt. There is nothing sexy about any of those things. And, for heaven's sake, keep your teeth out of the way! Nobody wants to hit their lips on your teeth and walk away with a cut lip! But seriously, moisten your lips slightly and part them just a bit. As you approach, tilt your head to one side and move closer, usually meeting your partner half-way (sometimes it helps to keep your eyes slightly open so you can see if they are actually moving toward you). Keep your tongue at the front of your mouth; if it's going well, the other person may initiate with their tongue. If they don't, you can, if you're feeling brave, lightly touch their lips with your tongue. (You will probably know right away whether they like this or not.) Proceed from there as the mood strikes.

Step5

DON'T OVERDO IT. Whatever you do, don't go deep sea diving. There's nothing desirable about having your wisdom teeth prodded with a darting tongue. You've already learned how to kiss in a non-romantic way, just by being kissed by your mother. Romantic kissing is just taking what you already know to another level. Enjoy!

To Accept Your Child is Gay

2008-11-24T23:40:00.000-08:00

I'm A Proud Mom

My daughter was about 11 yrs old when I realized she was different. I never asked her about it, I just knew. It was an unspoken topic between us, but I think she always knew that I knew, understood, and would always be there for her. If you realize your child gay or even think it, Don't Panic, and Don't Confront them. first give yourself a chance to get used to it yourself.

Instructions

Step1

realize that being gay is not an illness. Gay is the gene a person is born with. Just like genes determine the color of your eyes and hair, or whether you are tall or short, genes also determine your sexual orientation.

Step2

Be there for your child. Even if you don't discuss the fact that your child is gay right away, let your child know through your actions and responses to other gays that you are accepting of it. A derogatory remark or even an awkward or condescending glance at another gay can cause your child to hold everything in for fear of your disapproval.

Step3

When your child does open up to you, hug them, support them and let them know that what is important to you, is that they have a happy fulfilling life. Isn't that what everyone wants for their child.

Step4

when your child finally finds a life partner, and they love and respect each other. Love that partner and welcome them into the family.

Step5

I am a Christian, and I know what the bible says about gay, but it also says the sins of the father are visited upon the sons. I believe that during the times of the Old and New Testaments, that gay was a sin. I believe that gay children now are products of that sin, just like children of alcoholics, are more prone to alcoholism. I don't believe God wants all these generations of our children to suffer, and live loveless, unhappy and unfulfilled lives because of what their ancestors did.

Keep a Teen Calm

2008-11-24T23:39:00.000-08:00

The teen years can be tumultuous, with fluctuating emotions and ever changing moods. If you live with teens there are things you can do to calm them when they're under duress.

Instructions

Step1

If your teen is having a tough day and his emotions seem to be bouncing all over the place, back off. Asking pressing questions or trying to have a serious talk is often not a good idea during times of high emotional stress. Things can be said in the heat of the moment that a teen may regret.

Step2

If your teen is angry and disrespectful, remember that your teen loves you. While disrespect should not be tolerated, maintain your perspective. Don't take what he says personally. If you get on his level the situation will escalate. If punishment is necessary, wait until the worst is over before you deal it out.

Step3

Approach your teen when he is less stressed. A teen will be calmer discussing something when he doesn’t have the pressure of homework, a job, an after school activity or some sporting event looming in the background.

Step4

Use your words carefully. Don't raise your voice. End the conversation if you see that it may escalate into an argument.

Step5

Keep an open mind and try seeing things through your teen’s point of view. Don’t assume that your teen doesn’t know what he is talking about.

Step6

Tell your teen that your door is always open for talks and that he can tell you anything. However, ask him to wait until his anger and frustration diminish.

Help Children Deal With Gender Bias

2008-11-24T23:38:00.001-08:00

People are defined by their gender from the moment they are born. You hear "Boys do this" or "Girls like this." Parents, teachers and society treat boys and girls differently, which can result in bias. Gender bias and discrimination are as unfair as distinctions based on race. Help children deal with gender bias with these steps.

Instructions

Step1

Talk with your children about prejudice and why it is harmful. Help them identify bias against gender, race or culture.

Step2

Model appropriate behavior for your children. Show kids how you challenge gender stereotypes within your own life. Examine whether boys and girls differently are treated differently in your home. For example, all children should help with household chores.

Step3

Locate children's books that challenge stereotypes. Look for characters written against type. Recognize and discuss gender bias in children's literature.

Step4

Look for gender bias in the classroom. Gender bias favors girls in the early years, when they are generally more socially advanced than boys. The bias tips the other way by high school, when many girls are subtly discouraged from participating in math and science.

Step5

Encourage play that explores gender roles. Suggest role-playing as a means to address gender bias in actual situations.

Step6

Provide opportunities for your children to succeed. Success leads to self-confidence, which makes it easier to challenge gender bias.

Help a Teenager through a Traumatic Event

2008-11-24T23:36:00.000-08:00

Learn how to help a teenager cope after a trauma has occurred.

Instructions

Step1

Recognizing that teenagers have special during or after a traumatic event can be a difficult task. Teenagers are young adults and will often shut down making it difficult to reach out to them. By being persistent without forcing them to open you can provide them with much needed help during the traumatic event.

Step2

Be open to listen but do not force the teenager to talk. If you back off after your child refuse to talk the first time you are giving up. The child may need time or simply doesn't feel like talking at the moment you approach him or her. By continually assuring the teenager that you are there to listen you can provide multiple opportunities for the child. It is also important to do listening and not lecturing if you want the teenager to feel comfortable.

Step3

Encourage the teenager to discuss the event with peers. At this age, most teenagers feel more comfortable relating to their friends or peers. By providing opportunities for your child to get together with friends or participate in events you can help facilitate their expression.

Step4

Provide the opportunity for the child to help out with the traumatic event. If it is a personal family trauma, offer the teen ways to help the situation. If it is a broader event seek out teenage groups that are involved in the recovery process and see if the teen wants to become involved. Giving the child the power to do something about the very thing they feel they have no control over is a strong liberator.

To Handle an Out of Control Teenage Daughter

2008-11-24T23:34:00.000-08:00

Many circumstances contribute to your predicament.

If you’re the mother of a teenage girl who is on the verge or already is out of control—or if your relationship with your daughter is on the rocks—here are six steps you can take to bridge the widening gulf between you.

Instructions

Step1

Distinguish between Healthy and Unhealthy Rebellion. Rebellion takes many forms, from harmless talking back to defiant acts of drug and alcohol abuse or sexual activity. As a mother, you have to determine which acts fall under the healthy category and which cross the line into unsafe territory. Talking back is a clue that your daughter is in the throes of her first teenage rebellion. It signals that, while she’s not yet articulate enough to express herself effectively, she’s struggling to find ways to assert her autonomy.

Step2

Uncover the Roots of the Problem. Out-of control behavior is a symptom of deeper problems. Consider how the two of you got to this point. Take a guess at the reasons your daughter is acting out. By identifying the reasons for your daughter’s undesirable behavior, you’ll be more apt to find the keys to correcting it. If you treat just the symptoms, the underlying trouble will still be there and will erupt again.

Step3

Ask Yourself: What have I done to contribute to the rift between us? Think about when the trouble began. How old was she and what was going on in your family life? I have counseled hundreds of mothers and daughters whose relationships were badly damaged and getting worse. For healing to begin, it was important for the mother to understand what part she had in fueling the fires of defiance. If you’re willing to take an honest look at yourself, you will find some answers.

Step4

Avoid Blame. While some people claim that when a daughter is rebellious her mother is to blame, this usually is not true. Blaming the daughter for the difficulties does nothing to fix the problem either. There are many circumstances that contribute to the predicament.

Step5

Try Everything. Mothers often feel that they have tried everything. They are convinced that nothing will work. These negative stances won’t get you out of the rut. Even though you’ve tried everything you can think of, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a solution. Often we are so close to our own problems that we can’t find the obvious answers. But if you’re willing to stay open and seek help, the answers will come. Get outside opinions, but be sure they apply to your situation. Listen to your daughter and your own intuition and you may be surprised with the solutions you’ll discover.

Step6

Be Willing to Negotiate. The “fix my daughter” approach won’t work. Both mother and daughter have to be willing to negotiate and find solutions they can both live with. There are times when there’s nothing you can do to get your daughter to cooperate except wait until she’s ready. If your daughter obstinately refuses to work with you, realize that you can’t control her behavior, but you can control your own.

Give Your Teens Leadership Skills

2008-11-24T23:33:00.000-08:00

It may be a cliche, but today's teenagers are truly tomorrow's leaders. Give your teens a strong start in life by helping them find ways to get leadership skills. The ones who get out there and make a difference are the ones who will feel confident and ready to face their futures.

Step1

Ask your teens what they see as their strengths and weaknesses. Prompt them when necessary, but allow them to think it through and come up with their own answers. You may be surprised!

Step2

Encourage your teens to get a few friends to commit to a leadership project. Teens like to travel in packs; they're more likely to have enthusiasm for a project if it involves their friends.

Step3

Suggest they create a new project to develop their skills, rather than get involved in one that's already defined. Are they interested in sports? A sports day camp for inner-city children is a great idea. Are they eager to go green? Maybe they can organize a community-wide environmental campaign.

Step4

Let them take on all the leadership roles in the project. It may be difficult to sit back and watch, but that's the only way they will learn. It's okay to supply some gentle guidance. Just don't take over.

Step5

Teach your teens to network with adults as they develop and manage their project. If they can learn to talk to adults about serious issues, they've got a great start in life.

To Get Your Teen To Wake Up In The Morning

2008-11-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

sleepy teen

Getting your teen to wake up in the morning can be a times quite a challenge. Just because their older doesn't mean that they don't need as much sleep as any other child. And all to often their days are filled with so much activity it doesn't leave much time for sleeping. And this is why having some structure in their life can be very important.

Instructions

Step1

cheer leading practice After school activities: Cutting back on some of the after school activities might be a good idea. So many times teens find themselves spread so thin, it's just impossible to get everything done and get a good nights sleep at the same time.

Step2

homework Starting on homework early is always helpful, at least that way they will have a little time to relax before bedtime.

Step3

Set a bedtime: This one is likely to cause some problems and many teens will resist. But it's for their own good and you as the parent need to be firm on this.

Step4

Set the alarm clock on the other side of the room so that they will have to get up to shut it off.

Step5

Weekends: The weekend can completely blow your schedule. If your teen is staying out to all hours on weekend and then sleeping half the day, you're going to be right back where you started come Monday morning. In this case the old saying that nothing good ever happens after midnight can be very true. A good rule is to not stay up more than two hours later on the weekends.

Step6

None of these things are designed to make you popular with your teen. But then again you're the parent and it's your job to make sure that they get the best possible start in life. They may not see it that way right now but if you do your job right someday they will!

To Get Your Kids to Talk to You

2008-11-24T23:28:00.000-08:00

Getting kids to talk to you is one of the most important things you will ever do as a parent.

Step 1
Start young. By the time a kid has finished 8th grade, he or she has already made decisions about drugs, gangs and sex. That said, it’s never too late to encourage them to talk to you.

Step2

Quantity time trumps quality time in the long run. The more time you spend with your kids, the more opportunity they have to learn that you’re on their side and communicate with you.

Step3

Make the time you spend with your kids count. Fifteen minutes of your undivided attention each day can do amazing things for your relationship. That time doesn’t have to be face-to-face time, either. Talk to your son while you are taking him to baseball practice. I used to wash my daughter’s at night when she took a bath. We had good conversations in those 5-minute periods.

Step4

Listen. Kids make their own decisions, let them bounce their ideas off you without fear that you will take over and tell them what to do. If you dictate the answers to every problem, they won’t bother to talk. They know what you would do. They are trying to figure out what they should do.

Step5

Pick your battles. Remember how your friends and neighbors look at you is not nearly as important as how your kids do. Let them dress, dye and pierce as much as you can stand. Their bodies belong to them. If they listen to you about the big stuff (like drugs and sex), it’s worth biting your tongue about some things if it means they talk to you.

Step6

Realize that they will make different choices than you have. This may be good. Some kids rebel against the thought that their parents are trying to live vicariously through them. Let them be who they are, and they won’t have a lot to rebel against

Step7

Be honest. If you hate the thought that your kid wants to be a cheerleader, tell the truth. Then tell her that you’ll support her decision anyway, because it’s her decision.

Step8

Talk about your own mistakes. “I did this, and it didn’t work out so well,” beats the chowder out of “Don’t do that!” every time.

Step9

Say “I love you” a lot.

To Foster Good Communication with Teens

2008-11-24T23:26:00.000-08:00

parents & teens

To foster open communication throughout a child's difficult teen years, parents can use these helpful tips: Try to listen more often than you talk to give your teen space to open up. Spend time in quiet places with your teen. Share activities together that parent & teen can do side-by-side. Make meal time pleasant, not a time for grilling your teen. Have private parent/teen pow-wows for discussing the big issues: peers, sex, grades, and more serious subjects.

Instructions

Step1

stop lecturing Stop talking, lecturing and nagging and listen to your teen. A lifestyle of mutual respect starts when both parent & teen respect what the other is saying and really listens. Ask questions after they've finished their thought. Teens are talked at all day at school by adults and out in the world they have no vote, voice or real power. Parents who listen to their teens are like cool water to someone dying of thirst in the desert.

Step2

biking Spend time together. Choose any of the following activities to do side-by-side with your teen: exercise like biking or swimming; cooking a meal or baking a cake, go fishing or boating; hike a nature trail or go snowshoeing; write songs or sing duets; work on a very large jigsaw puzzle or build model planes together; shoot hoops or hit a golf-ball range. Any non-competitive leisure activity will do. Conversation will flow during such activities.

Step3

walks Choose quiet places to spend time with your teen with no pressure to talk and your teen with open up to you. Let your teen speak to you while the two of you skip rocks on a still pond, walk in the park and take a car trip. Offer no advice or criticism, just be there.

Step4

share meals Eat as many meals together as a family as possible. Refrain from discussing poor grades or big issues at the table. Meal time should be pleasant. Have a family meeting or parent-child private pow-wow to talk about the serious stuff.

Step5

be aware of dangers Because a teen is talking openly and more often, as a parent, you'll be aware and proactive about drugs, bad peers and trouble at school. It really does make a difference and the relationship can continue to be strong as your teen grows up into an adult. The teen years don't actually last forever ;)

To get your kids to clean their room

2008-11-24T04:12:00.000-08:00

Some children, no matter how hard you force them, how you reward them, or how you beg them they wont clean their rooms. (I was one of these kids). Eventually I found a way to make cleaning my room more fun, which in turn made me less rebilious against it.

Step1

Don't get angry or threaten. When I was young and my parents threatened me to clean my room I simply stuffed everything in my closet and under my bed. Especially don't yell, yelling won't solve anything.

Step2

So how do you get them to clean their room? It's simple, make it a game (of sorts) There are multiple games that you can play that get your kids to clean their room while they play it. So what you do is while cleaning you focus on cleaning on specific parts at a time. First clothes, then toys, then trash, then vacuuming. (you can change the order)

Step3

So now your cleaning the clothes. Time for clothes-ball. This is a good game to get your kids to always have their clothes in the right place. You set up your clothes hamper in any corner of the room. Then, after piling all of the clothes, you and your child/children will sit down near the clothes pile, and take turns throwing them at the corner above the basket. (Thats why it's in a corner, so that you'll miss less often.) Keep track of the points of the game. You can reward your children for winning or being a good sport.

Step4

Now it's time for the toys, if you can try and remove easily breakable toys from the toys pile/space first. I.E. a gameboy or psp or anything that has a screen or glass parts. Tip over a decent sized box or garbage bag so that the mouth is wide open and facing the toys. put a pillow behind the bag or box so that you don't accidentally hurt the wall. (the actual game, my mom called it toy-dozer) If you haven't guessed from the name, what you and your child/children are gonna do is try to push your piles of toys into the box or bag. First one done wins.

Step5

Trash.... This was definitely the worst and most gruesome part of cleaning my room. SO you may want gloves. What you do is you set up a trash-bag facing upwards in the air. (hold the mouth open with the ties). And you have your kids run around and pick up all the trash in the room, counting each item they trow away as a point.

Step6

And the last step, vacuuming. This is a fairly easy game. You need a flash light or a laser pointer. Inform your child that the light is (insert something interesting here) and every time they catch one in the vacuum they get a point. (if you have two kids give them a time limit each). When your child gets near the light turn it off to enact that it was sucked up. So you simply point the light at the places in the room that need to be vacuumed. (try not to let your child get too rough with this because they might hit something hard) Also, don't make the game to easy, every once in a while have the (insert interesting thing here) avoid the vacuum cleaner at the last minute so that it's more of a challenge.

How to get your kids to keep their room clean

Step1

Well now you don;t want it to be messy the second you leave now do you? When a child has cleaned their room make sure to compliment them and tell them how proud you are of them. Trust me, it'll mean a lot to them to know that you are proud of them.

Step2

Check up on it. (I don't mean hang over your kids) but take a peek in the room every once in a while and if it's clean go to your child and tell them. Make sure that they know that you love it that they keep your room clean. A parent's love and acceptance are extremely big factors in a child and teens life (if if the teens won't admit it).

Step3

If you check the room and it's messy again, don't go and confront your child instantly. Especially if they are a little busy. Eventually they will go into their bedroom right? SO wait untill they are in there, and then you magically notice that their room is messy. When you do this smile and say something along these lines "cmon let's clean this a little bit I'll help you" always offer to help, so that your child doesn't see you as a slave driver.

Step4

Don't expect your child to miraculously keep their room clean (trust me it'll get really dirty at times). Teaching your child to keep their room clean is a learning process. So it may take some time for them to get use to it, but if you work at it they'll start keeping it clean themselves.

Encourage Teens to Talk

2008-11-24T04:11:00.000-08:00

Teens can be mystifying creatures. One minute they're silently lounging on the couch, the next they're jabbering on their cell phone. But of course, that's only when you're not around. If it feels like pulling teeth, here are some ideas that can help!

Instructions

Step1

So you have a teen that doesn't want to talk. You may be the parent, relative, mentor, teacher, leader, pastor, or counselor, but in any case, it doesn't really matter, because this teen is determined not to talk to you! Your first step is to mentally prepare yourself. This task is not easy, and you may find it troubling and frustrating. Take heart though, your message will be getting through!

Step2

Okay, so after you decide that you will try everything you can to reach your teen, jot down some conversation ideas that you think they might like to talk about. If she loves to blare rock music--you have a topic. Or maybe he's a varsity football player--well, there you go. Get clues from clothes, habits, friends, style, etc. Write down at least five different topics.

Step3

Now that you have your first weapon, approach the teen with a smile and say "hey". Ask them what's up. Listen. If they are reluctant to talk, ask about school, home life, sports, hobbies, activities, siblings, holidays, pets, or anything else that comes to your mind. Your first goal is not to have a heart-to-heart. Rather, it's to prove to the teen that you care. That is your one and only goal right now.

Step4

Being friendly to the teen may take repeating...over and over and over. You will need to show interest, while not getting too deep in their business until they break down the walls and start talking. As the conversations go on, bring out your list and ask them about specific topics you think they can relate to. Don't give up if they seem distant. Keep trying. It is absolutely essential that you keep pushing their fears away.

Step5

Once you have established a basic sense of trust with the teen, start inviting them to go out for coffee with you, or to get a burger. Invite them to the mall, to a musical, or to a sports game. If they are involved in sports, go watch their games. Prove that you are faithful and committed to them.

Step6

Most teens love having honest adult attention. They do not want someone telling them what to do though. Your job (if you aren't the parent) is to support and offer encouragement. You may advise them about a situation, but don't order their steps. It will undermine all the trust you worked so hard to build. If you serve as a mentor or leader, your job is so important. You get to influence, love, care, and build up a teenager. That is an amazing job! Don't take it forgranted!

Step7

Given time and energy, you can build a trusting relationship with a teen who may desperately need adult involvement in their life. What a blessing! Keep trying, and eventually, you will break through their shell.

To Deal With a Tween

2008-11-24T04:10:00.000-08:00

Dealing with a tween is sometimes impossible. Your baby all of the sudden turns in to a monster full of hormones, and you need to be able to handle it. Here are some tips.

Instructions

Step1

Get PMS medicine if it's really bad and they are over 12. Seriously, sometimes it's the only thing that will make a little girl's hormones stop raging.

Step2

Keep your tween on a healthy diet, all of the fast food and sugars kids eat can mess up their hormones. Have them go to the store with you and make only healthy choices, get rid of all junk food and preservatives in the house.

Step3

Take your tween on a date. If you have a daughter go get your nails done and let her get highlights, she will have a great time and calm down a little. If you have a son, my opinion is it's a little easier, and alone time will usually calm them down a lot.

Step4

Make sure they know what you expect of them as a parent, but you would like to have conversations with them as a friend. Get into what they like. Listen to the same music, play the same video games and talk about boys or girls with them.

Step5

Give them responsibility. Don't treat them like babies, treat them like young women and men. Let them get a job mowing lawns or babysitting. Pay them to clean the garage and then take them to the mall on a date.

To Deal with a Thankless Teen

2008-11-24T04:09:00.000-08:00

No doubt about it, parenting is one of the most thankless jobs on the planet. Thankless teens need to learn that being thankful is more than just saying “thanks” when they get a new present. At the heart of thankfulness is gratitude.

Instructions

Step1

When your child is moaning and groaning about what is missing in her life, what she doesn’t have or what she wishes she could be doing, point out the positives. Tell your child all the things that she does have to be thankful for and tell her that things could be a lot worse. For instance, if she is griping about being on a “boring” family vacation, point out that you could have left her home with a relative and signed her up to do volunteer work while the family was away.

Step2

If your child is complaining because she is short on cash for something she wants to buy, tell her that it’s better than having no cash at all. Try to get her to see how close she is to her goal instead of focusing on the amount she doesn’t have yet.

Step3

If your teen is griping about working part-time, tell her she can always quit her job, but then where would she be? Broke and bored.

Step4

The next time your teen sits down to talk about the thing that went wrong with her day, ask her to tell you five or six things that went right. It’s easy for teens to focus on the negative and never consider the positive things that did happen in their day.

Step5

Don’t allow your teen to get away with exaggerating things. For instance, if your teen is putting down her appearance, point out how she is wrong. You should also point out her good features. Too often people get in the habit of focusing on things they don’t like and are unable to see the beauty they do have.

Step6

Sign your teen up to work at homeless shelter, soup kitchen, children’s home, retirement center or nursing home.

To Deal With A Teen With Attitude

2008-11-24T04:08:00.001-08:00

As the school year starts, many parents start dreading each interaction with their teen,knowing the stone wall of denial, entitlement and apathy will be the omnipresent struggle, which they'll face with the teen, daily.In order to feel effective and empowered as a parent, we need to ignore the attitude and focus on the behavior.

Instructions

Step1

No amount of reality-based conversation will convince your teen that you are right and he'll change his attitude. You simply need to focus on the behavior

Step2

Clearly state the RULES to be followed and EXPECTATIONS you have of him or her: example, "you don't have to like a English assignment, but it needs to be completed."

Step3

Clearly state the CONSEQUENCES of if they can't figure out a way to comply with the rules and expectations. example "While you're living here, you'll follow our rules. And, in this instance that means doing your homework and getting decent grades, or there will be consequences." The consequence should be reasonable. Poor grades might call for suspension of the privilege to drive the family car.

To Communicate Effectively With a Teenage Daughter

2008-11-24T04:06:00.000-08:00

The teenage years for a girl can be exciting, yet scary. She will face new emotions and experiences, and sometimes the transition to adulthood and womanhood can be challenging. This is a time when a daughter needs the support of her parents and to especially bond with her mother. Communication is an important part of the relationship between the adolescent daughter and her parents, who can serve as positive or negative role models. A teenager's perception of herself and her place in the world begins in early childhood and is shaped by her relationships with her parents, family and siblings. This article will give some advice and tips to communicate more effectively with your teenage daughter.

Instructions

Step1

Build a relationship of trust and respect with your daughter. This does not happen overnight and takes time and understanding. Give her support and be there for her when she needs you. Schedule regular quality time together so you can share and build precious memories and trust. Once you gain her trust she will open up more to you.

Step2

Quality time spent together to have fun and relax will build closeness and friendship between you and your teenage daughter. This will increase her trust and communication with you. Take walks in the park or spend time engaging in outdoor activities, for example, hiking or camping.

Step3

Active listening is the key to building a close and open communication relationship. Listening is understanding that your daughter needs to talk about something she is concerned about or wants some advice on.

Step4

Don't be judgmental and resist the temptation to lose your patience or temper if she disagrees or is resistant to your plans or ideas. This is a time when a teenager is trying to learn about herself and her self-esteem and confidence can easily be eroded or damaged by unkind or hurtful remarks.

Step5

A great way to effectively communicate with your teenage daughter is to find ways to share experiences. Read together, go to the movies or concerts together. Meet and know who her circle of friends are and show interest in what is happening in her life and in her opinions about current events.

Step6

Resist losing your temper when there is a disagreement. Don't make denigrating remarks since this could have long-term consequences and could be remembered for a lifetime. Losing control over your emotions and lashing out at your teenage daughter will only erode or destroy the trust and respect between daughter and parents.

Step7

Careful when you make jokes to your teenage daughter. Sometimes this can be taken in the wrong way or she might think it is directed at her. This can have devastating consequences to a young girl's self-esteem.

To Bond With a Teenage Daughter

2008-11-24T04:05:00.000-08:00

I often felt neglected because my 14-year-old daughter would rather bond with friends than with me. When nagging and pleading didn’t work, in desperation I tried a more creative approach: I thought of things we might do together that would be fun. After vetoing dozens of my suggestions, she was finally willing to try one. We enrolled in a 4-hour beading workshop and made necklaces together. It was fun, and this training still comes in handy. When the clasp broke on my necklace, I’d forgotten the proper restringing techniques, but she remembered and did it for me. I like it when she takes care of me and I tell her so, which is also good bonding. Here are seven more ways to bond.

Instructions

Step1

Think New, Be Original. Try something you’ve never done together. Manda and I rode horses up Cougar Mountain and took kayaking lessons on Lake Washington. She liked that so much that she would even get out of bed at 6 a.m. (my favorite morning hour)to kayack with me.

Step2

Show Big Time Appreciation. When Manda agreed to go kayaking at 6 a.m., I really appreciated her for compromising. I told her so and bragged about her to my friend. “She’s such a good sport,” I’d say. My appreciation and acknowledgment brings us together in another way and lets her know that I recognize and value what she’s doing for me.

Step3

Put Energy Into Your Relationship Now. Instead of wasting precious time mourning the lose of the sweet, innocent child you once had, put your energy into building on the relationship you’ve got now. Time spent with your teenager will be in shorter spurts, but it’s just as meaningful as the time you spent with her when she was a toddler.

Step4

Find Activities That Spark Her Interest. Ask for her input and listen to her point of view. On your way home from an errand, surprise her by turning into a music store and picking out a CD. Ask her if there is any music that she thinks you might like. Make a list of short activities that only take a half-hour to 3 hours. She won’t be so resistant if she knows that she doesn’t have to spend the whole day with you. Let her know that you understand that she needs time with her friends too.

Step5

Work Around Schedules. Bonding doesn’t work if it’s forced. Plan in advance around both your schedules. Impromptu outings work too, but you might have to ask numerous times to find the opportunity and mood. Keep disappointment to yourself. No need for guilt trips. Say, "That's okay honey, I'm looking forward to hanging out with you another time."

Step6

Find Things to Laugh About. If you can’t laugh together, your bonding activities will fall flat. With a teen at home you need to develop a sense of humor. Look at the funny side of things. The two of you are going to need laughter to get you through moods and transitions. Warning: She’s supersensitive, so don’t laugh at her. Laughing with your teenage daughter puts the two of you in tune, and that’s the warm feeling you want her to remember.

Step7

Take Pictures. Capture those moments of togetherness. Record all those mother-daughter bonding events. Even small outings are worth taking a picture of. After all, it's often the little things that are the most meaningful. When she's moved away from home, not only will she have a baby album, but she’ll also have photos reminding her of the fun the two of you had during the teen years.

How to Talk to Your Children About Drugs

2008-11-24T04:03:00.000-08:00

Here are some tips on how to talk to your children about drugs.

Instructions

Step1

Talking to your children about drugs can be a very difficult thing for most parents. It is important to let you children know the dangers of illegal drugs. Make sure that you talk to your children about drugs or they could ruin their lives.

Step2

Let your children know that you need to talk to them. Sit them down somewhere quiet and let them know that you want to talk to them about drugs. They will not want to have the conversation but you need to make sure that you talk to them about drugs.

Step3

Make sure that they understand the danger of drugs. Let them know all of the ways that drugs can ruin their lives. Before you leave the room make sure that they fully understand the dangers of illegal drugs.

TEEN CHANNELS

Teen Takeover The Hottest Stars

Teen Takeover The Hottest Stars

MILEY CYRUS

TAYLOR SWIFT

SELENA GOMEZ

JORDIN SPARKS

DEMI LOVATO

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SHENAE GRIMES

MIRANDA COSGROVE

JONAS BROTHERS

Emma Watson Said I'd Go Naked

Emma Watson Said I'd Go Naked

Top TV Shows for Teen in Fall 2008

Top TV Shows for Teen in Fall 2008

Gossip Girl

Smallville

The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Island: Hollywood

One Tree Hill

New Beverly Hills 90210

Privileged

Chuck

Lincoln Heights

Greek

Fringe

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Top 10 Wii Games for Teen

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1. Wait

2. Research

3. Venue

4. Punctuality

5. Gifts

6. Attire

7. Conversation

8. Flattery

9. Opinions

10. Leave

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Roxy Cruizin Tank m467619

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Skechers USA Women's Waterlily Skimmer

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Roxy September Women's Handbag - Grey

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Roxy Samantha Hoodie

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ROXY by QUIKSILVER Volley New Flats Black Womens

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Roxy Sammy Tote

Roxy Daytona Tank - Women's

Roxy Daytona Tank - Women's

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Skechers Women's Bikers Pulsate Skimmer

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Skechers Women's Enlighten Sneaker

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ROXY Notary Tote - Brown

ROXY Kaycee Cool Sawdust Dress

ROXY Kaycee Cool Sawdust Dress

ROXY Kaycee Warm Sawdust Dress

ROXY Kaycee Warm Sawdust Dress

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Roxy Valentine Tote

Roxy Right On Time Bag - Women's

Roxy Right On Time Bag - Women's

Vigoss Junior's 5 Pocket Destructed Skinny Jean

Vigoss Junior's 5 Pocket Destructed Skinny Jean

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Roxy Come-A-Long Tote

Vigoss Junior's Skinny Jean