Understanding Teen Disrespect

When I was about 25 I got a job working at a wilderness camp for juvenile delinquents between the ages of 13 and 17. These kids already had disturbingly long rap sheets–battery, multiple court violations, truancy, theft, possession of narcotics, etc. Many of them had been sent to the camp involuntarily by a judge. After my first few days I remember trying to speak to one particular teenager about something. As I spoke he interrupted me over and over again with loud engine roaring sounds to drown out what I was trying to say. He looked me right in the eyes as he was doing it with a “what you gonna do about it?” look on his face. I was blown away by this level of disrespect.

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Should I let my teenager go to Ultra?

The Ultra Music Festival is the nation’s largest electronic music festival. It takes place yearly over a two week period in Miami. This year it is expected to attract about 160,000 young people from all over the country. It is a popular event for teenagers to attend because of the festive atmosphere and the large array of trendy electronic music available. However, Ultra does have a dark side.

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Teenagers and Synthetic Marijuana (Spice, K2): What parents need to know

Recently released statistics released by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) shows that synthetic marijuana’s popularity among teenagers is on the rise. Unfortunately, the statistics reveal that teenagers are among its most popular users. Of the 11,406 people sent to the emergency room for synthetic marijuana in 2010, a third were between the ages of 12 and 17. A survey revealed that synthetic pot is the second most used drug among high school seniors, with 11.4% admitting to use.

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Medical Marijuana: Explaining Colorado’s new laws to your teenager

This year’s presidential elections brought no change to the presidency but the local elections in Colorado and Washington State led to new laws that will legalize recreational use of marijuana. As a parent, it is important to understand the new rules and how they may apply to your family. News of marijuana legalization and the benefits of medical marijuana may give teenagers the “ammunition” they need to justify to themselves that smoking pot is okay and can even be good for you. So, let’s examine the issues, the new laws, and medical marijuana to give you the ammunition you need to dispel the notion that smoking marijuana is okay because certain states have legalized it.

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Teenagers and Bad Grades: Depression or Bad Behavior?

Succeeding in high school is an important foundation for teenagers as they transition into early adulthood. It is important to stay informed about your teen’s performance at school by communicating with teachers, administrators, or guidance counselors. Talk to your teenager if report card grades fell below expectations. While a drop in grades could be as simple as your teenager struggling with a new subject or teacher, it could be a red flag for a variety of issues such as attention issues such as ADHD, depression, substance abuse, or bad behavior. Consider all factors to help your teen get back on track as soon as possible.

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