Growing Up with a Work EthicMy parents taught me to work and find enjoyment in doing so. As a teen, we had a Christmas tree farm. This was such a wonderful addition to the Christmas season for me as I often waited on the customers and learned a lot about being a "people person."
Email Time CapsuleWhen your kids are in high school, they will most likely have no recollection of their younger years. To help them remember their lives, set up an email account for them when they are born. Send them pictures, videos, funny stuff, letters, cute memos, ideas, advice, etc.
Dealing with a Troubled TeenI have gone through these upsets. If the doctor has checked for drugs and depression, then go into how the youth feels. Some people have been bullied in to doing things that are life changing ,so tell your youth how much you love them and how worried you are and how not one thing in this life could stop your love and understanding.
Asking Best Friends To ToloIt would be cool to bake something for the guy and have a GIANT poster that reads "TOLO?" Then you give the guy a clothing item. My BFF is asking his best friend so we are going to ask them at the same time.
Auctions for Used CarsWhen our children were teenagers, we shopped for their first cars at the used car auctions for the Federal Government in our area. Each car had been well maintained since it was part of a fleet. The maintenance records were well kept.
Give Teens Respect to Get RespectI told my classes right up front that I taught eighth grade because I liked them. I went on to say they weren't children, but they hadn't had enough "life experience" yet to be fully adult. They seemed to find this concept of them respectful and they were more respectful of me.
Buy Used Tuxedo Rather Than RentingMy son plays in several bands and is going to high school next year. With all of his performances and upcoming dances, we bought him a used tux at a local tux rental store. The store sells off their used tuxes at a great discount.
How Many Hours Of Work Does It Cost?We have a family of 8, including 4 teenagers who love stuff. Whenever we or they want to buy something, we have one simple rule: Never think of an item's price! Instead we think of how many hours we will have to work to pay for the item.
Curfew Time Set to Grade LevelA good way to set a time for curfew is to let the time home be whatever grade they are in. When in 9th grade - 9:00, 10th grade - 10:00 and so on. At our house, the time changed on the first day of each school year.
Random Drug Testing for TeensWhen my kids were in high school I instituted random drug testing at my house. It was really cheap to set up and I feel like in the long run, I was saved an incalculably amount because one of my kids lived in the "gray".
Easy Teen Curfew ClockWe got a simple little alarm clock to put in the living room near the front door. Before either of my teenagers goes out in the evening, we make sure it's set to match the cell phone time, and that the alarm is set for the time I want them home.
Saving Money While Feeding Active TeensMy teenage son swims at least 25 hours a week, and usually rides his bicycle the 5+ miles each way back and forth to practice. At 6 foot tall and 200 lbs, you can imagine how much our athlete can eat!
Preparing Your Child For Their First Job InterviewOur 16 year old daughter recently needed to get a REAL job when her babysitting position for the summer fell through at the last minute. Here are some tips to make it easier on both the parents, the teen worker and the employer!
Help Your Teenager Narrow the Career SearchPart-time jobs, job-shadowing, volunteering and internships all help teens decide whether or not a career they have in mind is the path they want to follow.
Teaching Laundry Skills To College Bound StudentsWhile parents are preparing to send their children off to college, they try to think of all the material items to take with them to supply their dorm rooms. One thing that some parents don't think of, is showing your child how to do his/her own laundry.
Sharing the ComputerSharing the Computer. Do you find that whenever you want to use the computer, it's always occupied? Well that was happening with my daughter and I, so I made up a time schedule. . .
Reminder of Love for College StudentsWe have started a tradition for our children when they go off to college. Each time my daughter comes home for a break from school, she is met with a single red rose. Just a reminder of how much we love her! Many times roses are only $1 each so this is also not expensive!
By Robin
