The following articles have been published in my monthly column called Trending Topics: A counselor’s perspective on teen issues for Parenting Teens magazine, published by Lifeway Christian Resources. While the target audience for this magazine is Christian parents, I make an effort to include content that is applicable to any parent of teenagers, regardless of their faith. I hope you find some tools that are relevant to you and your family. Enjoy reading!
ANXIETY
My teen is a perfectionist. How can I help?
Why is my teen so anxious about exams?
Is my teen socially anxious, or just shy?
COMMUNICATION
The one word that can improve your communication*
Attunement: how true communication goes beyond words
How much do I share with my teen about my past?
DECISIONS
I’m taking a gap year…and tired of explaining why
What if my teen wants more freedom than I’m ready to give?
My teenager broke my trust…now what?
How can I help my teen deal with a thwarted goal?
Depression
I think my teen is depressed; what do I do?
My teen doesn’t want to do anything…what can I do?
DEVELOPMENT & Discipline
How do I teach my older teen responsibility without overwhelming him?
Five ways to discipline your highly sensitive teen
Should I take away Homecoming? - coming soon
EMOTIONS
My teen is grieving. How can I help her make it through the holidays?
How can I cope with my teen’s emotional outbursts?
My child is graduating…how on earth can I let go?
How do I tell if my teen is really in crisis, or just being dramatic?
family
From chaos to calm: The power of routine
HEALTH
How can I help my teen avoid burnout?
Four ways to help your teen get more sleep
My teen has a concussion - how can I help? - coming soon
PEERS
Four attributes of an assertive girl
How can I help my teen set healthy boundaries in relationships?
My teen is a loner…how do I help him make friends?
How much should my teen intervene in her friend’s problems?
How should my teen deal with an unfair adult in his life?
Bad company: When you disapprove of your teen’s friends
What if my daughter is the mean girl?
SCHOOL
“I’ll get to it later” - why teens procrastinate - coming soon
Problem solved: 4 things to subtract from homework time to save your sanity - coming soon
5 ways to help your teen through academic challenges
How can I help my teen manage her time more effectively?
Motivation: 7 reasons why teens won’t do their schoolwork
Self-IMAGE
Self-talk: silencing the inner critic - coming soon
How can I shape the way my teen thinks about her body?
How can my daughter find true beauty in a selfie world?
TECHNOLOGY
Three hidden strengths inside your “gamer” teen
*Information based on ideas of Dr. Marsha Linehan from Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Citation was submitted by this author, but omitted from the article upon publication. Citation correction was published in the March 2019 issue of Parenting Teens.