Connecting with Teens – 6 Tips
By: Collett Smart
“I love teenagers!” Yet… I find that whenever I say this phrase people look at me and chuckle, as if waiting for the punchline. There is none. Read more
Tag Archive for: raising teenagers
9 Ideas for Screen Time Balance
By: Collett Smart
Nature is known to provide cognitive benefits and enhance our overall physical and mental wellbeing. Yet, for some tweens, spending too much time on technology, sees them not getting enough exercise or spending enough time outdoors. So how do we help our young people create a healthy screen time balance? Read more
Traumatic Events in the News: 10 Tips for Supporting Young People
By: Collett Smart
Weekly news reports of traumatic images and stories of pain and destruction such as; natural disasters (bushfires, floods, volcanoes and earthquakes), the coronavirus, terrorist attacks, threats of war and shootings can cause great concern in children. Read more
The Beauty of Family Traditions
By: Collett Smart
I’m regularly asked, “What is the secret to raising healthy teenagers?”
I think we often wonder if there’s some big secret to raising healthy teenagers. Something we are missing, that others know the answer to.
My answer is usually this, “There is no magic bullet, the small things ARE the big things!” Read more
Sleep Deprivation and Teens
By: Collett Smart
The Parenting Question this week is from Judy, on Sleep Deprivation: “How much sleep do our teens need?”
It has been said that we have a chronically sleep deprived generation. Read more
Chores Lead to Success, Later in Life (even if teens don’t love them!)
By: Collett Smart
Has the artist of Hedger Humour been peeping in my windows? We often wonder about the benefits of chores, and whether the sighing, dodging and procrastination are worth the effort (and that’s just the parents I am talking about! 😉) Read more
Supporting Your QuaranTeen
By: Collett Smart
The day in a life of a quaranteen is different to what teens usually do. What can you do to help your teen through self isolation and staying at home? Read more
When Should Kids Start Dating?
By: Collett Smart
It would be naïve of parents to think their child won’t develop love interests at various times in their high school years. Indeed, belittling our teens for having feelings is the quickest way to ensure they never come to talk to us, about relationships, as they get older. Read more
4 Lessons About Parenting Teens in a Hyper-Sexualised Age
By: Robert Garrett
In several recent blogs I reference experts encouraging parents to keep the channels of communication open with their teens.