I can’t remember how many times when I ask my friends exactly what the problem is, their reply would always be five to ten minutes of continual beating around the bush excuses, instead of explaining in two to three sentences what the problem really is. My father was the kind of guy who “tell it as it is.” There was no “well, maybe, unless, perhaps, or nearly, it was either a “yes” or a “no”. So even in my early childhood, I learned really fast to always be clear, objective, honest and straigh...

A certain educator was once asked at what point should a parent begin to prepare for child raising.

"How old are you?" the educator inquired.

"Twenty-three."

"You should begin twenty-three years ago."

What is the message? The single most important thing a parent can do to educate a child is to provide the child with a good role model. A parent has to work a whole lifetime becoming the type of person that he wants his child to become.

The most important people in the worl...

Adolescence brings with it many challenges - for both parents and kids. Young people, still new to the world, are embarking on a journey to discover their passions, joys, and authentic self-images. More often than not, however, their journey more closely resembles an elongated stampede of enraged elephants than it does an innocent soul-searching endeavor. But no one said growing up would be easy.

And there are young entrepreneurs out there who see the world in a truly positive light. Sure...

Congratulations on your move toward a college degree. And congratulations on seeking support for writing your admissions essay/personal statement. The squeaky motor gets the oil, so you will be slick and running sleekly in a just a few days…in plenty of time to submit and relax before transferring from a community college or crossing over from high school to higher learning.

While the application and entry process is exciting, it is also rigorously demanding… when it comes to writing ...

I guess I should’ve figured something like this would happen one day. My son Will, who has just turned sixteen, is now dating, and was out on one this past Saturday night. I happened to be sitting in the den watching one of those high speed cop chase TV shows when he returned home from said date. He walked in, nodded, and then looked at me somewhat seriously and said,

“Dad, I need to ask you something. Tonight I took Candi to the movies, and I even let her pick out the movie. I bought our...

Introduction

Developing healthy peer relationships is critical for the normal development of a child. Peer relationships have been found to be an important predictor of positive adult adjustment and behavior. Difficulty in finding friends leads to feelings of low self-esteem and these feelings usually continue into adulthood.

Children with poor social skills are at risk for delinquency, academic underachievement, and school drop out. Even though the inattentiveness, impulsivenes...

In a world of instant gratification and so much that is made to be tossed out after one use, there are some things worth preserving. Childhood memories are among those things worth safeguarding.

As a new grandmother, I fully appreciate the importance of teaching my son ways to capture memories of his first-born. Memories that will last for years to come.

With some forethought memories that could easily slip away can be preserved for years. When it comes to our children, grandchildre...

Children are the most special part of life. Losing a child is something that few really understand. Even a brief life offers so much that is special. My Daughter Katie Lindsey Rose, died July 1992. She was just five weeks old. I held Katie after she died and can never, would never, forget Katie as a person or my daughter. I also found out how hard it is for so many to talk about the death of their child.

Many people find it easier to talk about the death of your mom, dad or your wife or...

Back in the days, when home was a cave stuck on the face of a cliff.

Kids, babies, cubs, kittens or whatever you like to call the offspring, all have one thing in common. They love to play. So I think we can safely assume that caveman kids played. But with what did they play with.

What amused the minds of our ancestor's kids. When they were lying around the fire after a hard day learning about staying alive. We are still trying to work out the minor details of the past lives of child...

Q. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

A. "Something that hasn't been invented yet."

Most of us were brought up to study hard, get good grades, choose a "practical" college major, and strive for a "good job."

Talk to a stranded midlife career-changer and you realize the game has changed. Yesterday's rules prepared us to be passengers on a large ocean liner that promised a smooth voyage. Today we realize that ocean liner turned out to be the Titanic and we need to keep o...

There are many reasons why younsters--and that includes boys and an increasing number of girls--join gangs. When you see your child falling under this unwelcome gang influence, here are some essential steps:

1) Communicate, communicate, communicate. You cannot over-communicate. Open the door, and make sure it stays open. Be a constant positive force in your child's life

2) Positive reinforcement. Most kids are good kids, they just get troubled and lose their way. Leave him with tape-r...

I have a big mouth. If you have read my testimony, you know that I have struggled with panic attacks and an anxiety disorder that most of the time left my tongue paralyzed when it came to simple things, such as ordering a meal or answering the phone. God delivered me from the solitude I had imprisoned myself in. However, I had a new problem--now I talked too much.

I have started to monitor my words and have been shocked by what I discovered. Complaining...gossiping...fault-finding...even...

Dear Reader,

I would like to personally introduce you to TeenQuack.com, the premiere online journal and community for teens! An old Chinese proverb reads, “A poor man is not he without a cent, it is he without a vision.” This website is the result of one man’s vision, turned into action. I wanted to create a place that would integrate teens from all over in a positive atmosphere—to interact, engage, and debate. I wanted to give our generation ...

Books and children should go hand in hand. There are just about as many different books as there are different children. Variety is what everyone needseven children! Here are a few fabulously written electronic children's books from authors who are sure to become favorites in your household.

FLY & I by Bonnie Covel and published by StoryPlus.com is a book that teaches children about reputations, trust, friendship, kinship, and the importance of honesty through the sport of basketba...

Paying for college sometimes means using student loans. Student loans are specifically designed to help students meet the costs of a higher education. Most student loans offer good deals on tax credits, payback and interest rates. However, before getting a student loan it is important to consider the different types of student loans and where to go to get one.

Student loans can come from private lenders, colleges or the federal government. Federal loans are often guaranteed, which means n...