Often, a child will take advantage of you in any way he can to get to do what he wants. Just when you think you’ve told him what is expected of him, he comes back with statements like: “I didn’t understand what you were saying. I thought you meant…” “I forgot.” “I didn’t hear you.” “You didn’t say that.” The solid ground you thought you were standing on starts to shift,... > Full Story

My husband and I have developed a serious conflict over how to handle his 19-year-old son (my stepson). The son recently left college and moved back home, and he now seems determined...

Continue reading "Dealing with an Older Stepson"

Counselling teens can be tricky business. The call is invariably from an exasperated parent who no longer can tolerate the behaviour of their son or daughter. The teen is presented...

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“Mom, why do teenagers use swear words?” innocently asks ten year old Kaytie. This child’s question is one that many parents ask themselves, their friends and families virtually...

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Reality TV is all the rage these days. Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race, The Apprentice – they all share the same premise: ordinary people confronted with extreme adversity. I...

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Aside from the first year of life, the first year of driving is the most dangerous year in a young person’s life. Teen driver car crashes are the leading cause of permanent...

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I am having trouble with my 17 year old son. He allowed one of his unlicenced friends to drive his car and the car was wrecked. I am in the process of repairing the car. I have told...

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I love the Christmas season – it is always magical for me, even at mid-life. I have always made the Advent season special at my house. My Christmas enthusiasm for the holidays...

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I love seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they see all the Christmas lights around town. Or the look of awe on their faces on Christmas morning when they wake up to presents...

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I made a wonderful friend when I was in the eighth grade. Her name was Judy.  Our friendship survived puberty, boys, getting our driver’s licenses and even very bad perms. ...

Continue reading "Aren’t Teens a Scream!"