by admin | Sep 1, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
Obnoxious Teen Revolts and a Reasonable Curfew for 09/01/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My wife and I have four kids ranging in age from 10 to 16 years old. Everyone is so busy. I wanted to have one night of the week when we are all together for game night. Everyone is excited about it except for my oldest. At 16, he’d rather be with his friends on Friday night. Every time we try to get together, he is incredibly obnoxious and rude, and after a while we dismiss him because he is ruining it for everyone. Should we let him out of the family night or continue to require it regardless of his behavior? – Gamers
Dear Gamers: Jee, I wonder why your son acts up on game night. Could it be because he’s learned that being obnoxious helps him avoid annoying family time? Of course he’d rather be with his friends. For teens, their friends are their world. Sorry, folks, you aren’t it anymore. Accept you son’s desire to want to fly the coup. Allow it. But don’t let him flee without a tether to bring him back sometimes.
Updated: Fri Sep 01, 2017
Obnoxious Teen Revolts and a Reasonable Curfew for 09/01/2017
by admin | Aug 26, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
A Late-Night Suicide Threat for 08/26/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: Last night, my 16-year old snuck out of the house with friends at 2 a.m. They were on a mission to help a girl who was threatening suicide. My son did call me after they called the police. But I don’t know why he got involved, and I’m not all right with him sneaking out. How should I reprimand him? – Dad
Dear Dad: Your son’s heart was in the right place. It’s important to remember that. He risked getting in trouble to help another teen fight through a hard time. There’s something to be said for that kind of compassion. Lots of kids would just gossip about a depressed girl. Your son acted to obtain some help. Let him know that you think it’s pretty amazing.
Updated: Sat Aug 26, 2017
A Late-Night Suicide Threat for 08/26/2017
by admin | Aug 25, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
A Basement Hangout and a Dead Cellphone for 08/25/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My 16-year-old son has a girlfriend, and her mom does not allow them to be alone at my house. They prefer to hang out in our finished basement, but I don’t want to keep going down there. Should I tell them they can’t go down there or tell the mom I can’t watch them every single second? – Stuck in the Middle
Dear Stuck: I have mixed feelings on this one. Dating teens certainly need supervision. But honestly, where there’s a will, there’s a way. Even with constant supervision in the home, the kids will go to the beach or the park or just spend more time in the car to find alone time. There is no way to completely oversee their time together.
Updated: Fri Aug 25, 2017
A Basement Hangout and a Dead Cellphone for 08/25/2017
by admin | Aug 19, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
Strangers Groping Gorgeous Hair and Driving Without a Permit for 08/19/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My 13-year-old daughter has the most incredible red hair with ringlets. It’s really striking, and she gets a lot of attention for it. She mostly enjoys the attention. But often, people she doesn’t even know feel compelled to run their fingers through her hair. They just want to touch it. My daughter isn’t particularly touchy-feely, and she feels violated when someone touches her hair. How can I help her politely ward off unwanted touching when the strangers are only trying to be complimentary? – Redhead’s Mom
Dear Mom: Your daughter has every right to control how and when her hair is touched. It is an extension of her body, and she should be given complete power to refuse any unwanted touching.
Updated: Sat Aug 19, 2017
Strangers Groping Gorgeous Hair and Driving Without a Permit for 08/19/2017
by admin | Aug 18, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
How To Tell a Child About a Sexual Assault for 08/18/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: I was sexually assaulted in college. I never told anyone in my family. It’s taken years, but I am not in pain anymore. As my daughter begins her freshman year of high school, I am feeling the urge to tell her my story. I want her to know what can happen to girls, but I also don’t want to frighten her. When and how should I tell her? – Afraid
Dear Afraid: It must have been difficult to go through an assault without sharing it with your family. I’m glad you have been able to find a path to feeling less pain. It is perfectly appropriate to tell your daughter your story. It can make the lessons of safety more relevant.
Updated: Fri Aug 18, 2017
How To Tell a Child About a Sexual Assault for 08/18/2017
by admin | Aug 12, 2017 | Dear Family Coach
A Bisexual Friend and a New IPad for 08/12/2017
Dear Family Coach
Dear Family Coach: My daughter is 16, and she has a good friend who identifies as bisexual. I try to be open-minded, but I get the feeling that this girl is hitting on my daughter. I hear certain comments and see some suggestions. This makes me very uncomfortable. What should I do? – Not Ready for Sex Mom
Dear Mom: You better get ready for sex because, sooner or later, it is coming your way. Sticking your head in the sand won’t make hormones and desires hold off. It will just leave your daughter alone to fend for herself. Get a grip, and start talking to her.
Updated: Sat Aug 12, 2017
A Bisexual Friend and a New IPad for 08/12/2017
