https://www.cpyu.org/Page.aspx?id=76842
The link above is from an article I was reading which I found very interesting.
It’s on the issue of unsupervised “free time” and challenges us as parents to really guard and protect our children. Check it out and let me know what you think!
Hey parents! Have you ever found yourself saying (or thinking) “You are NOT wearing that out of this house!”? We found this article (http://www.homeword.com/FreeAdvice/FreeAdviceDetail.aspx?iFreeAdviceId=2) with some helpful advice about fighting battles over fashion.
As a relatively recent teenager, let me encourage you in your role as a parent: you CAN have a say in what your teen wears! Teenagers are still learning right from wrong, good idea from bad idea, but they shouldn’t have to learn it all the hard way. Yes, clothing may seem insignificant compared to issues of drugs, alcohol, violence, depression, or sex – but your guidance is just as valuable in the small things as it is in the big things. If your teenager’s clothing is screaming a message that they will one day regret, find a way to tell them that, even if it means setting up rules or guidelines. Your teenager may start looking like an adult, but they probably aren’t thinking like one yet, so don’t give up your role as “parent” too soon!
How is a teen in today’s world going to accept and attempt to live out the concept of waiting until they get married to have sex? Abstinence is a tough sell. Trying to get a young adult to understand the idea of delayed gratification alone is hard, even grown adults have trouble with this. That’s why it’s important to present a holistic view of abstinence education. Here at Amplify we want teens to understand that abstinence is achievable and a very healthy choice aside from the other views. Now making a case for abstinence isn’t easy and it is important to show all benefits along with the risks of being sexual active before marriage. Our program covers supporting topics such as:
As we come in contact with teens, our desire is provide the best and most accurate information available along with our genuine concern for their life and their future. This can be a huge challenge for us as we are limited with the time we have with the teens we serve. This again is where you come in. As parents it is so important that you continue this conversation. As you can see there is a lot to talk about and you need to be ready to answer their questions honestly and accurately.
It’s official, a new year has begun. 2010 sounds so futuristic. With that I would like to introduce our new abstinence laser gun. One zap is guaranteed to keep your teen abstinent until marriage or your money back! Wow… I wish it was that simple although we do have a team of scientists working on it ( we will keep you posted!).
So going back to the basics here…. Maybe some readers are not exactly sure who we are and what we stand for. We are an abstinence only – sex and healthy relationships program. We believe that abstinence until marriage is the safest and healthiest option. Why? Well here are just a few examples.
With all the dangers out in the world today, we want to offer our teens the best options that will secure them a healthy future. This also comes with a better understanding of the other topics that support the message of abstinence. Next week we will go over the supporting topics and why they are important to the message of abstinence.
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In the past we have addressed this topic and will continue to in the future. I can’t stress enough the need to have real meaningful conversations with our kids. Their peers have they ear all day long, then the teacher and then the TV. So how much time do we have to talk with them and what are we talking about? There are so many important issues to discuss with your child…drugs, dating, sex, global warming just to name a few. But what about the more important issues. The stuff that really matters to them. Maybe it’s the hot new video game or latest fashion, the ball game the other night or what the plans are for the weekend. We need to take the time to have the small talk so that the lines of communication are open for the more serious discussions. If you start now, it will hopefully be much easier down the road.
Here are some things to think about when talking with your child, pre-teen, or teen:
What is your tone of voice? When you are talking to your son or daughter, how do you sound? Encouraging? Interested? Angry? Bored?
What is your body language? How do you look to your son or daughter? Try to sit or stand in a relaxed position. Don’t look “all tense.” Face your son or daughter. Look at him or her when you are talking and when you are listening.
What does your face look like? You say a lot when you smile, frown, roll your eyes, or tighten your jaw like you are angry. When you talk with your son or daughter make eye contact.
Are you listening, really listening? It sounds simple, but listening is very important. The best listening is called “active listening.” It means making eye contact, nodding your head in understanding, and having positive facial expressions.
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Do you know that 53% of high school students have not had sexual intercourse?
Do you know that, according to one survey, two-thirds of teens who have had sexual intercourse wish they had waited?
Do you know that when parents tell their teenager they want them to wait, their son or daughter is more likely to wait?
Your child really does want to hear what YOU think about sex. Really!
Last week I shared an article about the alarming number of STD’s that are infecting our sexually active youth. As many as one in four U.S. teenage girls have had a sexually transmitted disease. Did you know that more than 65 million Americans have an STD that can not be cured with medication? These include herpes, Hepatitis B, and HIV. Experts estimate that about 19 million Americans get an STD every year. One in two (50 percent) of every newly diagnosed STDs infects a teenager or young adult. That means that teenagers and young adults are getting infected with STDs faster than any other group in America. So as a parent what can you do? Talk to your child (often) about it!
Next week I’ll give some tips on how and what to say to make things as smooth as possible.
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By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Nov. 23 (HealthDay News) — As many as one in four U.S. teenage girls have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD), many were infected soon after their first sexual encounter, a new government report shows.
“Sexual health is an important part of the overall health and well-being of teenagers, for too long, we as a nation have been far too squeamish about sexual health issues for teens, but we owe it to our kids to get over it.” Dr. Sami L. Gottlieb
A friend of mine passed this article along and I thought I would share it as well. It’s interesting to see that as big of a problem this is that they suggest some band-aids to the issue(vaccines or comprehensive sex ad.). Why not just suggest more education on abstinence? To read more of the article written click the link below.
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/11/23/one-in-four-teen-girls-have-stds.html
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Trying to protect our kids is always a main concern for a parent. We want to keep them safe in all aspects of their lives. So when it comes to the media, this can be tough. Our kids are exposed to all kinds of messages: billboards, music, TV, movies…..the list can go on and on.
With the recent release of the “Twilight” sequel, I want parents to have a heads up to what their child may be watching. To be equipped with the right tools for the job. Now without seeing the movie I don’t have an opinion on it, but I have heard there is some confusing messages in it. This is always a great opportunity to talk with your child about what he or she thinks and feels. These are a few good sites to visit and receive info and reviews on the stuff our kids are into. If you are not watching what they are, you can get the facts about it. Check it out!
http://www.commonsensemedia.org
Hey parents ! Just wanted to take a moment to share something inspiring that took place the other week. It’s not to often that we receive feedback from students or see the fruit of our labor. In this line of work… it is truly awesome to get a response like this.
“you came to my school last week with your wife and told us your story I’d rather not give my name, but thank you so much you and your wife’s story changed my life. To see every cause happen to real people was amazing. I’m sorry all of this happened but thank you both for sharing your story!! It honestly did change my life … Thanks again 🙂 “
Wow! I hope that this lifts your spirits and gives you hope that there are kids out there who are watching and listening to what we are saying. If you have an inspiring story you would like to share, please contact us @
Hey Parents, if you are not signed up for our parent newsletter you are missing out on helping and encouraging information. This months newsletter was very interesting! Here is a link to the video that on the Today Show. Check it out.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/20373108#20373108
Now if you want to be encouraged, informed and refueled to deal with the challenges of being a parent of a teen, here is one way we can help. Go to the link below and sign up for our monthly newsletter and prepare to dominate the world of parenting!