Tweens/Teens

Mama J on January 11th, 2012

On my mind today are kids and athletics. It’s fairly well-documented that when a child and a sport find a natural match, the child experiences increased self-esteem from performance in the sport. I believe this is not only applicable to sports but can include any interest or activity in which a chlid excels. But since […]

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Mama J on July 13th, 2011

I started to tell you last time that I had my daughter “sign her life away” to get her cell phone. Here are most of the terms and conditions we put in the agreement, in case it would be helpful to any of you. I, (child’s name), understand that my phone is a privilege given […]

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Mama J on June 29th, 2011

In my post of June 8, “To Cell Phone or Not to Cell Phone,” I struggled over my decision about whether and when to activate a cell phone for my 11-year-old daughter. I’ve completed my research and made a decision: yes. The bottom line for my decision: my comfort. My daughter has started babysitting and […]

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Mama J on June 8th, 2011

That is today’s question. My 11-year-old has started to babysit. So far she has one client,  third-grade twins in our neighborhood. She has stated her case that it would be helpful to have a cell phone while babysitting in case of emergency when she walks out of the house to take the kids to the […]

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Mama J on April 27th, 2011

I am reading the book Success in Middle School: A Transition Road Map with my 11-year-old daughter. I believe that the key word in the title is “transition.” I picked that word instead of “success” because I think success becomes a very personal definition for each student. Those definitions will range from success equaling academic […]

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Mama J on October 7th, 2008

Have you ever been caught off guard when your daughter, stepdaughter, or granddaughter is suddenly paralyzed to move forward because she’s afraid of some horrible outcome? For example, she contracts a huge belly ache that will prevent her from going to school on the day that she has to give an oral presentation.  Or, she […]

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Mama J on September 30th, 2008

Your turn:  Inspire us with some ways you’ve found to talk about life issues with your tween/teen. Time and time again I have heard parents say they think it’s more important than ever to be available for their kids when they’re tweens and teens.  Having helped raise two to young adulthood, I have to whole […]

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