Teens

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 […]

Continue reading about The Cell Phone Agreement

Mama J on April 14th, 2011

For those of you who have teens, you are well aware that prom season is upon us. I wanted to introduce you to a website that I appreciate, one that right now has several great blog entries about moms and prom, prom drama (a.k.a. prama), and how to talk to your teens about what could […]

Continue reading about Prama Mamas

Mama J on February 19th, 2010

Viagra online OK, I said I was only going to blog about my book chapter topics for now, but I’m so excited about a group I’ve become part of that I had to share. I’ve written before about the concepts behind The Mother-Daughter Project, an initiative to keep mothers and daughters close and supported along […]

Continue reading about Mothers and Daughters Stay Strong

Mama J on November 4th, 2009

I am just so excited to report that I’ve just recorded the Stepparenting the Grieving Child audio with interviewer Barbara Bue of KRFC Radio.  Barb herself is a stepparent and was intensely interested in my information, which makes both sides of the interview commentary very engaging. You can expect to hear about three distinct phases […]

Continue reading about An Earful

Mama J on April 27th, 2009

This post will pique the interest of parents with high school seniors.  The post-graduation summer between high school and college is a creature alive with its own personality.  These months require parenting skills unlike those in any other phase of parenting.   I remember the summer before I left for college I made a very questionable […]

Continue reading about That Senior Year Summer

Mama J on March 18th, 2009

I am running a slightly edited version of yesterday’s post for the Wednesday stepparenting blog because I think the theme of “hosting a stranger” also applies to stepfamilies.  Your partner’s kids are your brave new frontier. Will you to rise to the challenge?  One of my loves is to coordinate international exchange students.  I match […]

Continue reading about Kindness to Strangers, continued

Mama J on March 17th, 2009

One of my loves is to coordinate international exchange students.  I match students from other countries with loving host families and I make sure they have a space in one of the local high schools.  But every once in a while I have to deal with a “situation” that results from some combination of clashing […]

Continue reading about Kindness to Strangers

Mama J on February 10th, 2009

“A lot of how kids find themselves by exclusion, as in ‘I know what I’m not.’”  — Brian M., Psychologist I’ve read several articles in the last year or so that indicate young adults are “taking longer” to find themselves and figure out what they want to do for work. And parents are kind of […]

Continue reading about Teen and College Pressures

Mama J on January 22nd, 2009

One parent asked me to comment on how to help a teen fill the “what will I do for fun” void she perceives when trying to move away from drugs and alcohol as a means of escape.  This is a tough one, but you have a jump start if your daughter is showing some willingness […]

Continue reading about Filling the Void

Don’t fret. Your college girls will search once more for connectedness and roots. They just need a little time to spread their wings. Even if you daughter never actually said, “I can’t wait to get out of this house!” she probably thought it once or twice during the high school years.  And unless she’s either […]

Continue reading about Your Girl’s Away at College? Don’t Worry, She’ll be Back….