Here are two concepts for parents to keep in mind when helping young people navigate the world of teenage relationships.

1) Work as a family to establish boundaries and values. It’s a parent's job to ensure that their children don’t lose their individual sense of self worth as they identify more strongly with their peer groups. It may help to stablish clear values that each family member agrees on. Defining “negotiable” and “non-negotiable” areas around behaviors and safety concerns may also be helpful.

2) Do the hard things
Empower your children to have an active sense of self worth and to stand up for themselves and their values by coaching them through how to have difficult conversations and scenarios, like taking a stand against behavior they feel is unhealthy or unsafe.

Kids and teens really seem to have the upper hand when it comes to technology, but we want to make you the “home” technology expert who can keep your family safe. 

Join a two-part webinar series with Sarah Kimmel from Family Tech. Up first, Digital Parenting, on August 29th from 1:00 - 2:30pm to learn how to develop your technology skills so that you can better communicate about technology at home.

Then dive deeper on September 26th with Making the Internet Safe to discover how to protect your family from your biggest technology concerns like malware, inappropriate content, and the time spent on technology.

As youth e-cigarette use remains a public health concern with 2.5 million middle and high school students reporting e-cigarette use in 2022, a different type of flavored nicotine product is gaining popularity: oral nicotine pouches.

With cigarette smoking on the decline, tobacco companies have shifted focus to “smokeless” tobacco products, including oral nicotine pouches. Oral nicotine pouches contain a nicotine powder instead of tobacco leaf. Due to the absence of tobacco leaf, the Food and Drug Administration does not classify oral nicotine pouches as a smokeless tobacco product.

Teens and young adults using drugs and alcohol is not new. Neither is the challenge of speaking with them about the dangers and implications. However, what is changing are the substances young people are using and the ways they’re exposed to them. We’re also learning more about how substances affect growing bodies and brains. Here are some tips for navigating these conversations:

Know what to look for as signs of substance use and substance use disorders. These can include mood changes in either direction, new friends or social behavior, or a drop in performance.

Don't jump to conclusions and draw from your own experience, but recognize the differences. It is important to stress understanding the uniqueness of your child’s experience.

Be prepared that if you’re going to ask your kids questions about substance use, you may get answers that are difficult to hear. F

rame conversations broadly and plan ahead.