Consider: The only person’s happiness you’re responsible for is your own. This has been a big learning for me. I suspect it’s a big learning for most (if not all) of us — and our teens need to learn this too. Teen…
Fuel for Hope
When you hear the words “gratitude” and “appreciation” — how do you feel? What do you think? Do you feel like punching a wall (“Quit ramming “Now be grateful!” down my throat!”), or does it feel like a useful concept?…
Make Good Decisions (that I’d like)
Lexie recently chose this post I’d written to write her own thoughts about: Be Proud of Your Actions and Decisions. As I read through her take (check it out below), immediate facepalm: oh, the number of times I have noted…
Teen Speak: Talking Clumsy and (Not) Taking It Personally
Clumsy remarks — yeah, we all make them. And it’s okay — and we can learn from them for the next time. Today’s thoughts are from a teen’s perspective on clumsy remarks, courtesy of Lexie. Teen Speak: Talking Clumsy and…
Teen Speak: Notes to Self When Life is Changing
This summer was a season of unknowns. I felt untethered, unsure, and unsteady most of the time. Frankly, it kind of sucked. And now the summer is over. There is comfort in being back in the routine of school, though…
Responsibilities and A**hat Mode
Let’s all take a reminder for today (adults/parents and teens/kids alike): We’re not responsible for the feelings, happiness, or emotional well being of any other person — only ourselves. Say it with me if you need to. We’re not responsible…
Control, Confront, and Answers
I want badly to have things neatly sorted out. To know. To have all questions answered, all of the time. I can fight not knowing with lists and labels and categories — but rather than actually helping, maybe I’ll wind…
Teen Speak: On Positive Self Image
Positive self image. What does that mean to you? How do any of us get there? Some thoughts I’ve had: Getting to Positive Self Image… Today we’ve got a teen’s perspective. Lows, Feeling Angry, and Positive Self Image By Lexie…
Love Me Those Breakups
After reading my thoughts on positive thinking (Positive Thinking Or Micromanaging? Let’s Talk Baby Steps), my teen found herself examining some of her own thoughts and experiences — and had this to share about relationships, dating, breakups, and the “think…
Teen Speak: Snapshots
A while back, I wrote about looking at “snapshots” — those (sometimes seemingly perfect) moments we get from seeing a slice of someone else’s life, reading an article, or, say, watching a video. Ever compare yourself to one of these…