As I train restorative practices for educators in a local school district, many of you may wonder, what am I talking about? Definition & Goals Howard Zehr describes the concept as, “Restorative justice is a process to involve, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense and to collectively…
Posts Tagged: adolescents
Teens & Money: Vacations, Checking Accounts, and Credit Cards, Oh My!
Your adolescents are growing so fast you can hardly keep up. Have you noticed how much more money you’re spending on them? Every time you turn around, they need money for something…new clothes, a school club activity, basketball shoes, a movie with friends, and the list goes on and on. Add to these increasing costs,…
Dependence to Independence
Your blotchy, wrinkled newborn baby lays in your arms. Quickly forgotten is the pain of childbirth and angry threats, “I’m never having sex again.” “He’s got your eyes,” coos daddy. “We’ll be the best parents ever,” mommy tiredly suggests. Your newborn or adopted child is a gift from God. And this gift…
Book Review: The Hurried Child: Growing up too fast too soon
One of my favorite contemporary psychologists is David Elkind, author of the 25th Anniversary Edition of The Hurried Child. The message in his original book published in 1981 was, “Give childhood back to children.” As a child development specialist, his message echoes mine. 25th Anniversary Edition Unfortunately, in his revised edition, the deluxe 25th anniversary…
At What Age?
At what age will you allow your children to DECIDE… the condition of their bedroom? the clothes they wear? their hairstyle? what television shows they view? the music they listen to? the movies they see? the friends they choose? pack their clothes for a trip? how often they use their phone & texting? what…
Teens & Money: Designer Jeans, Coupons and Budgets
“Why do we always have to use a coupon to buy clothes?” laments my eleven-year-old daughter. “I want them today.” “You know we have a clothing budget. We can get more for our money if we wait until the item is on sale and we have a coupon,” I try explaining once again. “Everyone else’s…
Teens & Money: To Work or Not to Work?
Maybe you’ve asked yourself, should my teenager get a job? If and when your teenager gets a job is a controversial decision. Many parents don’t want their young person to work and focus only on school. Others expect their teens to work and contribute to the family’s income. This has become more of a reality…
Teens & Money: Who Pays for College?
College expenses are rising every year and both students and parents alike wonder how they’ll afford a college education. If you have the finances to pay for your child’s entire college expenses, please reconsider. When Parents Pay As a college professor I’ve witnessed the results of parents paying for their kid’s entire expenses. These students…
Book Review: The Trophy Kids Grow Up
When I talk with community and business people about challenges they’re facing with today’s workforce, I frequently share one of the most relevant books I’ve read addressing this topic. The Trophy Kids Grow Up: How the Millennial Generation is Shaking up the Workplace. Author Ron Alsop traces this phenomenon and how parenting the Millennial Generation has…
Designer Jeans, Coupons and Budgets for Teens
“Why do we always have to use a coupon to buy my clothes?” laments my eleven-year-old daughter. “I want them today.” “You know we have a clothing budget. We can get more for our money if we wait until the item is on sale and we have a coupon,” I try explaining once again. “Everyone…