Tough Life Lessons From The Movies

Have your kids ever asked about those “male enhancement” ads? Here’s some advice for handling those sticky situations.

Glee Wakes Us Up on Bullying…and Teen Life

Away this week when Glee aired, my 13 year old couldn’t wait to watch it again but warned me I’d be “shocked”. I was intrigued to find out why.

Concussions in Kids: Lessons From The Pros

As sure as the sun rises and sets every day, resistance from sports parents and young athletes with return to play recommendations, especially when it comes to concussions, is something I’ve come to expect in my work as an urgent care pediatrician.

Back To School Tips

Preparing for a new school year is always challenging, and always catches even the most organized of parents off guard. In the blink of an eye, summer is over and we’re in school mode again – just like that!

Teens Need Involved Parents

Are you an “opt in” teen parent or an “opt out” teen parent? And, does it matter? I think it does!

To High School Graduates: Education First, Career Choice Second!

It’s here again…high school graduation season. That annual rite of passage for high schoolers coast to coast to embark upon that much anticipated journey from home to that first true independent step outside the safety net of their childhood homes and communities.

Understanding Teen Suicide: the true reality and resources that could help

The coverage about Michael Blasil’s suicide raises important issues about how to really help depressed teens…and where to look for resources in our own communiti

Teen Depression or “Mood Swings”?

One of the situations I found most challenging as an ER doc is seeing a teen for teen “medical clearance”. This phrase is code for “emotional crisis with a possible major psychiatric issue.”

Tweens: Encourage, Don’t Over Indulge…especially with things!

My daughter really wants an iTouch. She’s 12…a tween. We heard nothing about this until recently when a friend was over who happened to have been given one for a holiday gift. It turns out that many of her friends have them now so she feels like iPods are suddenly passe.

Instead of asking us for one or concocting a plan to put it on her next birthday list, she came up with the idea to earn enough money for it by doing chores around the house.

Teens and Tweens Travelling Alone

Does your teen or tween every travel alone? “Of course not,” you say. What about school trips in middle school or high school? What about overnight camp and day trips or overnights they may take?