"If adolescence can be conceptualized as a journey from childhood to adulthood, parenting adolescents can also be thought of as a journey."
http://www.focusas.com/Families.html


Do you know who your teen's friends are?

Why is talk so important?
The Search Institute has identified 40 developmental assets that are key to development of your teen and enhance their likelihood of avoiding risky behaviors. Click here. We have identified websites that can help create a community of family.

Is there truth to a strong family and a well-adjusted teen?
Absolutely! Child Trends published an 8 page research report documenting such evidence. Click here!

How can family involvement improve academic scores?
Aspira shows a link between involvement in your teen and their success. Click here!

Why are choosing good friends so important?
http:// http://www.family.samhsa.gov/teach/ -- This site by the US Department of Human Services has a number of articles about peer pressure, cyberbullying and the importance of choosing friends wisely.

Resources Just For Parents


Books

Anderson, Doris. (2001). Tackling Tough Choices; Discussion Starting Skits for Teens, Resource Publications: CA.

MacFarlane, Evelyn, (2001). IfÉQuestions for Teens.

"Adolescence is one of the most challenging times of our lives Ñ and, of course, the most fun. What do teens want to know about and ask about? It may be friends, TV, school, romance, music, peer pressure, cliques, proms, parties, gossip, parents, food, hair, videos, shopping, sports, card, the future Ñ just to name a few. And there is nothing more fun for teens than asking friends and schoolmate questions about all these things.

If you could pick any three friends to go to college with, whom would you take?...."

A great way to know your teen and their friends.

E-zines

http://www.parent-teen.com/
Cited as a New York Times "site of the day". Relevant articles such as how to recognize depression in a friend, discussion forums, suggestions for coming of age videos for moms and daughters and tough love.

Newsletters

Parent & Teen Universities
A non-profit organization established to help parent, educators, law enforcement officers, and others who need to impact this young generation to understand and connect with kids and teens. Offers newsletters, seminars and online articles.

Videos

HELP!, I have a teenager.
Worldview Publishing. Produced by Dr. Linda Hebert-Ford, Department of Education Award winning author, expert on adolescents, author of "Right Choices", Nationwide Conflict Resolution School Programs

http://www.family.samhsa.gov/talk/barriers.aspx
This clip from the US Department of Health and Human Services discusses ways to improve communication with your teen.

Web Sites

http://raising-teenagers.familyconcerns.info/
A number of articles on raising teens and the influences of peer pressure as well as the importance of providing positive role models is discussed.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/09/BIGMOTHER.TMP
An article in the San Francisco chronicle discusses the use of technology to track their teens comings and goings. Is this a way to protect them or is it an invasion of privacy?

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1174696,00.html
This Time magazine article discusses the new generation of the multi-tasking teen and how it affects their family life.

http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,70287-0.html?tw=rss.index
A My Space cheat sheet for parents also includes a lecture by UC Berkeley researcher Danah Boyd. Danah emphasizes that the benefits of socialization far outweigh the potential harm and abuse.

http://parenting.ivillage.com/teen/tsocial/topics/0,,4rtn,00.html
A collection of articles on teens and their social life. Issues such as cliques, curfews, reputations and bullying are addressed.

Forums

http://www.docmikebradley.com/vBulletin/
This online parenting forum is monitored by Dr. Mike Bradley, author of Yes, Your Teen is Crazy. Allows parents to praise their teens and discuss other issues of family life-rebellion, single-parenting, mood swings and other concerns of family life.

Blogs

The Mom Coach -- Parenting tips from Life coach, Lori Radon

Step Talk -- A blog and message board for stepparents, written by a stepmother.

Wannashrink-- A blog about a mother-daughter relationship.

Polly Klaas Foundation -- An organization that distributes missing child information, child internet safety advice, and other parenting information.

Repercussio-- A blog written by a father of two that discusses parenting, among other issues

Other Resources

Dmoz is an open directory that provides links to many websites and organizations for parenting teens:
http://dmoz.org/Home/Family/Parenting/Teenagers