If your teenager is old enough to  apply for employment, it’s time to encourage to get a summer job. There are many benefits to part-time summer work, and you may discover most teens will want to start earning their own money. As they get older it is time to take on more responsibility and learn about accountability. If your teen is driving, we all know the costs for a car — including insurance and gas can add up quickly.

According to YouthFirst.org, having a summer job is linked to an increase in the chances of youth graduating from high school and reducing the risk for involvement in criminal activity and the juvenile justice system.

Benefits of summer jobs for teens:

Earning money.  Make no mistake, the the most obvious is your teen earning their own money. This is a great benefit and gives them a sense of accomplishment. From earning to spending to saving, they’ll learn important lessons in money management. They will also feel more independent and empowered. Working part-time is a great way for your child to transition into making their own money and learning to manage it effectively.

Learning important skills. High school students who work learn good time-management skills and organization. They learn important communication skills and how to work on a team. They develop a work history and can take those skills with them to the adult working world.

Building character. Working teaching kids responsibility and accountability. They can also learn to take initiative, function independently, and keep commitments. Working entry-level jobs is also a good way to develop discipline by taking orders from your supervisors. Just like doing smart things with your money early on will put you on the fast track to wealth, becoming humble and developing a work ethic when you’re young will help you rise in your career later in life.

Less time to get into trouble: If your teen heads straight from school to a job, it shortens the amount of free time they have to engage in risky behaviors. They’ll be less likely to be bored when a job keeps them busy. (It’s probably one of the best reasons to have a summer job).

Life skills: A job could instill self-confidence and independence in your teen. If they work with customers, it can teach them how to handle difficult situations and improve their communication skills. This can be a priceless lesson at this age that they can bring with them into their future.

Learning what you like to do: A good job can give your teen valuable insight into what they may want to do after high school. They may discover they enjoy working with people or they might decide that they want to own a business. If nothing else, a part-time job gives your teen valuable work experience that they can list on future job applications. This helps both their college and employment resumes.

Summer job ideas for teens:

Keep in mind, summer jobs are not forever jobs — however it’s about the life lessons and the experiences that they will learn from them. Here are some ideas for your teen to start with:

Lifeguard: Many teens enjoy working as a lifeguard at their local pool or beach. Although they must go through a special training program to be certified, many teens find this position rewarding, especially if they enjoy being outdoors (of course, indoor pools also hire lifeguards, if your teen is looking for work beyond the outdoor swimming season).

Grocery store: Grocery stores very often hire teens to stock shelves as well as check out or carry out groceries. Some stores even hire teens as young as 14 years old. If you apply to a major chain, they might be able to go back during seasonal times over school holidays.

Receptionist: Teens looking for consistent employment in an office setting may want to search for receptionist or customer service representative positions. Rates vary depending on the employer, but most teens can expect to make at least minimum wage.

Veterinary assistance or dog boarding services: For teens who love animals, they may want to check with local veterinarians or dog boarding services to see if they hire teens. Often, these offices will hire teens to clean kennels or walk dogs. They may also ask teens to assist them by calming pets while they evaluate them.

Restaurants: Especially during the summer months, many are hiring bus people to clean tables, dishwashers and if they don’t serve alcohol, sometimes teens can be servers. Applying at fast-foods should also be on their list.

Retail stores: Many kids enjoy working in retail, especially if they have an interest in marketing, retail planning, or fashion design. This is a great way to learn about customer service, possibly merchandising, ordering and more.

Lawncare and landscaping: This can be a busy time during summer months. Cutting lawns is a time-honored teen job. If your teen doesn’t want to try to drum up business in your neighborhood, they also can look into working for lawn care and landscaping companies where they will do everything from weed and put down mulch to cut grass and trim.

Keep in mind, no one job is good for all teenagers. But a good, safe job that fits well with your teenager’s schedule can teach them responsibility as well as giving them some new freedom. 

Check with the Department of Labor for age requirement for teens in your state.

Also read:

 What is the Goal of Residential Treatment?

 Why Short Talks With Your Teen Build Strong Relationships?

5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

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If you’ve exhausted your local resources for your at-risk teenager, contact us to learn more about residential treatment with behavioral therapy that could benefit your family.

The post Why Teens Should Have Summer Jobs first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Is your teenage child saying no to college? They’re not the only one as there seems to be a growing number of teens who are disinterested in pursuing higher education. According to a new study, 55 percent of new high school graduates either have no plans to attend college or are uncertain that they will ever attend. Instead of taking college courses, 56 percent are prioritizing financial stability as their top goal, and some are planning to accomplish this by starting a business fresh out of high school.

If your teen wants to start a business at an early age instead of going to college, try to see things from their perspective and don’t discourage them from pursuing their dream. After all, the best time to take risks like this is when you’re young, and your child will still have the chance to go to college in case they change their mind down the line. That being said, your teen may need a bit of help and guidance before launching their venture– here are some tips to set them up for business success.

Find Out How to Maximize Business Success

Your teenager may have lots of ideas for a startup, but before they start making a logo or telling their friends about it on social media, you need to find out if the business is feasible. Sit down with your teen and talk about their business idea.

For instance, is there a need or demand for it? Who is their target customer– do they know who’s likely to avail their service or buy their product? If they’re selling a product, will your teen be able to produce it on their own, or will they need a team or a manufacturer to help with production? To increase your teen’s chances of having a successful business, encourage them to go with a business idea that they can realistically follow through from sourcing materials, production, and all the way to marketing and promotions. 

Help Them Complete Legal Requirements

Nowadays, most businesses– even those run by minors– need permits and other legal requirements in order to operate. In fact, kids in the US need to secure a permit to open a lemonade stand, and depending on the state where their business is located, they’ll also need to collect sales tax and obtain a sales tax ID. Navigating this process can be daunting even for the most competent teenager, so you may need to assist your teenage child if they need help with their business documents.

For starters, they’ll need to secure a business license, create a written business plan, and apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax reporting purposes. If they’re planning to have a physical location for their business, they need to get insurance to cover personal injury or property damage. Talk to your child, or have an expert help them learn about small business insurance since all businesses face some type of risk everyday, and they’ll want to be properly covered for their own financial protection. 

Consider Different Ways to Market the Business

Your teenager will most likely turn to social media or platforms like LinkedIn, Pinterest, or TikTok to market or promote their business. However, old school marketing tactics can still be effective to create local awareness, so encourage your child to consider tried and tested marketing methods. Direct email campaigns, newspaper ads, radio ads, calling cards, and flyers can result in increased engagement, especially with older potential customers since they feel more meaningful, sincere, and real. 

Your child can have an amazing future as an entrepreneur, so don’t fret if they happen to choose entrepreneurship over getting a college degree. Support their dreams while they’re young, and help them to get their business off the ground to increase their chances of having a successful venture. 

Also read:

How Art Therapy Helps Struggling Teens

Purpose of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

What Causes of Teenage Mental Health Issues?

The post How to Help My Teen That Doesn’t Want to Go to College first appeared on Help Your Teens.

From teenagers to young adults, more parents are complaining about their child’s lack of motivation, underachieving and under-performing — especially when it pertains to their schoolwork.

Laziness has become the new normal for some teens and it’s extremely challenging for families.

Is your lazy teenager glued to a screen? Maybe they’re addicted to video gaming or have become withdrawn over the past few years.

Has your young adult decided they don’t want to attend college (which is perfectly fine — as long as they have a plan), that doesn’t include sitting at home doing nothing.

Is your high school student capable of getting good grades, however now failing most of their classes or not going to school at all?

Maybe your entitled and lazy teenager decided they didn’t need to get a part-time job, it’s easier and nicer to stay home.

What can parents do to help motivate this new generation of laziness?

First ask yourself these questions:

-Do you suspect your teen is struggling with depression or a mental illness?
-Do you suspect your teen is doing drugs that is changing their behavior?
-Do you suspect your teen is being influenced by outside peers?

Although parents want to find ways to motivate their lazy teenager, it’s also just as important to find out why they are withdrawn and not interested in school and other activities.

Teenage mental health

This can be a major factor, since 2020 depression and anxiety has doubled in teens and young people. Changes in social habits include pulling away from school, friends, and activities that your teen has enjoyed participating in in the past could be warning sign that there could be underlying mental health concerns such as generalized anxiety, social phobias, and depression.

If your teen seems stressed or if there’s been a significant change in their behavior it’s best to address it in conversation with them first. It may not necessarily mean a psychiatric diagnosis like depression or anxiety, but it could still be a sign that there is something going on in their life that is acting as some type of stressor.

It can be difficult to convince them to seek counseling, however it’s imperative that you continue to keep your lines of communication open to help persuade them to get into therapy.

Teenage substance abuse

One teenager issue that is of greatest concern to parents today is vaping and smoking pot — regularly, as this is causing most young people to lack motivation, lose interest in their activities, as well as the risks to their health. Several media reports now also claim that drug dealers lace cannabis with fentanyl. 

It’s not only pot, it’s time to check your medicine cabinets. More teens are now taking Xanax, Benadryl and other other-the-counter and prescription medicines from home. Young adults and teenagers alike are using these medications to self-medicate and sadly, in some cases it can easily turn to drug addiction.

Is your teenager drinking? Alcohol is the most widely used substance among America’s youth, and drinking by young people poses enormous health and safety risks.

Teenage substance abuse can result into a person that not only lacks motivation, but also needs teen intervention — immediately. 

Peer pressure

Thanks to the internet and social media, it’s not only peer pressure in-real-life that parents need to be concerned about — their teenagers are now being constantly faced with a false sense of reality online.

Dealing with your teen hanging out with the wrong crowd at school is challenging, you can continue to have conversations (gently) about your concerns, and wait for the day they finally realize you were right. However, when it comes to online influences, it’s a completely different story. Both teenagers and young adults alike can be attracted the life of these social media influencers or people online that are less than ethical.

By staying glued to their screens, they lack motivation for just about everything else in their life. Give them ways to detox from their digital lives.

3 Ways to deal with a lazy teen:

1. Communication: Have an open dialogue with your teen, listening is more important than talking. Short (but meaningful) conversations can build strong relationships. Showing your teen you care about their thoughts and opinions during a conversation will give them more confidence to be open and honest with you.
2. Commitment: Teenagers need boundaries. Parents need to set ground rules, this includes assigning chores to your teen will teach them responsibility and help them practice following through on commitments. Chores will also force your teen to get off the couch and get things done.
3. Motivation: Teens need encouragement like we all do — using a reward system for some extra chores they can do. Most teens are looking to earn a little extra cash, especially if they do not receive an allowance from their parents. Provide opportunities for your teen to earn some side money by hiring her to complete special projects around the house or in the neighborhood. This will also help get your teen off the couch and on to doing something productive.

In conclusion, if you are dealing with a lazy teenager, be sure to check in with your teen’s emotional wellbeing and let them know you can talk with them.  Understanding if there is something deeper going on will likely boost their moral and get them off the couch. Be sure to seek professional help if needed.

Also read:

How Art Therapy Helps Struggling Teens

Purpose of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens

What Causes of Teenage Mental Health Issues?

The post How to Deal With a Lazy Teenager? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

In this article, we will delve into valuable tips and strategies for addressing common issues faced by teens, including drug use, vaping, mental health disorders, and more.

Understanding Teen Drug Use and Vaping

Teen drug use, including alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications, continues to be a prevalent issue affecting adolescents. Vaping, in particular, has seen a sharp rise among teens, with the allure of flavored e-cigarettes and discreet usage contributing to its popularity. As a parent, it’s essential to stay informed about these trends and engage in open conversations with your teen about the dangers of sense abuse.

What Works:

• Open Communication: Create a safe space for your teen to discuss their feelings, concerns, and experiences without fear of judgment.
• Setting Boundaries: Establish clear substance-use rules and monitor your teen’s activities to ensure compliance.
• Educational Resources: Provide information on the risks associated with drug use and vaping through reputable sources.

Fostering open and honest dialogues about substance use can educate and empower parents to help their teens make informed decisions and effectively resist peer pressure. By addressing these challenging topics with empathy and understanding, parents play a vital role in guiding their teens toward healthier choices and a brighter future.

Supporting Teens with Mental Health Disorders

Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, can significantly impact a teen’s well-being and overall quality of life. Recognizing the signs of these conditions and providing appropriate support is crucial in helping your teen navigate these challenges.

What Works:

• Professional Guidance: Seek the assistance of mental health professionals, such as therapists or counselors, to create a therapy plan tailored to your teen’s needs.
• Emotional Support: Show understanding and empathy towards your teen’s struggles and encourage open communication about their emotions.
• Self-Care Practices: Encourage healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, mindfulness, and journaling, to improve mental well-being.

By managing both substance abuse and mental health concerns with compassion and proactive support, parents can create a nurturing environment that encourages overall well-being and resilience in their teens. Prioritizing open dialogue, setting boundaries, and fostering positive coping strategies equips teens with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of adolescence with strength and confidence.

Practical Strategies for Parental Support

Navigating the ups and downs of adolescence requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to adapt to the ever-changing needs of your teen. By implementing practical strategies and fostering a supportive environment, you can empower your teen to face challenges head-on and thrive in their journey to adulthood.

What Works:

• Empathy and Understanding: Listen actively to your teen’s concerns and validate their feelings to build trust and strengthen your bond.
• Consistent Guidance: Set clear expectations and guide decision-making, academics, and personal development.
• Encouraging Independence: Foster autonomy and responsibility in your teen by allowing them to make informed choices and learn from experiences.

By combining these approaches, parents can create a nurturing and empowering atmosphere that supports teens in developing crucial life skills, resilience, and a positive sense of self as they navigate the complexities of adolescence and prepare for the challenges of maturity.

Also, one powerful support method is — a recommendation letter.  You can use a structured and user-friendly tool, Lawrina, that streamlines the process of crafting impactful and personalized references, aiding recommenders in effectively advocating for individuals’ strengths and accomplishments in various situations. Using a letter of recommendation template in a support system can enhance parents’ ability to guide their teens toward personal growth and success, fostering an environment where open communication, understanding, and empowerment are critical pillars in their developmental journey.

Fostering Healthy Relationships and Communication

In addition to the practical strategies mentioned earlier, fostering healthy relationships and open communication with your teen is paramount. Creating a solid basis of trust, respect, and empathy can create a supportive environment where your teen feels comfortable discussing their concerns, seeking advice, and sharing their experiences. 

By prioritizing meaningful connections and effective communication, parents can further solidify their bond with their teens and provide a robust foundation for navigating the challenges of adolescence together.

Ways to Foster Healthy Relationships and Communication:

• Active Listening: Take the time to listen attentively to your teen’s thoughts and feelings without judgment.
• Empathy and Understanding: Demonstrate empathy towards your teen’s struggles and validate their emotions.
• Quality Time: Dedicate time for meaningful interactions and activities that strengthen your relationship.
• Honesty and Transparency: Be open and direct in your communication, promoting trust and authenticity.
• Respect Boundaries: Respect your teen’s boundaries while encouraging open dialogue about important issues.

By consistently implementing these practices, parents can cultivate a nurturing environment for honest communication and understanding. Creating a robust and healthy relationship with your teen lays the foundation for practical guidance, support, and mutual respect as they guide the challenges of adolescence and beyond. Prioritizing these principles fosters a lasting connection that benefits both parent and teen in the journey toward growth and development.

Recommendations for Parents and Guardians

In times of uncertainty and tumultuous change, having a loyal support network can make all the difference in a teen’s life. By following these practical tips and strategies, parents and guardians can create a nurturing environment for their teens to thrive and overcome obstacles with resilience and determination.

Also read:

Why Short Talks Build Strong Relationships

Causes of Teenage Mental Health Issues

The post How to Support Your Teen Through Challenging Times first appeared on Help Your Teens.

In this blog post, we’ll explore practical steps and strategies to help teens navigate the aftermath of a car accident, emphasizing the importance of providing reassurance, guidance, and resources during this challenging time.

Ensure Safety and Medical Attention

The immediate priority after a car accident is to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. If your teen is involved in a car accident, instruct them to stay calm and check for injuries. If there are any injuries, no matter how minor they may seem, encourage your teen to seek medical attention promptly. Even if injuries are not apparent, it’s advisable to undergo a medical evaluation to rule out any underlying issues.

Stay Calm and Provide Emotional Support

After the initial shock of the accident subsides, it’s essential to provide emotional support and reassurance to your teen. Remain calm and composed, and listen attentively to their feelings and concerns.

Acknowledge their emotions and validate their experiences, letting them know that it’s normal to feel shaken up after a car accident. Reassure your teen that accidents happen, and what’s most important is their safety and well-being.

Contact Authorities and Exchange Information

Instruct your teen to contact the appropriate authorities, such as law enforcement or emergency services, to report the accident. Encourage them to exchange information with the other parties involved, including names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle registration numbers. Remind your teen to avoid admitting fault or making any statements that could be used against them later.

Document the Accident Scene

Encourage your teen to document the accident scene by taking photographs or videos of the vehicles involved, any visible damage, road conditions, and surrounding areas. Documenting the scene can provide valuable evidence for insurance claims and legal proceedings. Additionally, advise your teen to collect contact information from any witnesses who may have observed the accident.

Notify Insurance Company and Legal Representation

Once the immediate aftermath of the accident is addressed, assist your teen in notifying their insurance company about the incident. Provide them with guidance on how to file a claim and what information to provide to the insurance adjuster. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may also consider consulting with a qualified car accident attorney in Kansas City  to explore your legal options and protect your teen’s rights.

Follow-Up Care and Support

In the days and weeks following the accident, continue to provide ongoing support and assistance to your teen as they navigate the aftermath. Encourage them to attend any follow-up medical appointments and adhere to any treatment recommendations.

Monitor their emotional well-being and offer opportunities for open communication and reflection on the accident. Additionally, consider enrolling your teen in a defensive driving course or additional driver education programs to help them feel more confident behind the wheel.

By prioritizing safety, providing emotional support, documenting the accident scene, and seeking appropriate medical and legal assistance, you can help your teen navigate the aftermath of a car accident with resilience and confidence. 

Also read:

How to Help My Rude Teenager

Dealing with An Entitled Teenager

The post How to Help a Teen After Their First Car Accident first appeared on Help Your Teens.

As your child matures into a teenager, testing the limits of their independence is part of growing up — it can also be a stressful time as they become more argumentative with you and test their boundaries. Maybe breaking their curfew, talking back, or even sneaking out.

Discipline Challenges for Parents of Teens

It’s very common as your teen develops into their own person, they want more freedom than they can handle. This can mean breaking your rules such as unlimited access to their devices or staying out late.

Teens are quick to complain that you are controlling their life, you don’t understand them and may even lie to get out of trouble. Sometimes this can turn into rage and/or explosive behavior when they feel like they are not getting what they want.

You may experience your teen talking back, nasty attitude (short temper), eye rolling and other disrespectful behavior that is not acceptable.

Strategies to Punish Your Teen that Will Work

When it comes to disciplining teenagers, it’s important to be firm and consistent, but also fair and reasonable.

Your teenager is old enough to understand when the consequence fits the crime, and they’ll be more cooperative they know you are not just trying to exert your power over them. Punishments for teenagers should be related to the infraction and aim to teach them, rather than humiliate them or break them down.

Communication is Key

Start a conversation in an open and honest manner focused on solving the problem, and let your teen be part of the decision-making process.

If your teen has been displaying several problematic or risky behaviors, tackle just one issue at a time.

Be sure to listen closely to his or her feelings and concerns, don’t be a parent who sets the rules without considering your teen’s opinions and thoughts. They will be more open to buy in if they are part of this dialogue.

Set Clear Expectations

Your teen should know well in advance what your expectations are of them, such as their curfew and what the consequences are if they break these rules.

Discuss appropriate boundaries with your teens, and help them understand the reasons behind them. Make the rules as specific as possible — don’t be vague.

Be Consistence

It’s imperative you are consistence with your rules and boundaries. Teens don’t take them seriously when they know parents will go soft and won’t always enforce them.

When you’ve set a rule and a consequence for breaking it, make sure you follow through.

Teenagers might try to take advantage of the situation if one parent is firm while the other parent isn’t. Try to ensure that you and your parenting partner are on the same page.

Natural Consequences

Natural consequences can be the best teachers in certain situations. But it’s important to make sure the natural consequences will really teach your teen a life lesson.

Natural consequences don’t require your involvement. As long as the consequences don’t lead to safety hazards, it’s best to avoid stepping in.

Some examples of natural consequences are: If they don’t study for a test, they may fail. I they forget their sports jersey, they may not be able to play their sport.

Choose Your Battles

Don’t bend on safety issues but consider letting other things (your teen’s new bold fashion sense, for example) slide.

Maybe you don’t like their new friend. Take time to get to them them, so your teen sees you making the effort. If you still don’t care for them, you can give your teen some reasons why you don’t believe this is a good decision.

Remove Privileges

If your teen violates the rules, they may be showing you they can’t handle the freedom you’re giving them. Tighten the rules by giving them an earlier curfew or by reducing the amount of time they spend using their electronics.

Smartphones, laptops and any screen time is typically vital to most teenagers. Restricting your teen’s phone privileges can be an effective consequence, but make sure it’s time limited. Usually, 24 hours is long enough to send a clear message to your teenager. If you go longer, they may try to find a burner phone or use others.

If your teen’s misbehavior involves friends, first discuss their actions and then make adjustments to their social privileges.

Listening

Having effective communication skills with your child is imperative, however as your child reaches their teenage years, it’s more about listening.

With teens, you want to take the time to listen, ask questions, and support your teen’s journey toward figuring out their own solutions to their problems. Talking out their issues with you can help them understand what they are feeling and help them cope with whatever is going on.

In conclusion

Discipline can get tricky as your teen gets closer to adulthood. However, remember the same core discipline principles of consistency, consequences, acceptance, open communication, and love still work to manage and guide your teen’s behavior. You are still their parent and no matter how mature they are getting, they still need you as a role model, support system, sounding board, and cheerleader.

Also read:

How to Research Therapeutic Schools

Why Group Therapy Benefits Teens

The post How to Punish Your Teenager: Discipline Challenges first appeared on Help Your Teens.

As parents, guardians, or mentors, it’s crucial to know what steps to take when our teens encounter such situations. So, what should you do if your teen ends up getting into a truck accident? Let’s find out. 

1. Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

The immediate aftermath of a serious truck accident, whether it be a minor one or with an 18-wheeler, can be chaotic and emotional. It’s vital to remain composed and assess the situation calmly. Check for injuries, and if anyone is hurt, prioritize seeking medical assistance by calling 911 if necessary. 

2. Contact Emergency Services

Whether the accident is minor or severe, it’s essential to call emergency services immediately and dial 911, even if you may not be injured. This includes the police, ambulance, and if necessary, the fire department. Reporting the accident ensures that trained professionals can provide assistance and document the incident accurately.

3. Ensure Safety

If the accident occurs on a busy road or highway, move to a safe location if possible. Turn on hazard lights and set up warning triangles or flares to alert other drivers. Safety should always be the primary concern.

4. Exchange Information With The Other Party

While waiting for emergency services to arrive, exchange contact and insurance information with the other parties involved in the accident. Gather details such as names, phone numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance policy information. Avoid discussing fault or admitting guilt, as this can potentially be used against you in a court of law. 

5. Document the Scene

Use your smartphone or a camera to take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any relevant signage. Additionally, jot down notes about the time of day, weather conditions, and any other pertinent details that may be helpful for insurance claims or legal proceedings.

6. Notify The Insurance Company

Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the accident. Provide them with accurate information and cooperate fully with their investigation. Remember to ask about coverage and what steps need to be taken to file a claim.

7. Seek Medical Attention

Even if injuries seem minor or non-existent, it’s crucial to seek medical attention for everyone involved in the accident. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and prompt medical care can prevent complications down the line. Document any injuries sustained and follow medical advice diligently.

8. Notify Your Teen’s School

If the accident involves a school bus or occurs during school hours, notify the appropriate authorities and school administration. They may have specific protocols in place for handling such incidents and providing support to affected students.

9. Offer Emotional Support

Accidents can be traumatic experiences, especially for teenagers who may be shaken by the incident. Offer emotional support to your teen and assure them that accidents happen, and what’s most important is their safety and well-being. Encourage open communication and seek professional help if needed.

10. Make Sure To Follow Up With The Right People

After the initial chaos subsides, follow up with insurance companies, medical providers, and any other relevant parties to ensure that the necessary steps are being taken to resolve the situation. Stay informed throughout the claims process and advocate for your teen’s best interests.

If you’re in a place where you might need help with dealing with the insurance claims process or otherwise, get in touch with a trusted truck accident lawyer in Kent, Washington today. 

A lawyer who specializes in these types of accidents can be of utmost importance during this difficult time in your life. 

Dealing with a truck accident involving your teenager can be overwhelming, but knowing what steps to take can make the process more manageable. 

By staying calm, prioritizing safety, and seeking appropriate assistance, you can navigate through this challenging situation with care and diligence. Remember to offer support to your teen and reassure them that they’re not alone in facing the aftermath of the accident.

Also read:

How Art Therapy Helps Teens

How to Find Qualified Therapeutic Schools

The post What To Do When Your Teen Gets Into A Truck Accident first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Why?

A new book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores and explains how smartphones and social media rewired society since 2010.

Haidt explains why social media damages girls more than boys and why boys have been withdrawing from the real world into the virtual world, with disastrous consequences for themselves, their families, and their societies.

The book is split into four parts: 

1. The Tidal Wave: In this section, it shows the basic statistics on the mental health of young people.
2. The Decline of the Play-Based Childhood: In this section, it discusses the nature of childhood and how we messed it up by depriving children of play and role-models, damaging attachment systems, and erasing any clear path from childhood to adulthood. 
3. The Rise of the Phone-Based Childhood: In this section, it discusses the harms that result from the new phone-based childhood, with a chapter devoted to harms to girls, a chapter on harm to boys, and a chapter on the “spiritual degradation” that is happening to all of us––including adults––from our new phone-based lives. 
4. Collective Actions for Better Childhood: In this final section, it explains what we must do to reverse the damage. I explain how parents, school, governments, tech companies, and young people are trapped in “collective action problems” and how these can be resolved when individuals organize and act together. 

Jonathan Haidt’s suggestions include:

• Give children far more time playing with other children. This play should ideally be outdoors, in mixed age groups, with little or no adult supervision (which is the way most parents grew up, at least until the 1980s).
• Look for more ways to embed children in stable real-world communities.  Online networks are not nearly as binding or satisfying.
• Don’t give a smartphone as the first phone. Give a phone or watch that is specialized for communication, not for internet-based apps.
• Don’t give a smartphone until high school.  This is easy to do, if many of your child’s friends’ parents are doing the same thing.
• Delay the opening of accounts on nearly all social media platforms until the beginning of high school (at least). This will become easier to do if we can support legislators who are trying to raise the age of “internet adulthood” from today’s 13 (with no verification) to 16 (with mandatory age verification).

In The Anxious Generation, it explains the major causes of the international epidemic of mental illness that hit adolescents in the early 2010s, and Haidt offers a path forward for parents, teachers, friends, and relatives who want to help improve the mental health of children and teens.

Order on Amazon today. An absolute must read for all parents today.

Also read:

Teens and Mental Health Concerns

How Cell Phones Effect Mental Health

The post The Anxious Generation: The Epidemic of Teenage Mental Illness first appeared on Help Your Teens.

In this article, we will describe a series of specific measures that you can take to help your teen learn safe driving practices. It will also help to ameliorate your own fears about the dangers your teen faces on the road.

Lead by Example

It might sound trite, but it is true: Your kids will emulate your behavior. So if you practice irresponsible driving habits yourself, your teens will be likely to do the same. This applies not only to drinking and driving but also to all manner of other irresponsible habits: texting while driving, using a phone in states where it is illegal, disobeying the rules of the road, etc. Even being temperamental towards other drivers will make you appear reckless. And be sure to wear your seatbelt!

Be conscientious about your own driving habits and drive the way you would want your kids to. If you do, they will be much more likely to drive responsibly themselves.

Start Early

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should start teaching your teen responsible habits as early as possible. If you wait until they have already started driving, they can start developing bad habits that will be difficult to reverse.

You should start talking to your teen even before the driving process begins. Lay down ground rules that they need to follow and make clear what the consequences will be if they neglect to do so.

Enroll in a Driver’s Education Course

Enrolling your teen in a driver’s education course is essential for them to learn correct driving habits. Every state offers driver education programs, and you should check with the ones in your community to ensure that they meet the proper standards.

Among the things that you should look for is a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, which is a three-stage system for providing licenses. These programs have a proven statistical record of helping to reduce the number of accidents that teens get into. Parents should not rely on these programs alone, though; it is also essential that they take an active role in their teens’ learning process.

Utilize Technology

Many technologies are being developed that are helping to ensure safety on the road. In addition to things that have become standardized in recent decades, such as airbags, there are also new tools available that can help keep new drivers safe on the road. These include:

• Blind-Spot Detection. People rushing to change lanes and not noticing someone in their blind spot is a common problem. Certain cars come equipped to alert drivers when someone is in their blind spot.
• Anti-Lock Brakes. These can be useful to prevent brakes from locking if you have to stop suddenly. They are becoming more standardized with newer models of cars.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). These systems will alert you when your tire pressure is getting low.
• Earlier Low-Fuel Warning. This is a system that alerts drivers when they are 75 miles to empty, rather than 50 miles as had previously been the standard.
• Car Insurance for Young Drivers. You should be sure to get the right coverage so that you know you’ll be compensated in the event of an accident.

Limit Night Driving

It is a fact that night driving is significantly more dangerous than daytime driving. And the statistics prove it: teens are three times more likely to have nighttime driving accidents than adults are. Driving in the dark is particularly risky for new drivers as they are not yet familiar with dangerous conditions, can become nervous easily, or do not know how to handle rough roads.

Therefore, it is a good idea to limit teens’ night driving as much as possible. And when your teen does drive at night, it is advisable to have an experienced driver in the car if possible.

Emphasize Defensive Driving

It is important to emphasize defensive driving during the learning phases for a new driver. Defensive driving is the practice of driving with an eye for potentially dangerous situations on the road. If you practice defensive driving, it means that you remain fully alert in difficult conditions or in situations where other drivers might make mistakes, and remain prepared to handle potential problems.

Defensive driving requires practice. It is only through experiencing real-world situations that you learn how to react correctly in difficult circumstances. Therefore, experienced drivers should accompany teens when learning to drive in tough conditions.

Discuss the Dangers of Impaired Driving

It is impossible to overstate the dangers of driving while impaired. The risk of causing accidents while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is multiple times higher than for sober drivers.

Parents should establish zero tolerance for impaired driving and be prepared to enforce punishments if their teens violate the rules. They should make it clear to their teens that the practice is not only dangerous but could lead to legal problems or the removal of their license.

Be Patient and Supportive

At the same time that it is important to be strict, you should also be patient with your teens when they are learning to drive. Make a concerted effort to talk to them, and listen to them if they have issues they would like to discuss.

If you only enforce punishments and do not offer genuine support, your teen will be more likely to sneak around and do things without telling you. The trick is to find the right balance between rule enforcement and encouragement.

Celebrate Milestones

Learning to drive is an accomplishment. It is a major step that teens take in their lives, and it should be acknowledged as such. So take the time to celebrate the different milestones that your teen reaches in learning to drive.

This can include obtaining a permit, completing a driver’s ed course, and of course obtaining a license. Taking the time to acknowledge these accomplishments not only makes people feel good, it emphasizes the importance of what they have done. And this helps stay focused on the road.

Final Thoughts 

Learning to drive is an exciting period in teens’ lives. It is also one that causes parents a great deal of anxiety. Although the risks are real, they can be reduced with the right kind of coaching. So if you remain involved in your teen’s learning process and adhere to a reasonable set of rules, your teen should learn responsible and safe driving habits.

Also read:

How to Teach Respect to Teens

Why Therapeutic Boarding Work When Home Therapy Fails

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