Dear Mom,
I want to lose weight this New Year but I want to do it the healthy way. What do you suggest?
Signed, Determined
Dear Determined,
Losing weight is really not all that hard if you are good at being consistent! Being consistent is where most of us have trouble. Even me! After checking with your parents and your health care professional to be sure you are healthy, usually cutting portions and regular exercise can do the trick. Let me know how it goes!
Love, Mom
Dear Mom,
My seven year old daughter is really being mean to other kids. I feel like I cannot find the right answer. What should I do?
Signed, Maria
Dear Maria,
It depends on the circumstances. Is this her regular behavior? If not, you have to find the underlying cause. Could she be having problems at school? Are there problems at home? If so, this can be the reason for her acting out. Talking with her regularly and helping to explain the situation at home or helping to problem solve what may be happening at school could help solve the problem. She needs to feel secure in her home life and safe at school.
If this is her regular behavior then she should have a good check up from her Doctor and then it would be time to institute strict rules of discipline. Don’t bend in insisting on exemplary behavior towards others. She must learn to respect herself, others and property. Issue consequences that make her think twice. If you take her favorite toy away only to give it back to her 5 minutes later, then you have lost ground. Set reasonable limits and consequences, extend grace when appropriate and follow through every time.
Love, Mom
Dear Teen,
I want to use a calculator for my math work but my Mom won’t let me. They let me use one at school. Why won’t she let me use one at home?
Signed, Dahlia
Dear Dahlia,
I realize a calculator is easier but you must learn the hard way first! Trust me, there will be a time when you do not HAVE a calculator and if you cannot do these math problems longhand, you will be stuck and maybe embarrassed. Learn how to do it first, use a calculator second, you won’t be sorry!
Signed, A Teen Like You
Dear Teen,
I can’t seem to sleep at night no matter what I do. I lie in bed forever and then I am tired in the morning. It is frustrating my Mother and honestly, even me at this point. I am just not tired until way past 11:00…any ideas on how to get to sleep earlier?
Signed, Sleepless
Dear Sleepless,
It is normal for sleep patterns to fluctuate, especially in teens. Be sure you have had a regular medical check up and then trust your parents and try to get to bed earlier with no distractions. No T.V. No IPod, just quiet. I started to go to bed one hour earlier than my “bedtime” to read and found by 9:00 I was good and sleepy. You CAN retrain your sleep patterns. I have done it. It is a mistake for teens to think that they should naturally be up to all hours of the night. I find when I get to bed at a decent hour and then get up early, I get more done than I ever thought possible! Do it for yourself! You will find your morning hours are actually your best ever!
Signed, A Teen Like You
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