Teen Dating Abuse - Teen Dating Violence: Tornado Warning!

Raising teenagers may feel as if you are going through a tornado and hurricane combined.  However on a very serious note, teens need guidance, assurance, security and most of all - trust from their parents.

That may sound like a lot, however with today's society of peer pressure and technology, it is important we talk to our kids about a variety of sensitive subjects. 

One of them is dating.

When your teen has become of age that you permit them to date, are they aware of what is acceptable and what isn't?

Teen dating violence is very real and happens more than parents know about.  Saying that it would never happen to your child is being completely niave.  Being educated and prepared can prevent teen dating abuse.
Newly released is Tornado Warning: A Memoir of Teen Dating Violence by Elin Stebbins Waldal.  This powerful true story not only can help parents and teens to better understand the effects of teen dating abuse, it also allows the readers to understand that if you are a victim of it, you can rise above it.

Warning Signs 

While the following non-specific warning signs could indicate other concerning things such as depression or drug use, these should also raise a red flag for parents and adult caregivers about the possibility of an unhealthy relationship:

•no longer hanging out with his/her circle of friends
•wearing the same clothing
•distracted when spoken to
•constantly checking cell phone, gets extremely upset when asked to turn phone off
•withdrawn, quieter than usual
•angry, irritable when asked how they are doing
•making excuses for their boyfriend/girlfriend
•showering immediately after getting home
•unexplained scratches or bruises

How do you know if your teen is ready to date?
Pre-order your copy of Tornado Warning today.

Learn more at Love is Not Abuse.  In St. Johns County, The Betty Griffin House is for victims of domestic abuse and violence.

Be an educated parent, you will have safer teens!

Read more.

Sue Scheff: Summer Reading for Parents and Teens

It is that time of the year again, time to pick your summer books.  Of course there are some people that would rather pick up People Magazine or other tabloid papers, however why not take the time to learn how to be a better parent or help your teenager to get ready for their upcoming school year?

Listed in the slideshow below (in no particular order) are ten books to consider for your summer reading.  Whether it is about guiding your at-risk teen in a positive direction, or learning on to maintain your digital image, one thing is for sure, education is the key to surviving in today's world.

Education meaning reading as much as you can about peer pressure, bullying, cyberbullying, texting, cell phone safety, teen body image, teen sex and much more that faces our kids today.

Please feel free to leave other recommended books in comments.  List your favorites, share titles, authors and why they were your favorite!  Or just leave the book titles.  Parenting networking is helps you become a better informed parent.

There are many excellent books and only a limited space to write them all in.

In the slideshow are the following books and their websites:

1. Big Book of Parenting Solutions, by Michele Borba
2. Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman
3. Odd Girl Speaks Out by Rachel Simmons
4. Curse of the Good Girl by Rachel Simmons
5. Queen Bee Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman
6. You'd Be Pretty If.... by Dara Chadwick
7. Brave: Be Ready and Victory's Easy, a Story About Social Anxiety  by Marjie Knudsen and Jenne Henderson
8. Wild West 2.0 by Michael Fertik and David Thompson
9. Wit's End! Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out of Control Teen by Sue Scheff
10. Google Bomb! How the $11.3M Verdict Changed The Way We Use the Internet by Sue Scheff

This list could go on forever!  Read, read, read and educate yourself and our kids through the pages of many authors.  Please remember to list your favorite books in comments here.

Watch slideshow.

Sue Scheff: Empowering Kids to Be Successful!

In today’s economy, this is an encouraging website for teens, tweens and parents. Encouraging your kids to reach for their goals and dreams. This website has great employment tips for all age of teens up to college kids. I am so amazed at the wealth of ideas for kids and being successful!

Want to Raise Successful, Self-Made, Sharing Millionaire Kids?

Visit: http://www.millionaire-kids.com/index.html

Do your kids think money grows on trees?

Do you worry your kids may end up in debt when they grow up?

And do you want them to become a doctor or lawyer so they’ll make a high salary and live comfortably?

If so, you’re not alone.

Sadly, most kids don’t have a clue how to handle money…and will most likely make costly mistakes…no matter how high their salary is…that will cause them years of struggle and stress.

Sadly, most kids don’t have a clue how to handle money…and will most likely make costly mistakes…no matter how high their salary is…that will cause them years of struggle and stress.

That’s why it’s SO important for you to teach your kids how to develop smart money habits.
So they don’t end up stuck working at a dead end job because they need the money…or working for a boss they hate.

My name is Sonja Mishek and I have a BA in Commercial Economics and have been a tax preparer, a credit analyst, a small business owner, and real estate investor for over 20 some years now.

But more importantly, I’m a proud parent just like you.

And I want the very best for my four kids…Rachel (17), Tony (15), Matthew (13), and Maria (11).

I want my kids to be…

Happy…

Successful…

Well-Educated…

and of course, Financially Secure…

And that’s what this website is all about…tips and techniques on how to teach your kids smart money habits so they can become self-made, self-sufficient, successful millionaires.

Read more on the above link to the website.

Sue Scheff: Summer Reading for Teens

Summer reading and teens don’t always mix, however Education.com offers some great advice and ideas to get your High School teens reading this summer.

Source: Education.com

Summer reading is a great way to get your child interested in books, on his or her own terms. For the best books for high school summer reading, we turned to the nation’s finest independent bookstores to get their favorites, from classics to new releases, death-defying adventures to thought-provoking insights. Here are their recommendations for a summertime full of fantastic books:

Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons by Ann Rinaldi

This work of historical fiction is the story of Phillis Wheatley, America’s first published black poet. She goes from being a slave to being the toast of literary society, but the story of her success is also a thought-provoking exploration of a time, place, and culture. Recommended by Tattered Cover Book Store, Denver, CO. Where to buy.

A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth Bunce

A retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin story taking place on the cusp of the Industrial Revolution, this book has a strong heroine with a big serving og romance, suspense, and a fine historic sense about it. Recommended by Powell’s Books, Portland, OR. Where to buy.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

In this third installment in the wildly popular Twilight Saga series, Bella is again caught up in a world of vampire romance and danger. A perfect summertime read for fans and newcomers to the series alike. Recommended by Prairie Lights Books, Iowa City, IA. Where to buy.

My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger

Just the young adult book we’ve been waiting for! With characters both achingly real and creatively imaged, Kluger is sure to garner favorable reviews from teens and parents alike, and probably some national awards and honors along the way. Recommended by 57th Street Books, Chicago, IL. Where to buy.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

A coming of age story about a young girl’s aspirations to become a famous author, this is a wonderfully written and timeless story with real characters that anyone can relate to.

Recommended by Linden Tree Children’s Recordings and Books, Los Altos, CA. Where to buy.
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Set in San Francisco, a few years in the future, terrorists blow up the bay bridge and 3 young teens find themselves taken into custody by homeland security. Outraged by their treatment, one of the kids takes it upon himself to fight the system and take down “Big Brother”. This is a fabulous techno-thriller, widely regaled as the “Hipper, Younger Brother of Orwell’s 1984.” Hands down the best book of the summer! Recommended by Kepler’s Bookstore, Menlo Park, CA. Where to buy.

Want to see more from Education.com’s book list? Here’s a collection of our favorite books for high school:

The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper

This fantasy series melds adventure, magic, and myth in an epic battle between the powers of Light and Dark. Before there was Harry Potter, there was Will Stanton, the seventh son of a seventh son who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is one of the Old Ones, dedicated to battling the powers of evil. This series strikes the perfect balance between everyday characters and a world of ancient magic, humor and danger.

Read the entire article here:

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_High_School_Summer_Reading/

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Sue Scheff: Secrets to Surviving and Thriving in Your Teens

THE SECRETS TO SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN YOUR TEENS, by Lori Hanson

Award-Winning Author of “It Started with Pop-Tarts (R)”, Lori Hanson, wrote an amazing very quick and easy read parent and teen book. What I loved about this book is it was written in a fashion that addresses some serious issues that teens face today, however in a condensed and easy to understand format.

I literally finished it in less than 2 hours (with many interruptions) and was very impressed how Lori both talked to teens and parents - almost at the same time - and you could feel that Lori is connecting.

I recommend any parents of teens today purchase this book and share it with their teen. What a great way to start communications - since today many parents have lost that connection with many teens.

Oh, did I mention Lori incorporates her dogs (Sasha and Yagger) as analogies - absolutely fantastic - we all love dogs and to see them and their actions helping us as parents to understand human behavior was brilliant and again, something we can all relate to.

You can purchase this book here. Don’ miss it! Get it before it hits the book stores!

Sue Scheff: It is June Already! Time for Summer Reading for Parents and Teens

Summer is almost here and what a better time to catch up on relaxation and reading!

Go to your local library with your kids or a bookstore and find some educational and fun books to read. Health Communications Inc. http://www.hcibooks.com/ offers a wide variety of wonderful books for both parents and kids today.

Also review http://www.helpyourteens.com/books.html for great reading!