Articles For Parents

Parenting Rachel Ackerman Parenting Rachel Ackerman

5 Things Children & Adolescents Can Do To Navigate The Digital World

According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory and the Department of Health and Human Services, up to 95% of youth ages 13-17 report using a social media platform, with more than a third saying they use social media “almost constantly.” While there is evidence that shows that social media does have benefits, there are also indicators that it can also have a profound risk of harm to the mental health and well-being of our kids.

Read More
Parenting Rachel Ackerman Parenting Rachel Ackerman

Helping Your Child Foster Good Friendships

Friendship is the building block on which our children’s social skills are built and the space where kids begin to understand who they are. As parents and caregivers, we can encourage our kids to choose their friends wisely by having regular conversations around questions like these:

Read More
Parenting Rachel Ackerman Parenting Rachel Ackerman

5 Requests Teens Have of Their Parents About Their Online Safety

Involving our teens in conversations about internet safety is key to understanding the challenges and opportunities they experience online. TikTok took a positive step by committing to working in partnership with parents and caregivers as they support their kid's digital journey. As part of that effort, TikTok polled teens on what support they valued as it relates to online safety. Here's what the kids said:

Read More
Parenting Rachel Ackerman Parenting Rachel Ackerman

Talking To Our Kids About Screens

Smartphones have become a constant companion in our teens' lives. From connection with family and friends to entertainment and background noise, young people rely on their smartphones for different types of mental health support, relaxation, and distraction—at home and at school, and during the day and night.

Read More
Parenting Jordan McGrath Parenting Jordan McGrath

Dad - The Most Important Man In The World

No matter where your day takes you, when you walk in that door every night, you are a superhero. You are the strongest, smartest, most noble man on Earth! You can solve any problem, see through any situation; you can make anything better.

Read More
Parenting Jordan McGrath Parenting Jordan McGrath

Dads & Daughters

We all want that picturesque relationship with our children, but it isn’t always as easy as it may seem. Tween and teen girls are in a unique stage in their life when, as a parent, being close to them may at times be especially difficult, while at the same time it is absolutely vital to her well-being.

Read More
Parenting Jordan McGrath Parenting Jordan McGrath

Preparing Your Teen to Drive

The “do as I say and not as I do” approach does not work well when it comes to teen driving. If you want your teen to stop at stop signs, obey the speed laws, stay off their cell phones while driving and not participate in road rage - then neither should you. Your behavior will be far more influential than the techniques you teach.

Read More
Parenting Jordan McGrath Parenting Jordan McGrath

Giving Your Child a Way Out of Uncomfortable Situations

It's called the "X-Plan"...and it's genius.

As parents, we send our teenagers out into a world full of temptations and uncertainty hoping that they will return home safe to us. They are exposed to all sorts of danger, but we hope that we have taught them to resist the offers and make good decisions. Even when their good conscience kicks in and they feel uncomfortable in situations, they may not be able to resist the social pressures in fear of being ridiculed.

Read More