elevate parent newsletter

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Faith Like Mary

Our hope this week is to prod our kids to be inspired by—and to aspire after—Mary’s faith. We hold her up as a role model not because she was extraordinary (which she was) but because she was also a normal…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/faith_like_mary/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Elf-Esteem = The feeling of being overworked, underappreciated and like you don’t exist to others during the holidays while in actuality the season’s success depends on you.

Wiper Beat = When the windshield wipers on your car sync up with the music on your car radio.

3. Links to Learn From

Survey: 15 percent of teens get sexual text messages
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/12/15/pew.sexting.survey/

Plasticizer may be tied to boys’ breast enlargement
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BD39920091214

Boy Sent Home For Drawing Of Crucifixion
http://wbztv.com/local/taunton.cross.drawing.2.1370369.html

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
- Burton Hillis

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Big Grace

One of the challenges of parenting for Christians is that we want our kids to be as excited about God’s unbelievable grace and forgiveness as we are—but we still want them to perform. We pray they’ll be absolutely convinced that…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/big_grace/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Brodie = A combination of the two words “brother” and “buddy”

I.M.Y = I miss you

3. Links to Learn From

Parents’ Sex Talk with Kids: Too Little, Too Late
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1945759,00.html

NATION: Obesity in some children tied to DNA, study finds
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-tc-nw-briefs-1206-12070dec07,0,673593.story

Character says new tests show Go Go Pets are safe
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSGEE5B61Q720091207?type=marketsNews&utm

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

It’s not what you leave to your children, it’s what you leave in your children
- Author Unknown

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Talk About Humility

How many naturally humble people do you know? The answer is “none.” Human beings don’t come in that flavor; we are instinctive self-promoters. Some of us may be more obvious in our arrogance, but no child is left behind when…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/talk_about_humility/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Automagically = something that happens automatically, but that also has some mysterious, “magical” element to it. “Smart” appliances, features, etc. that do intelligent things with less help than you might expect

Mantrum = when a grown man throws a tantrum when he can’t have his way

3. Links to Learn From

Fort Hood Shooting: Five tips to help parents talk to their kids about violence in the news
http://www.examiner.com/x-14708-Toddlers-to-Teens-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Fort-Hood-Shooting-Five-tips-to-help-parents-talk-to-their-kids-about-violence-in-the-news

Teenage pregnancy does not discriminate
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=861929&category=OPINION

Hunger in America: Half of Our Kids on Food Stamps
http://chattahbox.com/us/2009/11/03/hunger-in-america-half-of-our-kids-on-food-stamps/

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

When God Changes the Plan

Does your family live and die by a schedule or is constant, spontaneous change of direction the norm in your household? Neither approach to life is wrong, necessarily, but we want to help our kids to learn both wise planning…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/when_god_changes_the_plan/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Automagically = something that happens automatically, but that also has some mysterious, “magical” element to it. “Smart” appliances, features, etc. that do intelligent things with less help than you might expect

Mantrum = when a grown man throws a tantrum when he can’t have his way

3. Links to Learn From

Fort Hood Shooting: Five tips to help parents talk to their kids about violence in the news
http://www.examiner.com/x-14708-Toddlers-to-Teens-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Fort-Hood-Shooting-Five-tips-to-help-parents-talk-to-their-kids-about-violence-in-the-news

Teenage pregnancy does not discriminate
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=861929&category=OPINION

Hunger in America: Half of Our Kids on Food Stamps
http://chattahbox.com/us/2009/11/03/hunger-in-america-half-of-our-kids-on-food-stamps/

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Talk About Praise

You likely experience praising God together with your family regularly at church. But how often do you talk about that experience? Why do we do it? Why does God care? What does it do for us and for Him?
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/talk_about_praise/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Automagically = something that happens automatically, but that also has some mysterious, “magical” element to it. “Smart” appliances, features, etc. that do intelligent things with less help than you might expect

Mantrum = when a grown man throws a tantrum when he can’t have his way

3. Links to Learn From

Fort Hood Shooting: Five tips to help parents talk to their kids about violence in the news
http://www.examiner.com/x-14708-Toddlers-to-Teens-Examiner~y2009m11d6-Fort-Hood-Shooting-Five-tips-to-help-parents-talk-to-their-kids-about-violence-in-the-news

Teenage pregnancy does not discriminate
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=861929&category=OPINION

Hunger in America: Half of Our Kids on Food Stamps
http://chattahbox.com/us/2009/11/03/hunger-in-america-half-of-our-kids-on-food-stamps/

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Redefining Success

What are you some of our deepest hopes for our children? How do we define “success” for them? Are we rooting for them to gain financial security, career satisfaction, and universal respect and devotion from their peers—or to become success…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/redefining_success1/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Last Texter = That friend that always sends you a meaningless text after the obvious end of a text conversation, just to get the last text.

KPC = Text shorthand meaning “keep parents clueless.”

3. Links to Learn From

Up Close & Personal with Lisa T. Bergren
http://www.christianitytoday.com/momsense/2009/sepoct/upcloseandpersonal-lisatbergren.html

Study Reveals More Details About The iPhone Mom
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/26/study-reveals-more-details-about-behavior-of-the-iphone-mom/

“Say Aah” …and, “What’s in Your iPod?”
http://www.thesource4ym.com/youthculturewindow/article.asp?id=99

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
- Thomas Paine

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

What Are You Going to Be?

It’s the question of the week for some kids. The answer often reveals a child’s current hero or role model and their desire to be that person, at least for a day. All kids—all of us—find patterns to follow in…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/what_are_you_going_to_be/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Last Texter = That friend that always sends you a meaningless text after the obvious end of a text conversation, just to get the last text.

KPC = Text shorthand meaning “keep parents clueless.”

3. Links to Learn From

Up Close & Personal with Lisa T. Bergren
http://www.christianitytoday.com/momsense/2009/sepoct/upcloseandpersonal-lisatbergren.html

Study Reveals More Details About The iPhone Mom
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/26/study-reveals-more-details-about-behavior-of-the-iphone-mom/

“Say Aah” …and, “What’s in Your iPod?”
http://www.thesource4ym.com/youthculturewindow/article.asp?id=99

4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
- Thomas Paine

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Self-Control

None of us like to say “no” to ourselves, and that might go double for teenagers. Facing the strongest appetites of their lives, a natural urge toward independence, and pressure from peers to go along with the crowd, the ability…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/self-control/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Bootsie = Something undesirable

Bamboozled = to get tricked or decieved

4. Links to Learn From

Question To Ask
http://www.youthspecialties.com/blog/2009/question-to-ask/

Pastor “Daddy”: Juggling Ministry and Fatherhood
http://www.youthspecialties.com/blog/2009/pastor-daddy/

Media Multitaskers: “Suckers for Irrelevancy”
http://www.realworldparents.com/blog/article/media_multitaskers_suckers_for_irrelevancy/

5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

When you wholeheartedly adopt a “with all your heart” attitude and go out with the positive principle, you can do incredible things.
- Norman Vincent Peale

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Links to Learn From
4. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

The Foolish Joy of Mocking

Many students fall into the habit of mocking as a way for covering up their own insecurity. Afraid of looking stupid, some will mock others before they can become the victim. Eventually, the habit can become a lifestyle.
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/the_foolish_joy_of_mocking/

Featured Resource: Boundaries with Teens

In this exciting new book, Dr. Townsend gives important keys for establishing healthy boundaries—the bedrock of good relationships, maturity, safety, and growth for teens and the adults in their lives. The book offers help in raising your teens to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions.

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/boundaries_with_teens/

2. Learn Their Lingo

GMAS = Acronym for give me a second.

Caraoke = Singing along with music in a car, especially loudly and passionately.

4. Links to Learn From

140 Characters of Parenting Insight [YS Blog]
http://www.youthspecialties.com/blog/2009/140-characters-of-parenting-insight-2/

Teen Sex Escalation [The Source for Youth Ministry]
http://www.thesource4ym.com/youthculturewindow/article.asp?id=96

While Adolescents May Reason As Well As Adults, Their Emotional Maturity Lags…[Science Daily]
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007153745.htm

5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
- Elizabeth Stone

Contents

1. Tools for Parenting Teens
2. Learn Their Lingo
3. Movie Reviews
4. Links to Learn From
5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

1. Tools for Parenting Teens

From http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/

Faith and Feelings

All of us struggle some to line up our emotional responses to life with our stated beliefs about God’s greatness, power, goodness, forgiveness, and His absolute love for us. Teens, though—fueled by a cocktail of hormonal change and hyper-cultural connectivity—may…
Read More:
http://www.realworldparents.com/starters/article/faith_and_feelings/

Featured Resource: Sacred Parenting

Explore the spiritual dynamics of parenting, and why caring for children is such an effective discipline in shaping our souls and forming the character of Christ within us.

Save 20% off the retail price of “Sacred Parenting” when you use Coupon Code YPN391 and order by 10/15/09

http://www.realworldparents.com/store/item/sacred_parenting/

2. Learn Their Lingo

Hinky = Something as yet undefinable is wrong, out of place; not quite right.

Microvisit = The real-world equivalent of microblogging. Stopping by to talk to someone for 140 seconds or less.

3. Movie Reviews for Parents

Surrogates

“Surrogates” didn’t clean up at the box office, but its proven sci-fi action premise and even its aging action star will likely draw the interest…
Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/surrogates/

Fame

Thirty years ago, the original “Fame” was built on the idea that talented kids could take their shot at glory by working with everything they…
Read Review:
http://www.realworldparents.com/movies/review/fame/

4. Links to Learn From

The Guilt-Trip Casserole: The Family Dinner [New York Times]
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/04/fashion/04dinner.html?_r=1&8dpc

Five Nutrition Facts About Milk [The Baltimore Sun]
http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/family/sns-health-milk-kids,0,4513088.story

Parental Pride and Adolescence [Psychology Today]
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/200910/parental-pride-and-adolescence

5. A Little Encouragement…And Humor

“Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow – that is patience.”
- Author Unknown