Most kids today have access to abundant technology. They have tablets in preschool, Chromebooks in elementary school, and by middle school, many have their first (or second, or third…) smartphone. Does that mean it’s okay? There are risks and benefits with every piece of technology. A smartphone has the incredible ability to connect us with … Continue reading When is my child old enough to get a smartphone?
Each spring that iHope has been opened, we’ve had several high school seniors seek our Care & Counseling services to address anxiety, fear, and stress related to their transition to college. This is totally normal! The transition from high school to college is a big life change. Just like moving to a new state, getting … Continue reading Are you ready for college?
I hope that this title makes no sense to you. Relationship drama? What is that? Let’ sum it up as: emotional excess in romantic relationships. It is very easy to get caught up in the he-said-she-said “drama” of relationships, not to mention the “they said” component of social media. No one is very logical when … Continue reading Relationship Drama is so Overrated
Earlier this year, we posted a blog asking: Do you know what your child is doing on their phone? Many parents want to avoid the sad reality on how smartphones and social media are impacting our kids. It is a scary question to ask, but who promised that raising a child would be easy? (They … Continue reading What would your child’s youth pastor say they are most concerned about for your child?
If you’re like most parents, you may have a vague idea of what your child is doing on that smartphone you gave them for Christmas. But let’s face it. Today’s middle and high schoolers are “digital natives,” and they will always know more about their phones than their parents. That doesn’t mean you have to … Continue reading Do you know what your child is doing on their phone?
If you know a teenager, you may be familiar with the reality of how often peer interactions can create… drama. (Or, as my husband the high school teacher likes to say… dram-ma.) At some level, drama is inevitable. Humans are made to be in relationship with each other. Since humans are imperfect, these relationships are also … Continue reading Managing the Back-to-School Drama
If you’re a parent, you undoubtedly want a good relationship with your kids. Before they're even born, you're praying for them, loving them, and envisioning the future. So why does it get so difficult to stay actively involved in your kids’ lives as they become teens? In adolescence, your kids begin to pull away from … Continue reading 4 Tips for Staying Involved in Your Teenager’s Life
Many kids today are more tech-savvy than their parents. This can make it difficult to supervise what your child is doing online, but monitoring their online activity is very important. For many teens, their online lives are often more “real” to them than the people and things around them. Teens use technology differently. From television … Continue reading Are you a tech-savvy parent?
If you live in America, it’s becoming more and more likely that the answer is “yes.” Since 1985, American teenagers have jumped from 18% of college freshman feeling “overwhelmed” to 41%. Nearly one-third of teens and adults have an anxiety disorder. But do we even see it when it’s happening? Three Myths About Anxiety “It’s … Continue reading Is your teenager struggling with anxiety?
As your kids get older, they may want to spend more time in their rooms, on technology, or out of the house. This doesn’t mean your job as a parent is done! These are the times to be more curious, more supportive, and to find more teaching opportunities to guide your child’s social life as … Continue reading The 5 W’s to monitoring teens