Alarming Number of Teens Use Opioids Nonmedically

Just more than 1 in 6 high school seniors has used prescription opioids, says a study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. That 17.6 percent have used opioids for any medical reason is scary enough, but 12.9 percent say they have used opioids nonmedically. It's terrifying to think that kids can access strong mind-altering drugs and use them recreationally. It's worrisome that they would even want to. Sure, kids are curious. But this goes beyond a little alcohol pot experimentation (both of which are bad enough). Opioids affect thinking and development. Even just one use can have disasterous, long-term consequences.  Do I sound paranoid? I am, with good reason. You should be too. Read on. Study Finds Alarming Number of Teens Use Opioids Nonmedically

How to parent teens through relationship drama without going crazy

As a mom, I'm generally confident handling childhood hurdles--potty-training, picky eaters, night frights--bring 'em on. There's one issue that shakes my equanimity--teen relationship drama. Whether they're boyfriend-girlfriend connections or same-gender friendships, teenage relationships are often fraught with drama and drenched in anxiety. Frankly, I'd rather beard a lion in its den than deal with drama. Even the term sets my teeth on edge. Disagreeable as they are, relationship problems are part of life. After four kids (and a lot of trial and error), I've assembled some thoughts for parents on helping kids navigate peer relationships.  How to parent teens through relationship drama without going crazy - Yahoo! Shine

Parent, Teen Health Concerns about Bath Salts, K2, Spice

Cayman Chemical in Ann Arbor, Mich., and law enforcement officials are working to deal with synthetic drugs like K2 and Spice, the Detroit Free Press reports.
* According to the Cayman Chemical website, synthetic pot is stronger than THC (found in marijuana). Spice made from dried plant materials tainted with synthetic cannabinoids is used to ape the psychotropic effects of Cannabis sativa.
* K2 and Spice are also sometimes called "bath salts." They're being linked to psychotic behavior and hospitalizations.

Read more at  Michigan Chemical Company Aids in K2, Spice Crackdown

Infant Low Birth Weight Findings Show Need for Parenting Classes

There is good news coming from a study published in the journal Pediatrics about very low birth weight infants. From 2000-2009, 1.9 percent fewer v ery low birth weight infants (weighing less than 1,500 grams at birth) died. However, there was another very depressing statistic. Though VLBW infants account for only 1.5 percent of the newborn population, they represent 50 percent of infant deaths in the U.S. Read more at
 Infant Low Birth Weight Findings Show Need for Parenting Classes 

Kids' Sunburn, Teen Tanning Habits Increase Skin Cancer Risk

Kids' Sunburn, Teen Tanning, Skipping Sunscreen Increase Skin Cancer Risk A study from the American Academy of Pediatrics found children's sunburn and tanning behavior increased the risk of skin cancer. Moderate amounts of sun help provide needed vitamin D, but sunburns and even excessive tanning is dangerous. Here are tips to balance the health benefits of the sun with precautions for skin cancer prevention, including tanning, indoor tanning beds and sunscreen use for children, teens and parents. Read on...

Babysitter's Safety Checklist Guide

Babysitter's Personal Safety Checklist: What Teen Babysitters and Parents Should Expect
Babysitting; most all teen girls and some tweens have worked as a babysitter. Babysitting for boys is a less common after-school job. Here is a safety precaution checklist for parents of babysitters. Use this list to protect your teen when she babysits.
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Understand Adolescent Brain Development: Lack of Fear; Thrill Seeking

Understanding Adolescent Brains; Lack of Fear Means Need for Excitement
Adolescent brains have adult capacity but lack the restraint that comes with age. The brain of a teenager has developed intellectually, but doesn't understand cause and effect and consequences. This leads to a need for excitement and danger.
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Understand Adolescent Brain Development: Concrete vs. Abstract Operations

Parenting Teens: Understanding Adolescent Brain Development
The brain of a teenager has developed for the most part, to its full adult ability. Teens progress from concrete, two-dimensional thinking to abstract thinking. Adolescents brain neurons are firing at a rate unparalleled at any other time of life.
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Understand Adolescent Brain Development: Selfishness, Fairness, Ethical Behavior

Understanding Adolescent Brain Development; Empathy, Selfishness and Self-Care
Parenting is a challenge. Parenting a teenager can seem like a monumental task. The adolescent brain has all adult capabilities. But the teen's sense of fairness and ethics has not completely formed yet, so many healthy teens seem ruthless and selfish.
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Hookah Smoking: Unsafe, Unhealthy, Unsanitary? Addictive? Or Just Harmless Fun?

Hookah Smoking and Hookah Bars: Safe, Unsafe or Just a Passing Fad?
Smoking hookah, or flavored tobacco, is becoming increasingly more popular with teens and young adults. Hookah bars provide heated water bongs in which hookah smokers share a common mouthpiece. Since writing this, more has come out on hookah, showing that it's not greatly addictive and not nearly as addictive as cigarettes. It's also a social activity in many Middle eastern countries. I think we need to seek understanding and exercise caution before judging any cultural activity.  Read More

Puberty, Teens and Parenting Health Help

Coping Skills for Dealing with Puberty in Teens
Puberty. Hormones. The pituitary gland has a lot to answer for. It steals away your precious infant and drops a snarling tornado of tears in her place. The poor parents are left shell-shocked in the wake of the storm.
Read on...

Teenagers, Sexuality and Masturbation

How to Talk to Your Teen About Masturbation and Sexuality
Masturbation. Wet dreams. Teenagers are notorious for driving parents to insanity. Teen sexuality and masturbation tops the list of embarrassing teen behaviors. Here's frank, straight talk about a messy, awkward subject.
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Teenagers,Acne and Zits

Teenagers and Zits: Acne Health Help
What do teenagers fear most of all? A teenagers worst nightmare is: Zits. 'Pimples', 'blemishes', 'acne', call acne what you will, teens dread pimples. Here are dos and don'ts for acne treatment and product reviews.
http://www.associatedcontent.com

Endorphins and Mood-Elevating Hormones

Endorphins: Mood Lifters and Depression Busters
Endorphins are not dolphins with interior skeletons or cartoon characters. Endorphins are hormones. Not the kind that make your teenager act like a mutant beings. Endorphins are the nice-guy hormones.
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Attitude of Entitlement: What to Do?

Why Kids Today Are so Lazy, Selfish and Undisciplined
"Kids today expect everything to be handed to them. Kids today are lazy and selfish. Kids today have no self-discipline. Kids today don't want to work for anything... " Why are there so many problems with 'kids today'? Developmental psycholology looks at rewards, prizes, gifts and motivation in teenagers and kids.

Emotional Health: Teenagers and Discipline

Disciplining Teenagers - Seven Principles of Behavioral Psychology
You've got teens. You are ready to tear your hair out. How do you discipline them? Why don't they listen? What are they thinking? What's with the attitude? Who took your sweet children and replaced them with these aliens?
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Tweens: Understanding is the Key

Tweens: What is a Tween?
Tween is a buzzword that defines the 9-12 year old child, caught be-'tween' childhood and teenager. Lower ages of puberty have caused a social, cultural and educational push-down. We need to understand our tween to best help them.
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Eating Disorders: A Mother's First Hand Experiences and Reviews of Treatment Programs

Eating Disorders: First Hand Review of Treatment Programs & Therapies
Guidelines for selecting treatment for eating disorders
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The Ultimate Guide to Parenting a Child with an Eating Disorder
Definitive coverage of weight loss, dieting and developing good eating habits from the perspective of a parent coping with an eating disordered child.
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