Preparing Your Teen for the School Year – How to have “the talk”

August 22, 2019August 22, 2019 Blog

Summer is winding down and your teen or tween will soon be stepping into another school year of new experiences, personal and academic growth, new friends, new classes—and a whole ... Read more

How to Respond When Your Child Doubts God

July 22, 2019August 9, 2019 Blog

By Dr. Jennifer Salerno, Adolescent Expert and Author “Mom, I’m not sure I believe in God.” If you’re like most parents, panic sets in and you wonder what the heck ... Read more

To my Kind, Handsome Son as You Leave for College

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019 Blog

Below is a letter I wrote to my son, Bryce, before he left for college three years ago. Since he just recently graduated from Western Michigan University as a pilot, ... Read more

When Social Media Becomes a Death Trap

April 10, 2019April 10, 2019 Blog

3 Tips to Keep Teens Safe in the Age of Social Media Sadie was tormented on Facebook and Instagram. Classmates would tell the 15-year-old to kill herself. Eventually, she did. ... Read more

Parenting a Teen: 4 Easy Ways to Avoid the Words You Never Want to Hear

June 30, 2018July 29, 2018 Blog

Anyone parenting a teen has a list of dreaded words in the back of our minds that we never want to hear… “I’m pregnant.” “Last night. What? I can’t remember.” ... Read more

Be the Change: Identifying Sexual Abuse in Youth

March 30, 2018November 30, 2018 Blog

From the #metoo movement to the heart wrenching testimony of sexual abuse perpetrated by Larry Nassar – the news lately has been filled with one story after another of things ... Read more

Parent-Teen Communication: Best present for Mom or Dad…EVER

December 4, 2017July 29, 2018 Blog

It’s the holiday season again (wasn’t it just yesterday?)  And for parents of teens, presents made of macaroni or popsicle sticks may be a thing of the past.  However, there’s ... Read more

Teen Depression and the Holidays. The Struggle is Real.

October 13, 2017July 29, 2018 Blog

Teen depression grew by 37 percent over the last decade. “Self-Harm Increasing Among Adolescent Girls.” – HealthDay News “Smartphones May Increase Risk of Depression Among Teens.” – TIME Magazine “Teen ... Read more

Netflix’s Hit Show 13 Reasons Why – How Do I Respond?

April 17, 2017July 29, 2018 Blog

Addressing teen suicide: critical next steps for adolescent health professionals and parents of teens. If it seems like everyone is talking about the hit Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why, it’s because ... Read more

The impact of a positive adult influence on our youth

February 10, 2017July 29, 2018 Blog

For teens, having a positive adult influence is mission critical to their overall health and well-being. Whether it’s a teacher, parent, health care provider, coach, mentor or other family member, ... Read more