Are you a Tiger Mother, like Amy Chua, or do you let your child make his or her own decisions about extracurricular activities? Should you snoop on your teen’s open Facebook page or would you consider that a violation of your child’s privacy? If you’ve got teens, you’ve got questions. Amy Dickinson, a.k.a. “Ask […]
Once upon a time, older generations of women embraced young girls and taught them what it meant to be an adult woman. The grandmother or aunt would support the girl’s mother in her formation into adulthood. But according to Dr. Leonard Sax, a family physician and leading American psychologist in the field of single […]
It isn’t always easy for mothers to know when our daughters are negotiating the natural ups and downs of friendship … … or facing exclusion or humiliation from a clique of mean girls. According to Paulette Janus, LCSW, who counsels children and teens at the AFG Guidance Center in Kenilworth, being part of a […]
Growing up is awkward—adjusting to a new body shape, along with social pressures, can be tough. As a parent, you can help your daughter accept her whole self as a unique and special person. Having a positive body image—how she sees, believes and feels about herself—will help her be more self-confident and instill healthy […]
One student is taking a picture of a test on his iPhone to send to his buddy in the next class, another is handing in an essay he downloaded from the Internet, meanwhile another dozen students are sharing a classmate’s lab.
When I think of the quintessential good sport, I think of Uri, the child of friends of mine who are both musicians. Uri grew up playing violin and piano, and even though he is wiry and small, he’s a fast runner and an exceptional soccer player. He has always competed—athletically and musically—and I suddenly […]
Of the 28 kids who took the karate promotion exam at the Traditional Karate Center in Wilmette last spring, 27 got promoted to a full belt. Only one kid got a provisional pass: my youngest son, Billy. Billy, who I’m always feeling bad for because he has grown up in the back of our […]
Looking for some parenting insight from a teen perspective? Here are few suggestions: Tell us why you say “no.” The quickest way to start a fight with your teen is to say: “Because I said so.” We work very hard at staging our requests so we can win a “yes.” So when we get […]
Need help deciphering the OMGs and LOLs? You can pick up a few tips from a professional in the know, as well as from those in the parental trenches with you. Join your friends and neighbors for appetizers, wine and a conversation with Make It Better’s parenting expert, Dr. Meryl Lipton. Make It Better Presents: […]
