Adolescents, Explained

How to understand the teenage brain

David Schwartz LMFT

Kids Need to Learn How to Fail to Ultimately Succeed

Adults often applaud everything their child does. While praising effort is good, acting as if it should always lead to extraordinary results can hinder their futures.

How Spending Quality Time Can Really Strengthen Families

What do the Super Bowl and family dinners have in common? They are both shared experiences that help create family connections, now and for the future.

Shame Can Stick to Children Like Glue

Children start off with the joy of freely expressing themselves. Adults need to be aware of the power of their words and the dangers of criticizing them instead of supporting them.

Giving Kids the Gift of Lasting Confidence

When parents criticize free-spirited behavior by children, the child may perceive that they are not accepted for who they are. This can inadvertently damage their self-confidence.

Children Can Pick Up on the Tension in Our Households

Unresolved feelings of resentment can be felt throughout a home. By working through problems to resolve issues, we can help to model healthier behavior for our children.

Why We Can’t Be Friends With Our Kids

We all want our kids to like us and feel close to us. However, there is one clear reason why we cannot truly be friends with our children.

Angry Outbursts Can Be Emotionally Scarring to Children

Children can be quite literal. When we say things we don't mean out of anger, children often believe us. That's why it's so important to be responsible with our language.

Are Morals & Ethics Still Valuable for Children to Learn?

When we teach our children ethics and morality, are we helping them to live better lives, or are we potentially hindering their chances of success in our society?

Who’s in Charge of Your Child’s Success?

Many parents today manage their child's activities, everything from homework to chores. What if the child was able to take over the responsibility of managing those activities?

Fun Moments for Children Can Create a Lifetime of Memories

Making activities fun for children can help create positive memories and strong family bonds. A little creativity can even turn into new family traditions.

Are Our Children Learning That Winning Is All That Matters?

Are children getting the message that fairness and morality are less important than winning at all costs? Could this lead to a belief that ethics have become an antiquated concept?

Helping Adolescents Think Beyond the Headlines

Today, more than ever, adolescents need to develop critical-thinking skills, so they do not rely only on headlines and sound bites to shape their views of the world.

Bored Kids Are At-Risk Kids

Finding interests of their own can help children become happier and feel more fulfilled. It can develop self-identity and also help reduce dangerous behaviors.

When Your Teen Stops Liking You

When your happy child turns into an unhappy teenager, a number of changes can occur. One of the most difficult is when they treat you like you no longer matter in their life.

How Our Worries and Stress Can Negatively Affect Children

Adults often try to shield children from stress in the family, but children can pick up on these emotions and become overwhelmed. Talking with them can help reduce their anxiety.

How Racism and Other Forms of Prejudice Can Infect Children

Racism and other prejudices can easily be absorbed by children. Adults who make derogatory comments based on someone's race or gender can negatively affect a child's belief system.

Comic Books, Guilt, and Steve Ditko

When children believe they've not met our expectations or disappointed us in some way, it can lead to feelings of guilt and shame that can harm how they feel about themselves.

Teenage Girls and Suicide

When teenage girls struggle with their self-image, it can lead to depression and feelings of hopelessness. Those feelings can take a dangerous turn if not recognized.

What We Say to Children Can Have Long-Lasting Impact

As adults, we are often unaware of the long-term impact of the words we use with children. It's important to realize that our words are powerful.

Just Listening to Kids Can Do Wonders for Their Self-Esteem

You'd be amazed at how big a difference really listening to the children in your household can make. It can help increase their self-image and confidence in themselves.

Many Teenagers May Be Ignoring Coronavirus Safety Measures

Teenagers may not understand the full threat of COVID-19. Making sure they know the importance of taking proper safety precautions can help protect your family and community.

7 Ways to Get Teenagers to Actually Listen to You

Teenagers have their own ways of communicating that can often seem disrespectful to adults. Here are seven tips that can help adults communicate more effectively with teens.

Childhood Passions Can Have Long-Lasting Benefits

When children and adolescents discover their own interests and passions, it can help them develop an inner motivation which can aid them immeasurably throughout their lives.

Communicating With Teenagers Like a Superhero

Who can relate better to teenagers, Superman or Spider-Man? Develop your own superpowers to become more effective with the adolescents in your life.

How the Word “No” Can be Harmful to Children and Adolescents

How often can a child hear the word “no” before it begins to damage their self-esteem? When correcting children and adolescents can cause more harm than good.

Teenagers Don't Know Everything

Teenagers struggle with insecurities just like the rest of us. As a result, they often have a desire to appear more confident than they really are.

The Power of Commitments

When a teenager understands the value of making commitments—and then following through on them—it can give them a real advantage in life.

Disrespectful Teenagers

Having an argumentative, complaining teenager may not be all bad. It may actually be part of their healthy development.