2024-04-08 12:56
There has been an uptick in teens posting about difficult experiences, challenging feelings, or emotional topics. For some teens, this is a way to be authentic or raise awareness about somet… Read More
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Middle Earth Blog
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Blog for parents, teachers and other community members discussing teen and adolescent issues, ranging from school, drugs, sex, constructive use of time, responsibility and more.
2024-04-01 13:28
There has been an uptick in teens posting about difficult experiences, challenging feelings, or emotional topics. For some teens, this is a way to be authentic or raise awareness about somet… Read More
2024-03-25 19:27
What your teen sees when they look in the mirror can impact their mental and physical health, including how active they are and their risk for an eating disorder. According to the National I… Read More
2024-03-18 19:32
It is very unfortunate that school shootings and gun violence have become so common that a majority of teenagers have felt some anxiety about the possibility. And as with any increasing safe… Read More
2024-03-11 19:54
Our culture does not always seem to value integrity, and our youth receive a lot of mixed messages about the merit of having good principles. Some teens have seen too many adults acting unet… Read More
2024-03-04 18:40
According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most teens who use drugs are searching for calm and trying to relieve stress. Mental health challenges amo… Read More
2024-02-26 14:19
Almost every athlete experiences some nerves before a big competition, but some athletes, especially youth, are prone to competition anxiety, when the nerves start to negatively impact their… Read More
2024-02-19 13:55
The majority of teens today struggle with poor self-image. Our culture and media are constantly feeding them messages that imply they are not enough – not good-looking enough, not cool… Read More
2024-02-12 15:09
Recent studies and research have demonstrated that too much screen time has a negative impact on our youth. Unfortunately, with over 95% of teenagers having a smartphone, screens are simply… Read More
2024-02-05 14:05
Experts believe that extracurricular activities are very important to a youth’s development and offer many benefits to teens. (You can learn more about the benefits in our previous blo… Read More
2024-01-29 15:47
Last month, the National Institutes of Health released national survey results on teen drug use in 2023. Overall, the news was positive with 2023 data showing either stable or declining tren… Read More
2024-01-22 19:46
Critical thinking skills are the ability to imagine, analyze, and evaluate information in order to determine its integrity, importance and validity. Critical thinking is an important life sk… Read More
2024-01-15 17:02
Anxiety is an epidemic among today’s youth. While it’s always a good idea for anyone with anxiety to seek counseling, mental health professionals are unfortunately in high demand… Read More
2024-01-08 16:03
At a time when many have made New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight, it might seem odd to be promoting weight gain, but pediatricians say it’s an important message for parents of… Read More
2023-12-28 14:00
The beginning of a new year feels like a fresh start, which is probably why so many of us resolve to improve something about ourselves. If your teen is considering making a New Year’s… Read More
2023-12-18 15:33
Although our culture pushes the holidays as a joyous time, the reality can sometimes be different. Hectic schedules can make us feel stressed. There is pressure to spend money we don’t… Read More
2023-12-11 15:04
Losing a pet, friend, family member, or other loved one is heartbreaking, and the emotional rollercoaster that follows can be overwhelming. Grief is a natural process and a necessa… Read More
2023-12-04 19:50
Household chores are a perfect way to teach youth responsibility and communicate that everyone in a household is expected to chip in to help the family. We cannot raise teens to become compe… Read More
2023-11-27 20:12
The holidays are upon us, and many teens want to participate in parties or other social celebrations. It can be really hard to know how best to keep teens safe while still allowing them to e… Read More
2023-11-20 18:11
Research has shown that the maintenance of family traditions is far more important to children of all ages than most parents realize. Despite their eye-rolling, teens gain a sense of belongi… Read More
2023-11-13 15:38
Being part of a team can teach young people responsibility, good communication skills, perseverance, and how to work together for a common goal. Additionally, good teamwork is a highly desir… Read More
2023-11-06 15:19
Raising teens is not an easy task. Teens can be difficult to understand and to get along with, which means that conflict is bound to happen! If you want a more peaceful homelife or a teen wh… Read More
2023-10-30 13:55
Thanks to technology, our world is so much more interconnected than ever before. As a result, our children will be exposed to a wide variety of people with many differences, including race… Read More
2023-10-23 17:38
There are so many online dangers for parents to be concerned about that it can feel overwhelming. Sadly, it’s important for parents to be aware of the latest threats to their teens, an… Read More
2023-10-16 14:11
October is Bullying Prevention Month, and while most articles center around how to help victims, it’s equally important that we consider the other side. Could our child be a bully? Eve… Read More
2023-10-09 12:14
October is bullying prevention month. Today we will discuss the warning signs that your child is being bullied and what you should do if they are experiencing bullying. The first thing to un… Read More
2023-10-02 15:52
Adolescence is an emotional roller coaster, and it can seem like teens have over-the-top reactions. For parents, the constant turmoil can be frustrating. But, it’s important to underst… Read More
2023-09-25 11:32
Obtaining a driving learner’s permit is a major milestone for teens, but it can be both exciting and terrifying for parents. Parents must quickly take the role of teacher, and we know… Read More
2023-09-18 14:38
What should you do when your teen is hanging out with kids you just don’t like? Maybe your daughter brings home a new friend, but the kid’s bad attitude turns you off immediately… Read More
2023-09-11 11:53
Some teens seem to find a hobby or sport that they really love and stick with it. Other teens seem to flit from activity to activity, often losing interest as soon as the hobby gets a bit ch… Read More
2023-09-05 14:34
Bringing home a bad grade is dreaded by every student. How will their parents react? What will they say? Will there be a punishment? Parents also dread bad grades for different reasons. They… Read More
2023-08-28 16:36
Parents of teens have a difficult job. We are somehow supposed to encourage open communication with a person who rolls their eyes, slams doors, and generally acts like we don’t know an… Read More
2023-08-21 12:18
It’s normal for everyone to wonder about their purpose. Unfortunately, our mind can spiral to a darker place, getting to the point where you wonder, “What is the point of life?&r&hell…Read More
2023-08-14 12:39
Sending a teen off to college is a very stressful and emotional time. Parents feel a lot of excitement, but also some fear, worry, a sense of loss, and will certainly miss their day-to-day i… Read More
2023-08-07 17:22
Summer is winding down and families are preparing to send children back to school. Teens might be feeling a wide variety of emotions, ranging from excitement to anxiety. Whatever your teen m… Read More
2023-07-31 14:37
More and more Americans seem to be struggling under the burden of debt. Whether it’s credit cards, student loans, or other forms, debt is all too common for many young adults. Unfortun… Read More
2023-07-24 19:51
If your teen is a bit self-absorbed, you are not alone. Many teens go through a phase of believing they are the center of the universe, and while annoying, it will likely pass. However, ther… Read More
2023-07-17 15:27
Confidence or self-esteem is how your child feels about themself and their abilities. These feelings develop as your child interacts with you and others. A child with a healthy self-esteem v… Read More
2023-07-10 14:15
The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an advisory that social media is hurting our nation’s children. Social media causes teens to lose sleep, withdraw from face-to-face i… Read More
2023-07-03 12:52
Nationwide, there has been a significant and steady drop in college enrollment. Consider these statistics: In addition, with the recent Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action… Read More
2023-06-26 14:00
If you ask parents what they want most for their children, the majority will answer, “I want them to be happy.” But that’s hard to define. Happiness is an emotion, a moment… Read More
2023-06-20 14:58
Developing a child’s sense of responsibility is one of the most important skills parents need to instill, and the tween years are the perfect time to start! When you teach your childre… Read More
2023-06-12 14:27
Adolescent culture has embraced sexting – the term for sending sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos via any digital device. It can include nudity, suggestive messages, or cont… Read More
2023-06-05 13:40
We all know that adolescents face an extraordinary amount of peer pressure, and unfortunately, when humans are under pressure, we don’t always make the best decisions. Despite our inte… Read More
2023-05-30 14:44
Leadership is a valuable skill set to have, especially in adulthood. Employers are always looking for good leaders, and even if a person is not in a leadership role in their workplace, leade… Read More
2023-05-22 12:35
Summer is fast approaching and many families are wondering the best use of the school break. Should teens have time to just relax and be free from responsibilities? Should they be working on… Read More
2023-05-15 17:35
The cultural perception of marijuana is that it is medicinal, natural, and not dangerous. Most consider it less addictive than many other illicit drugs and unlikely to create substantial imp… Read More
2023-05-09 15:42
The number of young adults in the United States who are living with a parent has increased significantly over the past couple of decades. In July 2022, half of adults ages 18 to 29 were livi… Read More
2023-05-01 14:00
Our nation faces a provider shortage in the mental health field at the exact same time that our nation’s youth are suffering from an epidemic of mental health illnesses. The CDC says t… Read More
2023-04-24 14:22
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in March 2023 discovered that the mortality rate for children and teens in the United States surged in 2020 and 2021. Ped… Read More
2023-04-17 14:21
Over the last 10 years, the number of annual teen deaths from drug overdoses more than doubled. The increase is not coming from more teens using drugs, but rather from drug use becoming more… Read More
2023-04-10 14:01
New research, published last month in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, demonstrates that potentially toxic chemicals found in everyday products are altering the hormonal and me… Read More
2023-03-27 13:43
According to the American Osteopathic Association, hearing loss in teens has risen by 30 percent since the 1990s, with 1 in 5 teens having some form of hearing loss. It’s importan… Read More
2023-03-20 17:49
Teenagers and risk seem to go hand in hand. As teens walk the path of becoming independent adults, exploring their limits and abilities is part of developing their identities. Risk-taking is… Read More
2023-03-13 12:57
Teens with self-advocacy skills are more likely to have higher self-esteem, a positive sense of identity, greater social connections, more leadership qualities and enhanced problem solving a… Read More
2023-03-06 15:23
More than a million kids ages 5 to 14 are injured each year in sports and require a trip to the emergency room, according to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Football has the highe… Read More
2023-02-27 18:52
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of their Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a bi-annual survey that measures adolescent health and well-being. Co… Read More
2023-02-20 20:40
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the results of their Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey, which has been conducted every other year for three deca… Read More
2023-02-13 15:30
One goal of raising children is to help them become increasingly responsible and independent as they age, and one of those developmental milestones on the path to independence is dating. Man… Read More
2023-02-06 16:08
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Unfortunately, almost a third of adolescents in the U.S. become victims of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a datin… Read More
2023-01-30 18:52
Teenagers are not the easiest people to hold a conversation with. While it’s very normal and common for teens to separate from their parents, it can be frustrating and hurtful for pare… Read More
2023-01-23 20:13
In today’s current online environment, social media has encouraged vandalism through challenges, dares, or viral trends. For example, after the pandemic, the “Devious Licks&rdquo&hell…Read More
2023-01-17 15:10
Adolescence is both a time of critical brain development and high social media use. Adolescent brains are going through the most development and reorganization, second only to infancy, makin… Read More
2023-01-09 14:32
High control groups are organizations that entice unsuspecting individuals to commit to, and comply with, the group’s way of thinking, acting and believing. Cults are an extreme form o… Read More
2023-01-02 14:27
Dealing with the emotions we feel inside is an important life skill that we all must develop. People who learn coping skills for managing their emotions have better relationships with others… Read More
2022-12-26 14:16
It’s that time of year again where we feel the urge to reflect on the past year and hope for all the possibilities in the coming year, and that often results in the all-too-famous New… Read More
2022-12-19 14:09
The school break for the holidays is rapidly approaching, and our absolute best tip for surviving it with your teen is to have fun! Here are several ideas for activities your teen can do ove… Read More
2022-12-12 20:47
As the holidays approach, many of us feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. While holidays have the potential for fun and special memories, they also have the potential for stress and fam… Read More
2022-12-05 14:47
Research has shown that the maintenance of family traditions is far more important to children of all ages than most parents realize. Despite their eye-rolling, teens gain a sense of belongi… Read More
2022-11-28 18:40
Gambling is quite popular in our society, and children are exposed to the concept at early ages. There are many gambling advertisements on TV and social media that promote the idea that gamb… Read More
2022-11-21 13:16
As Thanksgiving approaches, many parents might be wondering how to make the holiday meaningful to their teens or how to raise their teens to be more grateful… or at least less entitle… Read More
2022-11-14 15:31
“I don’t want to go to school” is a phrase nearly every parent has heard many times. Every child complains about going to school now and then, and even resists going to sch… Read More
2022-11-07 22:25
In the last decade, there has been a big push to reduce the stigma of mental health to great effect. More and more people are recognizing the importance of good mental health and willing to… Read More
2022-10-31 13:18
There is a lot of talk in our culture about misinformation particularly on social media platforms. Since youth spend a huge amount of time on social media and even get their “news&rdqu&hell…Read More
2022-10-24 13:37
When our children are irresponsible, disrespectful or disobedient, it’s extremely difficult to stay calm. Teens especially seem to know just the right buttons to push to make us see re… Read More
2022-10-17 11:12
Over the last decade, mental health among youth has deteriorated, and it’s only gotten worse in the past couple of years. Compared with 2019, emergency room visits for suicide attempts… Read More
2022-10-10 13:23
Youth sports have been proven to offer teens substantial benefits. Unfortunately, almost half of youth stop playing sports by the time they get to high school. The way our nation currently v… Read More
2022-10-03 12:01
In a recent report from Network Contagion Research Institute and Rutgers University, researchers describe a dramatic rise in social media posts, particularly on Twitter, related to self-harm… Read More
2022-09-26 17:30
When teens are ready to enter the job market, many run into a big problem right away. They have no idea how to actually get hired. It can be overwhelming to a young person beginning this pro… Read More
2022-09-19 17:48
Vaping is continuing to rise among youth. The Centers for Disease Control report that in 2021, 1 in 9 high school students said they had vaped in the past month. Two recent studies demonstra… Read More
2022-09-12 13:10
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that, in 2020, suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14… Read More
2022-09-05 13:46
Almost every adult wants a magic formula that will make conversations with teens easier. There actually is one, but it’s likely not what you expected or want to hear. Communication wit… Read More
2022-08-29 12:48
As many students head back to school, we are facing a possible teacher shortage. Between the pandemic and recent political attacks on curriculum, teachers are stressed and considering differ… Read More
2022-08-22 13:37
Classes, social stress, homework, sports, chores, part-time jobs, after-school activities… teens live busy lives. Does your teen seem to be dragging? Many teens feel tired from their… Read More
2022-08-15 13:25
As our nation deals with extreme weather, heat deaths in the U.S. have increased 56% from 2018 to 2021. The high heat and humidity across our country are a danger to all of us, but particula… Read More
2022-08-08 13:12
The school year is soon starting, and with it comes renewed pressure. Teenagers today are under a lot of stress. They feel pressure from parents, teachers, peers, and social media. They worr… Read More
2022-08-01 12:04
Approximately half of marriages fail in the United States. This is a difficult statistic to swallow and maybe more so for the children whose lives are impacted. No matter what the marriage s… Read More
2022-07-25 13:12
The adolescent years are a difficult transition as teens still need close connections with their parents, but are also in the process of developing more independence and creating their own i… Read More
2022-07-18 13:14
Children can be excellent manipulators, especially with their parents. Some teens use it like a weapon to cover their mistakes or avoid punishment. Others use it to get what they want or gai… Read More
2022-07-11 13:38
According to the 2020 STD Surveillance Report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of gonorrhea rose 10% by the end of the year, and rates of syphilis were u… Read More
2022-07-04 10:44
Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day is a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, but it also poses some risks. Thousands of people are taken to hospital emergency rooms in th… Read More
2022-06-27 13:19
Next month, July, is UV Awareness Month. With summer in full swing, it’s important to educate teens about the dangers of sun exposure. Exposure to ultraviolet (or UV) rays, from either… Read More
2022-06-20 12:28
Many families with rising high school seniors will spend part of their summer touring college campuses. The college application process has become a source of intense pressure for many young… Read More
2022-06-13 15:24
The transition from child to adult is a hard one for parents to navigate. While we all want our children to grow up to become happy, healthy, successful adults, the actual process of changin… Read More
2022-06-06 14:02
Summer is rapidly approaching, and many of us are considering vacations. The only problem for many families is that parents aren’t sure they want to spend an entire week traveling with… Read More
2022-05-31 14:40
As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, we want to focus on one of the most overlooked influencers of mental health: sleep. There are many studies that connect sleep loss with poor ment… Read More
2022-05-23 12:47
The firearm homicide rate in the United States reached its highest level, and guns became the leading cause of death among children and teens in 2020, killing more people ages 1 to 19 in the… Read More
2022-05-16 14:05
With summer rapidly approaching, many teens are considering part-time employment. A first job for a teen can be a really exciting and positive entry into the adult world! A job can help teen… Read More
2022-05-09 15:32
Self-care is a big buzz word thrown around media these days, but there’s a lot of confusion about what it really means and there are many misconceptions about it. Self-care is not self… Read More
2022-05-02 12:48
Last month, the Journal of the American Medical Association released a study reporting that adolescent overdose deaths in the United States have more than doubled over the past decade. Despi… Read More
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