Shocking Stories of Hazing

We all know that kids can be cruel. Many of us have been victims of bullying or cliques at some point in our lives. When we see our kids having trouble fitting in or even treating other kids cruelly, it’s easy to tell ourselves that they are just going through a stage or that getting picked on is just part of growing up. However, more and more stories are surfacing that illustrate the dangers of mean kids. Hazing has become the most recent focus of concerned parents, but what is hazing exactly, and what can parents do about it?

What To Do With The Kids After The Bell Rings

While we all want to be there when the kids get out of school, it is not an option for many parents. The choices that are available today can be vast and confusing. Parents wanting to make sure that their children are involved in healthy after school activities are left with much to consider.

Sleepovers: Are They Responsible?

For many of us, sleepover parties are a standard memory of growing up. On Friday nights, we gathered at a girlfriend's house, ate cookie dough, watched movies, braided each other's hair and played truth or dare—harmless fun, right? Of course, some of us may remember that a sleepover was the place where we first kissed a boy, drank beer, smoked cigarettes and looked at pornography. For a growing number of parents, sleepover parties are considered taboo. Should we let our kids have sleepovers, or are we just asking for trouble?

How Young Is Too Young For Your Child to Have Sex?

There has been a recent trend among parents of teens. A small but growing number of parents allow their teens to have sex at home, reasoning that if the kids are going to do it, they might as well do it with a bit of parental "supervision." Other argue that his is nothing more than children having sex, and that parental permission only make sexual mistakes more likely.   

Media Influence on Body Image

Ultra thin bodies, impossibly long hair, plump lips, flawless skin, never-ending eyelashes and high priced couture are the images that continuously bombard young girls today. The media influence on body image is inescapable. And whether it's intentional or not, that media portrayal of a perfect body can greatly influence a girls body image and how she feels about herself. 

Pressure to Be Perfect

At younger and younger ages, girls become aware of what other people, especially their peers, think of them. The pressures to be perfect—as perfect as a cartoon princess or a Barbie doll or a teenaged TV star—can impact girls to the point where they suffer from low self esteem, anxiety, depression and even dangerous eating disorders. This pressure can come from a variety of sources besides television and magazines. Take a stroll down the toy aisle and notice how dolls and girls self image may be linked. Sure, there is Doctor Barbie, but she looks exactly the same as Beach Barbie, and that might lead an impressionable girl to believe that no matter what she is capable of, she must also maintain a certain appearance. There are other toys and games that may affect body image, as well. Does a three-year-old really need play makeup to look like a princess?

Has your Child Asked you "Where Do Babies Come From" yet? 

As soon as they can talk kids will begin asking that age old question, "Mommy, where do babies come from?"  Are you prepared? There’s a lot of information available today and responses as specific or general as you like, are easy to find on the Internet. But what is the best "story" for your child at this very teachable moment?  You may be surprised.