A Newsletter for Parenting Teens
Fall 2009
It’s Time to Begin…
Welcome to “It’s Time to go Beyond”. This is a quarterly newsletter written with the intention of offering you pearls for yourself and your family. For maximum benefit, I invite you to set aside some time to allow moments to ponder. Go make a warm mug of comfort and then come sit down to read this with the expectation of viewing your life as it is today… tomorrow… and beyond. Please feel free to share this newsletter.
It’s Time for a Fresh Perspective…
What is one of the greatest changes you’ve
noticed in your home since the end of summer?
As the pace and complexity of the days increases, many parents find themselves responding to life rather than preparing for it. The result is STRESS. It will spread like a virus to anyone you are in contact with.
How can you best support your teen as you witness their stress?
Rescue or support? Explore ways to you can instil life skills into your teenager to strengthen his/her self-esteem. You will sleep better knowing that your child has what it takes when the going gets tough and /or realizing it is okay to reach out for help when they aren’t getting the results they want.
What are some of the circumstances creating stress?
Autumn marks the beginning of a new academic year and it’s time to get back into an orderly rhythm. For your teen, going back to school is a BIG one. All the way from the lazy days of summer to structure and less choice. It’s a jolt for the best of us. For you, the tempo may dramatically change and the juggling act begins. I’ll bet you if you observe some of the passing drivers in your neighbourhood, you will see the change!
Top Stressors of autumn include:
1. Pressure
- To find a balance and meet expectations of family, peers and teachers
- To select a career path
- To keep up with media influences
2. Time management
- To develop this life skill needed to achieve future goals and objectives
- To be self-disciplined to organize how time is spent
- To prioritize time for much needed sleep
- To schedule in extra-curricular activities
- To recognize when there are too many activities
3. Boundaries
- Determined by school expectations
- Imposed fixed class hours
- Curfews
- To manage computer time, cell phone use, driving, etc.
4. Structure
- Needed to attend to:
- Homework
- Assigned chores
- Expectations - self-imposed or otherwise
Click for more… Stressed Out Teens
It’s Time for a Choice…
How can you effectively create an environment which offers a solution to stress?
Dedicated family time may seem a thing of the past, yet the advantages are tremendous. Studies indicate that eating meals together are of more value that you may have thought. Consider increasing the number of meals eaten together, even if you aren’t able to enjoy this daily. Some of the benefits of family dinners you can expect are:
- The importance they offer teens as they
- Bring routine into their life
- Provide an automatic ‘check-in’ time
- Become a welcomed, healthy break for everyone from the hectic pace of life. When coupled with no TV or telephone interruptions
- An opportunity to learn and implement better eating habits and manners
- Improved nutrition (with better consumption of fruits and vegetables so increased intake of vitamins B6, B12, C and E, more calcium, fibre and iron)
- Discussions
- Participation from each member increases feeling of self-worth, introduces different perspectives and ideas and develops the art of conversation
- Hold off on the discipline talks and unpleasant subjects until you have private time
- Improves language skills when one or more adult is present; the conversation is richer and more stimulating
- Humour encourages bonding; laughter is a positive connection that lasts well beyond the meal
- Improved emotional health
- Closer connections with family
- Creates positive memories
- Less depression
- Fewer weight problems
- Better grades
- Less drug, tobacco and alcohol use
- The contribution to their values and a chance for a ‘temperature reading’ on how their values are developing
Bon Appétit!
It’s Time to Embrace Your Health…
Which preventable measure have you taken to protect yourself from the H1N1 virus?
1. Get the facts from the Public Heath Agency of Canada.
2. Talk to a variety of health professionals conventional and natural for more ideas.
3. Increase your nutritional knowledge, get moderate exercise and adequate rest
4. While it may seem excessive, 20 seconds of good hand washing is the recommendation
5. Set the example with your family and remind them to do the above too
Check out this nutritional recipe and facts!
Spicy Pumpkin Soup And Nutritional Facts
It’s Time for Solutions…
Upcoming Events!
Registration for 2 TNT (Teens Need Time) teleclasses has just begun. Your choices are:
- Mondays 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. beginning on November 2nd for 6 consecutive weeks
OR
- Wednesdays 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. beginning on November 4th for 6 consecutive weeks
This is an accelerated 6 week program. You can expect to learn 7 tools to add to your parenting style which will enhance your relationship with your teenager!
You will call in (a bridge line # will be sent to you) at the time the class begins for a one hour call (you may wish to find a long distance plan).
You will need to commit to a one hour call with a partner once a week (at a mutually agreeable time).
Cost is $90. Class size is limited to 10. Click here to register.
It’s Time to Look Beyond…
Empower your preteen to feel more secure as she embarks on the teen years.
A TNT (Teens Need Time) Workshop for Grade 7 Girls Only!
This will be a 2 part workshop for your Grade 7 daughter during their year of many changes. Your preteen will explore self-esteem strengthening tips and receive coaching to reinforce them. Stay posted for more details coming in the next newsletter. This will be offered in the New Year.
It’s Time to Reflect…
‘If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.
C.G. Jung, Integration of the Personality, 1939
It’s Time to Offer Your Input…
I welcome your comments and questions. You may send them via email to beyondexcuses@shaw.ca with ‘INPUT’ in the subject line.
If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, simply send an email to beyondexcuses@shaw.ca with ’Unsubscribe’ in the subject line. Thank you.
Beyond Excuses™ • Phone: 604-535-6783 • E-mail: beyondexcuses@shaw.ca
