Don't Give Up on Your Kids

The transition from child to teen can be a very challenging time for parents, watching a child grow up and begin to pull away from the family unit, wanting to spend more and more time with peers. They wonder why their children don't want to spend as much time doing the 'family thing' with them. It's important to understand that, as children grow into teens, they begin to look toward their future; by pulling away from their families; they are simply searching for independence.

The teenage years are often when issues arise; parents continue to want to play a supportive role in their child's life, while the teens are fighting to stand on their own. Many parents feel that their children still need guidance as they deal with the many issues that face teens today: drugs, alcohol, and extreme peer pressure, as well as emotional struggles. Teens want to figure these things out by themselves. How do parents and teens find balance in their relationships? How can parents connect with teens and encourage them to speak openly and to trust them?

In "Don't Give Up on Your Kids," S. J. Carr shares some of the things she has learned over the years in her extensive work with children and teens-most notably, why it's important to never give up.