by LorraineSegal | Jul 17, 2012
How can parents stay loving and detached but still listen when challenged by preteens and new teens? My favorite pediatrician, T Berry Brazelton, advises parents of teens who are being challenged or insulted to say calmly, “I’m interested in what you have to say, but...
by LorraineSegal | Feb 4, 2012
One huge source of conflict and stress for parents of teens is figuring out how to set appropriate guidelines and consequences and then follow through successfully. Here are some tips and suggestions based on communication and conflict resolution principles: 1. Set...
by LorraineSegal | Jan 6, 2012
If you find yourself in frequent arguments with your teen—take heart. According to a newly published study, the right kind of disagreement may help a teen ‘just say no’ to peers when pressured to use drugs or be sexually active. The longitudinal study at the...
by LorraineSegal | Jun 28, 2011
An apology can bring powerful healing to conflicted relationships. I was privileged to witness this recently in a juvenile diversion mediation. In the mediation for a teen offender and her victims, one thirteen year old girl I’ll call Rebecca took a photo with her...
by LorraineSegal | Jun 1, 2011
Is it right to lock up teens forever when their brains are still developing? I read in the newspaper a few days ago that the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled to uphold a life sentence without parole to a teen, Omer Ninham, who murdered a 13 year old when he was 14. In...
by LorraineSegal | May 18, 2011
You start what seems like a simple conversation with your teen, but before you even know what happened, you’re screaming at each other. How did you get to this horrible place so fast with someone you deeply love? Our feelings are an essential part of communication and...
