How do I protect my kids from school bullies?
,Dear Mattsons, How do I protect my kids from school bullies? Sincerely, Mama and Papa bear That is right, Mama and Papa Bear, you want to protect…
Why our college students still need us
My college student bought a rolling cart for her dorm one year. On move-in day, she cleared a space on her crowded suite floor and took the cart out…
How young is too young for my kids to have a boyfriend or girlfriend?
Dear Mattsons: How young is too young for my kids to have a boyfriend or girlfriend? What are suggested guidelines to put in place to help them build…
US Surgeon General releases advisory on the dangers of social media for kids
Science often trails common sense, and the government often trails science. When technology explodes in the private sector with unprecedented…
What is your teen daughter’s view of romance?
Last week my friend’s daughter said, “When I get married, if my fiancé doesn’t cry when I start walking down the aisle, I’m going to turn around and…
Four ways to care for your teens’ mental health during the holidays
Christmastime. It’s the most wonderful time of the year—unless it’s not. Then the holidays can be really hard. Whether it’s missing a loved one, the…
Creating a haven at home for teens in a noisy world
I set down four alarm clocks next to the cash register. The young cashier squinted at my purchases, as if to say, “You know nobody uses these…
Responding to teen parenting challenges with courage and grace
As a pediatric nurse practitioner, I often meet families behind closed doors at a point of crisis they never saw coming. No parent walks into my…
Helping your teen identify their feelings
Cotton Candy is what I call her. She is full of sweetness, marvel, and loves big crowds. Her role, she feels, is to bring joy to all who are in her…
