Getting Familiar with Popular Kids Clothes

For many parents, trying to understand their kids is the hardest part of raising children. One day they think you are a hero, then next day you are the biggest nerd that walked the earth. There is no science for this process, it just happens. So taking the time to learn about your kids, what they like, and what is popular is a great way to avoid absolute nerd-dom.

Popular Clothes for Kids

There are many popular clothes out there for kids. For specific designer brands, take a hard look at what they are wearing, what their friends are wearing, and even the music they listen to. Often times the fads and designers fall in line with popular culture, what is seen on television, or heard on the radio. The perfect example of this is with Apple Bottom jeans. A song helped to introduce the line, and since then it has been a favorite among high school kids.

There are more factors that are tied into kids and their fashion choices. For the most part their preferences are driven by peer pressure. Think back to when you were a kid. Why did you wear all of that neon, or striped socks? Simple, because everyone else was too. There is nothing different about kids today than when you were a kid. Educating yourself on the designers that are available, looking at what your kids, and other kids are wearing, will help you identify what kids like so that you can avoid the pitfalls of ignorance regarding young fashion.

 

Filed Under: General

Monitoring Your Teens Cell Phone Use

Trust, especially between parents and teens, is the singular most important element in family relations.

As a parent, you must create a balance of honoring your child’s privacy while also setting the rules and protecting them in areas where they might lack the maturity to make wise decisions.

One area that can use some thoughtful parental monitoring is in the use of cell phones.

Cell phones certainly have great advantages in family life. You can call your teen and check on them; they can call you in time of emergency. But, as with all good things, there are negative factors that can come with the free use of cell phones. Continual texting can become a problem. There are teens that have gotten themselves into some serious problems by sending, or receiving, inappropriate messages and photos.

Prepaid phones are an advantage because there is no contracts and fees for use over a certain minute level. If your teen is not using the phone within family rules, the phone is simply not renewed.

Still, even with prepaid phones, the best way to monitor phone usage is to set the rules upfront and stick to them. Make sure these rules are clear and understood by all.

  • Let them know you will monitor text messages through the message outbox; anything inappropriate and they lose the phone.
  • If the phone is not prepaid and they go over the limit, they pay the difference.
  • They must follow cell phone rules at school.
  • They must obey safety rules: no texting, calling while driving, etc.
  • And last, if they break rules, they lose their phone.

Make sure you are firm when using these rules so the appropriate boundaries are set.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: General, Homeschooling Tagged With: , ,

Dealing with Teen Rebellion

As children get older, it often becomes more difficult to discipline them. That makes teenage rebellion a particularly problematic phase that can tear families apart. If you use a sensible approach to discipline, though, you might find that you can get through to your child without causing great turmoil in your home.

teen parade 2006

Image by Jefferson Martina via Flickr

Set Boundaries

It’s part of a teenager’s job to test boundaries, and it’s your job to make sure your teen knows when she has crossed them. Set specific boundaries that are easy to identify. Don’t tell your teenager to “be home at a reasonable time.” You’re just begging for an argument. Instead, tell her to “be home by ten” or a time that feels comfortable to you.

Enforce Rules Consistently

By creating very specific boundaries, you will make it easier for you to enforce rules consistently. It isn’t easy to enforce every rule consistently. Some days you just might not have the energy to enforce a rule. Regardless of how you feel, it is your job to make sure that your teen knows she has crossed a line and that there are repercussions for doing so.

Choose Fair Punishments

The punishment should match the crime. If you hand out steep punishments for small infractions, then your child will stop listening to you. After all, she probably already thinks that you’re “crazy” in some way. Getting bent out of shape over a small rule will justify that position in her mind and encourage her to shut you out completely. Besides, if she gets heavy punishments for small infractions, then she might figure that it makes sense to push things to the limit by doing anything she pleases.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Child Development, General, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Choosing Video Games for Your Kids

At some point, your child will probably want to get a video game system. All of his friends have them, so he wants to get in on the action. Otherwise, what will he have to talk about at school the next day? Video games aren’t necessarily bad things. Before you start letting your kids play them, though, you should understand the rating system. That way, you can choose games that are appropriate for your children.

ESRB

Image via Wikipedia

Games for the Whole Family

Video games that are rated EC or E shouldn’t contain anything that parents will find objectionable. EC stands for “early childhood.” These are usually cute games that can help your child develop important thinking and motor skills. E stands for “everyone,” but they could contain some mild violence or language use that would bother extremely sensitive children. Stick to these ratings and your kids shouldn’t pick up any unwanted behaviors.

Games for Older Children

E10+ are games that are deemed acceptable for children ten and over. This category is largely separate from those below it because the games can contain more elements of fantasy. The expectation is that children can differentiate between reality and fantasy by the time they reach 10 years of age.

T stands for “teen.” These games can contain some crude humor, mild violence, and a small amount of blood. They might even have the occasional curse word, but nothing worse than what they’ll see on television.

Games for Adults

Games that are rated M and AO are for the 17 and older crowd, not kids. They can contain anything from extreme violence to graphic sexual content that could confuse kids.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Child Development, General, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

To the Top