Posted on 5/1/2018
No question about it, the peer group exerts great influence on teenagers. From the way they dress to the way they carry their books, the stamp of peer pressure is upon them. If the influence is...
Read MorePosted on 2/21/2018
Q: When our daughter, an only child, turned thirteen and entered the 8th grade, it was like a switch was flipped. Almost overnight, she went from being a sweet, respectful and obedient child who...
Read MorePosted on 8/22/2017
Q: Our son attends first grade at the local public school. At the beginning of the school year, all the parents were basically told that we are expected to go to the school’s parent website every...
Read MorePosted on 4/11/2017
During my sophomore year at Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois, my guidance counselor, Mr. Gusloff, refused my request to take auto shop because I was, he said, college-bound and my...
Read MorePosted on 1/31/2017
Q: Our 15-year-old daughter has become, over the past year or so, quite a disruptive influence in our normally peaceful home. She was a gem until she entered high school when she almost overnight...
Read MorePosted on 1/18/2017
Q: I found a vaping pen hidden in my 13-year-old son's room and am at a loss as to how to deal with it. He is very susceptible to peer pressure and wants very badly to fit in with the "cool"...
Read MorePosted on 11/22/2016
Q: In last week’s column, you advised parents not to argue with teenagers. That’s fine and dandy advice, John, but you failed to tell your readers how to stay out of or end these arguments. For...
Read MorePosted on 11/15/2016
My advice to The Wall Street Journal, the only news source to which I subscribe: Stop trying to be all things to all people. Specifically, stop giving parenting advice. The latest attempt by...
Read MorePosted on 8/24/2016
Q: In a recent column, you advise that stepparents have complete disciplinary authority over all children who live in or visit the home, but do you feel the same policy should apply when the...
Read MorePosted on 6/9/2016
The depraved excepted, parents do not enjoy making children unhappy. Nevertheless, sometimes it is in a child's best interest that parents - while not deliberately trying to induce unhappiness -...
Read MorePosted 3 days ago
I have a question re. how to handle my son's awful behavior. He is 14 years old. His Father and I switched custody 6 months ago through mediation, following a lawsuit that my son requested because...
Read MorePosted 1 week ago
I am currently reading John's book Teen Proofing. In chapter 3 he discusses the six C-words, curfew, cash, car, cohorts, conflict, and consequences. He gives detailed explanations of how he and...
Read MorePosted 1 week ago
Currently raising 5th 13 year old, other children’s ages 18-31, have read Teen Proofing several times and purchased book for friends. What Teen Proofing publication can John recommend to help me...
Read MorePosted 3 weeks ago
I'm having a technology issue with my almost 13 year old. We have placed guidelines and restrictions on her computer use but she continues to abuse her privileges. She went all summer with no...
Read MorePosted 4 weeks ago
Is there a section on this site for teachers? Where can I find information about dealing with behaviors in a school setting specifically middle school?
Read MorePosted on 8/12/2018
My teenage son is not interested in engaging in anything that requires effort. He gives up on everything he tries after just one attempt and after much coaxing and prodding, refuses to try again....
Read MorePosted on 8/2/2018
I found young girls bras and panties in my 13 year old son's closet. I then noticed some of my clothes were missing, bra panties, camisols, tops. I attempted to talk to him about this but he won't...
Read MorePosted on 7/19/2018
Hi, I have a 15 year old daughter that has a SnapChat account. She recently went to camp for a month that doesn’t allow cell phones. While at camp she asked a friend to keep up with her streaks...
Read MorePosted on 7/18/2018
I have a 13 year old step son. He's threatened suicide for 2 years now and now he's threatening to hurt others, including his mom, his father and me. We have him talking to a therapist and...
Read MorePosted on 7/11/2018
My 13 year old son is Negative Nellie and complains about everything. And by everything I mean everything. This behavior really started in February of this year when we sold our home but has...
Read MorePosted on 1/8/2015
This is an entertaining and informative talk on understanding and managing even the most petulant of today’s teenagers. The talk was recorded live before an audience in San Diego, CA and is based...
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