On Youth and Teens Today with Vanessa Van Petten

I wish I could say that I have done research for this post, or at least asked the smartest people I know the answer to this question:

What class should every person take once in their life?

I love this question and wanted to write a post with my own totally random opinion, based on no real facts, surveys or research and ask my readers for their own ideas in the comments if they so desire to share.

This question was brought to my attention because I have been doing a lot of talks on preparing families for college, kids moving away, parent empty nesters, what kids can expect, how to prepare, etc.

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My Favorite Video of the Week: (cyberbullying)

News Updates

NYTimes: Giving Kids Alcohol At Home Can Prevent Binge Drinking Later? 

Security Failure on Facebook Leaks Private Photos to the PUBLIC

the same week that Facebook ADDS Privacy Features
I always stress to kids and parents privacy settings are not secure! They are like lace curtains.

KidZui Launches
This paid program seems to be for parents to help them monitor good sites for their kids and teens. I am going to try to snag myself a copy to review for you all!

Kids Arrested for Nude Photo Sharing

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Yesterday, my dad and 13 year-old sister were talking about summer plans. The conversation went as follows:

Sister: I am really excited for summer, I am thinking of going to cooking camp!
Dad: When I was your age I got my first job.
Sister: I am too young, I just want to have fun this summer.
Dad: Getting a job will teach you to manage money, it will be good for your college applications, plus then you can buy yourself the things you keep asking me for.
(same talk dad gave me)
Sister: But dad, I have been going to summer school and I really want to just do something fun and easy.

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I was in Miami this morning on CBS 4 Live morning show and it was great fun!

I talked about how teens are using Facebook and walked the hosts through setting up Privacy settings.  Afterwards both the weather girl and the traffic girl asked me to help them set their privacy settings!

Here is the interview:

See Video Clip Here.

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This is a touching and deep guest post by Trish Lay who is a Professional Life/Leadership Coach and runs SoulsAtPlay.

When I was three years old, my adoptive mother was holding me as we stood in line at the grocery store.  A gentleman in front of us turned and said what a pretty little girl I was…I then replied with, “no I’m not…I’m adopted.”

Being adopted weighed on my shoulders for decades.  Rejection and Abandonment coursed through my veins.  My adopted father rejected me…and the words “if you don’t behave yourself, we’ll take you back and get another baby…” haunted my core being.

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