On Youth and Teens Today with Vanessa Van Petten

How can we get teens to pay attention and realize that teen pregnancy is a serious issue? Recently, when I brought up teen pregnancy with my teen friends and mentoree couples–they laughed!

I wanted to direct my parent reader’s attention to the issues/myths/frightening opinions my teens have (and I had when I was in High School just five years ago).

1) Invincible

There is this weird thing for teens, many parents are familiar with it, but I remember this feeling of ‘un-touchable’ vividly and it only started to dissipate my Sophomore year of College. We really feel like the bad things that happen to celebrities, friends and other people will never, ever happen to us.

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Get-to-know-me-thing-of-the-week: My favorite YouTube video ever.

Why Do Teens Drink? I include a survey and some statistics that I think many parents would find extremely interesting about why teens like–and worry about when it comes to underage drinking.

Teen Poetry Jam I attended the most amazing spoken word anthology from under-privileged girls and was so touched by their courage, power and the poems they wrote.

8 Ways to Teach Your Kids to Save Money I participated in the Youth Media Blog a Thon to raise awareness for teens and the recession. Some easy ways to teach your kids to cut back.

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I dream to be more

Than just me

I want to be more

I shape my future

And my dream is

To be able to dream

As big as my

Hearts desire

By Rosy Garcia

Many of you know that I am incredibly passionate about inspiring young girls that they can make a difference, especially those who are not as fortunate.  So, I hope you will indulge me a little and let me show off what these amazing girls have produced.

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I am participating in the third Youth Media Blog-a-Thon, this time concerning young people, money and budget cuts and the recession.  Getting youth more aware of what is going on economically in the country.  Here are two money posts for you!

I am re-posting this article and also check out this article I have on “Lessons My Parents Taught Me About Money” to address just general financial savvy. But, I also think recession proofing your kids is a really interesting idea.  There is a fine balance between teaching kids how to be prepared about money and making them scared about the economy.

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Wow, disturbing PSA about Aids (thank you YPulse!)

Breaking News

NYT: Cyberfamilies Doing the Campus Hop Virtual College Tours

MSNBC: Virtual Reality Helps Kids With Autism

Night Clubs for Kids

Articles of Interest

Newsweek: New picture book to help mothers explain plastic surgery to their kids….ew.

Here Comes Miss Teen Africa

Funny Confessions of a Modern Mom (MSNBC)

Radio Disney Goes to Mobile and Markets to Tweens

Digital Trends: Texting Improves Teen/Parent Relationships

Camp for Parents

Socrato: Crowd Sourcing for Test Preparation–talk about Academic 2.0

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