On Youth and Teens Today with Vanessa Van Petten

Welcome to a secret view into the world of the net-generation. I love writing to you (maybe a little too much) so enjoy, stick around and be sure to tell me what you think…and, duh, get on my email list quick! (on the right, “subscribe via email”). Or subscribe to my RSS feed. [...]

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How was your day?
Fine.
How was school?
Good.
How was your test?
OK.
Anything you want to tell me?
Nope.
Now that its summer, a lot of parents and the families I work with are focusing on communication skills because we are finally done with school for a bit. The biggest problem is how to get us young people talking and [...]

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Hopefully no one bookmarked this post and was like: “oh, me! I want to do that!”
This post started because anyone who knows me even a little bit, knows I am a little bit neurotic/OCD/anally organized…all have been used to describe my study and desk habits. I do not wish it upon anyone.
1) Make your [...]

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Dear Vanessa’s Advice Column,
I want to take my kids on a camping trip because you are often recommending doing different types of activities with your kids. I am a little worried they are going to freak out at being outdoors. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Dave, Austin, Texas
Camping is a great idea! I [...]

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My mom is hot.
Yes, my friends have told me so, guys behind the airline counter have told me so, and you can tell by looking at her slim figure, blonde hair and pearly whites that she is a man magnet… a-big-giant-awkward-situation-with-creepy-waiters magnet.
My mom is now on JDate. Over the past ten days I have [...]

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