It is nerve-wracking to talk to teenagers about parties. But this conversation – really series of conversations – has to happen. Whether it is your child’s first party or your teen is a frequent party-goer, Doctor G has 4 tips for getting your message across in a respectful but effective way. In this season of [...]

As I’ve mentioned here before, early April means American Board of Family Medicine recertification exam to me. While I’m “away” I bring you an interview I did with Kathleen Ganster. She has teens and has questions about how to be realistic with them about temptations and boundaries. We can’t bury our heads in the sand, [...]

Siblings bicker. Adults often want to step in and end it, but it never seems to end! Doctor G has some suggestions for figuring out if it’s really a problem, and then empowering kids to change their behavior.

Most parents want our kids to help out around the house (click for a free chore chart!), but it’s hard to stay motivated make it happen. It takes consistency and often some arguments. AND it’s faster to do it ourselves! Should we bother? We should. Check out 3 great reasons to involve our kids in chores, [...]

What do you do if your child refuses to bring their grade up? Our son, 16, is required to maintain at least a low C in every class to be able to use the computer (read: Facebook) at home. He skips classes often. He is failing several classes. Nothing seems to be incentive enough to [...]

Have you ever met a teen or young adult with an “entitled attitude?” Someone who thinks that the world should pay supreme attention to THEIR feelings? THEIR needs? As a parent, I’ve often wondered how to change this attitude, or avoid it altogether! I’ve met hundreds of kids and spoken about this with many parents. [...]

My daughter is 16 and has been in a relationship with a boy for over a year. He recently told her he was going to go to a dance with another girl. He says just as friends, and it doesn’t matter what she has to say. My daughter is really upset, by his mother telling [...]

So thrilled to be interviewed by Sherri Kuhn on SheKnows Parenting! Do any of these 6 ideas sound like something that would make you feel great about your teenager? Let me know!

Parenting is hard! There are lots of ways to do it better, and one of the best is to get a little feedback from your “clients.” When we treat kids with respect – for their opinions, emotions, ideas – they will gain confidence and be more likely to treat us respectfully!

We all want to give our kids a great start in life. Check out this 40 second video for 3 easy tips kids can learn from age 5 to be powerful AND respectful when meeting someone new!”

I am thankful to a dear friend, Coffee Lovin’ Mom, for trying this with her son and passing on the suggestion to me for these Resilience tips. This year, when a new digital toy breaks, don’t freak out. Do what she suggested. If you have suggestions, I hope you’ll send them along too!

I know, I’m talking a LOT about resilience. But seriously, life throws us obstacles. We can’t run ahead of our children clearing every obstacle for them like some demented Mario Bros. character. So we have to give them the skills they need to go over, under or around their own obstacles. I’m at ITriage today, [...]

I was always taught that a healthy dose of paranoia was good to have. As a parent, we stay prepared for things like bad weather. When we were on the east coast, we prepared for additional terrorist attacks. Our kids were involved and aware, but we didn’t instill a deep fear in them. What do you [...]

I have two step daughters 12 & 14. The fourteen year old is a very good person but can be very disrespectful when angry and she is angry when she has to do something she doesn’t want to do like laundry, feeding the dogs, dishes, cleaning her room etc She will talk back and talk [...]

I have two step daughters 12 & 14. The fourteen year old is a very good person but can be very disrespectful when angry and she is angry when she has to do something she doesn’t want to do like laundry, feeding the dogs, dishes, cleaning her room etc. She will talk back and talk [...]

The fantastic readers of Your Teen Magazine never fail to challenge me with their questions. This month I’m answering a mom who’s 2nd grade daughter had a friend over to play. That friend (the youngest in her family) wanted to play “Prom.” How do you play? Find sparkly underwear and a fancy dress, and then [...]

No, I haven’t broken into the world of political analysis. I’m at Huffington Post Parents this week with a plan to end KID and TEEN entitlement. Who’s with me?

Want your kids to treat your bedroom (and everything in it) with respect? Check out these funny but surprisingly useful rules, and pick which ones work for your family! With this tip, build your kids’ ability to honor you and be respectful. And give yourself a sanctuary so that you can treat them really respectfully [...]

I’m back at Your Teen Magazine answering a question from a mom who has a fourteen year old in the same house with her college grad daughter, and the rules have to be different for these two “kids.” That makes perfect sense to adults but is frustrating to her 14 year old.  How do you [...]

…how do I let my kids go to the movies? Anonymous, in NY   I let my kids walk home alone. I’m not quite a Free Range parent. That said, most of my “should we let him do that?” decisions are aimed at building resilience and problem-solving skills, not protecting them from the unthinkable. The [...]