Category Archives: Lifestyle

Why Parents Struggle to Communicate With Their Teens

It’s no secret that parenting teenagers can be difficult. In fact, a lot of parents find it downright challenging to communicate with their teens effectively. This is because the teenage years are a time of great change – physically, emotionally, and mentally. As your child enters this new stage of life, they will become more independent and want to assert their own independence. Unfortunately, this can lead to tension and conflict between parents and teens. In order to smooth over communications, it is important that both parties understand why these struggles occur and how they can work together to overcome them.

Via Pexels

One of the biggest reasons why parents struggle to communicate with their teens is because they are going through so many changes themselves. Just as your teen is trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world, you, as a parent, are also trying to adjust to this new stage in your child’s life. It can be difficult to find common ground when you are both going through such different changes. In addition, the teenage years can be a time of great stress for parents. You may be dealing with financial pressures, work-related stress, or family issues. All of this can make it hard to stay calm and patient when communicating with your teen.

It is also important to remember that during the teenage years, your child’s brain is still developing. This means that their decision-making skills are not yet fully developed. As a result, they may make impulsive decisions or take risks that you would never dream of taking. It can be frustrating as a parent to see your child making these kinds of decisions, but it’s important to remember that they are just trying to figure things out. In time, their brains will develop more and learn from their mistakes.

Finally, another big reason why parents struggle to communicate with their teens is that teenagers often push away the people who are closest to them. They may do this by arguing with them, withdrawing from family activities, or spending more time with friends than with family. While it can be hurtful, it’s important to remember that this is just a phase. In time, your teen will return and start communicating with you more effectively.

If you’re struggling to communicate with your teen, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many parents go through this same challenge. You can try out some of the strategies listed below to improve communication:

1) Take some time for yourself: 

As a parent, it’s easy to get wrapped up in your child’s life and forget to take care of yourself. Make sure to schedule some time each week that is just for you. This can be used for hobbies, relaxation, or anything else that you enjoy.

2) Participate in wellness facility therapies:

Many wellness facility therapies can help both parents and teens that help recover from stress and provide useful treatments and tips. Second Nature Utah is an excellent example of a wellness facility that offers both parent and teen services. Read the following Second Nature Utah Reviews to see how other parents have benefited from their services. 

3) Keep the lines of communication open: 

Make sure to keep the lines of communication open with your teen. This means being willing to listen to them and having honest conversations. Setting aside some time each week to talk about what’s going on in your lives can be helpful.

Parents often struggle to communicate with their teens due to the many changes that both parties are going through. However, it’s important to remember that this is just a phase and that communication will improve over time. Try out some of the above strategies to help improve communication between you and your teen.

Tips on Boosting Your Sense of Well-being

Your well-being is your sense of happiness, contentment, and mental and physical health. It encompasses all the things in life that can affect these three fundamentals. If any of these things are out of alignment, then it can bring down the other two. The good news is that there are many ways you can focus on your well-being and improve it. It is far better to do this than to try and improve something like happiness in itself. So, here are a few ideas to help you boost your sense of well-being:

warming up on running track, stretching

Pixabay

Take Care of the Essentials

If you want a better sense of well-being, then you need to take care of the basics. That means going to the doctor, optometrist, dentist, and any other specialist care that you may need. If you have a problem, it is far better to get it checked out rather than leaving it and hoping for the best. Problems, especially health problems, generally do not go away without some form of treatment, and the problems will also play on your mind and fester. You may need to see an emergency dentist if you have left a dental problem for too long. So, keep on top of the essentials, and this can relieve you of a lot of health worries.

Your Financials

Having financial difficulties can cause a whole range of issues. It may affect the relationship you have with your partner and your children, as well as producing unwarranted stress. So, first of all, be honest. Talk to your partner and try and come up with a solution together. Look at your statements and see where you can make cut back. Maybe you need to shop at cheaper stores, or maybe you have to do without one of your luxuries but fixing money problems is a far better way of enjoying your life anyway. 

Practice Gratitude

Do you have a bit of a negative mindset? Well, there are ways you can combat it. You have to become more aware of your thoughts and try and stop any negative spirals. You also should try and practice gratitude. You can begin doing this by waking up each day and coming up with three things in your life that you are thankful for. Say them out loud to really project them into the world. Write them down as well to make them more statements of intent. By waking up and focusing on three things you are grateful for, you start realigning your mind to be more positive. This is so important, and it can even extend your life expectancy.

Exercise

If you really want to boost your overall well-being, there is nothing better than exercise. Exercise can help the body function better. It increases the happy chemicals in the brain. It can improve the way you look too. Exercise doesn’t necessarily mean running a marathon. It can be a brisk walk, doing some weights, boxing, taking the kids to the park, or playing chase with them. Maybe having family outings too is a great way to exercise.

The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus

The holidays are just around the corner and with them will come all of the joys of the season- beautiful lights, cheery music, and tantalizing treats.  Our malls will be filled with Santa’s in red as visions of sugar plums dance in children’s heads.  But for many families each year there is a big question that must be answered when the holidays roll around: “What is the truth about Santa Claus?”

christmas book about santa claus

To answer that often dreaded question C.C. Bloom has released a brand new book called The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus.  What inspired Bloom to broach this subject on behalf of parents?  “I have four kids myself and have heard many conversations about the ‘man in red’ go completely sideways.”  According to Bloom,  “Just about every family falls somewhere on ‘the Santa Claus Spectrum’ between, ‘We love Santa and want to keep the magic alive for as long as possible’ to ‘We don’t do the Santa Claus thing because it takes away from the real reason for the season.’  But regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, the question must be answered at some point.”  

After hearing many of these awkward conversations Bloom decided there had to be a solution.  “My goal was to tell the real truth to kids and adults alike while still keeping the magic alive.”  After lots of research on how the phenomenon of Santa Claus came to be, she put pen to paper.  “If you’re like my family and ‘A Visit From Saint Nick’ (also known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas’) is the traditional book your kids grew up on, then The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus is the perfect bookend to the next phase of their childhood.  It’s set to a rhyme scheme, offers solutions to the many problems around this conversation, and tells the whole truth while inspiring kids to keep the magic alive in a new way.”  You can learn more about The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus at: www.TheTruthAboutSanta.com.  You can also find The Top Secret Truth About Santa Claus on Instagram: TheTopSecretTruthAboutSanta, Facebook: DirectorCCBloom, and Pinterest: TheTopSecretTruthAboutSantaClaus.