Follow some of these easy ideas whether you are at Dad’s or Mom’s.

How to Use Jumper Cables

I would have never thought to teach my child how to use jumper cables this unless my neighbor hadn’t come over the other day and asked me to help her.  You see her car battery was dead, she had the jumper cables, but didn’t know how to connect them to the car.  There is a certain order you need to follow and it’s very important to do it in that order.  I think every teenager that is going to be hitting the road needs to know how to do this – be prepared and be proactive.

First, what are jumper cables and what are they used for?

Jumper cables are used to start a vehicle that has a dead battery. How do you know if the battery is dead?  If you turn the key to your vehicle and it makes a click, but won’t start.  However, if the vehicle makes a starting noise and your electrical column, such as your lights and radio work, then the battery is not your problem.

Attached are directions on how to use jumper cables

How to Use Jumper Cable

7 ways to Prevent a Collision with a Deer

A Crash Course On Deer Collisions
By Nathan Erb

Dear 16 year old me

This is a video every 16 year old needs to watch — Remember being 16 and thinking you knew everything, — You’d take silly risks and thinking nothing bad would ever happen to you — Well Dad’s it is your job to protect your babies from some of the mistakes your child is going to make — your child will probably hate you and think you are being stupid or over-protective –but it’s your job to by their parent — And heck, you never know they might just thank you for it (of course, it won’t be till they are 25 – but it will be worth the wait)

Benefits of Teenagers having a Job

Teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 years old are allowed to work in certain jobs, according to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, but 14- and 15-year-olds are only allowed to work 18 hours during a school week and three hours on a school day. Even though balancing work and school can be a challenge, working at places such as grocery stores, restaurants and movie theaters can help teens become more mature individuals. Many teens become more responsible at home and school because of the values that they learn at their jobs. They will likely be more prepared for college, too, where they may have to balance work, school and activities.

Values

• It is not unusual for people under the age of 18 to work at some time during their lives. According to the American Working Teens Fact Sheet, about 70 to 80 percent of teens work for pay sometime during their lives, and about half of the young people who are employed work more than 15 hours during a school week. There is no reason that teens should not have jobs, as long as schoolwork remains their primary focus, and many parents have found that part-time jobs help their children understand the value of hard work and responsibility. As long as teenagers work hours that allow them to finish their schoolwork and participate in extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, they can further develop mentally and emotionally through having jobs. These values are ones that they, in turn, can instill in others, such as their siblings or classmates.

Financial responsibility

• One of the greatest benefits of teenagers having jobs is that they learn to manage money and know the value of it. This is something that many children start learning when they get an allowance, because they need to save up for items that they want, but an allowance rarely provides the same amount of money as a job, nor does it require the same level of work. Having a job teaches teenagers that to earn money they need to do hard work, such as cleaning toilets or tables, so they are more likely to be responsible with the money they get and to spend it on items they really want or need. As they earn larger amounts of money, they will also learn to spend it wisely (and learn the consequences if they don’t), and even to save a portion of it for college and for their futures.

Teamwork

• Although children often start to learn to work with others in school and sports, a job can further teenagers’ abilities to work as a team. In most jobs it’s necessary for teens to work with others, because most of the places that hire them, such as grocery stores and fast-food restaurants, are team environments. The work that they do will involve working around or with other people, including customers and coworkers. Employers expect teenage employees to have a positive attitude and to get along with others, even with individuals whose personalities would not ordinarily mesh well with theirs. Through jobs, teenagers learn to deal with all types of people, a skill which will help them in school and in their future careers.

Work skills

• Along with values that will be important to them later in life, teenagers can learn work skills that will benefit them in their future jobs or in their homes. Even though many jobs involve labor-intensive tasks, such as cleaning, there are important skills to learn from after-school and summer jobs. One marketable skill that teens can learn in many jobs is customer service. Being able to deal with customers’ problems, listening to them and taking in what they are saying, is an important skill in any number of careers, including computer services, marketing and advertising.

College

• Teenagers who have had part-time jobs may be more marketable to colleges, as well. While most colleges do look at grades and test scores first, extracurricular activities can be part of their decisions as well. A teenager can show that he or she has already demonstrated independence through the jobs he or she has worked. The presence of a job on a college application can show that the applicant is able to work with others or alone, is able to show up on time, have many of the values that colleges are looking for, and is able to manage more than one activity, since he or she has already balanced school and work.

Summer jobs

• Having a job in the summer can be especially important for teenagers because they have so much free time. Most teens in the United States do not attend year-long schools, so having a part-time or full-time job in the summer can give them something productive to do. Since most parents have to work during the summer, they are not there to supervise teens’ behavior. Jobs provide teenagers with a place to go during the day on a regular basis and something to do that could help them grow as individuals.

Article from Ehow.com

Tips for Bullying

The other day as I sat out on the porch with my youngest daughter, I talked with her about bullies and being bullied. I’m afraid that as she get older people will bully her. You see, my daughter has a prothesic eye and I can just hear the kids saying, “that’s the girl that can take her eye out”. Kids can be mean and not realize the damage they are doing. I have never made her feel that she has a disability and have always encouraged her to embrace her originality. Ever since she was young, I’ve told her that this is the reason why daddy’s have pockets, because if her eye hurts she can take it out and has a place to put it. I also wanted her to know that she is a confident, beautiful girl and she shouldn’t let people bully her. Please keep the lines of communcation open so your kids will always feel comfortable talking with you or someone else of authority.

Did you know ….

Bullying statistics 2010:

New bullying statistics for 2010 revealed about one in seven students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade is either a bully or has been a victim of bullying. Sometimes a teen or child who has been bullied eventually becomes the bully as a way to retaliate. In fact, revenge for bullying is one of the strongest motivations for school shootings, according to recent bullying statistics. A reported 61 percent of students said they believe students shoot others at school because they have been victims of physical violence at home or at school. This is a true indicator that bullying can occur in all forms by other students, children, teens as well as adults. According to various bullying studies, many teens and children act out violently on their peers through acts of bullying because they are abused at home.

(statistic taken from www.bullyingstatistics.org)

Below are tips on what bullying is and how to prevent it. There are also a list of books regarding bullying.

Tips for Bullying

Tips for College Students

Sending your kids to college is expensive — they need books, clothes, computers, and the list can seem endless. Are you hearing cha-ching ring in your head, if so, attached is a list of 80 creative tips for back to school -

Tips for College

Tips for Teenagers

1. When parents are unreasonable, don’t try to reason with them. Smile and agree. It makes them think and feel embarrassed – maybe even guilty. Never walk away when they are talking. That makes them crazy.
2. When parents are reasonable – that is, when they give all kinds of reasons for a rule or decision – listen to them until they finish. Stay calm and then take each reason one at a time and tell them why you disagree. They won’t know how to deal with this because they expect you to interrupt, get angry, or be disrespectful. Of course, you have to have some pretty good reasons of your own, or you’re the unreasonable one.
3. If your parent denies your request or won’t allow you more freedom, don’t ask, “Why?” This will only get you another reason that supports the “no.” Rather than “Why?” it is better to ask, “What can I do to get the privilege, request, or freedom?” The “What can I do?” question will give you some idea of what you have to do to get a “yes.”
4. When parents get angry, it isn’t the time to get angry back. A lot of times they’re not upset with you, but with their boss, the neighbor, or the price of groceries. You just happen to be there at the wrong time. Look hurt. Slump in your chair and look at them with pitiful eyes. If this doesn’t work, get out of the way when they’re in a bad mood. They need some time and space. Go outside, to a friend’s house, or to your room. Eventually they will settle down and miss you.
5. Parents are unfair at times and this may make you angry. Don’t discuss your complaints when either of you is angry or upset. Calm down and wait until they’re in a good mood. Discuss your feelings later that day or in a few days.
6. When discussing your complaints, opinions, or requests, do not act sassy and flippant. Do not raise your voice; instead, discuss the matter in a normal tone. If you holler or appear flippant, they will hear only this. If you stay calm and talk, they may hear what you say.
7. Do not create situations where there is a winner and a loser. You’re the child and will probably lose most of the time. How many times have you grounded your mother or taken away the phone privileges from your dad? Try to compromise and work out a situation where both of you win.
8. If you have trouble talking to your parents, or if they get angry every time you try to discuss something, write a note. Put it on their pillow. Parents are pushovers for notes like this and will probably keep them forever.
9. Take your mom or dad out alone occasionally. Tell them you want just the two of you to go on a walk or out to eat. They’ll be worried at first, because they’ll think you’re going to tell them something terrible. Don’t – just tell them you like having them all to yourself once in a while. They will probably cry or hug you. Put up with it.
10. Spend some time in the same room with your parents while they are watching TV or reading. Sit down and talk to them about school, your friends, or something else that interests you. At first they may think you’re on some type of drug because of the change in your behavior. They’ll get over this feeling and will love the “new you.”
11. You do not do favors for people who argue with you or are uncooperative. If you act like this with your parents, there is a chance that they will not cooperate when you ask for favors: Can I sleep at Jason’s house? Can I go to the football game? Can I use the car? Try to cooperate and minimize conflict, because this will certainly work in your favor.
12. Ask your parents once a day, “Is there anything I can do for you?” Most of the time they will probably say no, or give you something that will take a few minutes to complete. Your parents will love this and see you as a very cooperative person. When this occurs they will probably be more cooperative with you. You could also surprise them by doing something they don’t make you do. They’ll tell everyone you are the best possible son or daughter and, what’s more, they will believe it.
13. When your parents are fighting, go away, even though you want to listen to them. Sooner or later they will get mad at you for listening, if for nothing else.
14. Sometimes following stupid rules like turning off lights, cleaning up your room, or hanging up the towel after you shower may allow you to get some important concessions like staying out later, using the car, or getting more phone time.
15. Be patient with your parents. Remember, they’re going through a rough time in their lives and are trying to grow up, too. Help them to do it smoothly and with love and cooperation. Someday they will thank you.

*Some of these tips were taken from an article by Dolores Curran entitled “How to Get Along with Parents” (Clarion Herald, New Orleans, April 11,1985).

Realistic Advice for Teenage Girls

• Nobody really looks like that.  Stop trying to achieve the impossible.
• That eighty dollar pair of jeans looks exactly the same as that thirty dollar pair of jeans.
• Lower back tattoos are called a “Tramp Stamp” for a reason.
• In ten years you will be nothing like the person you are today. I know you don’t believe me.  But please try not to embarrass the future you.
• Having a baby as a teenager is fun for about six minutes. And then all your friends get tired of holding the baby and slowly drift away, back to their silly, teenager lives.  Yours is over.
• Learn how to swing a hammer, change your oil and flip a breaker.
• It does not hurt him when you say, “NO”.  He will not explode and die like he may try to convince you.
• Do not text pictures of your body to teenage boys.  I can’t even begin to explain how this cheapens you.
• Makeup should be worn so that it looks like it’s not being worn.
• You will remember your first time your entire life.  Make  sure he’s worth remembering.
• Do not post Facebook pictures of yourself scantily dressed in your bathroom mirror.  Everyone hates it.
• If you must, a two drink limit keeps things in perspective.
• Learn to cook.
• You do not have to be tomorrow, who you were yesterday.
• If you have to look in the mirror more than twice a day, you are spending too much time on your looks.
• There is a fine line between sexy and sleazy. If you don’t know what the line is, you are probably sleazy.
• Relying on your looks will only last until the first  pregnancy. Plan for college.
• Showing your cleavage is not what attracts him.  He knows what’s in there and his imagination is even more generous than your proportions.  Cover yourself a bit…and give him something to think about.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Nobody noticed that zit until you pinched the crap out of  it.  Smile, they will only notice your gleam.
• Sometimes lust feels like love.  Identify the difference as soon as possible and you will have fewer regrets.
• If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to know you are doing it, don’t do it.
• Jeans and a t-shirt always wins.
• Playing stupid only makes you look stupid.
• He is not going to change.  No, he’s not.  Stop arguing.  You can’t fix him.
• Peer pressure is no excuse for stupidity.
• If he says the words, “But, if you loved me you would…” run the other direction. Don’t walk, run.
• There will be moments later in life when you wonder what the Hell you were thinking back then.  At each pivotal moment of your teenage  years, ask yourself whether this could be one of them.

** article is from the Backwoods Mom blog