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Ages 11-14Middle school brings big changes - mentally, socially and physically. Read on for advice and insights for parents. Visit our tween education page. Find a great elementary school program at our education fairs. Visit our directory for great resources for this age. |
Recent Articles
When Are Kids Old Enough For Pierced Ears, Sleepovers, Solo Travel & More?
I was spending some quality one-on-one time with my 4-year-old, Fiona, last week. We were in my bed reading books when the phone rang. Normally, I’d have ignored it, but it was the pediatrician returning a call. I told Fiona I’d be right back and ran to take the call. I returned less than five minu
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The Social Network: Understanding Your Teen’s Friendships
All parents want their teens to have delightful friends, social smarts for coping with difficult situations, and refusal skills for handling sex, drugs and profane lyrics. But these wonderful things don’t happen to teens just because you gave them good childhoods; they evolve out of lots of experie
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How to Encourage Self-Control in Tweens and Teens
What do you think when you see a child throwing a tantrum, a tween using profanity or a teen taunting a vulnerable peer? And how do you feel when you read about the percentage of students who cheat, the stats on date rape and the latest politician with an alcohol, adultery or gambling problem? Most
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40 of the Best Smart Phone Apps for Kids and Parents
Imagine: You’re stuck in line at the grocery store when your 4-year-old starts his pre-meltdown routine. As he’s winding up for an epic shriek fest, you suavely whip out your phone and punch up “Sneezies.” Seconds later, the crisis is averted.Hey, it could happen. Though we would never recommend buy
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Music Magic: Keeping Your Tween Involved (Even if They Want to Quit)
So your little darlings are off to a nice start on their violins, flutes or pianos, and they’re actually sounding pretty good. Practice sessions are no longer a descent into purgatory for you, and your children are starting to take pleasure in their steady progress. As a music-loving parent, your pr
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The Wild, Wonderful Teenage Brain: Hardwired to Test Parental Patience?
Are you fuming with anger, sick with worry or just plain bewildered? You’re probably living with a thrill-seeking, risk-embracing teenager, simultaneously capable of precocious wisdom and incredibly foolish choices. Although teen transgressions, such as driving too fast, skipping curfew or choosin
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Puppy Love: Your Child's First Crush
It’s not easy to be young and in love; ask any preteen girl. Most likely, she’s obsessing right now over a boy in her class — a boy who thinks having a girlfriend is cool, but is frankly more interested in who’ll be playing basketball with him after school.The gender gap is only one of the hurdles t
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Ask the Parent Coach: Destressing the Morning Routine
Q: My 12-year-old daughter takes forever to get ready for school. Our mornings are filled with rushing, panicking, yelling, and sometimes even crying. Several times this year she has been late for school. I have to get to my job right after I drop her off, and I can’t be late for work anymore!
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