Better Parents, Better Families Archive

POST PUBLISHED INAugust, 2011

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Fighting with Your Teen? What to Do After the Blowout 7 Steps to Defuse the Tension

August 31st, 201112:33 PM ET

By Empowering Parents

Does this sound familiar? You've told your teen she can't go out with her friends this Friday because she came in past curfew last weekend. There's been a huge fight where one—or both of you—lost control and screamed at each other. Now the tension in the house is unbearable. Your child is irritable and argumentative—or sullen and mood...
Parenting ODD Kids: Advice from Two Moms Who've Been There

August 26th, 201102:39 PM ET

By Empowering Parents

Nobody understands what it's like to parent an oppositional, defiant child unless you have one. The exhaustion, isolation and feelings of helplessness and shame can be debilitating for any parent. Kim Abraham and Marney Studaker-Cordner understand where you're coming from, because they've worked with parents of kids with Oppositional Defia...
Can Marriage Today Still Last a Lifetime?

August 24th, 201102:23 AM ET

By Rick I. Johnson

Marriage today seems less binding than a cell phone contract. The average first marriage in this country lasts seven years. The average second marriage lasts five. As if the challenges of a first marriage weren't tough enough, anyone who has been in a blended family will tell you about the myriad of additional trials this scenario presents; two set...
Child Rage: Explosive Anger in Kids and Teens

August 16th, 201104:59 PM ET

By Empowering Parents

Screaming fights. Destructive behavior. Volatile moods. Do your child's anger and rage make you feel exhausted and out of control? In a recent Empowering Parents poll, Angie S. commented, "I walk on eggshells around my 15-year-old son. It's embarrassing to admit, but I'm afraid of his explosive temper." In that same poll, more than 50 perce...
How to Love a Woman

August 12th, 201109:39 PM ET

By Rick I. Johnson

Fathers are instrumental in modeling to their sons how a man is supposed to love a woman. This is not something that comes naturally to most males. Merely watch the difference in how a young man who grew up with no healthy male role models treats his wife (or more often live-in lover) versus one who grew up with a father that loved his mother. To g...
5 Secrets for Communicating with Teenagers

August 04th, 201111:45 AM ET

By Empowering Parents

Does this sound familiar? Your teenage son is taking forever in the bathroom (again), but you need him to get ready so you can get to work on time. You're thinking, "How could I have raised such an inconsiderate kid? He's so disrespectful!" Meanwhile, your child is locked in the bathroom, consumed with his image in the mirror. He's thinking, "N...