Prom: The Night You'll Never Forget And It Didn't Even Break Mom And Dad by: Rose DesRochers

My daughter's grade 8 grad is coming up in June and I was eagerly thinking of ways to keep the cost down. Even grade 8 grad is a big time in a girls life. This is a night for my daughter to remember but it shouldn't cost me and my husband a fortune. For many parents prom is an expensive time of year and families are struggling financially to give their son or daughter the perfect night that they will remember a life time. Well there is no reason why you can't give them that night but on a budget you can afford. I have put together ten tips to help you save a few dollars. Attending a prom doesn't have to cost a fortune. Prom night doesn't have to break us. Girls the memories of prom will not be if you spent 20 dollars to get your nails done or arrived in a limo. The memories will be of who you were in school and the special times that you all shared. 1. The Tuxedo: Boys why bother renting that tuxedo when you can purchase a nice suit that you can wear again for under the cost of renting that tuxedo. 2. Hair and makeup: Girls the cost of hair and makeup is expensive. The boys are lucky they don’t have to fork out this one. Hair, Makeup you’re looking at an additional 80 dollars. For makeup call your local department store and see about getting your make up done on Prom day, also call around to your local salons and see if they have a package deal that includes both hair and makeup. You can also save money by having your mother put up your hair. Look at some of the styles for prom online and make a fun night with mom practicing the styles before the prom. You could also get in touch with Mary K and plan a makeup party early in the afternoon on prom day and the Mary K host will do your makeup free. 3. Limos: They are nice but they are so traditional and cost a lot. Why not gather a group of your friends together and do something off the wall. Arrive at your prom on the city bus or contact your school and rent a school bus for the evening and have all your friends pitch in. 4. The dress: Girls purchasing a new dress will cost you 200 dollars and for what something you won’t wear again or will sit in your keep sake box. Why not shop on Ebay or your local used clothing store and get a dress for under the cost and then just pay the additional cost to have it dry cleaned. You may also want to check around with family and see if they have a bridesmaids dress or maybe your cousin still has her prom dress that you can borrow. 5. The flowers: Purchasing flowers from the flower store is going to cost you around 20 dollars. You can go to the craft store purchase the supplies to make your own corsages and boutonni for half the cost. They are so simple and fun to make. Make a fun day of it and invite your g/f over to make them with you. 6. The photos: Why hire a professional photographer when you can have dad take some nice photos with his digital camera and you can delete the ones that you don’t like. Then you can save even more money by emailing them to friends and family. 7. Parties: Save on the big prom party. Gather a bunch of your friends together and have a fun post prom party. Some ideas might be a pool party or a bowling party. 8. The Jewelry: Girls, girls why pay the expensive cost of Jewelry when Mom and Grandma might have their own personal jewelry store right in their bedroom. The sentiments of borrowing something from Grandma will be more special than anything new that you purchase from the store for this special day. 9. The dinner: Save money by having a backyard barbeque or a romantic dinner at home with candles and the works and order take out. 10. Nails and Shoes: If your city has a beauty school, you can make a nail appointment and have a student put nails on you for a discounted price . You can exchange shoes with friends or purchase a nice pear of white pumps that you can wear again and again. I hope that these ten useful tips will help you save money and still have your unforgettable night.

Get Rid From Trap Of Alcohol And Drugs by Judy Wellsworth

Alcohol and drug dependence is not a problem that is restricted to adults. Many youngsters find themselves addicted to alcohol and drugs. The pressure to fit in with others and the stress to be trendy among friends may play a significant role in drug and alcohol abuse among this population. Ultimately, many of these teens need to seek some sort of alcohol and drug treatment to deal with the problem. A noteworthy number of youngsters between the ages of twelve and twenty are affected by alcohol and drug abuse. When children begin abusing the substance there is a greater risk of developing a serious dependency that requires some sort of alcohol and drug treatment to break the disparaging trap.

The dilemma can have solemn corollary on the adolescent's progress and future happenings. The teen may find him self incapable to function at school and he may have difficulty in his academic studies subsequently. Working intimately with other critical patients induces in them a sense of responsibility and helps them empathize with their condition. It is decisive to analyze and find alcohol and drug treatment as soon as a problem is predictable.

Its All Depends On Your Will Power:

There are many options accessible online, and many proficient experts that can help you determine if you are suffering from either alcohol or drug addiction. Once developed, alcoholism and drug addiction is a permanent condition that only gets shoddier with time, unless alcohol and drug treatment is sought. If you are having problems resulting from your drinking, it is therefore highly recommended that you investigate treatment options as soon as possible. The greatest barrier toward recovery from alcohol and drug abuse is an unwillingness to seek help on the part of the abuser. It is important to keep in mind that alcohol abuse and alcoholism are disorders that afflict millions of people around the world. It has nothing to do with a lack of willpower, or poor character.

Select The Right Treatment:

A drug and alcohol treatment program is a great approach to get off to a good start into recuperation. Just make sure you select one that is known for providing services beyond just 12 step model functions. As both a recovering addict and a previous drug abuse counselor, I can say with some assurance that the best way to make better your odds in recovery is to try out many different forms of treatments; that way you are sure to find at least some things that work for you.

Carrying out the apposite treatment from the various treatments available can bring about recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. The object is to somehow bring about self-discipline from the various addictive substances called drugs and alcohol. Selecting the right drug and alcohol treatment is undoubtedly one of the trickiest and exigent decisions a person has to make in his lifetime. The rehabilitation center plays an important role in the prospect health and well being of the patients.

Emo Hair Style

Emo isn't just a hairstyle; it is a way of life! The style was started by a group of teenager's labeled emos, or those who loved to listen to emotional music. Emos started the style by the way they dressed. The dress was plain and the holed jeans and thick clothing was just the beginning because the style soon turned into hair. Emo hairstyles today aren't just used or worn by fully dedicated Emos but are instead found on many individuals who just find the look stylish! The Emo hair style is mostly worn by those in their 20's but it is found in many different age categories, and it can be worn by either gender! Here are a few facts about the Emo hair style:* Jet black is the Emo trademark. If anything captures the Emo spirit the most it is the jet black hair that long enough to fall over the individual's right eye. The bangs must be long enough to do this so that virtually no part of the person's right side face is visible to anyone! * Emo styles come with choices. Just because the Emo style is trademarked with dark black hair color and over the face arrangements, an Emo can still have a few options with how they wear their hair. Among the options is whether they want it greasy or clean. Many Emos believe that greasy is the way to go because the band members of their favorite groups wear it this way; while others opts for the cleaner, more socially accepted Emo style. Whatever your choice you can be sure you'll be within the Emo style either way! * Emo styles can be found at many stylist locations. Many professional stylists have learned the Emo style because it has been requested so much. If you're looking to delve into the Emo hair style for the first time then it is recommended you go to a stylist who has experience with the look. A stylist can also help you decide whether highlights are right for you as well (Yes, that's right, Emo hairstyles can come equipped with highlights!). * Thin is better for Emo style! If you're wondering what type of hair looks best with the Emo style then thin is the winner! While you can pull the look off with thick hair, it will be much easier with thinner hair. If your hair is super thick then you may want to use a hair thinner to get your hair to the appropriate level.article written by Leigh Connelly.

So You've Graduated From High School. Now What? by: Joseph Pardi

You know the conventional advice. Take the best classes, get good grades, go to college, get a good job, work very hard, retire on a respectable pension, and live happily ever after. You know that advice because well-intentioned adults may have pounded it into your brain time and time again. But before you go signing your life away to the conventional, consider your other options. And yes, you do have other options. First of all, look around. Look at the people around you who have taken this advice and decide if that advice has taken them where you want it to take you. Do you realize that most of those people believed that they would be much more successful than they currently are when they were in your shoes? Most of them believed that if you just do what is right, what is conventional, that things would just work out and that wealth would just sort of happen. Did it just sort of happen for them? Now, if you like where they are in life, and you don’t mind it, by all means, follow their advice. But what should you do if you don’t want the same kind of life as everybody around you? What if you suspect that there may be much more to life than earning okay money while working 40 hours a week up until you retire? What if you noticed that there are actually children out there who have become self-made millionaires, who never have to work another day of their lives? If you are one of those people, you may be very frustrated over the very limiting options before you. So what should you do? Here is the first thing you need to do. Relax. Even if you have to make your mind up very soon, right now, as you read this, just pause for a moment and relax. Let me tell you some pretty liberating facts. You do not have to work hard to be successful. You do not need a college education to be successful. You do not have to follow a path in life that you don’t want in order to be successful. Do you realize that there is very useful information available to teach you exactly how to make money? Not books that teach you a new career, or emphasize getting a job, but information, that if applied properly, can actually be making you lots of money immediately? Do you know that if you have the right mindset and follow through on this information, that you can actually retire right now, within days or weeks? Depending on what you’ve been taught, that can seem pretty unbelievable. And depending on who reads this, that may even seem irresponsible. But every single word of it is true. And even if you do not retire in weeks, wouldn’t it still be worth it if you could retire in a month? Or even a year? Don’t believe for one second that you have to be like everybody else. In case you haven’t noticed, most people are not successful. So why in the world would you take advice from them? Simply sift through the good information from the bad (yes, there are scams out there), or find somebody who has. Emulate successful people. Do what they tell you to do. You will be exposed to a lot of advice in your lifetime. One very important skill that you should acquire is to be able to sort through any advice that you receive. Everybody has advice, but not everybody is qualified to give it. So the best way of determining what advice you should take is simply to consider the source. And whatever you do, don’t settle for anything. Know that you can do anything in life, even if you don’t fully believe it yet. Never give up on your dreams. They’re really not as unattainable as you may think.

10 romantic ideas for teenagers by Johnson Tee

Love is often mystery to teenagers- sometimes painful, other times glorious, always challenging. Some people think of teen love and smile. Its not real love they say. But teen love is very real and powerful. Perhaps at no other time in our lives are the joys and pains felt as strongly, or experienced more deeply. If you have found a person and are ready to go out, then here are some creative ideas that you can pick.

Art-fest: take your date to art museum or art gallery or art festival. After returning, get together huge sheets of paper and pens and create you're your own art work.
Sail away: take selling lessons together.

A dance or a game: high schools are always having dances and football games, so you can invite your date to one of these. It's a good safe bet.

Athletic date: an athletic date can be a great way to spend the time together. Just be sure to make it a date, not a competition. You can go for hiking, nature walks, bike riding, roller blading, horse back riding, skiing, billiards etc.

Party: one of the ways to break the ice is taking your date to parties like pizza party, sundae party, video party or to a cook out.

Do something neither of you have done before- find an activity neither you have tried but that you have both thought to be interesting. Figuring out the thing to do that you have in common can be as much fun as the thing itself.

Shopping together: let's say you are looking for a gift for someone like your father or mother. Take your date along with you to a mall and look for the gift together.

Picnic: plan a picnic to a local park or natural area like a lake side. It's a great idea to spend some time together. Invite some friends along if you want a little less intimacy.

Have a dance: usually you think of 'going to the dance' at school, but what about having your own dance? Get some friends together, pick the music and dance.

Other classic dates: most of these are more fun filled if you invite two or three other couples to go along with you like bowling, amusement park, ice skating, water parks, concerts etc.

It’s My Partner Cheating on Me? One Way to Find Out…

One way to cheat is through Internet which seems to be more popular every day. A cyber affair is an affair in which all communication occurs via the Internet rather than through physical meetings. With cyber affairs, the Internet is typically used for sexual chats or provocative webcam sessions. According to the current infidelity statistics 60% of men and 40% of women are involved in extramarital affair. That’s why incredulity is the first reason in doing a premier step into spying your partner.Privacy is the most important aspect of successful marriage. But sometimes it’s impossible to ignore the signs and it is time to discover the truth before it’s too late to save your marriage. The first sign can be a comment or incident that seems harmless but remains in your mind. Maybe your spouse spends an excessive amount of time in the on-line chat rooms, it pays you less attention or his internet history is constantly being deleted. That’s when you must put a stop and take attitude.Dealing with a cheating spouse or cheating boyfriend can be one of the most painful and devastating experiences a relationship can face. But now, cheaters must be aware. It’s time for you to stop losing endless hours of sleep due to the sadness and uncertainty. There is a key for this problem and this is the keylogger application. Keyloggers are widely available on the Internet and can be used to find out what exactly happens on your computer or on your spouse’s PC. These easy-to-use applications allow you to record and to monitor all activities on your computer in a stealthy mode so that the user has no idea that every step he makes is followed. Keyloggers records keystrokes, chat conversations, printing activity, application used, internet activity, modified files/folders, captures screenshots etc, and gives you the possibility to periodically sent reports to a specified e-mail address.A clear application which is perfectly invisible and it’s performing in a stealthy mode is Inside Keylogger - a new release provided by Inside Logger. When running, Inside Keylogger is not visible in Program Files and Task Manager By recording all activities performed on a remote computer, Inside Keylogger is meant to decrease the internet usage for improper activities. It provides a complete image of a machine, monitoring everything from keystrokes, to chat conversations, printing, application monitoring, internet activity, modified files/folders, clipboard operations and captures screenshots. Inside Keylogger runs stealthy, and has a password and hot key protection for enhanced security. It is also continuously updated to the newest chat applications so that none of them to be missed and all conversations to be recorded.Reports are organized chronologically, providing information on user, application and content and can be printed or sent to a specified e-mail address.

Tips For Teenage Girls On How To Talk To Boys With Confidence by: Dale Parkins

When it comes to relating to the opposite sex, not everyone is born with confidence or conversational adeptness. Fortunately, with practice and the following few tried and tested tricks anyone can develop these skills.

Work out what you want

Have in mind the goal of your conversation before it starts. Do you want to let him know that you’re interested in him? Do you just want to catch up and have a laugh? Identify the goal and set a strategy for how you’ll achieve it. One good way to break the ice with a guy (if you’re confident enough) is to be totally honest with him and tell him what your agenda is. For example, if you’re talking to a guy who you have a crush on and you really want to discover whether he’s single, you could say something like, “When I walked over here, I promised myself I wouldn’t leave until I found out if you had a girlfriend or not!” Or if you’re on a date with a guy you’ve just started seeing and your goal is to be less shy, say something along the lines of, “I was thinking that I’ve been pretty quiet on our other dates. Today I decided I want to let you know what I’m like.” Setting a strategy helps to keep a potentially unnerving situation in perspective.

Be your fabulous self

Be the individual you are, not a clone of him. There is nothing more annoying for a boy than when a girl goes along with everything he says. Don't be afraid to express likes and dislikes or to share opinions. For example, if a boy asks what you'd like to eat or what movie you'd like to see, do not automatically respond, "I don't mind" or "Whatever you want". Accept his questions as genuine interest in you and give him an honest response. If you really don't have any preference then it is okay to say so. Your tastes and views do not have to be the same as the guy you're talking to. You don't have to listen to the same music, or support the same football team, or agree with his political or religious beliefs. It is okay to disagree with his opinions as long as you are respectful. Standing up for what you belief in commands respect and it also gives him the chance to get to know the real you and what you are passionate about.

Take risks

No one, no matter how pretty, intelligent or funny, gets the response they want from others ALL of the time. Most of us have some experience of rejection, but that is what helps us hone our tuning skills! Take comfort from this and don't be disheartened if a boy you like doesn't reciprocate your interest. The saying "One person's trash is another person's treasure" rings true here. Another saying, "You've got to be in it to win it", is also true. You don't want to be left wondering what might have happened if you'd had the courage to go and talk to him, so take a chance and put yourself on the line!

Getting what you want

Once you've got your boy's attention there are a few tried and tested tricks for keeping it. The most important thing is to show a genuine interest in him. Smile at him, maintain eye contact, maybe touch his arm to emphasise a point. People love talking about themselves so try asking him questions. Keep it simple, like, what music do you listen to? What's it like living at your place? How do you get on with your family? What's the best holiday you've ever been on? What do you like to do on weekends? If you are feeling self-conscious, an added benefit of getting a boy to talk about himself is that it takes the spotlight off you. Once he starts confiding you'll feel more relaxed and be able to talk about yourself too.

Watch and learn

Observe others and then develop your own style. Pay attention to the girls who are more confident and flirty. Watch these girls in action and take note of exactly what they say, do, and even what mannerisms they use. Not everyone is born with conversational adeptness but anyone can develop it. Mix what works with your own style.

Positive visualisation

Before you approach a boy give yourself a pep talk. The thoughts we have influence our mood and our behaviour so concentrate on happy vibes. Dismiss any negative thoughts and substitute them with positive thoughts. If you anticipate that someone is going to laugh in your face or find what you are saying boring, you are likely to feel sad, anxious and defeated. If you remember all the compliments you have been given or a time when you had a friend in stitches laughing, you are likely to feel happy, calm and confident. Visualise success and it is more likely to occur.

Teenagers and Holidays - not Always an Easy Mix! Help? by kathy steinemann

Teenagers are adults-in-training. They crave independence, but they still require guidelines. Vacation planning can be a daunting task for any parent of adolescents.Make your job easier - involve your teenagers in the planning process. Arrange a family brainstorming session and decide on a holiday that everyone will enjoy.A vacation plan should take into consideration each teen's likes and dislikes. A teenager who participates in science fairs may enjoy touring scientific exhibits. A history buff will enjoy museums. A budding musician might like a tour of Graceland. Ask for specific feedback. Teenagers sway from requiring guidelines and curfews to believing that they know everything - and insisting on doing everything their own way.Here is a partial list of activities that you might want to use as a springboard for your initial vacation-brainstorming session:
Laser tag
Paint ball
Arcades
Amusement parks
Theme parks
Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowmobiling
ATVing
Skateboard parks
Adventure tours
Dude ranch vacations
All-inclusive family resorts
Horseback riding
Mountain biking
Whitewater rafting
Hot air ballooning
Kayaking
Scuba experience
Water skiing
Jet skiing
Houseboating
Factory tours
Farm vacations
Mountaineering and hikingFamily cruises are frequently cost-effective. Everything is included - and parents can relax knowing that their teens are involved in nearby activities. Some cruiselines even sponsor special youth clubs. Recreational opportunities may include arcades, bungee trampolines, and outdoor movie theaters. Your teens can associate with other teens and participate in the family vacation - while retaining a degree of independence and freedom. Try to locate a cruiseline that provides walkie-talkies so that you can keep in touch.If you decide on a land-based holiday, give your teenager(s) a feeling of autonomy, space, and privacy: consider reserving adjoining hotel rooms instead of a family suite. Don't get frustrated if your teens want to sleep in! Instead, make use of the time to go shopping, swimming, or for a walking tour of the neighborhood.Most teens nowadays are very internet savvy. Don't isolate them from their friends. Allow them to remain in contact via cyber cafes, hotel guest-computer systems, or laptop computers. If they must leave the hotel to access a computer at a cyber cafe, insist on a buddy system. Teenagers should never venture out alone.Not the hotel-room type? Family camps are like traditional summer camps for kids - but they have activities for the entire family. Some operate all summer. Others provide functions on selected weekends throughout the year.Some teens will feel more comfortable if they are permitted to invite a friend. Of course, there will be budgetary concerns involved with such a holiday. Invite the other teen's parents to pay for their teen's expenses.Older teens who insist on a vacation by themselves might enjoy a backpacking/biking escape - travelling with a friend and staying at hostels along the way. Hostelling is very popular in Europe, and what better way is there to experience a country than by bicycling through its countryside? Another activity an older teen might enjoy is a language immersion program abroad.When the vacation has finally been arranged, the rooms have been reserved, and you are ready to pack, prepare a list of necessary clothing and accessories - but let your teens pack their own suitcases.Utilize your vacation as a time to reconnect with your teenagers - both during the planning phase and the actual vacation itself.

©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.

Decorating your Bedroom by Q.M. Le

There is no doubt that the bedroom is a sanctuary to many of us. We spend roughly a third of our lives in the bedroom. We sleep there, enjoy quality family time, and relax after a hard day's work. Therefore it is necessary to ensure that our bedrooms are comfortable at all times.
Decorating the bedroom may not as easy as it may sound. It entails more than just deciding on a bed and dressers. It requires attention to every small detail such as:
- The dimensions of your bedroom,
- Your budget,
- The size of the mattresses,
- The width of the headboard,
- And the overall style that you want to achieve.
It is also important to consider other pieces you may want to include in your bedroom such as Armoires, Nightstands, Mirrors, etc. If you are going to accentuate your bedroom with pieces such as these, it may be a good idea to purchase them as a set since each piece will compliment each other and provide a sense of consistency in your bedroom furnishings. You also may be able to save money by buying a set all at once instead of a piece at a time.
As noted above, major considerations to take into account when decorating your bedroom are the dimensions of the room, and the size of mattress. If you are decorating for a child's or teen's bedroom, consider a smaller mattress such as a Twin (otherwise known as a Single) which generally are 39 inches wide by 75 inches long. You may also want to consider a Double (or Full) mattress if you desire extra space. Double-sized mattresses are 54 inches wide by 75 inches long.
However, if you are looking to decorate the bedroom for an adult, you may want the extra sleeping space and decide to go with a Queen or King-sized mattress. Queens are 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. Kings are generally 72 inches by 84 inches. When decorating the bedroom, consider the different types of beds as well:
Sleigh Beds:
- Sleigh beds are characterized by elegant, curving lines and a distinctive, romantic feel. Because the style is so eye-catching, there are some things to consider. For example, the height of a wood sleigh headboard determines how prominent the bed will be in the context of the room
Four-Poster Beds:
- Four-Poster beds are characterized by four posts at each corner; they can be of equal or varying height and can be tall or short (short being defined as the post being 3 feet high or shorter). A pencil bed is a type of four-poster, named for its tall, thin, tapered posts.
Canopy Beds:
- A Canopy bed is essentially the same as a Four-poster bed, but with a draped covering. It is a popular choice due to its elegant and warm feeling, accentuated by linens and drapes overbearing the top of the bed.
Platform Beds: - Platform beds are very simple in form, utilizing simple lines and are usually simple, rectangular bed frames, close to the ground. They commonly use a modern or contemporary design. Since the bed is generally not as high as a standard bed, using a platform bed as the focal point will make the room appear larger and more spacious. Panel Beds:
- Panel beds have headboards and footboards that are usually all of one piece, without spindles or slats, and are straight up and down, so that they can stand flat against the wall.
Another important aspect to consider is the material(s) of a bed. In determining the feel of your bedroom, the materials that make up your bed go a long way. For a warm and romantic feel, consider decorating your bedroom with wooden furniture with accents and intricate designs. For a simple and contemporary feel, perhaps bedroom furniture made of metals and alloys would be a good solution.
Decorating the bedroom is never an easy task. I hope this article has provided you with valuable insights which will help make decorating your bedroom a simple and fun experience.

Skateboarding In The Eighties To The Present by: Kadence Buchanan

Skateboarding traces its roots to the seventies but it really reached the peak of its popularity in the mid-eighties to the present when major skateboard manufacturers propelled it to new heights. First, they started with half-pipe and vert ramp skateboarding. The manufacturers upgraded the boards to make their decks very wide and to equip them with larger and wider wheels. As the years went by, the focus shifted to street skateboarding, which brought about a few changes in deck shape and wheel size. With the growing popularity of street skating, new stars rose to prominence, such as Mark Gonzales, one of street skating's pioneers. Gonzales is recognized as one of the first skateboarders to ollie up a curb and to clear a set of stairs. By this time, manufacturers had shifted their focus to maple plywood over more exotic composite materials. Concave decks were now everywhere. Today’s current generation of skateboarders usually ride on boards that are about 7¼ to 8 inches wide and 30 to 32 inches long. The wheels now are made with a hard durometer (approximately 99a), which provide a faster ride because it reduces the drag on surfaces that are hard. Wheels are now smaller and the boards are lighter, which makes it easier to make difficult tricks. Today’s wheels are only about 48 to 58 mm in diameter and they are as light as they have ever been thanks to advances in skateboarding technology. Meanwhile, the majority of decks are made out of Canadian Maple and the industry standard is the 7 ply because of its increased strength and durability. Historically, most keen observers of the sport note that the styles of skateboards changed a lot from the 1970s but have been mostly the same since the dawn of the nineties. The shape of today’s contemporary skateboards assumes the design of freestyle boards from the eighties, with a symmetrical shape and a narrower width than previous skateboards. These observers also note that the popularity of ramp or vert skatebaording was overtaken by street skateboarding in the nineties. With today’s freestyle techniques, the practice of skateboarding has risen to new heights and new stars are emerging all the time. But throughout it all, the ollie has remained as the base of many of today’s tricks.

Cure for the Teenage Closet by Stephen Nickse

Teenagers' closets can be particularly challenging when it comes to organization. The teenage years are often accompanied by constantly changing preferences along with a reluctance to completely let go of childhood...just yet. The conglomeration of sentimental toys from the past and of-the-moment clothing, shoes and accessories billowing from the closet door can make for a daunting organization endeavor. If pleading with your teenager to clean his or her room seems like an all too familiar battle, it may be time to rethink the organization or lack thereof in your teen's closet. A disorganized closet can make cleaning a bedroom practically impossible, and may be just the obstacle causing your anguish.
Accessibility and functionality are primary goals when organizing a teenager's closet. The simpler the closet is to maintain, the less resistance you will encounter at cleaning time. The key is to design the organization scheme such that placing items where they belong is easier than haphazardly throwing them on the floor. The first step is taking everything out of the closet for assessment.
By removing everything from the closet, you can get a big picture view of its contents. The first thing you may need to do is analyze the contents and determine what has been causing the chaos. Is it sports equipment thrown in every nook? Is it piles of comics without a designated place for storage? Is it a collection of stuffed animals your teenager may never let go? Determining what items are wreaking the most havoc is the first step to establishing a neat, easily maintained closet for your teenager.
Inevitably, some items you pull out of the black hole that is your teenager's closet are best off being given away or thrown away. Allowing your teenager to have input on what items to get rid of can prevent unnecessary conflict later. Anything that does not contribute to the functionality of the closet can be moved elsewhere. For instance, a collection of action figures or stuffed animals may be displayed on a shelf in the bedroom, clearing out valuable storage space within the closet for frequently used items.
Shelves, baskets, bins and additional hanging rods are your best friends when organizing a teenager's closet. The need for such organizational aids will depend largely on the types of items your teenager keeps in his or her closet. If sports equipment, for instance, makes up a bulk of the closet's contents, integrating a couple of see through bins or wire baskets into the scheme can make a world of difference and prompt your teen to put equipment in the appropriate place in the future. On the other hand, if the closet is strewn with more clothes than will fit, consider adding a second hanging rod or installing shelving for sweaters and other articles that can be folded instead of hung.
In organizing a teenager's closet, making commonly sought items such as clothing and shoes blatantly accessible makes returning such things simpler and more likely for the teen. Make sure that in creating a designated place for everything, you also leave room for growth and modification. You never know how your teenager's preferences will change from year to year, or even month to month. Perhaps he or she will begin to prefer a clean room and maintain it without influence!

Teenage Addictions by monica craft

Teens believe it’s cool to use marijuana because they hear songs about it and see it on Television and in movies. Some adolescence may sense they need marijuana and other drugs to help them run away from problems at home, at school, or with friends.No matter how many shirts and caps you see printed with the marijuana leaf, or how many groups sing about it, remember this: teens won’t have to make use of marijuana just because they believe everybody else is doing it. Most adolescents do not use marijuana!Marijuana is a green, brown, or gray mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the hemp plant. You may hear marijuana called by lane names such as pan, herb, wild plant, prairie, boom, chronic etc. There are more than 200 terminology terms for marijuana. Sinsemilla (sin-seh-me-yah; it’s a Spanish word), hashish (“hash” for short), and hash oil are stronger forms of marijuana.Teens smoke marijuana Opposing to fashionable belief, most teenagers do not use marijuana. Among undergraduate surveyed in a yearly national survey, only about one in six 10th graders report they are recent marijuana usersYoung people use marijuanaThere are various reasons why some kids and young adolescence start smoking marijuana. Many immature teens smoke marijuana because they see their brothers, sisters, friends, or even older family members using it. Some use marijuana because of gaze pressure.Regular marijuana users repeatedly develop breathing problems, such as chronic coughing and puffed. Marijuana contains the same cancer causing chemicals as tobacco. The amount of tar inhaled by marijuana smokers and the intensity of carbon monoxide absorbed by those who smoke marijuana are three to five times greater than among tobacco smokersAll forms of marijuana used by teens are mind-altering. In other words, they alter how the brain works. Teens take core vigorous chemical in marijuana. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), they also have more than 400 other chemicals. Marijuana’s effects on the user depend on its strength or effectiveness, which is related to the amount of THC it contains (5). The THC content of marijuana has been rising since the 1970s.The way marijuana usedMarijuana is habitually smoked as in a pipe or a bong by teens. Recently, it has appeared in cigar wrappers called blunts, when it is frequently combined with another drug, such as crack cocaine.Marijuana stays in the user’s (teens) body asTHC in marijuana is quickly absorbed by greasy tissues in various organs. Generally, traces of THC can be detected by typical urine testing methods several days after a smoking session. However, in chronic heavy users, traces can occasionally be detected for weeks after they have stopped using marijuana.

Prom-Day Prep by: Differin Staff

The big day is finally here! What you do during the day can have a major impact on you’ll look and feel tonight. Here are some smart prom-day strategies.

Don’t forget food

Skipping meals so you can fit into your outfit is not a smart strategy. Fasting will leave you weak, tired and majorly moody come prom time—and that’s no fun. A few light meals throughout the day will give you the ongoing oomph you need to have a blast at night. Some good-for-you, energy-boosting options include yogurt and cereal, eggs and toast, a whole-wheat bagel with peanut better, a turkey sandwich and snacks like fruit and cheese.

Give your locks luster

A deep conditioning treatment or hair mask can give limp locks the sudden surge they need to be your crowning glory. Leave on for 15-20 minutes under a shower cap or towel, then blow with a hair dryer for a few minutes before you rinse; the heat will help the conditioner penetrate.

Make nice to your nails

Nothing finishes off an outfit like well-groomed nails, and giving yourself a manicure is a cinch. Remove old polish, shape nails, then slick on pretty polish; try a clear or neutral shade or a hue that matches your dress. Feel like some extra-pampering? Grab some girlfriends and treat yourselves to professional manicures (your toes could use a treat too!).

Break a sweat

Doing something active will make you feel healthy and rev up those exercise-induced, feel-good chemicals in your brain. Any activity that significantly increases your heart rate will work: go for a run, climb your stairs ten times, take a bike ride or just do some jumping jacks, push ups and crunches while watching TV.

Catch some z’s

Even though you’ve got lots to do today, taking a nap will help you relax and up your energy for the big—and probably late—night. Even just 20 minutes can revive and refresh. If you having trouble drifting off to dreamland, just laying in a dark, quiet room can help you mellow out.

Soak it up

A scented bubble bath will help relax your body and mind. Toss in some essential oils and it can also leave you soft and silky. Just don’t soak longer than 20 minutes or skin can get wrinkled and dry.

Charge it

Tonight’s going to be one to remember so make sure you’re ready to capture the memories on your camera or camcorder. Make sure batteries are charged and there’s enough room on your memory card for all those pretty pics!

Breaking the News to your Parents: Help for Pregnant Teens by mardie caldwell

Choose a time when you will have complete privacy with your parents, as well as their attention. Tell them that you have to talk to them about a serious matter (pregnancy) and ask them if they will not interrupt you until you have finished. From the first word you utter, be completely honest with your parents. Tell them exactly what your problem is and ask them for their help. Your parents love you and after the initial shock and hurt; they will want to be there to support you through your teen pregnancy. Start the conversation with a maturity that you will need from now on. You are in a tough situation and facing it in a grown up way will make the road a little less rocky. Avoid arguing and sarcasm; remember that you will have to expect some anger from your parents, but at this time in your life, they could be the best friends you could have at this time in your life. After the first shock waves have faded; talk with your parents about how you will handle your pregnancy. If you have decided to keep your baby and your parents agree to continue to let you live at home, what new rules will be involved? It must be understood that if a young teen mother decides to live with her parents and keep her baby, it is very important that all parties involved including grandparents know that the responsibility and care for that child lays with you the teen mother. Things could end up very messy later on if a line is not drawn. If adoption is what you have in mind, ask your parents for their full support in the adoption decision. After thinking the situation through, they will most likely be very supportive in whatever decision you have made. Remember, your parents will very likely be pretty upset by this news; they love you very deeply and they probably had dreams for you that a teen pregnancy would likely put an end to. All parents want their children to be successful and happy and having a child at a young age tends to make achieving success a much more difficult accomplishment. This will be at the root of their anger, but hang in there because that same love that is spurring that anger will win out and they will very likely want to stand by you through your pregnancy and potential adoption if that is your decision.

Clearing out Acne with the Best Treatment by Jim Lorenz

Embarrassed and bothered no end by acne? That's unfortunate! But you're certainly not alone with this predicament. It is estimated that about eighty percent of teenagers suffer from the unsightly presence of acne, even if these are mere pimples. And of those who have acne, about twenty percent is afflicted with the more harsh forms which leave an even more embarrassing trace we know as scar.
Acne is an inflammatory disease. Its ugliness is difficult to conceal as it usually affects the skin of the face, neck, and shoulders. Often it becomes manifest during a person's early teen years and persists into his or her twenties. In a show of surrender, some people with acne accept their suffering as being a natural consequence of getting out of the childhood years. Still, it is important that people understand what really causes acne.
During the transition period from childhood to adolescence, sex hormones are produced by the glands. As these hormones circulate through the body tissues, they arouse the oil glands to greater activity. (These oil glands - scientifically termed sebaceous glands - are associated with the hair vesicles of the skin.) And as the cells within these oil glands increase in number at such a rapid pace, they cause the glands' outlets to be obstructed. The glands proceed with their activity though their secretion can't reach the external layer of the skin anymore. As this happens, white specks (which we call "whiteheads") are produced by the bulging of the tiny glands which stretch the surrounding tissues. The deeply-entrenched secretion then goes through a process of chemical change, making it appear black (what we know as "blackhead"). Stretching some more, the sebaceous glands and the hair vesicles break, causing inflammation on the affected area. Small solid, conical elevations (papules) develop next, followed by pustules (more commonly known as pimples). Under a more harsh condition, microorganisms penetrate the skin as the delicate tissues are shattered, resulting to infections.
Promoting one's overall health so as to be more resistant to all sorts of disorder is a necessary primary step in treating acne. A treatment program usually involves the following series of actions: Cleansing the affected parts, at least twice a day, with warm water and non-medicated soap; refraining from using cosmetics for the entire treatment period; getting sufficient rest (this is when an eight-hour-a-night sleep is very important); having a well-balanced diet; and avoiding the use of drugs or medications that are not prescribed by a physician.
What's more important for people to know is that there is a scientifically-proven natural way that can cure acne permanently - something that acne sufferers are certainly looking for.

Out of Control by: Ken Mossman

Anyone who's spent time around me knows that I wear my love of winter on my arm. Not my sleeve, mind you, my arm. After all, sleeves can be taken off and put back on. This, however, is no mere article of clothing - it's more like a tattoo I've worn proudly and publicly since I was a kid. As I approach the half-century mark - T-minus thirteen months and counting - the snow-bug shows no sign of releasing it's bite, and I don't mind one little bit. There's nothing quite like the feeling of a perfectly arced ski turn at high-speed. It's a sensation that peels back the layers of the day-to-day to reveal and tap into the very essence of my being. At some level, the ego drops away and, in the cold air and clear, bright sunlight of the season, skiing becomes a spiritual pursuit. As with so many experiences that others would perhaps term "transcendent," it's a feeling that words can't hope to describe, that the mind can't quite wrap itself around, and the body, in all it's wisdom, never, ever forgets... Lest I wander too far afield of my story, let me say that snowy spiritual quests are not what I really intended to tell you about this month, so back on track I go... Though the best of winter took it's own sweet time arriving, I've managed to get in a number of good days of skiing so far, some alone, some with friends, with my Dad, and several with my son, Cai. I've been impressed with Cai's progress and his ability to learn. Over the holiday week, I watched him improve - quite literally - with every run. While he gets a bit nervous on steeper trails or where exposure is involved, on the gentler terrain he really enjoys, he looks great! I see what I would consider "healthy fear" at work in the places he's less comfortable. The more relaxed he gets and the more fun he has, the more likely he is to challenge himself without my input, so I'm not worried. (Exposure, for the uninitiated, is the experience of being someplace where one is open - exposed - to long drops and/or a great distance. Typically, skiers new to exposure fear that if they allow themselves to let go of the side of the mountain, they will fall all the way to the horizon.) All this may sound incredibly obvious, and parts of it have been hard lessons to learn. In years past, I dragged Cai down a few trails he wasn't that interested in, and it wasn't a whole lot of fun for either one of us. Make no mistake; it was much tougher on him... After all, I was only inconvenienced while he was, in his efforts to please me, terrorized. My plan for this year was to give him more say in running our ski days: choosing trails, when to stop for lunch, that sort of thing. One day several weeks ago, we were on the hill having a grand old time - or so I thought. Cai said that he wanted to follow me, and much to my surprise he was right on my tails for most of the afternoon. Every time I turned around, there he was, keeping pace and matching me, as best I could tell, turn for turn. I was astounded! How had he gotten that fast in such a short amount of time? What was he putting in his oatmeal when my back was turned..? For our last run of the day, I wanted to watch him from behind to get a better idea of what he was up to. I said, "You go ahead. I'll follow you down this time so I can watch you." Off he went. He made a few turns, gradually decreasing the arc of each one, until he was all but straight-lining. I pushed on as fast as I could to catch up and tell him to slow down. I never got to deliver my message... When I had drawn to within about 20 yards of him, Cai went buns-over-tea-kettle, losing his skis and one pole in the process. By the time I gathered up his gear and reached him, he was laying in a snowy heap on the ground, doing that variety of crying that keeps parents guessing when the first inhalation is going to come. He gradually got to his feet, clearly rattled, every available open space between his helmet and goggles, not to mention his neck, ears, and the cuffs of his jacket, packed with snow. As I was clearing the snow from his helmet and gloves and opening his bindings, he slowly began to regain his composure. "Wow, Cai," I said, kneeling in front of him and keeping an eye out for on-coming skiers, "you were going really fast. I think you were out of control..." He looked back at me through teary, reddened eyes and said, "I've... been... out... of... control... all... day... trying to keep... up... with... you!" Enlightenment comes in strange, small packages at times. And as I, the former racer, racing coach and ski instructor, knelt in front of my weeping, snow-packed kid in the flat light of a late Saturday afternoon, it occurred to me that I had been basking in delusion every time I looked over my shoulder earlier in the day. Cai wasn't keeping up with me because he wanted to; he was keeping up with me because he thought it was what he was supposed to. While I told him how well he was doing over and over again, I didn't think to ask him how he was feeling or how he thought he was doing... After putting Cai back together, we rested for a moment. I apologized for not being more curious about what was actually going on, and he thanked me. Then we made an agreement: We would both slow down and pay more attention to what we were doing... and to one another. With the exception of one run last week when I led Cai down a twisty, double fall-line trail he deemed too uncomfortably odd and scary, we've kept our word to one another. We've had several days on the hill since that last crash, and an odd thing has happened: He's gotten faster again, only now he's skiing in control, and smiling at the bottom of each run. On the way up the lift I ask him, "How are you doing?" "Good," he says, grinning behind his goggles, "I wish these lifts were faster!" "Me too," I answer, wishing we could get to the top quickly, just so we have more time to go slow. "Me too..."

Dealing With Teen Acne by J. Foley

Acne is one of the leading problems teens face. It causes changes in their physical appearance that can range from mild to severe, and can be dificult to treat. In addition to these physical changes, it carries a multitude of psychological effects that effect teens in different ways.
Social situations may also become dificult and unwelcome, and teens may steer away from them because they are self-conscious about their appearance. So what social ramifications does this condition bring? This article will discuss some of those social aspects and what can be done to help teens understand and deal wit the condition.

Many people who aren't afflicted with acne do not understand the dificulties associated with this condition, and often accuse their acne suffering friends of being overly sensativ about the matter. In more recent years, however, the problems faced by those who suffer from acne are being more widely addressed, and the social and psychological effects being studied more closely.

Acne is every bit as much about how you feel as it is about how you look. In a society where so much importance is placed on appearance and complying to the "norm", higher standards have been set concerning what people do and don't accept. For teens this is espcially important. Many teenagers face the pressures put on them by their peers, and by what they feel is expected of them. Appearance plays a crucial part in how others see them, and how they see themselves.
When asked, teens suffering from acne said they feel ugly and sometimes depressed. These feelings can cross over into adult acne, and aren't gender specific.

It has been said that there is no other condition that causes more psychic ore mal-adjustment between parent and child, more generall insecurity, and feelings of inferiority.
Understanding the psychological effects associated with acne has become more important, especially in teens where self-worth is stil being developed. It is hard, however, to find a conclusive way in which to study these factors because of the many differences in acne causes and severity, and because it can be dificult to separate the effects of acne with other social tramas many teens face.

It is suggested that the best way to understand these effects is simply to listen. Find out how your teen is coping with his or her acne and how it makes them feel. Let them know that they certainly aren't alone. Acne is a very common condition among teens and adults, and can be caused from various things that effect many people. Also make it clear to them that having acne doesn't mean they are viewed as being dirty or having poor hygiene. Hygiene does not effect acne directly, and ace isn't caused from not washing your face.

Getting Help for Troubled Teens by keith allen

Do you have troubled teens in your home? If your child is one that does not talk to you, has pulled back out of your family or is continuously ill, there is a need to talk to them. Sometimes, they will blame you. Other times, they have just dug a hole that is so large that they just can not seem to get back out. In any case, all teens that are facing life changing, life altering things need help. How can you find help for your troubled teens?

The first place to start is with your child's doctor. No matter what you are worried about, they are likely to have the first real advice for you. The first thing you need to do no matter if you are worried about drugs, alcohol or depression is to get them physically checked out to insure they are healthy. Then, talk to the doctor to determine what the next course of action is. Remember, doctors are not going to talk about you or your child to anyone else.

Talk to their school counselor. Although you can not be at school to watch them all the time, the school's counselor can help. Meet with them, become a concerned parent. In fact, one of the most powerful things that you can do is be a known presence at the school. Troubled teens stem from parents that are not aware of what they are doing or who they are with. Be knowledgeable.
Troubled teens will often need someone that is just around their age to talk to as well. Find a mentor for them. This can be someone that is in your family or friends. It can be someone from the boys and girls club. There are plenty of places to get help for your troubled teen. You need to simply reach out and get the help that they need for them.

Tips For Parents On Coping With Teen Children Dating by Donald Saunders

The vast majority of parents have some fears about the day when their children will begin dating and for many parents it signals the point at which a son or daughter is making a move from childhood into adulthood. It is also often seen as the point when children take their first steps out alone and this is often seen as a signal that they no longer need you. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dating is just another stage on the long road of normal teenage development and they undoubtedly do still need you - and will continue to do so for a long time to come. Nevertheless, this can be a difficult point in a teenager's life and there is a lot which you can do to make life easier for both of you.

Like most other things, successful dating begins with education and it is very important for you to sit down with your teenagers before they begin dating to discuss what goes into making a good relationship. It is all too easy to presume that your children will understand the ins and outs of dating but they almost certainly won't. When you think about it, much of their knowledge on dating will probably have been gained from the television where the majority of the relationships depicted are not meant to reflect the real world but merely to entertain the audience. Your children need to understand just what it means to be in a loving and supportive relationship and there is no better way for them to discover just what this means than by talking with you about your own views based upon personal knowledge and experience. Naturally, it also follows that your children will learn not simply from what they hear, but from what they see and so setting a good example in the manner in which you conduct your own relationship is very important.

When your children begin dating you will need to enter into what will be an ongoing dialogue about relationships. Your teenager's dates will not always turn out as you or they expect and they are going to need somebody to come to when they run into difficulties. Therefore, it is crucial that you keep the lines of communication open and also that you continue to talk about how they ought to be treating others in a relationship and just how they themselves should expect to be treated.
Meeting your son's or daughter's date for the very first time can sometimes be a nerve wracking time, but it is important to make this initial meeting as comfortable as possible and to be both respectful towards and kind to your teenager's date. And resist the temptation to make the classic mistake of giving the couple a lecture laying down the rules for going out with one another. Any rules that you wish to impose are for your teenager and not for his or her date and so should be discussed in private and with your child alone. Also, while it is always possible that you will take an immediate dislike to your teenager's date, you must not let this show and should make a conscious effort to be supportive. After you have taught your teenagers how to behave in a relationship you must trust them to make their own decisions and should not step in unless you believe that the relationship is putting your teenager in danger.

It can be difficult to watch your children growing up and meeting and getting close to new people. However, as long as you do your part and teach them what they ought to expect from and how they ought to conduct themselves in a relationship, then there is an excellent chance that things will work out and that problems will be minimized for both you and your children.

Adolescent Obesity - The Blame Game by: Steve Ruprecht

The prevalence of weight issues among the tweenage generation has prompted debates between schools, parents, food giants and kids. The blame game is often played while our youth continue to tip the scales. This hot topic of Adolescent Obesity is the subject for the current episode of Teen Talk, an online video commentary feature hosted by former Nickelodeon hostess Chloe Dolandis. Teen Talk is a subsidiary of Kidfluence, an up-and-coming television show and Web site for today's youth, tackling topics critical to the development of today's teenagers. Obesity used to be looked at as only an adult issue, but with the rising statistics of overweight kids, this is a far greater problem than imagined. The fact that more kids today are having radical gastric bypass surgery only reinforces the necessity to explore this issue. Schools often serve as the scapegoat because of their documented unhealthy offering of food choices. Yet parents can set bad examples themselves by indulging in junk food and failing to closely monitor their child's eating habits. At such impressionable years such as the tweenage ones, the responsibility for maintaing healthy lifestyles for our kids is a collaborative effort. In this current Teen Talk episode, Chloe presents the facts about adolescent obesity, analyzes what parents, schools and kids should be doing and offers a few tips. Teen Talk, which caters to today's technology savvy teenagers, is meant to be highly interactive.

Teens And Eating Disorders by mike herman

As we were all teenagers at one time, that is if you are twenty years of age or older today, you know that the teenage years are full problems, peer pressure, stress and the desire to fit in. It is not surprising then, with all of the peer pressure and images from the media, as well as the strong desire to fit in, that eating disorders are most common among teenagers.

1. Eating disorders are known to be the result of a poor self image and/or an unhealthy relationship to food. Most people think of eating disorders as something that affects girls and young women who are dieting. The truth is that these disorders have to do with our relationship to food and issues related to body image and self-esteem, and not just our desire to to loss some weight. While most people only think anorexia and bulimia when it comes to eating disorders, there are less well-known eating disorders as well, nocturnal eating, pica and binge eating are also characterized by an unhealthy relationship to food and eating. In fact, all eating disorders have one common denominator: an ongoing and unhealthy relationship with food that becomes a disruption in a person's life.

2. Eating disorders generally affect young women, although they can affect just about anyone, middle aged women and even men. It is estimated that more than 8 million people in the United States are affected with some kind of eating disorder. While those with disorders come from all social and ethnic backgrounds, studies have suggested that young affluent white women are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder. Most disorders first become evident during adolescence and can develop in young children and pre-teens. When it come to men and doctors report eating disorders among men is increasing, it seems to be most common with athletes who want to and/or feel pressure to compete as they are vulnerable to developing a disorder.

3. These disorders can emerge during periods of stress and change. Doctors don't yet fully understand why eating disorders are present in some individuals, and not others. But they do have an understanding about the circumstances that may make some people more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. Studies have shown that individuals who are experiencing stress, depression, or who have recently experienced some kind of major life change are much more vulnerable to developing the symptoms of an eating disorder.

4. Eating disorders can cause a variety of serious health problems. Many teenagers who become preoccupied with food, body image, and exercise do not understand the health risks posed by their actions. These health problems include heart problems, stomach problems, irregular menstrual periods, kidney problems, dental problems, hormonal disturbance, dehydration and dry skin, to name just a few. Intervention and hospitalization may become necessary in more severe cases.

5. All of these can be treated successfully. Now more than ever there is a better understanding of eating disorders, and many treatment options and resources are available for teenagers and their families whose lives have been touched by an eating disorder.

Treatment consists of various therapies, including nutritional therapy, psychotherapy, and family and individual counseling. Sometimes prescription drugs are used to treat underlying problems. For instance, antidepressants may be prescribed.

Pregnancy Problems in Teen Girls by john david

Though, the age of women is enduring to decrease, as younger women look for to conclude pregnancies. Statistics are instructive that the average age of those receiving abortions is dropping from 19 to 17. Teen abortion facts also expose that though the teen pregnancy rate has declined in the United States over the last ten years, the percentages have really greater than before. Recent information are reporting that over 50% performed annually are on women under the age of twenty-five with the ages of eighteen and nineteen accounting for the highest number performed.

A disorder called Post Traumatic Stress is disease millions of teenagers who are not psychologically steady enough to survive with the trauma associated with an unplanned pregnancy, life-altering decisions, and the devastation of life. After the surgical procedure, guiltiness, shame, inconsistent behaviors, and substance abuse, even suicide, can be end result.

Pregnancy, birth, and abortion rates among teenagers in the United States have turn down over the past decade but at a standstill remain a widespread public health issue.

Reasons for the decline include increased motivation of adolescence to achieve higher levels of education, the availability of widespread sexuality education in schools, leading to immature people's knowledge about contraception, more effective contraceptive use, and improved ability to discuss contraceptive practice; and greater community sustain for services related to both pregnancy and disease prevention among teenagers.

PREGNANCY

Although pregnancy rates among teenagers have steadily turned down in the past decade, the United States continues to have the highest teenager pregnancy rates among industrialized nations.

Each year in United States, 800,100 to 900,100 adolescents 19 years of age or younger become pregnant .The pregnancy rate for adolescents 13 to 19 years of age fell 19 percent from 116 per 1,000 in 1991 to 95.3 in 1997, reversing a 12 percent rise from 1986 to 1994.From 1995 to 1997, the pregnancy rate for 13- to 19-year-olds decreased in 41 of the 43 reported geographic areas for which age-specific data were available.

During 1995 to 1997, the pregnancy rate declined by 11.5 percent among females less than 15 years of age, by 10.8 percent among females 15 to 17 years of age, and by 5.9 percent among females 16 to 19 years of age .

For each year from 1995 to 1997, the pregnancy rate for females 15 to 19 years of age was approximately 2.6 times that of females 15 to 17 years of age, and the rate for females less than 15 years of age was approximately one ninth that of females 14 to 17 years of age. From 1995 to 1997, the national number of pregnancies among females 14 to 19 years of age declined by 3.3 percent. In 1996, the pregnancy rate for females 15 to 19 years of age in the United States was 83.8 per 1,000 compared to

PREGNANCY RISKS AND OUTCOMES

95 percent of adolescence believes that if they were occupied in a pregnancy they would stay in school; in reality, 72 percent eventually complete high school 74. 50 percent of adolescence thinks that if they were occupied in a pregnancy they would marry the mother/father; in actuality, 82 percent of teenage births are to unmarried teens75. 26 percent of adolescence thinks that they would need benefit to support a child; in reality 57 percent receive public support to cover the cost of delivery and 26 percent of teen mothers receive public support by their early twenties77. 32 percent of adolescence says they would believe an abortion; in reality, 52 percent of pregnancies to unmarried teens end in abortion.

In Home Schooling Good Option to Public Schools by Mike Selvon

In home schooling, also known as homeschooling or unschooling, is pretty much just what it sounds like: A school based in the home where the parents guide the children through their homeschooling curriculum.
Homeschooling is perfectly legal in most countries and is most widely practiced in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United Kingdom, and France. It is wise to check with local educational authorities for specific requirements and regulations in your area before removing your student from public school.
Each child is unique and in home schooling gives parents the ability and freedom to educationally cater to the homeschoolers unique interests, abilities, learning styles and attitudes, while also being able to bond and remain in the position of most important role model in the lives of their children.
One of the greatest weaknesses of institutionalized education is that the structure simply cannot accommodate the needs and interests of the individual students, leaving some behind while thwarting the learning capacity of others. This is the area where homeschooling truly shines.
But, that's not the only reason to consider homeschooling for your children. There are many other benefits as well and here is a short list to highlight some of them:
- There is no reason to force your children to wake up to an artificially set schedule and hustle them off to school. The daily routine can be relaxed and at your pace and time.
- As the parent, you know your children best, and can act according to your insights into what is best for them.
- You are able to custom tailor the curriculum and activities to capitalize on your children's natural interests and their individual needs.
- You can pay special attention to a particular subject that your child might be struggling with. Since there are no fixed schedules or rigid study patterns to follow you can flow with the individual's comfort level, pace, interests, and abilities.
- You are able to maintain being the main influence over your children, and be a positive, involved and active role model.
- You will gain considerable quality time with your family, a commodity that can never be replaced. This serves to bring family units closer and helps keep the children more bonded to the family which is even more important as they move toward their teen years.
- In home schooling helps to insulate your children from the negative influences and forces that are so readily seen in public school settings.
- Children flourish in an environment without the competitive nature found in schools.
- You can impart your own religious teaching and moral standards without concern for the belittling and derision that is more and more part of the public school experience.
In addition to those listed above, most families also have their own particular reasons why they chose home schooling education over traditional schooling. Sometimes, it was the parent's own bad experiences with public schools that leads them to this decision.
In home schooling is certainly one of the best ways that you can help your children get the most out of their formative and educational years since you are in the best position to draw out the best in your child. If you have the motivation and the time and decide to pursue home schooling for your children, you doubtless will be richly rewarded.

Top Ten Journal Writing Tips for Preteens and Teens by: Jill Schoenberg

Daily journal writing can be an excellent tool of self-expression and self-discovery for preteens and teens (actually for kids of all ages!). Journal writing helps them to process the myriad of thoughts, feelings, and emotions they experience and becomes an invaluable tool for understanding their many life experiences. It is also an excellent form of creative self-expression.

But, when faced with a journal full of blank lines or with the task of remembering to write each and every day, some youngsters are simply overwhelmed and unmotivated. To help encourage the healthy habit of daily journal writing by your child, check out the following journal writing tips written especially for kids. Top Ten Journal Writing Tips

1. Silence your inner critic -- It's your journal and your words and if you took the time to write them down then they are valuable, NO MATTER WHAT!

2. Break the rules -- You can break all the rules (grammar and spelling need not matter) or follow them if you prefer. It's your choice! Either way, there is no such thing as right or wrong in journal writing.

3. Go with the flow to express yourself -- Take time to tune in to how you feel. Do you feel like writing a lot or simply feel like writing one word. When you go with the flow your journal writing comes easily and feels good.

4. Pick a special spot to journal -- Choose a place where you feel safe, happy, and secure and where you feel inspired to lose yourself in your journal writing.

5. Go wild with embellishments -- Use stickers, colored pens, magazine pictures, drawings or photos to jazz up your journal. Being creative with your journal will make your writing experience more colorful, exciting, and fun.

6. Keep it simple -- If your journal writing begins to feel like a task you must accomplish, scale back or take a break. Journal writing is much more enjoyable when it feels spontaneous.

7. Discover your writing style -- All the journal writing tips in the world can only guide you, and in the end you must choose your style based on what works best for you. Ask yourself if you like to use only words (no pictures or stickers) or if you prefer to combine writing and drawing. Maybe poetry dominates your journal or maybe your preference is to break all the rules and simply free write.

8. Create a theme journal -- You can create a dream journal, a wish journal or a journal of family, friends and best moments in life. Be creative in choosing themes and if you run out of ideas you can always research new journal writing ideas on the internet.

9. Rule your Kingdom -- Nothing else matters on the pages of your journal but you. Celebrate, vent, accentuate, complain... it's up to you. Just always, always, be kind to yourself as cruelty hurts and makes you sad.

10. Keep it fun and fulfilling -- If it's not fun and fulfilling, chances are you'll quit writing. So keep it fun by giving yourself permission to try new ways of journal writing and keep it fulfilling by focusing on a wide range of topics (not just sad or bad ones, but happy and exhilarating ones as well). Daily journal writing is a wonderful tool of expression for preteens and teens but they must feel invested in their writing. The best way to get them -- and to keep them -- invested is to encourage the free expression of their uniqueness and creativity. Let the writer choose the journal writing style that best suits their personality and personal tastes.

Happy journal writing!

Teens Just Can't Get Enough Sleep !

Some people just can't get themselves to sleep even if they want to. Teen-agers are not exempted from getting sleep problems not only because they are usually overloaded with school projects which take most of their sleeping time. Even with all the hustle and bustle that comes with school, teenagers' normally have enough adrenalin to last them till the wee hours of the morning. Still, frequent sleep deprivation can cause problems even for the most healthy and vibrant youngster. Young people who experience sleep deficit have difficulty concentrating, studying, and working effectively. Long-term sleep deprivation can actually lead to emotional problems like depression.According to recent studies, teenagers need 8½ to more than 9 hours of sleep every night. However, during the stage of adolescence, the body's internal biological clock, also known as circadian rhythm, is reset. The changes in the circadian rhythm makes them fall asleep later at night and wake up later in the morning. Experts attribute this change in the circadian rhythm to the fact that the brain hormone called melatonin is produced later at night in teens. Melatonin is released earlier in the night among kids and adults. Also, the delay in the sleep–wake cycle can worsen and possibly affect a person's daily performance at school or at work. This is called the delayed sleep phase syndrome.Aside from changes in their body clocks, young people may also lose sleep due to insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or staying asleep, which is commonly caused by stress. But there are other factors which may cause insomnia. These include physical discomfort such as stuffy nose due to colds or headaches; emotional problems like family issues or relationship troubles; and uncomfortable sleeping conditions, such as lying in a room that is too hot, cold, or noisy. Trying to sleep in a cramped bed or using pillows that are too soft or too firm also contributes to sleep deprivation. Insomnia is also one of the most common problems associated with sleep deprivation. This sleeping problem lasts for a long period of time without relief. Chronic insomnia can be caused by a number of different problems, including medical conditions, mental health problems, medication side effects, or substance abuse. In extreme cases, chronic insomnia may lead to psychophysiologic insomnia --- a condition where a person's mind and body are severely affected by sleep deprivation. Sufferers of chronic insomnia are advised to seek help the help of physicians, therapists, or counselors for their condition. A nightmare is a common experience among teens which can disrupt sleep patterns. Certain medications can trigger nightmares. Drugs and alcohol can also cause sleep altering patterns. However, stress and anxiety can also trigger nightmares. If nightmares interfere with sleep, it's time to talk to medical health professionals. Other conditions that can affect sleep in young people include Periodic Limb Disorder, Restless Legs Syndrome, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Reflux, Narcolepsy, and Sleepwalking.When there's a feeling of fatigue even after getting enough rest, a consultation with your doctor is advised. Excessive fatigue can be due to a number of health reasons, not just a sleep disorder. Doctors can do a physical examination and may review a person's medical history when they suspect the presence of other conditions that interfere with sleep.Some sleep disorders can be treated with over-the-counter sleeping pills while others can be addressed through special therapy meant to reset a person's body clock. Teens are encouraged to make lifestyle changes that promote good sleeping habits such as avoiding playing video games or watching TV before sleeping, as well as drinking too much coffee at nighttime.

5 Fitness Tips For Teens by Shannon Tani

Want to get fit but don't know where to start? Teens have unique issues when it comes to getting fit and staying active. But there is no more perfect time than to start an exercise routine when you are still in your teens. Starting now will create habits that will keep you healthy for a lifetime.

5 Fitness Tips for Teens

Don't be embarassed. So what if you can't run a mile? Who cares if you can only do "girly push-ups"? Don't worry if your fat jiggles when you walk! Everybody has to start somewhere and nobody starts out as an elite athlete. So many people don't start exercising because they are too embarrassed. I can't believe how many times I've heard, "Oh, I'll join a gym after I lose 20 lbs." This is ridiculous! Get over yourself and just get moving.

Start small. Nobody expects you to run 10 miles or bench-press 200lbs on your first day. You need to work up to these things. In fact, if you do too much too quickly you're likely to either burn out or seriously injure yourself. Walking is good.

Do both cardio and weights. Many teens do one or the other, but for faster results, you should do both cardio and weight training. Don't worry girls...you won't bulk up like a body builder. You will simply be healthy and strong.

Muscles need time to repair. You should not exercise the same group of muscles two days in a row...this includes abs! Your muscles need time to repair and grow stronger. Give them a break.
Find a buddy. Things are easier when you've got someone to help you along the way. Team up with a friend and exercise together. Even if you can't exercise together, you can still motivate each other. Can't find anyone to work out with you? How about the family dog? I'm sure he'd love to go for a walk with you.

It's a lot easier to start a fitness program than you might think and I hope that these tips help to get you on the right track.

5 Diet Tips For Teens by Shannon Tani

Dieting can be a little bit more difficult when you're a teen. Late nights. Peer pressure. Parental cluelessness. The fear of looking uncool. It's a lot harder to diet as a teen than as an adult.
Luckily, there are still many things that teens can do to eat a healthier diet.

5 Diet Tips for Teens

Eat breakfast. After a long night of studying, there's barely enough time just to get out of bed, brush your hair and teeth and get to school on time. But breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day. Eating a good breakfast prevents you from overeating later in the day. If you don't have time to sit down and eat at home, at least grab something like a banana that you can eat on-the-go.

Bring your own lunch. Who knows what goes into those lunches that they give out at school. Even things that look healthy are sometimes unhealthy and these days there's a plethora of unhealthy foods available in the school lunch line. By bringing your own lunch, you have more control over the foods that you are eating. You can be sure that everything going into your body is healthy.

No soda. Sorry. I know that this is a hard one, but if you want to lose weight the soda has to go. It's almost always a bad idea to drink your calories and soda's calories only come from sugar. If you must have your soda, switch to diet. (Actually, many people report effortlessly losing weight after cutting soda from your diet. Try it! You might be surprised!)

Make good restaurant choices. I know that hanging out at restaurants with friends is one of the many ways that teens like to hang out. But you need to steer clear of the fried foods and sugary desserts. Instead, order a salad (dressing on the side), some fresh fruit, or some other low calorie dish. If you have a restaurant that you often go to, check out their menu online and plan your choices ahead of time. If you're just dying to feed the sweet tooth, order something to share with a friend. Don't eat all those calories by yourself.

Help with grocery shopping or cooking. Your parents may be too busy to cook a super-healthy meal, but that doesn't meal that you can't! By offering to help with grocery shopping or cooking, you'll have a bit more control over what goes on the dinner table. The more healthy foods you can eat, the better.

Hopefully with these tips , you'll be well on your way to a healthier you!