It’s a classic story: A teenager attends the first day of school and winds up hating one of his teachers. (Can’t you just hear the angry whine of a 14-year-old telling you how this teacher is the worst teacher, mean and a difficult grader to boot?!) As he slams the door to his room, you hear him mumbling about how the teacher “hates” him, too. With their teens’ hormones raging — and peer pressure not helping...

I am sitting here with a scowl on my face fighting with my 6-year-old because she is being annoying. She is hungry, she has already had dinner and, yes, two bowls of ice cream. I have offered her cheese, an apple and ven a fruit roll-up, which in some homes is considered dessert! She shoots me her perfecteed stink eye and is clearly not cooperating. I am tired. My husband is really tired and already asleep on the sofa with the Golf...

Kaine Horman and Desiree Young, Kyron Horman‘s parents, are now reporting they are concerned that Terri Horman may be suffering from postpartum depression or psychosis. They believe Terri’s emotional state changed after the birth of Kiara (who is now 19 months old). Terri’s behavior seemed to become more erratic, and even though she never expressed her depression to Kaine, it seems she was venting often to her girlfriends....

In light of the recent stranger abduction of 4-year-old Alisa Maier, I think it’s important to discuss the topic of kidnapping with your children. Alisa’s story can be used to highlight the importance of being safe. It’s an opening to tell your kids what to do if somebody ever attempts to take them against their will. My children are 6 and 9, and both of them have been told Alisa’s story. I used it as a real-life example...

The story about first graders possibly getting condoms in Massachusetts showed, yet again, how the issue of sex education in our country has become politicized in such a ridiculous way that we lose sight of the importance of informing our children about their sexuality and reproductive health. This issue should not be placed in the Liberal vs. Conservative category. Rather, it squarely falls within “public health.” Teen pregnancy is...

The story about Jamie Kieles and her 30-day trial of following Seventeen magazine was insightful and funny. It also got me thinking about alternatives to the teeny-bop magazines that do exist. As a psychologist and the mother of a 7-year-old girl (who at difficult times seems like a teenager already!), I am always looking for anything and everything that will help balance my daughter’s consumption of Hannah Montana, iCarly and, yes, her...