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Some legal opinions on the age when it becomes ‘okay’ to leave kids unattended: http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm http://family.findlaw.com/parental-rights-and-liability/when-can-you-leave-a-child-home-alone-.html http://www.kidsandcars.org/state-laws.html http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/leaving-child-home-alone/ https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubpdfs/homealone.pdf

When a child is first learning to ride a bike without training wheels, many parents follow a similar sequence. At first, the child may use training wheels. These provide some clear support and yet allow the child the feeling of some control. Eventually it is time for the training wheels to come off. The transition […]

A recent study by AAA reviewed 1,700 videos of teen drivers (aged 16- to 19-year-old) taken by information-gather “black box” event recorders. The results indicate that in 58 percent of moderate-to-severe crashes included, there was some form of distracted driving as a factor in the crash. http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/north-dakota/3715356-distracted-teenagers-distractions-cause-60-percent-teen-crashes

I have seen many parents of teenagers fall into a trap. Parents can see the poor judgment and lack of forethought inherent in a teen’s choices. In response, they try to “force” him to make better choices. The result is often a battle of wills and a power struggle. The teen might continue to make […]

A new study published online in Neurobiology of Disease has found that “intermittent alcohol exposure during the adolescent stage of development… altered the activity of genes needed for normal brain maturation….The gene alterations increased anxiety-like behaviours and preference for alcohol in adulthood.” http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/binge-drinking-as-teenagers-results-in-anxious-adults_1572502.html