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New research is finding that regular exercise improves mental focus, memory, and cognitive flexibility. The medical journal Pediatrics published research that found kids who took part in a regular physical activity program showed important enhancement of cognitive performance and brain function. http://kch.illinois.edu/research/labs/neurocognitive-kinesiology/files/Articles/Hillman_2014_Pediatrics_FITKids.pdf http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/exercise-seems-to-be-beneficial-to-children/380844/   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25201345  

New research shows that early starts can affect a teenager’s mood, and changing when the school day begins can perk up a teen’s mood, benefit their health and enhance their ability to learn. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439884.2014.942666#.VCs3dudDrOc http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/teenagers-irritable-because-early-school-hours-mess-with-their-biological-clocks-9763677.html

In a paper published in Pediatrics, researchers report that kids 7 to 9 years old who attended a daily, after-school fitness program showed an increased ability to pay attention, avoid distraction and switch between tasks: http://kch.illinois.edu/research/labs/neurocognitive-kinesiology/files/Articles/Hillman_2014_Pediatrics_FITKids.pdf http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-fit-kids-think-smarter-20140929-story.html

Some tools and tips for parents of teens to help monitor and set limits: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/7-survival-tools-for-the-parents-of-teenagers-98506448604.html

Some helpful advice on how to relate to your daughters as they mature into young women: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joyce-mcfadden/things-little-girls-need-from-their-fathers_b_3348956.html?utm_hp_ref=tw