Being a tween and teen is a rollercoaster of hormones, emotions and drama. One of the biggest hurdles they face can be related to body image. Social media doesn’t help — with so many messages being about the “ideal” body… read more
Tweens
Dear Diary: Balancing Your Tween’s Privacy and Safety
Somewhere between elementary and middle school, your tween will stop talking to you. One day she might have been giving you every last detail of the latest gossip at school, and the next day she completely shut down, giving only… read more
How Can You Help Your Tween Develop Friendships?
Navigating friendships is hard at any age. It can be so challenging when you're a tween living in a digital age with hormones on the rise and overflowing feelings. Making, keeping and being the best friend you can can be… read more
Helping Your Tween Conquer Video Game Addiction
Pac-Man, Mario Bros., Tetris. Video games have changed since we were kids. Now, there are first-person games, multi-player online role playing games and multi-user domain games. Kids today can play online with people across the world or watch others playing… read more
Letting Your Child Trick-Or-Treat Alone
Halloween can be a spooky and exciting time for children and parents alike. As kiddies grow into adolescents, it is almost a guarantee that they will want more independence than ever before. When they reach those prime tween-age years, they… read more
Tweens and Shaving: Tips for A Smooth Experience
The tween years are full of ups, downs and major body changes. New body odors, hormonal imbalances, mood swings, growth spurts and, last but not least, body hair, can all be expected. Talking to your child about when and how… read more
How to Navigate Through a Difficult ‘Tween Attitude’
Rolling eyes. Slamming doors. Deep sighs. Welcome to the tween years. Kids at this age are not little children anymore, but they aren’t quite teenagers either. Nevertheless, they are going through a stage of development where they are building self-confidence… read more
Put Your Phone Away! Internet Addiction in Tweens
With a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old, I sometimes feel like their technology is the bane of my existence. I thought I had planned it out all so well. I had rules and a contract. We discussed when phones were allowed… read more
Teach Your Tween To Combat Body Shaming
As our children grown into tweens, they become more aware of their bodies, and so do others. Body shaming is an awful side effect of the tween years, and it is the practice of humiliating someone by making mocking or… read more
High School Here We Come!
As you help your child prepare for high school, there are many things to consider in finding the perfect fit. Fortunately, Alachua County has many options for a great education and well-rounded experience. While evaluating your options, consider what parts… read more