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Cyber citizenship Part 1: Helping Teenagers Be Good Netizens

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

When your kids plug into the internet or the cellular networks, they instantly become full-fledged members of a worldwide community.   They have instant access to every other person who is also wandering around in that world.  And, of course, someone coined a cute name for it:  Netizens.  (Well, I refuse to refer to them by that stupid name.)  But it …

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Sexting Part 5-What to Say If Your Kid Has Been Sexting (continued)

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

Talk about the risks.  Here’s the list. Sending pictures of yourself when you are younger than 18 is distributing pornography.  Having a picture of yourself stored on a phone, computer, etc. (or recoverable from the secret, undeleted areas of things you have deleted on your device) is possession of child pornography.  Having pictures of your sext buddy who is under …

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Raising Independent Kids

In The Blog by Dr James Wellborn

One goal of parenting is to raise independent and self-sufficient kids.  When parents talk about having independent kids it really means having their kids be able to support themselves, make good decisions and deal with challenges.  You can’t be independent if you have to rely on others for money, get yourself arrested (or thrown out of your apartment) or are …

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Does Your Teen Need (or deserve) A Car

In The Blog by Dr James Wellborn

A teenager’s first car.  It’s the embodiment of freedom in America.  It’s access to the open road.  No more asking permission to use the family car.  No more listening to a parent’s playlist.  Every teenager needs their own car, right?  (Sound of screeching brakes)  No.  There is no compelling justification for a teenager to have a car of their own.  …

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Developmental Stages of Access to Social Media

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

OK, I’m going out on a limb here.  There is a lot being said and written about kids and social media.  The problem is that there is precious little specific guidance given on how to decide what is best for kids of different ages.  Here is my attempt to wade into the discussion. This column will propose a system for …

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Is Your Teen Ready to Babysit?

In The Blog by Dr James Wellborn

The walls are closing in on you.  It’s hard to catch your breath.  You have GOT to get out of the house.  But you can hardly afford your favorite half-caf double vanilla latte with a dusting of cinnamon at the local coffee shop let alone a babysitter to watch over your precious little darlings.  Your oldest should be ready to …

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More Questions (for your teenager) from Steubenville, Ohio

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

The previous column presented questions to generate a conversation between you and your teenager about issues raised by the rape of a teenage girl in Steubenville, Ohio.  The questions continue. Responsibility Whose fault is it when someone is attacked?  What if they were saying really insulting things to the person who attacked them?  What if they were walking around in …

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Fostering Character Development in Teens: Responsibility (cont.)

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

Teach it.  Being a Responsible person requires a number of specific skills.  Your kid will need help developing them. Self control.  Responsibility requires the ability to resist impulses and delay gratification in the service of longer term goals.  Your kid will need practice dealing with frustration and remaining calm and focused under stress.  Make your kid wait.  Require them to …

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Fostering Character Development in Teens: Responsibility

In There's a Stranger in My House by Dr James Wellborn

def. (noun) accountable or answerable for your actions If your kid is going to accomplish anything, they have to take personal responsibility for making it happen.  Responsibility is directly tied to success.  Responsible people are both proactive in addressing issues and hold themselves accountable for the consequences of their actions.  Responsible people are trusted, they are given greater opportunities and …