I used to go to overnight camps for a month or so, usually with friends each summer.  I am acquainted with the fears some parents may have about their children at sleep away camps. The most common fear is probably homesickness.

The way to help your child through his/her homesickness is to make sure he/she can make friends.  Maybe send him with some fun things or ideas so he has a way to start conversations and make some friends.  Once the camp gets going, if he/she enjoys it, your child will hopefully forget all about his/her homesickness.  However, sometimes your child may get more homesick than normal, which is not a problem because I know many people who had that problem.  Some ended up going home, but some, with my friends and my help, were able to start having a lot more fun.  There is really not much a parent can do to help their child with his/her homesickness, except make sure they know ways to have fun and make friends.  The child's friends are the ones that have the most potential to help out their friend in need.

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Has anyone experienced girls calling boys more than the boys calling girls? My daught is 14 and most of her friends have their own cell phs and are allowed to call & text boys anytime they want. Her Dad & I feel that times have not changed and the boy should court the girl. Now, if he calls and leaves a message when she's not home, I can see allowing her to cb, but for her to just call him out of the blue... could be mistaken as her seeming desperate. She is very valuable and we want her to value herself and have boys value her. I guess I am old fashioned.

Anyone got teenage boys that can confirm that they still like to be the ones who do the pursuing, instead of the girls? We also require that any boy who would like to get to know her needs to first talk to her Dad &/or myself. Once we have explained that trust and honesty, etc are very important to us, we then (if he is a good kid), can feel free to call and talk on the phone to her or come to see her at our home. Both of these ways of getting to know each other are only to happen when we are home of course. We told her if a boy has the right intentions w her, he will be willing to comply by 1. talking to us initially 2. talking only when we are home 3. visiting only when we are home. 3. He can go to church w us or to Youth events w her. (No group or individual dates until she is 16 period).

We also plan to have the same situation for our 2 boys when they start to have an interest in girls and are old enough. They will call the parents, introduce themselves and ask perission to get to know their daughter better over the ph or by visiting in the company of parents or church. Any insight?

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Please help me understand the mind of a 13-year old boy (if that is humanly possible).  My son views hygiene as a totally optional occurrence.  I keep thinking he'll grow out of it (especially with an increasing interest in girls), but basic hygiene practices still seem to elude him.  He's obviously been brought up with these practices and learned the proper way to wash hands, body, hair and brush teeth, but he seems to think those rules don't apply to him.  Then, of course, he can do a complete turn around and come out of the bathroom all spit shined and smelling like a lady killer. 

My main source of frustration right now is that he has just been fitted for contacts and doesn't seem to get how important hand washing is before handling his lenses.  Please tell me this phase is almost over with.  He sure could do worse things, but I really get irritated with the shoddy hygiene practices.

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I have a son who just turned 13! Yes believe it or not we both have survived the journey. However pretty much since we relocated to pa he has gotten distant from me. Now it has always been the 2 of us for the most part. No Father in the pic, no men running around. We have always always been so close, talking about everything and wanting to spend time together. Now I know he is a teen and all... But I miss him. We hardly ever sit down and chat any more. He is so busy with his friends. He eats, showers and sleeps here for the most part. He is not a trouble maker, don't get me wrong, he is a good kid. I am blessed. But lately things are changing. I don't know what is going on in his little"man" world. I guess I am just looking for some solus that he will snap out of this and talk to me again. We have minor conversations. But I am thinking maybe he needs a guy to talk to. He is 13.. any advice will be welcome. It's tough enough being a working mom I don't want to loose my child in the process.. thank you.

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As a mom of four teens.(triplets included).. divorced , I sometimes feel real guilty about not ever wanting kids. I am so tired and i know I am venting here...I never get the respect and the feeling I am in the right, always the wrong. Maybe 15% i feel great with the kids. I am always discussing issues. We really don't argue or fight. There is something missing as a family. I am unsure what to do. The guiltiness is beyond. I thought about therapy but my two sons who have ADHD, are already in therapy. I have no time for me, for I also work fulltime.  My struggle to make a living and to keep a beautiful, loving home is too difficult. I find that Want to just move, and give the kids to their father, for that will allow me a career and likely earn respect, as he does.  Does anyone ever feel this way and can anyone offer any advise to a very very sad mom.

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I am 16 years old and I play a sport year round. I would consider my self fit and of average weight for my height. I have many friends who are obsessed about their weight and they have begun to diet. It makes me crazy to see these beautiful teenage girls at sleepovers or birthday parties not participating in birthday cake or ice cream becasue of their restrictive diets. In my personal opinion, teens SHOULD be healthy and aware of their weight, however; they SHOULD NOT diet or change their eating habits dramatically. If a teen feels overweight or unhealthy I believe they should add more fruits and vegetables to their diet and maybe cut back on TONS of carbs and sweets, NOT CARBS all together. As teenagers, our bodies are growing and changing everyday, and it is important that we get more carbs then the average adult to keep up with our changing bodies.

I think that teens actually get a lot of pressure about their weight from their own parents. I know that people think that their kids are beautiful no matter what, but many parents may slightly hint at a change in diet or a weight problem and they do not understand the effect it has on their kids. Especially with girls their moms need to be really careful becasue they look up to them a lot and their own eating habits will affect their child's. I have noticed that when a girl's mom is thinner than she is, it really distorts the daughter's self image. I am not saying that all moms have to gain weight and MUST out weigh their daughter, but especailly in our society today when many mom's are trying to lose weight make sure that your daughter does not feel like she is in a competition. Mom's have to be extra careful about what they say. Don't put your daughter on some "list" of dietary restrictions and keep them in the house around her. It just makes her feel like she is huge and everyone around her is allowed to eat. If she really has a problem In my opinion the best solution is exercise.

I believe that teenage kids should be able to eat whatever they want and just "exercise it off". Especially when our metabolisms will allow it. I understand that this might not be possible for all young teens, but a slight change in diet or addition of healthy foods is sufficient. Teens should enjoy themselves and feel like they don't have to worry about food yet. Parents need to back off. Get outdoors. Enjoy This time in your life!

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My son seems to be isolating himself from his friends this summer.  Since school got out, he's not been interested in contacting anyone to talk on the phone or invite them over or out for any activities.  He usually has kids his age in the neighborhood to hang out with during the summer so he doesn't stay in close contact with the kids from school as a rule.  But this summer there is no one around the neighborhood to hang with.  He doesn't seem bothered by this, but I feel bad for him anyway since he's an only child and I feel like he has to be lonely sometimes.  He and I do a lot together when I'm not working, but I still worry that he's not staying in touch with people his own age.  Is this a normal adolescent bump in the road or do you think I am justified in being concerned?

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My best friend just called me to say her daughter, a rising Freshman in college, is throwing up to stay thin.  Where does my friend begin to get help?  Thanks!

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How do you decide when the behaviour of your 17 year old daughter is that of a typical, possibly confused 17 year old or that of a 17 year old that is having other more sinister problems eg drug abuse when every time you try and have a conversation it usually ends up in a shouting match, some of which what they say is usually quite a plausable explanation?

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