Lifelong Marathon

That’s what we’re in – a lifelong parenting marathon. Not surprisingly, the good habits we build while parenting our young children will serve us well as they grow and the challenges change. Here's a compelling example of the power of good parenting. The August issue of Achieves of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine explains that when adolescent girls go through puberty early they are more likely to face a variety of problems (conduct problems, delinquency, substance abuse) and often react with problematic and aggressive behavior, like hitting, teasing, and spreading hurtful rumors. Any good news at all here? Yes. What helps these girls, and also those who develop at a more typical age, is parents who are nurturing, affectionate, and engage in positive and open communication. Given the amount of hormones in our food, aren’t you glad to have those skills in your back pocket?