Behaviour and development

The Dating Game

The intensity of romance can be difficult to handle

When Friends Move Away

Kids often worry they won't be able to make new friends. It's hard to know how to smooth a child's heartache over a friend's departure

13 Things to Love About Your Teen

Don't freak out about adolescence! It can be, like, totally fun

Boosting Self-confidence

Your support can help your child handle doubts about his abilities

Teens Talk

What do young teens really think — about their parents, their friends, their future? We invited eight kids, ages 11 to 15, to sit down over pizza and tell us about their lives. Here's that conversation

The Freedom Fighters

You're a peace-loving parent, but battle lies ahead: Teens make fierce warriors when it comes to independence. From booze to body art, here's how to avoid the land mines

On the Charts: Kids and Music

We listened in on their iPods to bring you the lowdown on what your kids are downloading

The Teen Brain

The brain is still under development in the teen years

Class Clown

For teachers, having a prankster in the class isn't always a laughing matter

Boyfriend in the Bedroom

An open-door policy may help ease parents' minds

Careless Preteens

Getting angry will not help kids learn responsibility

The Jonas Experience

One mom's true tale from a preteen concert

Always Late

How to teach your teen the consequences of lateness

Are Tweens Growing up too Fast?

How help protect childhood for your preteen

Bad Lyrics

Do you need to worry about the music your teen listens to?

Keeping the Connection

Making an effort to connect strengthens the bond with your preteen

Ready for Makeup?

Makeup is an opportunity for a young teen to express her personality

"How Was Your Day?"

Some kids need downtime before they open up

Teens and Swearing

If you have a no-swearing policy, make sure you adhere to it too

When Friends are Mean

Should you intervene when your child has friendship troubles?

Body Hair

Kids are often shy and nervous about the sudden growth of more visible hair

Teens and Horror Fiction

Vampire fiction is a big draw for teens, especially girls

Still Wetting the Bed

Your support can help your child deal with the stress of bedwetting

Dating Someone Older

How to deal if your teen gets involved with someone considerably older

The Sarcastic Child

How to teach kids the difference between assertiveness and being rude

The End of a Friendship

Being rejected by a close friend can be heartbreaking for kids — and parents. Here's a look at why it happens and how you can help

Talking to Your Kids About Drugs

The right time to start talking to your kids about drugs is...now. Here's an age-by-age guide to get the conversation started

Teen Dating

What does the romantic life of today's teen look like? Multi-couple dates, clear codes of conduct, and the freedom to hold off on going all the way

Growth Spurts

A sudden increase in height can be disorienting for preteens

Negotiation Versus Bribery

Learning how to negotiate is a sign of growing social maturity