This page contains links to various websites Dr. Wellborn has found helpful, informative, enjoyable or just interesting. [I haven’t finished transferring the links from my computer to the website so some categories are incomplete or empty until I cycle around to them.] There is also a Teen Links page listing websites specifically for teens. Not all of them are provided on this page so you might want to check them out too.
(Remember, this list is not comprehensive and the presence of sites on this list does not constitute endorsement for or support of any of the information provided on these sites.)
Updated: 5/19/20
Advertising and marketing to kids
Aggression and Violence Issues
Alcohol and Drug Use-Anti-legalization
Alcohol and Drug Use-Treatment info
Alcohol and Drug Use-Home Testing
Alternative and Holistic Treatment
Autism spectrum disorders (including Asperger’s syndrome)
Boys and Boy Issues-Manhood and Masculinity
Bullying, Harassment and Hazing
Career and world of work (technical training) sites
Charities and volunteering sites
College Prep, College Search and Applications
Dating and Relationships – General
Dating and Relationships: Dating violence
Disasters (natural and otherwise)
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning
Girls and Girl Issues-Womanhood and Femininity
Green, Environment, Pinko Liberal Stuff
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex
Media and its effects on teens
Music Venues for Teens in Nashville
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder stuff
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychology stuff-web personality tests
Social Networking Sites (e.g., Facebook) issues
Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorder Stuff
These sites have information of various sorts related to physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. You can’t help your kids on your own. This information is intended to inform you (to educate yourself about possible signs) and to help you when you first discover the abuse. Go find a good mental health professional now; for yourself and for your kid(s). Look over in the Books Worth Reading section on sexual abuse for good reading resources.
Get Info | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
This site is for guys who have experienced some form of sexual abuse or unwanted sexual contact. It is a nice site.
HAVOCA – Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse
Here is a site that has some general information for parents who have discovered sexual abuse among siblings
http://www.sasian.org/guide/aguide_en.htm
This is a site for guys who are being abused by their dating partner or spouse. (It happens and if it is your son it is often too shameful to acknowledge.)
http://www.batteredmen.com/index.htm
What if you are a professional who is exposed to graphic information and images of kids being abused? Here is a great organization that has formed a network of professionals who can help with this vicarious trauma
Here is a pamphlet for family members and loved ones for people (usually law enforcement) who are exposed to images of abused children.
American Psychological Association info on Teens http://www.apa.org/topics/teens/index.aspx
American Psychological Association pamphlet on Adolescent Development
http://www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/develop.pdf
Time magazine article on being 13 years old
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1088701,00.html
Normal Adolescent Development from the American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/normal_adolescent_development_part_i
Interesting summary of the skills and abilities adolescents need presented by the Search Institute
http://www.search-institute.org/developmental-assets
PBS series by and about teen issues
When is your kid ready to walk to school on their own (or wander around in the mall unsupervised)? Here is a list of some of the minimal criteria.
http://life.familyeducation.com/safety/home-alone/36362.html
Here is a good summary of the different stages of child development and what is normal behavior for their age (came across this from this site: www.ndcacgroup.com)
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/training/chidev/cd06.htm
Advertising and marketing to kids
Ms. Kilbourne has some important and sobering things to say about advertising and its effects on kids. Lots of good stuff here on a range of topics
http://jeankilbourne.com/?page_id=53
An insightful analyst of media influences
Aggression and Violence Issues
Physical Fighting Among Teenagers – Student Safety Center
Great article on addiction and the brain from Time magazine
http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,1640235,00.html
An understandable presentation of the science of addiction by the National Institute of Drug Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction/
This is also a great resource
http://www.drugfree.org/join-together
National Institute on Drug Abuse resources for parents (and teens)
http://www.nida.nih.gov/nidahome.html
This is a great chart on drugs of abuse from the
http://www.drugfree.org/drug-guide
Really good blog about lots of things, primarily alcohol and drugs and teens
http://decoder.drugfree.org/
This is a wonderful helpline for parents with kids who are using
http://timetogethelp.drugfree.org/parents-toll-free-helpline-0
Parentsempowered.org (a campaign by the state of Utah) has some commercials that are hysterical! Great for encouragement to do things you know are important in keeping your kids drug and alcohol free
Here’s the information from the site.
Here and here and here and here are some of the commercials.
Alcohol and Drug Use-Effects on the user
A site dedicated to accurate information about the effects of recreational drugs dedicated to providing “access to reliable, non-judgmental information about psychoactive plants, chemicals, and related issues.” You probably won’t agree with their views but you can get a lot of information about drugs your kid may be using or is exposed to through peers
http://www.erowid.org/
A developmental perspective on alcohol abuse from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA78/AA78.htm
Go to the Teen page for resources on the effects of alcohol to educate yourself for the talk you are going to have with your kid.
Here’s a summary of data on Marijuana from the NIDA. Flip through the pages, educate yourself
This is a good review of the effects of marijuana on users, including teens.
Here’s an article on the problems of knowing what you are getting when you purchase weed (pesticides? funguses? Bacteria?)
This is a good review of how alcohol affects you.
Alcohol and Drug Use-Anti Legalization
Speaking Out Against Drug Legalization
DOs & DON’Ts – Vice Magazine Marijuana useres
Since 1975, the Monitoring The Future survey has measured drug, alcohol, and cigarette use and related attitudes among adolescent students nationwide. Survey participants report their drug use behaviors across three time periods: lifetime, past year, and past month. Overall, 48,025 students from 403 public and private schools in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades participated in this year’s survey. The survey has been conducted since its inception by investigators at the University of Michigan. Additional information on the Monitoring the Future Survey, as well as comments from Dr. Nora Volkow can be found at http://www.drugabuse.gov/Drugpages/MTF.html
And here is the survey by the Columbia University Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
http://www.casacolumbia.org/upload/2012/20120822teensurvey.pdf
MTF is one of three major Health and Human Services (HHS)-sponsored surveys that provide data on substance use among youth. Its Web site is http://monitoringthefuture.org. More information on MTF can be found at http://www.hhs.gov/news; or http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov. Additional details are also available at http://www.drugabuse.gov/DrugPages/MTF.html. Here are the results for 2012
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), sponsored by HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is the primary source of statistical information on illicit drug use in the U.S. population 12 years of age and older. The survey collects data in household interviews, currently using computer-assisted self-administration for drug-related items. More information is available at http://www.drugabusestatistics.samhsa.gov.
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), part of HHS’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, is a school-based survey that collects data from students in grades 9-12. The survey includes questions on a wide variety of health-related risk behaviors, including drug abuse. More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/yrbs/index.htm.
PRIDE measures the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and drug use by young people in the United States. More than 75,000 students, grades 6-12, participated in the 2000-2001 survey.
http://www.cspinet.org/booze/FactSheets/youth.htm
Here is a great site, especially for parents, with info on teen alcohol and drug use
http://www.drugfree.org/join-together
College age
http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/
Here’s an interesting one. Alcohol producers have created a site to discourage underage drinking. Ironic, eh? Thought twice about putting in on the list?
http://www.centurycouncil.org/learn-the-facts/underage-drinking-stats
This is one of the premier sources of statistics on teens and risk behavior, including alcohol and drug use.
http://monitoringthefuture.org/
OK, this is a site that corrects a number of misconceptions about alcohol and drug use among teens and college age kids. It was started by a grant from the Distilled Spirits Council of the US, Inc (makers of alcoholic beverages).
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/index.html
Alcohol and Drug Use-Treatment
NOVA on PBS produced a great documentary on addiction to opioids. It is well worth watching and there are also resources linked to the website.
And here are resources from Safe Project addressing substance abuse on college campuses. Also great.
I have a great deal of respect for the clinicians that developed this program. Well worth looking into (though made for adults primarily).
http://smartrecovery.org/
Resource for assessing a potential alcohol and drug treatment program
http://www.drugstrategies.com/teens.html
And here is a guide by the National Institute on Drug Abuse
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/seeking-drug-abuse-treatment
These folks are aggressive in their “mission is to identify and promote more effective approaches to substance abuse and to increase public understanding of current research on what works and what does not.” A very good site about thinking about treatment
http://www.drugstrategies.com/index.html
Information about CRAFT, an approach whose goals are to teach you how to encourage a substance user to reduce use and enter treatment. There is a book that helps you do this for your own family member.
http://www.hbo.com/addiction/treatment/371_alternative_to_intervention.html
Alcohol and Drug Use-Home Testing
There’s an app for that.
http://www.davidsteele.com/ibreath-breathalyzer-fm-transmitter-for-ipod-iphone
Blood Alcohol Content calculator provided by the official The BACCHUS Network™ website devoted to impaired driving prevention.
http://www.friendsdrivesober.org/alcohol_drugs_driving/bac.html
But, calculating your actual blood alcohol content (BAC) is more complicated. Here is a more sophisticated way to measure your BAC to know when you are safe and when impaired. And here is a description of the progression of sobriety after drinking for forensic scientists (and it’s interesting to read)
This is great for trying to figure out what that pill is you found in your kids pocket
http://pillbox.nlm.nih.gov/index.html
Alternative and Holistic Treatments
Herbs at a Glance [NCCAM Health Information]
The healing power of touch | Blog | Ode Magazine
Ode Magazine : Simplifying supplements
Food and Behavior Research (British organization exploring the link between nutrition and behavior)
This is not a comprehensive list of information and resources on antiracism and allyship. These are just information and resources that have been found to be helpful as you work to do your part in creating an America that is truly free, equal and safe for all our citizens. Those of us who are not black, indigenous and people of color must not leave this struggle for basic rights to people who are being denied them.
See also the teen Antiracism webpage and books page
This is the site to start with; the official society
http://www.adaa.org/ especially here http://www.adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children
Interesting article on fear and anxiety
http://www.newsweek.com/2007/12/15/the-roots-of-fear.html
This is a site for people who have “shy bladder” (difficulty urinating when others are around).
http://www.paruresis.org/
An important summary of research on anxiety and stress in kids and young adults
What to do when someone is having a panic attack.
Tennessee Voices for Children
http://www.tnvoices.org
Support and Training for Exceptional Parents is a grant funded organization that provides great resources when you have issues related to ADD (and other learning differences) including great workshops and a phenomenal notebook on the federal laws translated into everyday language.
http://tnstep.org
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is the place to get help for yourself and for family members with the whole range of mental illnesses (and things like attention disorders).
namitn.org
Attention Deficit Disorder Association is for adults with ADD
www.add.org
This is the state Department of Education Special Education division. This is where you go to find out your rights and get info about whether your kid is getting the support they are entitled to in any one district in the state.
http://www.tn.gov/education/speced/
This is the best single resource in my opinion. Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
http://www.chadd.org/
This is an equally good resource. I really like their monthly magazine.
http://www.additudemag.com/
Here’s the Centers for Disease Control link that can be helpful.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/
Interesting info on ADD and brain development from a NPR show.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16227385&sc=emaf
Questions about medication? Here’s some info from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
http://www.parentsmedguide.org/pmg_adhd.html
This is a cool blog about psychology issues. This blog is a helpful overview of attention processes (regardless of ADD)
http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/05/attention-how-it-works-how-it-fails-and-how-to-improve-it.php
OK, this is kind of interesting. It’s a video game app for cell phones that turns making and completing tasks on a list into a video game adventure.
http://www.rexbox.co.uk/epicwin/
How Meditation Improves Attention — PsyBlog
Here is a recent review of Neurofeedback as a treatment approach for ADD/ADHD
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/complementary/WWK6A
Here is a great article on self-control from the American Psychological Association that has really important implications for executive functioning (a key deficit area in ADHD/ADD kids)
Autism spectrum disorders (including Asperger’s syndrome)
Here is the center at Vanderbilt for local experts: Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders
http://kc.vanderbilt.edu/triad/
Another local resource
http://www.visionsautismcenter.com/Home_Page.html
Here is one of the state organizations dedicated to providing support and information for the Autism community
http://tnautism.org/index.php
And here is the national organization with lots of information including some discussions of teens and adult issues
http://www.autism-society.org/
And this is a great resource to have when you first discover your kid has autism
http://www.autismspeaks.org/docs/family_services_docs/100_day_kit.pdf
put out by these folks
http://www.autismspeaks.org/?gclid=CIycs8TJkasCFZEs7Aoda1_Rvg
And this was an intriguing article
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/68/thorkil-sonne-bio/?utm_source=Ode+Newsletters&utm_campaign=b0bc071e24-Weekly_Newsletter_020210&utm_medium=email
What about teens with autism
http://www.massmutual.com/planningtools/additional-resources/special-needs/special-care/autism-coming-of-age?source=google11Q3&adgroup=autism&pdterm=autism+information
And a site for self-advocacy
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/
And Sicile-Kira has some good resources on her website
http://www.chantalsicile-kira.com/
Great site to get ideas for books teens may like
http://www.teenreads.com/index.asp
Here is a site that has lots of suggestions for books (from preschool through early teen)
and this
Here’s a non-profit site that has some good stuff: Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
http://www.bpkids.org/
This is a good summary of how to talk to kids about a parent with bipolar disorder
http://www.camh.net/About_Addiction_Mental_Health/Mental_Health_Information/when_parent_bipolar.html
Good site with info on children and teens.
http://bpchildren.org/
Summer camps (as a part of the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation). Check the summer camp and select nationwide for the radius.
http://www.bpkids.org/connect/find
As you can see, I keep going back to the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation. This is a great resource for teenage girls but it also has a great summary of medication options.
http://www.bpkids.org/flipswitch/for-girls-only
Excellent non-profit for the range of mental illnesses including bipolar
http://nami.org/
This is a site for significant others of folks with bipolar.
http://bpso.org/
This is a support network of chapters around the country
http://www.dbsalliance.org
Wonder what it takes to get that super cut, magazine model physique? Here’s a summary graphic.
Be careful what you encourage in your kid
http://mann.bol.ucla.edu/files/Diets_don%27t_work.pdf
Here are some ideas though
http://www.eatrightmontana.org/PDF/2007HealthyFamiliesMAY.pdf
This will get you thinking about the role of marketers and corporations in trying to get kids to buy things
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/cool/
Healthy at any size
http://www.sizediversityandhealth.org/
An insightful analyst of media influences
http://www.shapingyouth.org/
And, now for some makeup
http://theberry.com/2010/06/04/step-1-add-makeup-27-photos/
And how you see yourself
http://realbeautysketches.dove.us/
And this is what young girls are putting out there on the internet, heartbreaking vulnerability and terrifying opportunity to have hate messages tear them up.
Why Johnny Won’t Read (washingtonpost.com)
Boys and Boy Issues-Manhood and Masculinity
Here is information on boy issues that was part of a series on the Public Broadcasting Service. Excellent (though rather brief) information, especially about the issues boys face in the various domains of their lives
YouTube – Tim McGraw-Grown Men Don’t Cry (With Lyrics)
The Great Male Survey 2010 Edition – AskMen.com
The Art of Manliness | Men’s Interests and Lifestyle
‘Pre-Adulthood’ Separates The Men From The Boys : NPR
Why omega males are cropping up in TV and movies like Greenberg. – By Jessica Grose – Slate Magazine
This is a phenomenal site that is examining manhood and masculinity in this new century (and how it is being redefined). LOTS of stuff. Some you will want to filter for your younger boy.
http://goodmenproject.com/about/
And this article on talking to your son about consent is powerful
http://goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/a-letter-to-my-son-about-consent/
And here is an organization that promotes healthy manhood (and has related mentoring programs for boys)
Bullying, Harassment and Hazing
Bullying
Parents Magazine has a resource page with lots of info and websites.
Interesting site that promotes the creation of films by kids on bullying
http://www.storiesofus.com/competition/
This is a site from the Tourette Syndrome Association about bullying
http://tsa-usa.org/aBullyingPrev/bullyingprevention_main.html
It can get bad
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/us/24land.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&ei=5070&en=afe416f794889421&ex=1207022400&emc=eta1
Here is a site for teens against bullying
http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/
These folks have a lot of info on what you can do as a parent about your kid being bullied.
There are things teens can do when they know something is wrong, like someone being bullied
Be careful though. Lots of programs seem like a good idea, have everyone excited but turn out not to actually work (though it seems like they should). Think tolerance and dignity.
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/the_norway_massacre_what_it_reveals_about_a_bullying_programme
And then there is cyberbullying. Start here at the National Crime Prevention Council site.
http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
This is an excellent resource for dealing with online harassment, bullying, trolling and doxing from Pen America, a society for writers and journalists
Harassment
Here is a great outline on talking to your kid about misogyny and sexual harassment
This is a film made by a woman who decided she wanted to confront the level of sexual harassment she experienced on the street. It is eye opening for both girls AND boys about what it is like for the recipient.
This is a great site on street harassment (catcalling) and how men can be more aware and women can think about how to respond. Look around on the site Hollaback
Wanna teach your kid how to play rock and roll during the summer (and who wouldn’t want their kid to become the next Jimi Hendrix or Mick Jagger?)
http://tntrockcamp.org/
And they can learn how to form a band during the school year?
http://nashvillerockblock.org/
Business Camps
Located out of state it still looks promising if your kid has business and entrepreneurial interests
http://www.campbizsmart.org/
Career and world of work (technical training) sites
I really love this Life Works site. It has lots of info on careers, what it takes to accomplish it, interviews with people who have the job. Just a really cool site about careers designed for teenagers (8-12 grade)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics hosts this site for teenagers on potential career paths
http://www.bls.gov/k12/index.htm
The Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational outlook report. Excellent source of what jobs are expected to be in demand in the future.
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm
This site has a ton of stuff, including some things I pulled an listed separately below
This is a great site where teens can map their career based on interests or type of job. Kids will take a brief survey and then careers will be listed that match their interests.
http://mappingyourfuture.org/planyourcareer/careership/
This site has a ton of brief videos on various careers and jobs http://www.careerinfonet.org/videos_by_cluster.asp?id=27&nodeid=28 and on specific skills and abilities that are important in the work world.
http://www.careerinfonet.org/videos_by_ability.asp?cluster=&videoUrl=http://wpc.2A70.edgecastcdn.net/002A70/CareerVideos/70-0010.00.flv&v_code=70-0010.00
You sign onto this site, create a career portfolio that identifies the steps you would need to keep moving toward the career you identified and it tracks your progress. More elaborate but really cool.
https://access.bridges.com/auth/login.do?targetUri=%2Fportal%2FlandingPage.do%3Fsponsor%3D7
This is a cartoon adventure video on starting your own business made for middle schoolers.
http://disney.go.com/hotshot/hsb2/index.html
Here is a set of questions to ask someone when you are trying to find out about what it would be like to do their job.
http://www.collegecareerlifeplanning.com/Documents/4%20Career%20Planning/j%20Networking%20Internships/Questions%20to%20Ask.pdf
This site has lots of self-tests for kids to learn about their interests and career matching.
http://cte.ed.gov/nationalinitiatives/guidanceandcounseling.cfm
Lists of guides for kids and teens discussing lots of different careers
http://www.khake.com/page64.html
The government steps in again with an excellent resource. http://kids.usa.gov/grown-ups/jobs/index.shtml There are discussions about jobs and even games to play about careers for kids http://kids.usa.gov/jobs/index.shtml and for teens http://kids.usa.gov/teens-home/jobs/index.shtml
The National Association of Manufacturers came up with a site that helps you see the kinds of jobs, skills and opportunities there are in this career area
http://www.dreamit-doit.com/index1.php
Here are some questionnaires and information that may be useful in figuring out what teens can do or how to pursue a job opportunity, including interviewing strategies, etc.
http://career-advice.monster.com/
Here is a local place to get some practical skills that will help teens be employable in fields like biomed technician, cosmetology, heating/ventilation/air conditioning, etc.
http://www.ttcnashville.edu/
The title says it all: cool jobs in great places. Don’t limit your sights for summer employment.
http://www.coolworks.com/
This site has a whole lot of information on different aspects of careers for teens including some activities for narrowing their career interests and all kinds of college prep stuff.
http://breitlinks.com/careers/career_activities.htm
Here are two career sites maintained by the government en espanol
http://www.careerinfonet.org/videos_SP.asp?id=27&nodeid=75
Fetzer Institute for love and compassion| Home
The Responsibility Project, Presented by Liberty Mutual: Films
10 Ways to Become More Grateful | Greater Good
CHARACTER COUNTS!: Programs: Ethics of American Youth Survey: Josephson Institute’s Report Card
Welcome to the Giraffe Heroes Project
And here is what the LDS (Mormons) expect of teens with character
https://lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng
Charities and Volunteering Sites
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx
This is an organization that will help you create a branch to do your own volunteering and charitable works
http://kidscare.org/
Hands on Nashville. This is our local clearing house for agencies that can use volunteers:
http://www.hon.org
National database of volunteer opportunities
http://1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do
Harvest Hands. Love these folks. Very cool community empowerment model, the way to help others.
http://www.harvesthandscdc.com/
Boys and Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. They can always use help
http://www.bgcmt.org/
Oasis Center. They can use volunteers AND they have leadership opportunities for teens.
http://www.oasiscenter.org/help
Habitat for Humanity. Who doesn’t know about the organization that builds houses for people
http://www.habitat.org/cd/local/affiliate.aspx?zip=37027
Prudential has an award for teens who make a difference
http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/301
College Prep, College Search and Applications
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2009/01/09/dirty-secrets-of-college-admissions.html
http://www.cracked.com/article_16613_7-college-scholarships-that-require-absolutely-no-talent.html
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/finance-inexpensivecolleges/introduction/
http://www.walletpop.com/2009/11/09/cheapest-colleges-13-standup-schools-that-cost-less-than-5-000/
This site is vulgar, profane and irreverent. It is very funny and often has useful and even insightful information geared lniguistically for college student crowd
http://www.cracked.com/article_18660_why-you-should-beware-schools-from-late-night-tv-ads.html
http://xfinity.comcast.net/finance/forwhatitsworth/6309206/howmuchisacollegedegreereallyworth/
http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-question-youre-not-asking-should-you-go-to-college/
http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/news-cheapestcolleges/?cid=hero_media
Colleges that Change Lives. A must place to look for that very important focus on college education.
http://www.ctcl.org/
Gladwell always has something insightful (and psychologically minded) to say. Read this for sure.
http://www.ctcl.org/files/pdfs/RankingsNewYorkerGladwell-1.pdf
Here is a site that has information if your kid is the first in their family to attend college
http://www.firstinthefamily.org/
What are the alternatives to going to college if you still want to prepare your kid to make it in the world of work? This site is a very interesting alternative to college.
http://www.uncollege.org/resources/
http://www.smithmag.net/sixwords/
http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/page/4/
http://www.break.com/index/weirdo-kid-starts-huge-dance-party.html
http://inudge.net/index.en.html#/8q1
http://www.bigsmudge.com/original/25-amazing-optical-illusions-you-may-have-not-seen
http://primaxstudio.com/stuff/scale_of_universe/
http://www.break.com/index/cool-slackline-stunt-competition-2068476
15 Fab Flash Mob Videos on YouTube
Dating and Relationships – General
Here is the best thing so far on talking to your kid about healthy relationships!
There is this on developing healthy relatiohships
and this on preventing sexual harassment and misogyny
and this set of excellent resources on all aspects of relationships and sexual health
This American Life program on having a crush
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/152/crush
Is it any wonder that kids are kinda confused about how they are supposed to approach dating these days?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TeIm9CeCE0&feature=player_embedded#!
http://www.divinecaroline.com/22081/76045-kiss–science-sex
Dating and Relationships: Dating violence
Love is respect. National dating abuse hotline
http://www.loveisrespect.org/
Technical site developed by the Centers for Disease Control. Accurate and sincere but more of a translation of researcher generated info.
http://www.cdc.gov/chooserespect/
Help guide to talk to your kid about dating violence
http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/web/guest/parents-of-teens
Department of Justice position paper on teen dating violence
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/journals/261/teen-dating-violence.htm
Now that you have educated yourself on the potential for violence in your teen’s dating relationship and know how to talk about and ask about it, there is another bit of information to consider. The stats aren’t always what they seem. Here is a view of teen relationship violence research from another perspective. The real issue is whether your kid is experiencing abuse within a relationship, regardless of whether abuse occurs in a high (or low) percentage of relationships. That’s for the social policy people to sort out.
First there is information
http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm
The value of medication is sometimes difficult to sort out
http://www.alpha-stim.com/repository/assets/pdf/EmperorsNewDrugs.pdf
Seasonal affective disorder is a real thing. It is especially a problem when you are already depressed. Light therapy has some interesting potential. Here are a couple of interesting devices that can give your brain a little extra light
This is from the Mayo clinic site for info on light therapy.
Then there is this (light up those ears, baby!):
http://www.valkee.com/uk/index.php
Here is a graphic novel-esque description of depression experienced by the author. Really good.
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html
http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html
Disasters (natural and otherwise)
Here are a couple of different internet resources for helping kids deal with trauma provided by Dr. David Baldwin (who has an excellent site for all things related to disasters: a whole range of topics like worker trauma, how to break the news of a loss to someone over the phone!, on and on. Excellent resource!)
http://www.trauma-pages.com/disaster.php#MHH-2
Here is a for helping children cope with a disaster from the Child Advocate website
COVID-19 (or other pandemic)
Here is an excellent workbook developed by Annette Lagreca of the University of Miami and Scott Sevin of 7-dippity.com
There are also a series of blog posts I wrote with my colleague Stacy Jagger (before this workbook came out)
Hurricanes/Tornadoes
This is a wonderful workbook to help kids navigate the after effects of a hurricane or tornado with lots of suggestions for parents
U R the spokesperson: SPEAK UP against reckless driving
Every time your kid leaves the house during the first 6 months of having their driver’s license, make them sit with you and watch these videos. It will only take a few minutes.
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pubTiDCEVZ8&feature=related
http://info.howcast.com/onroadoffphone
Thumb Socks Order Form | Thumb Wars | Do Something
The Awesome Foundation – Toronto
Columns | Never Get A “Real” Job
This is a cartoon adventure video on starting your own business made for middle schoolers.
http://disney.go.com/hotshot/hsb2/index.html
Here is a cool site about all the benefits for exercise
http://sparkinglife.org/page/home
http://www.odemagazine.com/doc/print/57/in-praise-of-failure
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brainstorm/200905/paula-scher-failure
http://www.break.com/index/man-walks-away-from-lightning-strike-2050919
http://www.youthfront.org/whoweare
http://charterforcompassion.org/site/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4gLIXnlw2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGK84Poeynk
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1399/religion-and-science
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/
Here’s a good Scientific American article on father’s influence on tees.
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/fathers_day_gift/
There is a segment on teen fatherhood
9INE: A realistic look at teen pregnancy
Here’s a good resource
http://www.fatherhood.org/
Here’s a site of fatherhood stories by men in the trenches
http://raddadzine.blogspot.com/
Now this is a beautiful example of exceptional fatherhood in action with his young daughter. She was frightened by hearing fireworks and her father decided to try to occupy her mind with singing. This is how you support your kid with love. (Unfortunately, I probably would have said: “It’s nothing. You’re just hearing things. Now go back to sleep.”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpu0TIXzI1w#t=146
This is a must read blog for fathers of kids of all ages. Really remarkable.
The “In” Crowd: Winners in High School, Losers in Life?
http://www.tennessean.com/includes/publicus/projects/projects04/index.html
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning
Be sure to go over to the LGBTQI section of the teen info section. There will be articles you find useful that I don’t always cross post.
This is a really good, concise consideration of homosexuality produced by the Mr. Kisco Presbyterian Church. I think it is a great place to start as a parent faced with the prospect of your child being gay or other gendered.
The Blue Book
This is a site with lots of resources and support for GLBTQ kids, especially if they are in crisis or suicidal
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
This is Nashville’s local GLBT Community Center
http://outcentral.org/
This is the home page for the Gay Straight Alliance organization whose mission is to make schools a more accepting place for all kids, including non-heterosexuals, through peer support, leadership development and training.
http://www.gsanetwork.org/
Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a national organization with local affiliates. Here is the one for Nashville. (T)here is now a PFLAG in Williamson County, contact Sharon Collins (sscollins1@aol.com) for info on those meetings.
http://www.pflagnashville.org/
This is the site that was put together as encouragement for GLBTQ teens composed of lots of video clips of people offering hope and encouragement.
http://www.itgetsbetter.org/
This is an organization that focuses on promoting inclusiveness in the policies and practices of colleges and universities, especially gender neutral housing policies (allowing for mixed gender room mates).
http://www.genderblind.org/
I found this to be an excellent, comprehensive resource for issues related to gay teens and their families. Check it out.
http://www.gayteenresources.org/
Youth Pride Incorporated is an organization whose goals are to meet the social, emotional and educational needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) youth and their allies. The site has a lot of info. Here is the link to their resources page.
http://www.youthprideri.org/Resources/RecommendedLinks/tabid/188/Default.aspx
A GREAT place to start if your kid comes out to you
http://www.bidstrup.com/parents.htm
This video was created by a gay Christian college kid who investigated the Biblical basis of homosexuality as a sin. Thought provoking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY&feature=youtu.be
Can you be gay and happily married to someone of the opposite sex? Apparently the answer is “yes.” What a wonderfully insightful and tender blog post by a remarkably normal man.
http://www.joshweed.com/2012/06/club-unicorn-in-which-i-come-out-of.html
Start with the information over in the teen section (so I don’t have to cross post)
Great resources on a range of Transgender issues
Here’s what having gender dysphoria feels like
http://nymag.com/news/features/transgender-children-2012-6/
Trans Youth Equality Foundation
National Center of Transgender Equality and they have a good resource page, especially for educators, here
This is a wonderful site for parents whose kid seems to think they should really be the other sex
http://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/
And this is an article on a more delicate issue, the potential social influence to label yourself transgender. Do NOT address this directly with your kid! You don’t know enough and don’t have enough experience to try to dig into this by yourself. Get with a therapist who has some experience working with transgender teens and talk through ALL the issues and possibilities. Just know social influence can be a factor.
Lots of stuff over in the teenage pages.
And, here is a link to a GREAT site called Rejected Princesses where awesome, competent and self-possessed princesses from history are presented (as an alternative to the princesses selected by Disney)
http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/girls/report.aspx
http://www.themother-daughterproject.com/
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/
http://www.feministfrequency.com/
http://www.girlsinc.org/resources/fact-sheets.html
http://www.nationalcharityleague.org/Home2/tabid/3620/Default.aspx
http://allykatzz.com/page/news/
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/suzydutton/WEBSNAPS/zero1.jpg
http://www.pbs.org/parents/raisinggirls/index.html
Great book series for childhood to late teens
Princeless. A heroine who doesn’t need a prince to save her.
Girls and Girl Issues-Womanhood and Femininity
How accurate is your daughter’s perception of herself?
http://realbeautysketches.dove.us/
http://www.therebelution.com/downloads/gladwell_david_goliath.pdf
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/5891781/motivational-cat-speech
Beautiful little essay about a parent’s annoyance over grandparent spoiling-and how his kids miss it now
Green, Environmental, Pinko Liberal Stuff
LOHAS: Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability – LOHAS
8 words to say when someone is grieving
I liked this site. It is a good place to start to get an idea what is going on inside your kid. There are some suggestions for parents
http://www.thehealingplaceinfo.org/
This is a site for college kids who have suffered a loss
http://www.studentsofamf.org/
When a parent dies by suicide…-CAMH
This site has a lot of good stuff on it. You will have to search around a little but the information seems really good.http://www.griefspeaks.com/index.html
This is a wonderful site that allows you to coordinate care for someone (including someone who has suffered a loss) including meals, visitation, all kinds of scheduling among diverse people.
Carecalendar.org
This page from the Greater Good Science Center has a list of resources for helping children cope with trauma
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/resources_for_helping_children_cope_with_trauma
And what about you?
While the focus of my practice is adolescents and family, I do get questions about grief and loss in adulthood. Here are some resources that might be of use
This is a beautiful and tender essay on things a grieving widow found helpful in moving forward.
Then there are these book suggestions from my website when you have lost a child
And here are general book suggestions about the struggles you encounter in grief and loss, also from my website
Coping with causing a serious accident?
http://www.accidental-impacts.org/