Ask any woman in her thirties or forties if there was a pivotal book in her childhood and Judy Blume’s name will definitely come up. She was the original queen of YA fiction—and such a part of so many of our pasts. Now, the book is coming to life in a movie starring Rachael McAdams, Kathy Bates, and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret. The movie was set to premiere on September 16, 2022.

Are You There, God fans will now have to wait until April 28, 2023.

But today, Lionsgate released some cast info and images—and the developments are exciting! “For over fifty years, Judy Blume’s classic and groundbreaking novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. has impacted generations with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life’s biggest questions,” the release begins. And we have a trailer!

“In Lionsgate’s big-screen adaptation, 11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) is uprooted from her life in New York City for the suburbs of New Jersey, going through the messy and tumultuous throes of puberty with new friends in a new school. She relies on her mother, Barbara (Rachel McAdams), who is also struggling to adjust to life outside the big city, and her adoring grandmother, Sylvia (Kathy Bates), who isn’t happy they moved away and likes to remind them every chance she gets. The film also stars Benny Safdie (Licorice Pizza, Good Time) and is written for the screen and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig.”

Kathy Bates? Rachel McAdams? Sign. Us. Up.

The book was published in 1970, and follows a girl, Margaret, going through so many of the recognizable milestones puberty and growing up as a tween brings. Margaret Simon is an 11-year-old girl who moves to a new town. As she struggles to understand her developing body, changing emotions, and navigating life at a new school, she reaches out to “God”—but with a Christian mother and Jewish father, the “God” figure isn’t attached to any particular religion, just a source of comfort to her as she questions all the changes going on around her and within her.

In the decades since its publication, the book has topped the list of banned books—and with the recent resurgence of banned books lists, it’s gotten a lot of attention. Anyone who has read the book and had it play such an important part in their early understanding of the changes we all go through at that age can attest to just how damaging keeping books from children is.

Judy Blume is a hero to so many of us, and I personally can’t wait to share this movie with my own young children, along with the book, to let them know it’s always okay to talk about what you’re going through and seek more information.

 

 

 

photo: iStock

A friend shared a heartwarming story recently about her experience growing up with limited access to period care products. As a child, her family could not afford tampons, pads or other period care products and she would often use toilet paper to catch her period blood.

One day in middle school, this came up in conversation with a close guy friend. He knew enough about periods from his mom and older sister to understand this was probably pretty uncomfortable for her. The next day, he showed up to school with a box of tampons for her courtesy of the menstruators in his life. Rather than tease her or ignore the issue because it’s ‘not his problem’, her friend showed empathy and kindness, replacing an unpleasant experience with a positive memory that sticks with her to this day.

Even though biological males don’t menstruate, they still need to know about menstruation. Since around 50% of the population menstruates at some point in their life, it’s important for everyone to know what’s up so that we avoid bullying, teasing and spreading false information.

But, when should you start talking with your son about periods? What’s the best way to relay the information to them in a way that they’ll understand if they have so little context for what getting a period is like? What details do you leave in and are there some you should leave out?

Here are a few things that are particularly important when it comes to talking with boys about periods:

First, start early. 

Yep, this can be intimidating but, as it turns out, experts recommend starting conversations about menstruation as early as 4 years old. The goal is to start small and build on that foundational knowledge in a developmentally appropriate way as your child grows (rather than trying to pile on information about what periods are, how they happen, why they happen, how to manage them and what other emotional and physical changes happen because of them all at once).

Keep things honest, simple & direct.

Your child may naturally ask you about periods if they notice you’re putting tampons in the cart at the grocery store or if they see a commercial for Midol or if another kid at school mentions it. Regardless, you’re not always going to anticipate the timing or context of these questions and, frankly, they can totally catch you off guard. The most important thing to remember: take a deep breath and answer your child’s question in an honest, simple and direct way.

Easier said than done. So, here’s one example:

Child: Dad, what’s a tampon? 
Parent: Well, your mom bleeds a little bit from her vagina every month. It’s not because she’s hurt. It’s just a normal healthy part of having a vagina. The tampon catches the blood so that it doesn’t go in her underwear.
Child: Uh, why?
Parent: Well, it’s called a period and it’s what allows moms to have beautiful kiddos like you! Pretty cool, huh? 

Depending on the age of your child, it’s likely a moot point by now and they’re off doing their own thing.

Talk about periods within the context of puberty. 

With boys, it can be particularly helpful to talk about periods in the context of something they can directly relate to. Try helping them understand that menstruation is a physical part of puberty for females and that they too will experience physical changes of their own as they grow up, like changes to their voice and growing hair on their body and face.

Stay positive & encourage empathy.

This is a big one! Between the ages of 8-14, girls’ confidence levels fall an average of 30%. Encouraging young boys to have empathy and teaching them not to tease or shame someone for being on their period can help new menstruators feel more comfortable and confident as their bodies change and develop.

At the end of the day, you know your child’s maturity level best and have the power to decide how much is too much or how little is too little. If you’re not comfortable talking to your kids about periods, make sure they have another way to get this information such as asking a family member, doctor, school counselor or nurse to talk with your child or by delivering this information through another medium such as a book, comic or video.

For more support on having tough growing-up conversations with your kids, check out maro parents. and for help finding access to free and affordable period care products, reach out to Helping Women, Period.

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The Birds and Bees: The Talk I Wasn’t Prepared For

Kenzie Butera Davis
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

maro helps parents navigate tough growing-up conversations with their kids: mental health, puberty, empathy & diversity.

Let’s be honest: navigating puberty is hard and we’re all pretty glad when it’s over. From raging hormones and over-the-top emotions to the awkward body changes and meddling parents, no stone is left unturned in the transformation from child to teenager.

If there’s one person who’s managed to capture all the glory of this crazy time in life, it’s comedian Trey Kennedy in his “Middle Schoolers Be Like” videos. Despite being an adult, Kennedy’s portrayal of the all-out frustrating middle school years is so spot on.

Kennedy performs all the roles in his videos: the exasperated middle schooler, the well-intentioned mom and even the obnoxious sister and authoritative dad—which somehow makes it even funnier.

As if he didn’t hit the nail quite squarely on the head in his first video, he returned recently with part two, which offers even more painfully true scenarios between tweens and parents.

This may be the parent inside all of us, but watching Kennedy take out those trash cans? We’re seriously holding back the “go to your room” right now! In addition to a good laugh, we’re also way more sympathetic to our parents-in-arms raising tweens right now!

If you can’t get enough of Kennedy’s Middle School gig, then head to his Facebook page, where you can catch up on the entire lineup of Middle School Maddox videos.

––Karly Wood

 

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What are “Big Emotions?” 

Imagine a toddler throwing a tantrum for the smallest of reasons (or perhaps an adult as well); ie the sandwich is cut incorrectly or my brother is looking at my shoulder…those types of things. In my house, we call these things “Big Emotions” where a kid is feeling strong emotions and they don’t know how to express them in a positive manner, so inevitably a tantrum ensues. Without a doubt, you’ve heard these emotions manifest themselves at the store, in the park, or literally anywhere that children are present. And to be honest, they are kind of awful to deal with.

Just the other day my daughter had a massive meltdown because her brother got out of the tub first. Logical, right? Every kid has these emotions and they can manifest themselves in a number of ways. Yelling, screaming, throwing things, hitting things, etc. And to be honest, I’m dreading the day they learn swear words, not because they’ve started swearing, but because how am I supposed to keep a straight face and not laugh? No parenting book can answer that question.

Ok, back to those big emotions. Big emotions are tough to deal with. Think of a drunk college student who is trying to explain something super important, but instead of talking they just throw up (or perhaps don’t think of that). Not a fun picture and as a parent, it’s especially difficult as you just want to make your kid smile again. It’s agonizing seeing them lose control for seemingly no reason. It’s also incredibly draining; going through a full range of emotions in a manner of minutes leaving you empty and tired. My wife and I are trying to teach our children to calm down by counting and breathing deeply, but it’ll be a long time before we can declare success. Probably about the time puberty hits which will bring a whole host of new challenges.

“The attitude that you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from, more than what you tell them. They don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are”—Jim Henson

What is perhaps the most difficult part is that it is in these moments where parents need to be at their best. Calm, understanding, and being beyond being patient is what’s needed, not anger and yelling. The children having big emotions are the ones experiencing the problem, not the adult. It is our responsibility to tame the fire with our actions, not to fuel the fire with our mistakes. By doing so, we’re validating our kid’s emotions and teaching them a healthy way in which to express themselves. I recently read a quote that read something like “kids are going to do what you do and not what you say” and I have found this to be 100% true. We see ourselves in our children, and it’s only when our kids start repeating our actions do we realize how perceptive they are (and how much we swear?).

So perhaps if we want our children to be better than ourselves, to reach higher, and to be the person that we know they can be, we set a better example for them to follow. We’ll fail from time to time, but if we keep on trying to teach them healthy methods for controlling and expressing their “Big Emotions”, we’re inevitably teaching them two lessons; how to express themselves and how to not give up. Two birds, one stone.

This post originally appeared on Dad Loves Coffee.

Balding, gray-haired 30-something stay-at-home-Dad living in the Lincoln Square area of Chicago. Enjoys coffee, a cold pint and Bear Grylls while musing about parenthood and life.

Photo: Natalie Silverstein (personal photo)

My oldest child is graduating from high school this month.  At age 18, she is considered an adult and mostly exhibits a maturity that will serve her well in college next Fall.  I hope we’ve done a good job raising her, that we’ve given her the tools she’ll need to be happy, to make a positive impact on the world, to take care of herself.  It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway—the time has gone by much too quickly.

My youngest child is eleven years old, and is solidly in her pre-pubescent “tween” phase.  She is funny, a little moody, confident.  She’s a resilient, easy-going youngest child who has had the benefit of birth order: older siblings to emulate and experienced, calmer parents who sort of know what they are doing, most of the time.

These two girls, born seven years apart (with a brother wedged in between), represent the book ends of our parenting journey.  Every milestone that one experiences reflects either a bittersweet memory of the past or a foreshadowing of the future.  Navigating the intricacies of these two very distinct stages, simultaneously, is as interesting as it is exhausting.

Our first time down this road, our older daughter mastered every rite of passage while I stumbled along beside her, trying to keep up.  She weathered the tumultuous phases of puberty, handled mean girls, figured out social media, successfully completed the college placement process, met her first boyfriend, and created a social life, complete with parties, drinking and pushing the boundaries of curfew.  Together, we’ve managed to survive these years relatively unscathed, although I assure you there have been tears, tantrums and raised voices (hers and ours) along the way.  Parenting a teen, and being one these days, is not for the weak of spirit.  Overall, it’s been a pleasure raising her and we’ve enjoyed a closeness that we’ll surely miss when she leaves home.  I’ll call this part of the journey a success and hold my breath until college move-in day in September.

Meanwhile, during these waning days of Senior Spring, our younger daughter has started blossoming into a “tween”, straddling that very fine line between child and teenager.  She still sleeps with her beloved blanket and stuffed animals, but begged for a phone so she could text friends. She follows memes and YouTube celebrities but still enjoys cartoons.  When we drive through New York City and she spots a mounted police officer through the car window, I’ll hear her whisper softly, “horsie”.  She asks me (or my husband, or one of her siblings) to lie in bed with her for a few minutes each night as she drifts off to sleep.  She’s still – luckily, mercifully – very much a little girl, but I know these days are strictly numbered.

While watching the little one on stage during a tap recital, the same recital her older sister performed in many times at the same age, it’s impossible not to feel the passage of time.  We stand in the theater courtyard after the show, taking the same posed photographs we’ve always taken, and it’s like Ground Hog Day.  It’s such a bittersweet joy to enjoy these moments, knowing that as quickly as the time has passed since my big girl clutched the bouquet in this spot, the coming years will fly by, as well.  And I’ll still be standing here holding the camera.

The younger child will certainly benefit from the fact that her sister has blazed many trails before her, leaving behind a little scorched earth and plenty of collective earned wisdom.  The onset of puberty won’t feel so overwhelming, the changes in her body won’t feel so scary and permanent as she’ll recall her sisters’ transformation from girl to woman.  She’ll understand that all of the friendships that seem so important in this moment may not last – but the special ones, the people who earn her trust and care about her feelings, will.  She’ll know that the “B-” in that all-important class really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, and everything truly does work out for the best in the college process.  Maybe, if we’re lucky, she’ll appreciate that the advice we give her, on these issues and so many others, may actually have a little merit.

Of course, I’m a different parent now than I was eight years ago.  Mistakes were certainly made along the way, and I hope I’ve learned from them.  I could have been more patient, I could have listened more and lectured less.  My oldest and I were breaking each other in, testing, challenging, figuring out the map together.  She was a worthy companion and teacher.  I’m grateful to her for the lessons, for making me a better parent for her brother and sister.

When I stand at pre-prom, senior dinner and graduation this year, as overwhelming as it will be to watch her experience these milestones, I’m sure I’ll see tiny flashes of her little sister moving through these scenes someday, too soon.  Present, past and future, all dancing around each other, reminding me to slow down, lower the camera, look, listen and savor.  The journey will of course continue, through all the many phases and stages yet to come, each with their own unique memories to be made, and cherished. 

 

Natalie Silverstein
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Natalie Silverstein, MPH, is the NYC coordinator of Doing Good Together. She is a writer, speaker and consultant on the topic of family service. Her first book Simple Acts: The Busy Family's Guide to Giving Back was published in 2019 and her second book for teens will be published in 2022.

It’s so easy to be the center of attention when you have small kids. They follow you around and imitate you. The little tots’ hero-worship you, and all you see in their eyes is admiration.

Fast forward a few years, and those same eyes that looked at you with wonder and awe have suddenly changed to ones that watch you with disdain and contempt. When puberty strikes and hormones take over, it is common for your child to be more sullen, secretive, and irritable.

Instead of challenging them at every turn, questioning their behavior, and showing them that you lack trust in their abilities to overcome their problems, empathize with them. Not in a patronizing way, but in a way that draws them out from within themselves. Reach into them and find that little boy or girl who once loved and respected you unconditionally.

The only way to gain their respect is to show them that you respect them. 

Here are 6 ways to earn your child’s respect as they grow older:

1. Listen when they speak. Don’t interrupt your child when they are speaking, even if you disagree with them. Give them the floor to express themselves. Whether they are ranting or raving, they need your full attention. Listen carefully to the point they are making. Acknowledge that you heard them—restate their position if you have to. Then, offer them the alternative. 

It is easier to get what you want when your child feels they have a choice and share in the decision-making. As long as both of you communicate your frustrations respectfully, there will always be mutual respect. 

2. Set reasonable boundaries. The boundaries you set them when they were younger need to change as your children grow. You can discuss these changes together. Ask their opinion on which rules work and which ones need to be revised. 

While some things are non-negotiable, like eating as a family or eating dinner at the table, there are other limits such as sleep time that can change. It is not realistic to expect a growing teen to be in bed and asleep by 8 p.m., especially if they have homework and extra curriculars after school. 

Show them that you value their input. The rules will work better if you are on the same page.

3. Give them responsibilities. Likewise, give them responsibilities and then reward them when they act responsibly. This could be anything from keeping to the curfew to doing their weekly chores adequately. 

The responsibilities should be age-appropriate and not unrealistic. Take time to choose tasks with them and explain your expectations of them.

4. Respect their privacy. Don’t take it personally if your child pushes you away or withdraws into themselves. Remember, these times are just as confusing for them as it is for you. Sometimes, your teen just wants to mope around and be left alone, so give them space.

While it is okay to be alert to any danger signs for drug abuse or suicidal tendencies, respect your teenager’s privacy. If you have a relationship of trust built up from their infancy, you can count on your child to come to you when they have a problem they are struggling with. 

Trust is a two-way street. Trust them, and they will find it easier to trust you. Going through your child’s phone and possessions doesn’t show your faith in them, and this practice can backfire on you when they start hiding things from you.

Make time for them in your busy day. Let them know you are available at all times for them. If your child trusts you and knows you will help them and not judge them, your child will let you know when they are in over their heads.

5. Respect their beliefs. This is a tough one, even for me. We bring our children up thinking they will be like us, just better—the 2.0 version. All those values and beliefs we instill in them to make them better people. And then, along comes puberty, and everything changes. 

Your meat-loving kid is now vegan. Or your child decides that yoga is the new religion to follow (it’s an exercise!). Along with meditation and daily mantras, your child now wants to be a free spirit and live a zen life! 

Look at the bright side; all these things are good for their health. It is way better than the mum with the punk rock kid next door, who is blasting music that bursts their parents’ eardrums.

But, if you are the mum with THAT kid, then that’s okay too—embrace it. Fighting over your child’s choices is detrimental to your health and your relationship with your child.

So, respect their beliefs even if their views are different from yours. Have faith that you have raised a good human being. Your child will be able to distinguish right from wrong—no matter the color of their hair, the numerous ear or body piercings, or their dietary choices.

6. Encourage their dreams. Your child is their own person and you can’t expect them to follow your dreams. So, let them live their lives by guiding them to be the best that they can be.

Nurture their ambitions, encourage their dreams, and help make their dreams a reality.

In the words of Khalil Gibran, 

“Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself…You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow…” — The Prophet

They need you in their corner to reach their full potential. Be that parent who gives their child all the tools they possibly can to achieve their goals.

Whether your child is a budding baker or a Neil Armstrong in the making is not important. However, you being proud of their achievements is, so keep the applause coming. You got this.  

Razia Meer is a Managing Editor at women's magazine, AmoMama, and a mother of two teens and an angel baby. With a passion for homeschooling and building wells in African countries; when she is not educating, fundraising, or editing, she writes about cryptocurrencies, families, and canines - not in that order!


My entire life, I have struggled with my body image and my own self-worth. A girl with a pretty face, but whose body never seemed to match the face. A tummy that always stuck out.  Love handles that were always there. My brother, teasingly, because that’s what brothers do, patting my belly at 15 and saying, “Is it a boy or girl?” I would analyze every angle of myself just wishing I could wave a magic wand and look like my friends strutting around the beach in bikinis, whereas I had to wear a tankini to hide the fat.

As a child, my mother always had the house looking like something out of a magazine. Everything was meticulous. She would refresh her lipstick throughout the day and had hair that was always perfectly in place. My mother, in her size four attire, took pride in her appearance, and exercised regularly. There was nothing wrong with the way she took care of our house and her appearance. I was and still am proud of the woman who raised me. The problem was, even as a child, I constantly compared myself to her. I wasn’t as naturally slight as her, I didn’t have her vivacious personality. I was quiet, chubby, and bookish.

This pessimistic, self-doubting attitude followed me into college. Partying too much, and eating too many carbs, I gained the traditional freshman 15- or in my case 20. But instead of focusing on healthy eating and exercising, I began going through periods where I would skip meals and when I did eat, I would throw up afterward. This was the start of a tumultuous relationship with food and myself. I didn’t think I was worthy of a positive relationship so I dated men who didn’t value me. Men who only saw me as a “hookup” or someone to call when they were drinking.

Thankfully, after college, I discovered running. It was such a great stress reliever and gave me the positive endorphins that I had been missing. Between running, and an excessive amount of Vitamin D from moving to San Diego I was happy and started to see myself in a positive light. I met this wonderful man, who is now my husband of eleven years, and he sees the light in me even on my darkest days.

I wish I could say that by meeting Greg all my insecurities went out the window. They didn’t because I’d never really dealt with the issues at hand. I saw myself in this negative space that made me feel I wasn’t good enough. That when I look in the mirror, I probably see someone who is 50 lbs. heavier than I actually am. That I hate having my picture taken, and when I do have to be in a photo, I cringe when I see a photo because I can’t believe I could look like that.

I now have an almost eleven-year-old and six-year-old. I also have a thyroid problem. I know that I am chronically stressed and my hormones are out of whack. Unfortunately, none of these have been good for my mental health. Many days I still don’t feel great about myself, but there is one thing that has changed—and it is the little people who are looking at me to be their mirror.

I can’t let history repeat itself.  So much of our self-worth comes from what our parents instill in us. As my oldest daughter is on the edge of beginning puberty, I have seen her trying on outfits, and making a face when she thinks she doesn’t look good enough or pinching her tummy. It terrifies me.

I encourage her to make healthy choices (but it is okay to have a treat too). She is even starting to take an interest in cooking, so I have been encouraging her to look up healthy recipes that she would want to eat. She is an anxious kid and we are working on making sure that she moves her body not because it is a rule or something she has to do, but because it puts her in a positive headspace and is calming.

My youngest daughter was eating a cookie one afternoon, and when I asked her if I could have a bite, she replied, “No, because of the calories.”  I asked her what she meant by that and she told me that if I don’t watch my calories, I’ll get a bigger belly and not be pretty. Calories is not something we talk about in our house.

I said to her following the cookie incident, “ Being beautiful doesn’t mean you are skinny. God makes people in lots of different ways. Besides don’t you think what matters most is that you are a good, kind person, and always try your best?” By that point, she had lost interest in the conversation and went back to playing with her Shopkins, but I hope the point was not lost. Here was this six-year-old bringing up calories—she saw me in the same negative light I had seen myself in for two decades. I cannot change my past perception of myself, but I can change the image of myself that I present to my daughters and our society’s interpretation of what beauty is.

At 38 years old, every once in a while that same teenage girl full of so much self-loathing tries to take over. With effort, I focus on my good qualities. My writing, my sarcastic sense of humor, my blue eyes, and curly hair. And there are days when the cycle wants to repeat itself, but those incredible little people who I get the privilege of raising, deserve more than that. So, I tell that girl, the sullen girl to get out of the mirror so I can help pave the way and set an example for these strong, talented, and beautiful girls that I get to call mine.

 

Hello!

I am a mom to two smart, audacious, and beautiful  little girls (10, 6) .  I am a fiction writer, and almost through my first draft of my novel.  When I'm not reading, or writing fiction I freelance copywrite and teach middle school English. 

Remember the days when your biggest worry was teaching your toddler to walk or to potty train? Those were the days! Nobody prepares parents for how to teach teenagers critical life lessons and emotional intelligence. Yet these are some of the most important skills they need to learn. We’ve talked to experts positive parenting solutions and rounded up 10 things your teen needs you to teach them.

Shawnee D via Unsplash

1. How to budget and manage money. Living within your means and managing money is a tough task for adults. The best thing you can do for your teens is to teach them these skills while they're young so they can carry the lessons into adulthood. Teach your teenager how to make a budget, how to save money, how to write a check and how to use credit cards without going into debt.

2. How to do laundry. Eventually, your teen will move out or go to college, and you won't be doing her laundry anymore. Teach them responsibility and how to clean their clothes. If you want to start simple, Amy Carney, author of Parent on Purpose: A Courageous Approach to Raising Children in a Complicated World, suggests starting with doing their wash, but having the teen be responsible for folding and putting away the clothes.

3. Write a thank-you note. In today's world of text messages and Snaps, it's rare for teens to send a hand-written thank you note for a gift received. But just because we're in the digital age doesn't mean etiquette is a lost cause. Instill in your teen the importance of writing a short thank-you note when he receives money, a gift or thoughtful gesture. Suggest a few appropriate sentences and how to properly address an envelope. You may also need to show them where the return address and stamp goes.

Jason Briscoe via Unsplash

4. How to cook a basic meal and boil water. Cooking is a life lesson that teenagers should at least have a basic understanding of. Teach your kiddo how to boil water, how to use a knife, how to saute, etc. Learning these basics will enable your teen to make a simple meal: pasta, scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, tacos and more.

5. Teach the basics of human anatomy, puberty and sexual maturity. Don't assume your teenagers know the basics of their human anatomy or know how to protect themselves sexually. Many parents don't think their teen needs to know about reproduction topics if they're not dating or having sex. Dr. Shelley Metten, a retired professor of anatomy and author of the Anatomy for Kids book series, encourages parents to have those conversations with their kids when they're teens, so they're prepared for the changes happening in their body.

6. How to listen without judgment. Teaching your teen how to listen to friends and adults without judgment starts with you modeling the behavior at home. Instead of panicking or jumping to a conclusion the next time your teenager says something you don't agree with, ask them questions about his statement. Don't argue or discourage an opinion. Instead, listen and be respectful. That behavior will help them do the same as teenagers and into adulthood.

7. Basic manners and decorum. Michelle Bowyer, MSW, and Sagari Gongala, BSc believe that teaching your teen life lessons that revolve around manners and the proper ways to interact with others in social settings will set them up for a smooth social life as they grow. For example, make sure your teen knows the basics like "please," "thank you" and "you're welcome." Also, make sure to teach them how to behave at parties. Does your teen know how to be a polite guest and host? Do your teens know not to start eating before everyone at the table is served? These little life lessons may be ones that are engrained in us as adults, but it was up to someone to teach us those rules as teens.

Nastya Yepp via Pixabay

8. Independence and how to set boundaries. When the Center for Parent & Teen Communication asked teenagers what they wanted from their parents, many responded with guidance on setting boundaries with the independence to do so. Teens admit that the unknown is scary but they don't want to be controlled. Parents should teach teens how to set boundaries and assert independence by guiding them in the right direction, but not leading them down their path.

9. How to contribute to the household. By the time your kids are teenagers, they should be able to make positive contributions to the home. These can include feeding the family pet, walking the dog, putting away the dishes, or sweeping the floors or cleaning the kitchen table after mealtime.

10. What consent means, and how to say "no." One of the most important lessons you can teach your teenager is about consent, and that they have control over their body and can say "no" to unwanted touches or advances. This is critical for both boys and girls to learn as they grow into adulthood. Teens need to know what consent means and exactly what to say to stand up for themselves. This is critical concerning sexual maturity, alcohol, drugs, smoking or bullying. Consent is a critical skill to learn early and often.

— Leah R. Singer

 

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Research has long suggested that family dinners are important for many reasons. While finding the time to sit down together feels like the most difficult part, sparking meaningful conversations can be a challenge, too. Luckily, there are tons of conversation packs that are chock full of entertaining activities and thought-provoking questions that can all be done at the dinner table. Keep scrolling to see some of our favorites, and let the good (dinner) times roll.

Family Conversation Cards

Boon Supply

These oversized cards are the perfect addition to any meal time. Designed in bright colors, the simple prompts are great for families with kids of any age. The 100-card pack also comes in a reusable canvas pouch for easy storage.

Available at boonsupply.com, $26

KIC-Start: Kids in Conversation

Amazon

Break the ice at get-togethers or just spawn some honest conversation with KIC-Start: Kids in Conversation. The 150-card game comes with a range of mixed age-appropriate questions that are equal parts funny and thought-provoking. Take on a car trip or to the dinner table––there's no wrong way to kick start the conversation with this game.

Ages: 13 and up

Order on Amazon ($19.95)

Feminist Flashcards

Amazon

With beautifully illustrated images, Feminist Flashcards is going to be the talk of your dinner table. The 40-card set is packed with endless learning opportunities, from letter sounds, women's history, hidden pictures and inspiring quotes. Each card starts with a single letter to represent an empowering feminist, along with her story told in an age-appropriate way. In addition, each pack comes with a 32-page booklet that discusses the timeline of women's rights all over the world.

Order on Amazon (14.99).

The Original Dinner Games

Amazon

Dinner's never been so fun! The Original Dinner Games is here to bring over 50 engaging games to the table, with no board game required. Families will not only have fun, but kids will practice critical thinking, math and social skills, too!

Ages: 6 to 12

You can order now this version for 6-12 year olds ($15.99) or one for beginners ages 3-6 on Amazon ($11.39).

Personalogy

Amazon

Perfect for dinnertime conversation, time with grandparents or a long car ride, Personalogy is all about discovering all there is to know about your fam. With 125 silly and entertaining questions, there's no end to the funny answers you'll hear from your kids.

Ages: 6 and up

Find it on Amazon ($9.60).

Blume Conversation Cards

These dynamic cards aim to offer sex education and self-care for tweens and teens. Kids will learn not only the right to know their bodies, but how they work and how to take care of them. Use this physical deck of easy and educational conversation prompts, to make those "awkward" conversations with your kiddos less awkward and more empowering. Trust us, you'll learn a thing or two yourself. 

This deck includes 152 cards covering topics like: Puberty, Body Science, Consent, Healthy Relationships, Body Positivity, and Self Care.

Available at blume.com, $38

Our Moments

Our Moments

Our Moments is a new line of card games created to spark those face-to-face conversations, whether you're in a coffee shop or around the dinner table, with prompts that are relatable and engaging. Great for all ages, they have multiple editions including Generations, Families, Kids & Couples.  

Choose from a variety of Our Moments Editions: Generations, Families, Kids, Couples. $18.95.

Available at: our-moments.co, $18.95

––Karly Wood & Amber Guetebier

 

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Photo: Ruby Love

Let’s face—periods aren’t going anywhere. This was something I realized as I laid in bed one evening with my period and caught sight of the wings from my pad. Although this extra layer offered the protection I needed during that time of the month, this non-discreet quality did not seem very modern in this day in
age and annoyed me. “Why can’t we have more stylish yet functional protection?” I thought to myself. This moment opened my eyes to the lack of modern menstrual products for young girls and women.

As a mother, I know how important it is to have a menstrual care option that is safe, easy to use and helps celebrate a young girl’s growth. Discussing menstruation as a monumental rite-of-passage and making her first-period experience as positive as possible influences how a young girl views menstruation. While this conversation is an important introduction to puberty, the topic still remains taboo for many families. After helping my own daughter navigate the ups and downs of her first period, I was disappointed with the lack of options to provide her and decided enough was enough.

In August 2015, I figured we’d destigmatize and eliminate the negativity surrounding the monthly experience, and the rest is history. The notion of stylish and functional period protection, although an initial thought, turned into hundreds of samples to see what worked. Who knew that millions of other women felt the same way? Samples turned into PantyProp, and PantyProp into Ruby Love—a period protection brand offering leak-proof apparel that equips young girls and women with the tools they need to manage their period while destigmatizing menstruation so that period days can be just like any other day. 

With my daughter and a world of prepubescent young ladies to follow, I knew that it was also important to deliver a positive message and influence surrounding periods. This inspired our mission and led to the launch of our First Period Kit that is filled with informative, hygienic and fun items that celebrate a girl’s growth through puberty and helps prepare for her first period. The whole idea is to normalize periods, making it less embarrassing and more of an accepted, and even celebrated, the rite of passage that all girls go through while encouraging families to have conversations about puberty in a fun way.

It is our hope that breaking down menstrual taboos allows families to have open dialogues about puberty, which will help bring them closer together while empowering young girls. Whether it be through education, hosting a ‘period party’ for your daughter, openly talking about puberty, or exploring the now growing number of period protection alternatives, we can accomplish that together. Regular menstrual periods in the years between puberty and menopause are a sign that your body is working normally, and there is nothing negative about that!

 

Crystal Etienne is a wife, businesswoman, and mother to two amazing kids. As Founder & CEO of Ruby Love, Crystal seeks to continue revolutionizing the Femtech industry with the unifying message that periods should never stop women from doing, being and going.