How to teach a teenager to drive without tears (or dented bumpers)

By Sarah Prager Updated July 26, 2022

A teen boy at the wheel with Dad watching — pixelheadphoto digitalskillet / Shutterstock

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Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…

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How to discipline a teen for vaping: What to do and what to avoid

Here are some tips for dealing with vaping teenagers

Adolescence isn't just a time of awkward growth, confusing feelings, and unstoppable urges to try new things, it's also the time when your kids will feel the influences of peer pressure. This is the time when your kids are going to start experimenting with things like vaping. Unfortunately, teens as young as 13 are trying vaping at least once, while some tweens are already into vaping. If you've discovered your teen is vaping and you're not sure what to do, it's easy to worry and immediately think of ways to punish your child, even though it's hard to know what an appropriate punishment for vaping is.

Teen vaping has spiraled out of control with middle and high schools dealing with vaping issues in restrooms and elsewhere on school grounds. As parents, we need to be concerned about teen vaping because of the chemicals it exposes kids to, as well as the likelihood of nicotine addiction. Then, there's the rise in lung injury related to an illness associated with vaping. It's important teens understand the risks of vaping, which is where finding an appropriate punishment comes in.
How to find an appropriate punishment for vaping

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Parenting 101: Punishments for teenagers that actually work

This list is a part of parenting you might need to have

A mother talking to her teenage son while sitting on the couch.

If you survived the toddler years, you will survive the teenage years. Trust us. Teenagers are like toddlers — they know how to push your buttons and love to test their boundaries. It's in the teen handbook and comes with the territory of growing up and becoming independent. As we all do sometimes, teens make mistakes along the way. As a parent, it's important to make sure your teen is being smart, safe, and respectful while navigating their way through adolescence. If that isn't the case, you might turn to a list of punishments for teenagers that fit the behavior.

Not all punishments are created equal, and some are more effective than others. You'll want to think about how to turn a punishment into a learning experience for your teen. Here is a creative and impactful list of good punishments for teens to turn those mistakes into life lessons. You never know, you might learn a few life skills along the way while parenting your teen.
Positive ways to discipline teens

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Teaching your toddler boundaries without hurting your bond

A guide to setting healthy boundaries with your toddler

Babies are known for gnawing on anything they can get their hands on, including your face! This behavior is cute when you're cuddling your infant, but it becomes much less cute and infinitely more painful when that infant becomes a toddler and has teeth. No magic switch turns your infant into a polite mini human the moment they turn into a 1-year-old. It’s a gradual, years-long process that you’ll guide.

That means teaching the toddler boundaries. It’s a challenge that you and your little one are up for tackling together. Here’s how to handle all of it — and why it’s one of your most important roles as a parent.
What is the best age to start?

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