By Beverley Boorer

Many kids may want a scooter or bike simply because their friends have one, or because they think it's cool to ride one or for many other reasons - all of which have some truth. But it's a good bet that they never think of the health benefits that they will get from riding the latest razor scooter, or whatever brand and type they are interested in.

When it comes to kid's toys it is up to the parents to think about health. And in this day and age when so many children are obese from lack of exercise, buying them a scooter or a bicycle and seeing they get the chance to ride it often is one of the best things you can do for your kid's health. Think about how many hours your child spends in front of the television or playing with a laptop or some other indoor game. Then count up the number of hours they spend in active play.

It is true that many children play a sport - and many more do not - but when you start counting up the hours you will realise that the match takes about two hours a week and training roughly the same. This is not enough activity to keep a child healthy or to have much effect on their weight.

Remember that overweight children are much more likely to end up with diseases such as diabetes and all the problems that it can bring. Children really need to exercise every day to be healthy - but they won't do it unless they are highly motivated - just like their parents, in fact! So what better way to motivate them to exercise than to get them a scooter?

When children have similar hobbies to others, they make lots of friends - just like their parents do. Once your child has a scooter and learns how to ride - and does so often - he or she will make many more friends. Better still, those friends will be the active kind and this will further motivate your child to remain active.

So not only will your child become healthier through exercise, they will also get more friends and this will help them to be popular at school, or anywhere else. Kids who have many friends they have high self-esteem and a happier childhood than those who have few friends.

In addition, when a child has lots of exercise their body becomes much stronger and they are able to participate in all kinds of activities and enjoy doing so. They won't be the one to linger on the sidelines, hoping not to get chosen - yet sad when they are not. And all because you saw to it that they got that scooter.

It is really easy to get the latest scooter and you don't even have to leave the house. If you are interested in your child's health click below:

http://www.squidoo.com/toy-store

By Ira Periyavallur

You feel on top of the world when your baby moves around the house. However, this is also the time you have to be on your toes taking extra care and precautions. You obviously do not want to take risks with your baby so it is only natural if you go that extra mile with precautions.

Danger Areas

First recognize all the danger areas in your home. These are stairs, parapets, slats, bathrooms, and balconies etc. which need to be blocked to avoid any mishaps. Use a gate to block the staircases. The gate must be high enough so that the baby does not open the gate. Make sure that the bolt of the gate is far beyond the baby's reach lest the baby unlocks it. Some babies may put their head between two slats which is fatal. Hence, the slats must be either closely spaced or it is better that the gate is designed in the form of a closed door so that the baby does not attempt anything mischievous.

Balconies and parapets are another set of danger areas. If there are open parapets in your home then ensure that there are no stools or any such furniture pieces using which the baby can access the parapet. During the growth stage, babies have a tendency to climb on most things they see. This can have another fatal effect. Hence, it is better to close the balconies and lock the access points to the parapets. Keep the bathrooms locked and secure so that you child cannot access it without your notice.

Furniture

Bookshelves, table tops, etc. must be secured lest it topples on your baby. Also make the bookshelves strong enough so that they don't fall over when your baby pulls out things from the shelf. Table tops especially the ones with glass tops are highly risky. If the baby holds one end of the top and stands then chances are high that the glass top will topple over the baby. This will obviously endanger the baby's life. Hence, keep all your furniture secure.

Furniture such as cots, chairs, cupboards etc. have very sharp edges. If the baby knocks over them then they will get very badly hurt. Therefore, pad such edges so as to avoid knocking over and getting hurt.

Electrical precautions

If there are sockets and plugs within your baby's reach then plug them to avoid electrical accidents. Electrical, wires, cords, tapes must be hidden and ensure that no live wire is exposed in any part of your home.

Other Precautions

Keep the drapery cords far away from babies reach so that he or she does not play with the cords and get entangled. Keep breakable showpieces and crockery out of their reach.

These are simple steps that will ensure your baby's safety while enjoying their progress everyday.

By Carlos Francis

Deciding to get your child enrolled in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be an important decision to make. Some parents ponder this because their child has directly requested to take martial arts classes. Other parents actually want to enroll their children based on what they have read, learned or heard from other parents. The bottom line, though, is that it all depends on how you feel about your own child taking martial arts.

Any parent is going to be concerned about their child starting a new physical activity, even though there are plenty of benefits from taking martial arts. In fact, even parents who have taken martial arts themselves may still have some reservations about getting their child enrolled in these types of classes. Although the list of reasons kids should be taking martial arts is long, here are the top three to give you something to think about.

# 1 -- Bully Prevention

Whether or not your child is presently being bullied, the potential is always there. Bullying has become a huge problem for kids of all ages and the results can be everlasting. When your child begins to take martial arts classes, he or she will almost immediately notice a difference. When a child is physically and mentally prepared to defend themselves against a bully, confidence levels soar. This fact alone is part of what can help prevent a child from being bullied.

# 2 -- Physical Fitness

It has become increasingly challenging to keep kids getting the level of physical activity they need to stay healthy. With childhood obesity continuing to rise, it is now more important than ever to get your children involved with an activity that keeps them getting physical fitness on a regular and continuous basis. This type of activity is what helps set a child up with a lifelong interest in and commitment to physical fitness. Help your children lose weight, get in shape or just stay at their current level with martial arts.

# 3 -- Self-confidence

One of the most important traits you can help your children build is their self-esteem. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu helps kids increase their level of self-confidence. Knowing they can defend themselves against bullies, ward off threats and be in good physical shape means improved self-confidence. Not to mention,setting goals for reaching different belt levels is another method that can help improve self-esteem. When your child has an ongoing goal to work towards for martial arts, each achievement is another elevated level of self-esteem.

It is natural to have questions about whether or not martial arts is right for your child. That is why we at Jiu Jitsu Foundation encourage parents to come by with their little ones to have a look around. Meet the friendly staff, tour the family friendly atmosphere and get a feel for how martial arts can help improve your child's life. Who knows, you may even want to join them. We are so confident that you will love our program that we offer a 30 day FREE Trial.

For more info call us now at 619 741-3000 or go to http://www.jiujitsufoundation.com

By Michael S Baucher

Pampers diapers are some of the most popular types of baby diapers in the world. The market offers parents with different brands to choose from, however Pampers are the most preferred in terms of sales. This is because of their unique characteristic in providing comfort to your baby as well as their ability to keep your baby dry.

There are various factors parents consider when choosing diapers for their children. The main factor is the ability to keep the baby dry. When choosing diapers for children, parents are more concerned about the sponge. The sponge factor is important because it determines if your child will be dry. Diapers from this brand are known for their ability to prevent leaks and absorb moisture to keep your child dry.

Parents choose diapers from this brand because they absorb moisture the best. Diapers with the ability to absorb moisture will help you protect your baby from developing rashes on their bottom. The type of diaper you choose for your child will depend on age and how much your child is crawling and walking. Parents are offered different types of pampers brands to choose from.

Diapers from this brand provide comfort because they are designed with cloth-like feel. Cloth-like feel are designed to provide comfort on babies with soft, sensitive skin. Parents with infants are offered suitable brands to keep their children comfortable. The common type used for infants are Baby Dry diapers while the Swaddlers brand is suitable for children under four months.

These brands are easy to use on small children because they use tabs. You are able to adjust the tightness of the diaper around your child using these tabs. One of the brands offered by Pampers is Cruisers which is suitable for children above six months. Cruisers are good for crawling children because they provide maximum comfort. Your child is able to crawl comfortably due to the elasticity offered by the diaper. Cruisers diaper have elastic flaps that stretch as your child crawls or walks.

Price is a common factor that parents consider when shopping for baby diapers. Pampers are usually costly for many parents. However the cost of baby items should not be a limitation for any parents. Pampers are suitable because they are worth the cost due to their appealing features. Diapers are worth any price because they provide comfort and absorb moisture. They are considered the best because they are also reliable and convenient to use when travelling.

Although price of a diaper may be costly, manufacturers provide cheap options for parents. Parents can buy brands from Pampers at cheap costs by using coupons. Manufacturers provide parents with coupons to help them save costs on buying children's items. Coupons offered by manufacturers are not for promotional purposes. They are legitimately used to help minimize costs for Pampers. There are many ways to find coupons for baby items, especially diapers.

The availability of internet services has eased the process of finding coupons. Parents can find coupons for these items easily via online sites. To find free coupons parents must visit different websites on the internet. Parents should visit grocery coupon websites frequently. These sites offer diaper coupons for parents to find affordable prices in stores. Coupons offered on grocery websites are printable; therefore it is important for parents to check for expiration dates before printing the coupons.

Parents are provided with diaper coupons via manufacturer's websites or shopping networks. To receive printable coupons from manufacturers, you should sign up for mailing lists with your manufacturer. Signing up for mailing lists with a specific company will increase chances of getting printable coupons. Pampers manufacturers usually send printable coupons to your email or mail. Manufacturers provide parents with coupons and free samples on baby items. Some of the baby items provided by manufacturers are diapers and baby wipes.

Online coupons are easy to find if you visit the internet regularly. Parents are advised to read store flyers or check their emails often for promotional materials. Grocery stores place coupons on their advertisements on internet sites. Printable coupons offered by stores should be printed out and kept somewhere safe for future use. Parents should check if the printable coupons are valid before printing them out. You should check to see if the coupons help you find good deals in the market for diapers.

There are many sources of information that help you get diaper coupons. Coupons designed to save money on these items are found in offline sources like magazines and newspapers. Make sure you check newspapers for free diaper coupons. Make use of baby and parenting magazines to find diaper coupons. Finding coupons through magazines is easy because manufacturers target parents when advertising their baby products.

Purchasing diapers from this brand in bulk will help save you significant amounts of cash. Stores offer parents with discounts if they choose to buy diaper brands in bulks. There are several factors that make Pampers baby diapers relatively pricy. These items are costly because of their high quality features. They are designed to keep the baby comfortable and dry at all times, even after wetting the diaper. These baby items use chemicals to absorb moisture and enhance dryness. Pampers are easy to use because they come with illustrated instructions on how to use them properly.

Parents do not normally have a difficult time choosing the right diapers for their kid. This is because parents only need to determine weight of the child. Age and size of the child will help you make the right choice when buying these items. Diapers are usually costly because of their disposable feature. After the diaper has been used parents are expected to dispose of them. This reduces the task of having to wash each time there's an accident, thus making them superior to cloth diapers.

Since Pampers diapers are disposable, parents should use the right disposal methods. It is important to use the right disposal technique to ensure that the environment stays preserved. This is partially because diapers take many years to decompose. To ensure you safeguard your surroundings you should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturers. Parents shopping for their babies should consider buying Pampers diapers. These items offer parents with many benefits to enjoy when raising children.

IntoMars.com was founded in 2010 as a medium-sized business and is headquartered in the outskirts of Houston, Texas. With the idea of offering name brand products at low prices in conjunction with exceptional customer service, IntoMars.com has served thousands of customers across the U.S. within the first year of its operation. The company continues to operate in the United States only, but is making plans to expand itself into Canada in the near future.

By Paul S Grant

One of mom's worries when purchasing high-end children's clothing is how to launder, dry and iron them in such a way that it retain its beauty and elegance and so that even after so many washing, it remains to look as if it is new. So here are some simple reminders to keep those clothing as beautiful and pretty as when you first bought them.

Launder your high-end children's clothing properly. You should always remember to wash similar types of clothing together. Before you start doing the laundry, make sure to segregate or categorize all the laundry into groups first. High-end children's clothing or the special garments such as your child's Sunday dress or smocked dresses may require hand washing but as times have changed, many modern washing machines have a "Delicate" setting that is perfect for heirloom quality clothing.

Also, do not stuff everything that you can into the machine. Make sure that you put in just enough because overloading the machine can prevent proper cleaning and rinsing. Add in appropriate amount of detergent, not too much and not too little. The amount of detergent you put in can also affect the quality of your clothes and you cannot afford that when you have high-end children's clothing in there, right? Contrary to what most people think, adding too much detergent doesn't get your clothing or garments any cleaner. In fact, it can even damage them.

Another thing that you have to pay attention to is the water temperature. You may think that the hottest possible water you can use to wash baby's clothes will help you to get rid of bacteria and germs but it doesn't. That's just not how it works. Water that's too hot can damage fibers and set in the stains, which I assume you would not want to happen especially on those pieces of high-end children's clothing that you have been so careful with. The best trick that you can do is to pre-treat any stains and use warm, or even cold, water which helps to prevent shrinking and fading.

Drying and Ironing your high-end children's clothing.

Most baby clothes require only moderate heat to successfully dry, and the same goes with high-end children's clothing. For ordinary baby clothes, make sure that all traces of stains have been successfully removed. Once those clothes are put in the hot dryer, any remaining stains will be permanent. On the other hand, these clothing and those that have "heirloom" status, it is most advisable for them to be air-dried on a padded hanger or laid on a clean white terry cloth towel.

Everything can be ironed, so as long as you use the lowest setting to get the job done although steamed iron can give the best results for these high-end children's clothing. Just remember to use distilled water with it to prevent mineral deposits from damaging the pieces.

You may think that it is such a hassle investing in these quality high-end children's clothing but most often, it is worth the time and effort that you spend for it to be properly maintained.

Find simple reminders to keep you high-end childrens clothing as beautiful and pretty as when you first bought them.

By Paul S Grant

When you browse the internet, it is hard not to take notice of those paparazzi shots of celebrity kids that are dressed so well to look like their famous parents. These kids wear designer toddler clothes and in keeping with today's latest trends in fashion. Take for example Gwen Stefani's boys who sport black rocker shirts and cargo pants like their dad, Honor Alba takes on her mom's feminine and frilly style. And let's not forgot Suri Cruise who seems to love dressing up just like her stylish mom, Katie Holmes.

Dressing up the children seems to be a trend not only among celebrity parents but also regular parents that want their children to be part of the fashion trend. This trend has become an advantage point for luxury houses as they have expanded their lines to include designer toddler clothes. Designer toddler clothes have become such a hit in our fashion society today that parents sometimes cannot help but invest a lot of money on their child's clothing.

Companies such as Ralph Lauren have started offering children's pieces for years now, while some other companies such as Versace and Lanvin have opened their doors to designer toddler clothes late this year. The money spent on designer toddler clothes have reached to about $800 million in just a 12-month period. According to the NPD Group Inc. Consumer Tracking service, most people are no longer buying top homes and cars. Now, people are continuing to splurge on designer baby clothes and designer toddler clothes. People nowadays make sure that their kids get all the best things and dress the part.

The trend has caused many high-end and luxury brands to infiltrate children's clothing market. The children's clothing business has been the last to be affected by the recession.

The rich and famous have continued to clothe their children in luxurious fabrics, high-end brands and all that. Even parents who never have that option, scrimp on clothing for themselves and instead buy beautiful dresses and jackets for their kids just so they have something nice for special occasions and family portraits.

To the rich and the famous, designer toddler clothes with price tags half of that for grown-ups version are not a problem. What is most appealing to them is the Burberry check on a collar or the Gucci horse bit detail on a ballet flat.

People want their kids to stand out and what better way than to dress them up with designer toddler clothes? Parents go crazy, especially with their first baby. Some say it is the fashion-forward version of playing dress-up with an American Girl doll.

Parents justify their purchase in their heads because they can see their children start to look like little people when they reach the age of 6 months. From that moment on, they see their children as an extension of themselves and that, my friends, is a fun part of the process of becoming parents.

By Paul S Grant

Children grow so fast you can only wonder how they do it. You just bought some of their clothes and the next thing you know, they don't fit them anymore. Then you have to think of ways to get rid of them fast before the closet and even the basement fills up. Do you find it hard to let go of all those high-end children's clothing you have purchased? You would think that they cost so much that it's hard to believe that they were only able to use it a few times. You can't do anything about that though, you can't let them keep on wearing these high-end children's clothing where their comfort is compromised because they have outgrown the garments already. So here is 5 things you can do to get rid of these high-end children's clothing but still get something out of it.

Garage Sale

Throw a garage sale because the items that usually go the quickest are the baby clothes. Surely, high-end children's clothing at a bargain price would go so fast you'd feel like it got hit by lightning! Round up your mommy friends in the neighborhood and let them know of the sale. They'd be flocking your house when that garage sale opens up. Organize them by size in labeled bins or containers to make it easier for customers to sift through. By the end of the day, those high-end children's clothing would be gone and you'd have extra cash to buy your child new pieces.

eBay is the place to sell

eBay is the place to sell. It is a reliable site where you can easily make your high-end children's clothing sell like hot pancakes. It would be as easy as 1,2,3 as long as you know how to make the price right and advertise the items you meant to get rid of. Try and research for some similar items that are selling on eBay and familiarize yourself with how things are selling and what they're selling for so that it goes away fast and you get a good bargain for it.

Consign some of the stuff

Take your high-end children's clothing to a consignment shop near you. Although sometimes it's tricky to be selling through a consignment shop because they are often picky and meticulous, I'm sure it would be a breeze if you make sure that the items you bring to them are in good condition.

Donate the items

You may think twice about donating high-end children's clothing because you have spent so much on it. But passing it on to someone who is less fortunate and in need is a fulfillment in itself. It would be such a waste keeping them in the closet and damaging them in the long run so why not let somebody else take advantage of it.

It's a great way for you to be able to give back and pass along some things that you once loved to give the less fortunate the chance to love it as much as you did.

You can't permit your child to persist with wearing high-end childrens clothing where their comfort is compromised simply because they have outgrown the garments already.

By Paul S Grant

The purchase of high-end children's clothing has become a trend almost all throughout the world. Parents are spending thousands of dollars on clothing because they want their children to be fashion-forward and be with the in-crowd. A lot of boutiques are emerging everywhere that cater to children's wear and it has become a trend because parents dress their kids up with designer clothing and treat their children as if they were designer accessories.

But the problem is, not all parents are able to afford these high-end children's clothing. A family still has a lot of things to spend for, house or apartment rent, car, food, education, personal products, clothes and a lot more. Now, the question is, are these type of clothing a priority?

When buying children's clothing, you all know that the most important factor to take into consideration is the comfort. Sometimes, you become blinded by the cuteness of it all and sacrifice style over comfort, which should not be the case. But with the growing market today, a lot of high-end children's clothing is putting emphasis not only on style but on comfort as well. Parents are now more inclined to want to buy high-end children's clothing but they are also often thinking twice because children grow so fast that you need to buy them new sets of clothes every few months because the ones they already have may not fit them anymore. This discourages average parents to spend a lot of money on these clothing.

On one hand, the advantage of purchasing high-end children's clothing is that, if it is well-taken care of, you can pass it down from one child to the other or even among relatives who happen to have a new baby in their homes.

Nowadays, because of mass marketing, a lot of clothes look almost alike and carry almost the same style. Parents want their children to have something unique, something that not a lot of other children can have and these high-end children's clothing are mostly the ones that can give them the uniqueness that they are looking for but for a higher price indeed.

If you don't want to spend so much but still want quality high-end children's clothing, there are a number of stores that you can look at like thrift shops and consignment shops.

Also, you can go through sites like eBay and Craigslist to find these clothing at bargain prices. Most of these may be second-hand but I'm sure they are still in good condition and can still be considered a quality buy.

Depending on what your situation in life may be, it is up to you as parents to decide whether high-end children's clothing is a family priority or not. You just have to be wise, weigh the pros and cons and be practical about it.

If you don't want spending so much but still want quality high-end childrens clothing, there are a number of stores that you can look at like thrift shops and consignment shops.

By Paul S Grant

There is a difference between fashion trends among adults and among children. For adults, fashion trends are sometimes a short-lived craze over an item such as designer jeans or something of the same sort but for the kids, a fashion trend usually means finding unique children's clothing that follows a more general trend. Now let us look at some of the recent trends for unique children's clothing.

Personalized clothes and accessories

What best way to represent unique children's clothing than personalized items such as clothes and accessories. In the past, monogrammed shirts and sweaters were a big hit but as of today, a bold initial is the trend. Fashion people call it the "letter sweater", and it has become the ultimate in unique children's clothing. Some clothing shops manufacture on an order basis while some stock them in variety of initials. For accessories on the other hand, you have winter hats, scarves, and mittens with their initials as well.

You can still go for monogram as well, while considering the item you want it on and its use. Monogramming produces a classic look so it may be more appropriate on a dress shirt or blouse rather than a backpack or some other accessories. You can also have iron-appliqués to have that unique children's clothing. Just remember not to overdo the initials and monograms on every item your child has, moderation is still the key. Use one trendy and unique children's clothing at a time.

Outer wear

Lasting trends for outer wear are the "lumberjack" look, which is a two-tone buffalo plaid, the "snowboarder" look which is of nylon jackets with a longer tail in back and the classic "pea coat".

For warmer climates, it is best to go for shirt-jackets made out of cotton flannel and when winter comes, wool or polyester fleece jacket would do. All these have become part of the unique children's clothing collection that you might want to have your little one to have in his or her closet. Word of advice: Look for unique children's clothing in classic combinations of colors like red and black, navy and black, and orange and dark brown, because you can never go wrong in them.

The snowboarding-inspired jackets may cost a bit much but they have properties such as its breathability and water-repellency. These items you can find in outdoors outfitter to prepare for the winter season. The pea coats on the other hand have been a favorite for many years. They may not seem as though they are unique children's clothing but they come in a dazzling variety of fabrics and colors so you can easily mix and match. You can use wool pea coats when you dress your kids up for fancier occasions as well.

Footwear

An outfit isn't complete without the footwear. UGGs has been an all-time favorite because of its distinctive look that comes in a wide array of shades and styles that you can match with even the most unique children's clothing. They are comfortable, durable and very easy to pull on and off that is why parents love them for the kids. They can survive being handed down a lot of times so you are sure to get your money's worth. For gender specific footwear, you have "mary janes" for girls and "hiking boots" as a great addition to the boys' wardrobe.

By Heike Jung

It is a fact-- we all have problems. However have you noticed that some people seem to be buried under their pile of problems while others take on the challenge of yet another problem with enthusiasm and vigor? Have you noticed that some people find a problem in everything while others don't seem to make a big deal out of a problem and see it as a challenge? Have you noticed that some people try to run from problems while others face them head on?

We all face problems and challenges in our daily lives. Let's talk about how you can confront your problems and start to welcome your challenges. Here is a step-by-step approach to solving (almost) any problem:

    Change your attitude. Instead of rolling your eyes at yet another problem, realize that problems are a part of our daily existence. Enjoy a problem like you enjoy eating a piece of your favorite candy bar. See it as an opportunity for your personal growth and an opportunity to show off what you already know. (By the way, it is my personal belief that the amount of problems we attract is in direct proportion to the number of candy bars we eat during the day. Let you ponder that one!)

    Take the emotion out of the problem. You failed your math test. Ouch that hurt. Your pride is hurt; you are embarrassed; you are afraid of what others will say; you wonder how it will affect the rest of your school year. Remove those emotions as soon as possible and think about why you failed. What was the reason? You didn't study enough; you didn't understand the assignments; you didn't do your homework, etc.

    Work on the "Why". If you didn't make the swim team because you weren't fast enough, practice more. Find someone who can help you improve your stroke; who will help you practice; who will point out your weakness and help you improve; who will hold you accountable.

    Realize that there are a number of different solutions to your problem. Make a list of the possible solutions. Ask your support system to help you come up with a list. Focus on the solutions not on the problem. You want to go to Europe over your summer vacation but you have no money. Don't focus on the fact that you have no money, instead focus on making a list of how you could make money.

    Be determined and disciplined. No matter what problems your are faced with, it will take determination and discipline to go from where you are now to where you want to be in the future. Stick with your plan!

No matter what your problem, you can find a solution. Start with a small problem and work yourself up to more challenging problems. As with everything, finding solutions to your problems takes practice. Once you have managed a few of your smaller problems successfully, you will be ready to take on bigger ones with energy, drive and determination. You will notice that your problems are turning into challenges and that you are up to taking on any challenge that comes your way.

Dr. Heike Jung is the President and Founder of DBLCoaching, a Teen and Young Adult Life Coaching program that inspires, motivates, encourages and supports teens and young adults to turn their dreams into reality.  Dr. Jung is best known for her powerfully written Personal Vision Reports which she individually develops and constructs for her clients. She is dedicated and committed to her young audience and strongly believes that personal fulfillment and success can be achieved through an intense Desire for, a firm Belief in, and a determined Love for your dream. To learn more visit her website at http://www.dblcoaching.com.

By Glenda Gabriel

Parents who find themselves looking through a boarding school directory in need of a Christian Boarding School or youth program, are dealing with teenagers whose choices and behavior are putting their lives and safety at-risk.

In a conversation with a parent, who son is currently a student at a boys residential school, she said she wished she'd paid better attention to the signs that were there. In dealing with teenagers, the clues can get away from you.

Parenting teens isn't for the faint of heart. You've got to bring your best game. The teenage years bring challenges that you probably didn't experience during their elementary school years. Much of this is the natural course of things in preparation for them to become independent, contributing adults. Research confirms that teen's parents are a vital influence in their development, choices and behavior. Here are three sound ways you can help your teen safely navigate their teenage years.

Close parent-child relationship. Your child needs to know they can count on you to say what you mean and mean what you say. Your family values need to be spelled out and known by every member of your family, and modeled by you. Set clear expectations and boundaries based on those values, with fair consequences. Monitor and follow through. They need to know you've got their back.

Talk about what matters to them. Keep communication open by talking about what matters to them. The teenage years are filled with unknowns and curiosities. The world's a scary place, but it's also a place of possibilities and wonder. Make sure they know they are a priority by making time for them. Research confirms that eating dinner together as a family is one of the most important influences on the positive development of teens. This simple family activity is a strong predictor of positive adolescent development.

Know their friends. If you want to strengthen the bond with your teen, be their parent, not their friend. Parenting is not a popularity contest. However, you do need to know who your teen's friends are, what they do, what they're interested in, where they hang out, and what activities they are engaged in. Monitor and verify this information. You are not being invasive. You are being a responsible, proactive, caring parent.

The teenage years are not a time to stick your head in the sand. Be a parent, not an ostrich. This is the time to step it up, not step away. If you're sensing red flags, listen to those warnings. Do not put your head in the sand hoping things will be okay. You must be vigilant, consistent, present and most of all, realistic. Listen to your 'parental gut' instinct. It will never lie to you. If you need to take action, do so. Be the safeguard your teen can count on.