6 minute read
TEENS ALOUD
FAMILY teens aloud!
your teen, translated
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RAISING
Below, are some tips that we can all use to help us get to know our teenage boy(s) better:
Respect his space and give him his privacy while setting ground rules and outlining boundaries. If he doesn’t want to discuss an issue, let it be. Choose your battles.
Assign responsibilities for him. Start out with simple chores at home that he would have done anyway and are pleasurable for him. Do not impose menial tasks on him.
Get to know his friends … and their parents! The old adage of “you are who you hang out with” rings true.
Be an example for him. This tip is mainly for dads, uncles, and grandfathers. They will model male adult family behaviors, especially when it comes to respecting women that are in their lives. Be aware of what you say and what you do at all times. Period.
Believe in him and be his biggest fan and supporter.
TEENAGERS IN GENERAL ARE A CONUNDRUM—
whether boys or girls—and raising them is no easy feat by any stretch of the imagination. As a practicing pediatrician, I have found that teenage girls tend to be more expressive and open about their feelings when asked or approached. This is in stark contrast to their male peers who are often reserved about themselves and their emotions.
As you read this, some of you may be thinking that I’m taking a traditional view of gender stereotypes, which may be true. However, whether we choose to admit it or not, society encourages girls to “emote” yet frowns upon boys when they do so. As a result, we find that most of our young men strive to live up to what people expect of them.
Avoid critiquing his appearance such as hair, clothing, etc. So what if he has long hair? As long as he is not hurting himself or someone else, let him go through his own growth process.
Be aware of who he is as a young man; if he changes his attitude, choice of friends, who he hangs out with, or his grades start slipping, this could be a warning sign of self-destructive behaviors, and a doctor visit or counseling may be in order.
Talk to him like an equal allowing him to express his opinion about his likes and dislikes.
Above all, love, love, love him. Let him know that it is not “girly” to cry if he feels bad or sad. It takes a real man to express his emotions. w
LKNEXPERT Wissam E. Nadra, MD, MHA, FAAP, AIHM, is the president and clinical director at Lakeshore Pediatric Center in Denver. He is a board-certified pediatrician and is also certified in integrative medicine. For more information, visit www.lakeshorepediatric.com or call 704.489.8401.
A NEW WAY TO renovate your home
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A
cost-effective option to boost your home’s value, there’s a new, innovative and eco-friendly trend in home renovations, thanks to Spray-Net.
Spray-Net offers homeowners in North Carolina a smarter way to paint homes, and it isn’t with a fancier brush.
Through a patented process, Spray-Net has invented a way to renovate and paint the exterior of your home. Whether your home is clad with stucco, brick, or siding – or you want to update the look of your windows and doors, SprayNet can restore a factory-quality finish to your home’s exterior and make it look brand new. Spray-Net was born out of the problem with traditional painting that many Lake Norman/ Charlotte homeowners know all too well. “The issue with painting homes in this area using traditional paint is that the paint doesn’t last very long after sitting through the long, hot summers and can quickly fade and expose the underlying surface to harsh elements,” says Spray-Net’s founder Carmelo Marsala. “Once these two things happen, other issues can affect the look of the home and can lead to unexpected renovation costs.”
Through a combination of custom chemistry and a relentless focus, Marsala discovered a way to create more durable and longerlasting paint and process. In fact, Spray-Net’s paint is so durable the company offers a 15-year warranty on peeling or chipping. This guarantee is transferable, a valueadded feature for anyone looking to sell their home.
The best part is that SprayNet’s cost to paint your home is comparable to that of a professional painting company. Spray-Net manufacturers all its paint to ensure its high-quality standards are always met.
"Using our proprietary line of industrial-strength coatings and patented application processes, we renew and transform existing surfaces that most people think can’t be painted but, instead, replaced," he said. "We revamp and
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- Spray-Net’s founder Carmelo Marsala
transform stucco, brick, aluminum and vinyl siding, front and garage doors, aluminum and vinyl windows, and even kitchen cabinets. "In just one day, we deliver a permanent, factory finish that won’t peel and that looks just like new, not repainted," Marsala continued. "We’ve taken the process of factory painting and optimized it for application outside the controlled environment of the factory. By bringing factory results directly on-site, we give property owners a real alternative to replacement. The cost of our solution is immediately outweighed by the increase in curb appeal and overall property value. Unlike some renovations that don’t pay off, our renovation solution allows property owners to literally see a return on their investment."
Spray-Net’s proprietary paint and service have caught the attention of many high-profile home renovation and interior design professionals. HGTV stars on “Property Brothers” have collaborated with Spray-Net to revamp homes. Also, HGTV star Sarah Richardson, has worked with Spray-Net to share SprayNet’s transformational benefits with homeowners. In fact, if you visit Spray-Net’s website, you’ll find some specific advice from Sarah on color trends for 2021 and beyond.
“We are excited about helping homeowners throughout the entire Charlotte area find a high-quality and cost-effective solution to transform and update their homes,” says Marsala. “While we offer a unique solution, customer service is our true passion. The smiles on our customers’ faces after they see their home for the first time is what drives and inspires us.”
A local Lake Norman entrepreneur has partnered with Spray-Net to open the greater Charlotte location.
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L K N W ' S A N N U A L
LKN Men Welcome to Lake Norman Woman’s 9th annual special issue featuring men in our community who are a cut above! Motivated, gutsy, determined, resilient, strong, optimistic, and committed, the men we highlight here are men of action who would not be deterred from their dreams. More importantly, they run their business with love and gratitude; they take care of their families; they give back to their communities. We hope you enjoy our special salute to not only these guys, but all the great guys in our lives … they deserve a lot of praise!
PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN BY CHELSEA BREN
