big kids [6–9 years]

Make sure you ease your mama concerns too. If you aren’t familiar with the family hosting the sleepover, ask questions. What will they be doing, are there older siblings, when is bed time? Any other reasonable mama is going to be completely comfortable with your questions.

Your tweener loves school, never causes problems in the classroom, studies hard and is the model “student of the month.” Right? But wait, what is this? It can’t be! He got an F? Not my tweener! pass it on

You want nothing more than for your tweener to be successful. There are lots of changes for your immerging young adult and you want him to be great at everything he does, but school better stay in the forefront. So what do you do when he isn’t doing well in school and he brings home a failing grade? First, you want to act fast and make sure you nip in the bud the culprit[s] of his slipping grades. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

• what’s goin’ on First, talk to your tweener. Is there anything going on that you don’t know about? Is he having trouble with only one subject? Then talk to the teacher[s]. The teacher will be able to tell you of any problems in the classroom, if he is turning in assignments or missing classes. You can’t try to fix the problem until you know what is broken.

• stay the course Take a look at your homework and study routine. Maybe things need to be reworked. There are lots of things to distract your tweener, from TV to video games to time with friends. Make sure he is getting his work done and limit the distractions.

• a little help Offer your help with homework and studying, but let’s face it, you might not be enough. Consider getting your tweener some extra help. Hire a tutor and give your tweener every advantage to get back on track.

• outside the classroom If your tweener’s grades have taken a sudden drown turn, the cause could be something outside the classroom. His failing grade could be a warning sign of another issue.

Oh, isn’t it cute? Your teen has his first real girlfriend. Yes, your teen dating can be a bit scary, but you have gotten through that. The problem with the first girlfriend and first love is that it’s typically followed by [dah…dah…daaahhh] the first break up! Can you and your teen survive?

When It Ends

I found this great quote by Benjamin Disreali [a novelist and British Prime Minister in the 1800s], “The magic of first love is our ignorance that it can ever end.” How true! This new found love for your teen is so exciting and they just have so much in common and well, they are “in love.” Of course with your years of wisdom and love lost and gained, being a teen in love can create a big ol’ eye roll. During the rollercoaster of young love, there are going to be some downs. Here are some tips to help your teen pick up his crush, stomped on, shattered heart:

• seriously? Yes, you might have known this relationship had no chance of lasting, but it was very real to your teen whether it lasted a few weeks, months or years. Take their feelings seriously, and be compassionate.

• remember when Try to remember that you were that young teen not too long ago and be a sounding board when he needs you. Now, we are talking about a teen, so don’t be so surprised when his actions seem a bit irrational or over dramatic.

• been there Yes, there are stories of high school sweethearts being together forever, but if you aren’t one of them, share your experience with love when your teen is open to it. First love can be very intense, but letting your teen know there is more love out there can be very comforting. says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says sally says

• lessons learned Every tragedy offers a lesson to be learned. Once the wound isn’t so fresh and some of the grief has worn off, help your teen see the lesson in this situation.

Who is Sally?

She is our quintessential, “do-it-all” mom and friend who reminds us to remember the woman behind the mom.