As middle school girls enter the early days of puberty, they begin to pull away from their parents and form very private tribes, as we call them, with their friends. These tribes usually have intense secrecy expectations and provide a safe place for the girls…
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Girl Tribes & Secrets
November 22, 2017
Written by: Dr. Shelley Metten
Where Do They Rate on the Thankfulness Scale?
November 16, 2017
Written by: Dr. Shelley Metten
On a thankfulness scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the best), where would you place your adolescent? When they were just young children, we could ask them to say “thank you” at the appropriate times and most children willingly made the correct response. Now that…
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One Pathway into an Adolescent Heart
November 9, 2017
Written by: Dr. Shelley Metten
It is probably time for me to remind you about the importance of family dinners. Over and over again, you read in different blogs that this is a significant and memorable experience for families. I know we have lots of evening activities that can make…
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Why Are Teens Disgusted by Talk of Their Reproductive Parts?
November 2, 2017
Written by: Dr. Shelley Metten
What kind of a response do you get from your adolescent when the topic of their genitals is mentioned? I understand that they might feel embarrassed, but I don’t understand why many of them find the topic disgusting. Three Reasons They are Disgusted One reason…
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Inspire Your Teen’s Vision for the Future
October 26, 2017
Written by: Dr. Shelley Metten
I will never forget a conversation I had with a first-year medical student while I was a professor in the UCLA Medical School. This student came to talk to me about a difficult decision she was wrestling with. She was an outstanding first year medical…
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