Increasing Communication Between You And Your Tween

    Wouldn’t it be great to increase communication between you and your tween? The question is: how do you make that happen? Communication is an important part of parenting, no matter what stage you are at. Here are some tips to help you make increased communication a reality. Have a Date Night     Spend time one-on-one with your tween. Some parents refer to this as a mommy-daughter date night or a father-son date night. It’s just a special night where the parent and tween spend time together. This is a time for you to know what’s going on with your tween and to hear what they have to say without much interruption. Talk About It     It seems as though talking about things is such a thing of the past. Families are too busy with life that they forget to chat and catch up. Talking about life is one way to increase communication between you and your tween. It’s possible to understand what’s going on in your tween’s life, you just have to make that effort. After a while, they’ll see you … [Read more...]

Boost Your Teen’s Confidence With Clearasil! #ClearasilMom #MC @Clearasil #Sponsored

*I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Clearasil. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.     My tween son is always on-the-go.  He has basketball practice twice a week as well as at least two basketball games per week.  As if that wasn't enough, he is also involved in his school's drama team and participates in a traveling basketball team that competes out of state during the Spring.  As he is getting closer to officially becoming a teen, I have noticed some subtle changes in his skin.  Not only is it oilier, but I have seen some slight acne rear its head from time to time.     Both his father and I have always had oily skin and dealt with acne during adolescence so we are trying to instill in him the importance of keeping his face clean at all times to prevent breakouts.  We know how embarrassing acne can have a negative effect on a teenager's self-esteem and … [Read more...]

We Attended The Toyota Teen Driver Safety Clinic! #TeenDrive365 @Toyota #Ad

*This is part of a sponsored campaign with Toyota. However, all opinions expressed are my own.     Last week, my tween and I had the pleasure of attending a FREE “Teen Driver Safety Clinic” for teens and their parents at the CityWorld Toyota dealer here in the Bronx.  It was a wonderful opportunity for me to demonstrate to my son how critical it is to learn as much as we can about the vehicles that we drive, the roads that we use, and to teach him what a serious responsibility being a driver is.     Toyota dealers in the New York and New Jersey Tri-state area are hosting a series of FREE TeenDrive365 Safety Clinics in the months of September and October. The experience includes a safe driving simulator along with a classroom learning session that covers defensive driving tips, car operations, car safety features, and basic maintenance.  Toyota understands that the driver is the best safety device in any car and want to teach teens that, once they get behind the wheel, it's up … [Read more...]

Keep Teens Safe: Free Teen Drive Safety Clinics In NY And NJ! #TeenDrive365 @Toyota #Ad

*This is part of a sponsored campaign with Toyota. However, all opinions expressed are my own.       As a parent of a Tween here in New York City, I know that it is only a matter of time before he is old enough to want to go and get his driving permit.  Although I understand his excitement at being able drive and asserting his independence, I worry about him driving safely in an urban environment.  I was a teenager once so I understand how peer pressure and the fact that teenagers think they are invincible can be a dangerous combination when it comes to driving.     Looking back on when I started driving, I wish someone would have taught me how to do some basic upkeep on my car.  It would have been great to know how to check the oil and possibly change a tire back when I was driving around in my old jalopy.  It's actually quite embarrassing how many times I became stranded on the side of the road and had to call my parents to come and pick me up because something went … [Read more...]

Commit Your School To Safe Teen Driving! #ManejaConCuidado @StateFarmLatino #Giveaway #Ad

*This is part of a sponsored collaboration with State Farm and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.     Two years ago, I attended the wake of one of my former students who was killed in a car accident.  He was not the driver of the vehicle but the driver was another teenager who had just recently gotten his driver's license.  It was heartbreaking to see such a young person have his promising life cut short so early.     I vowed that day to help raise awareness about safe teen driving which is why I am proud to support State Farm's Celebrate My Drive® campaign.  It is geared towards sharing the belief that safe driving is a lifelong commitment from the first moment each young driver sits behind the wheel.     The number one cause of death among teens in North America.  As the mother of a tween son who will soon be old enough to get a driver's license, I love that Celebrate My Drive® helps to promote responsible driving practices like 2N2®: 2 eyes on the … [Read more...]

Encourage Young Drivers To Make Safe Driving Choices @StateFarm #CelebrateMyDrive

This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Latina Mom Bloggers and State Farm.  However, all opinions expressed are my own.     Last night, I was going through some old papers when I came upon my old Learner's Permit.  It was certainly a blast from the past and I immediately showed it to my ten year-old son so he could see my old photo and so he could see what a Permit in New York State looks like.  He immediately had a lot of questions about how someone gets a Permit and whether I was afraid to be able to drive for the first time.  State Farm is committed to teaching young people safe driving from the moment they begin to drive to set the tone for safety in vehicles for the rest of their life. As the mother of a child who will be eligible for his Learner's Permit in a few years, I have some serious concerns about safety when it comes to handing him the keys to one of our cars.  As an educator of adolescents, I know that young people don't always make the best decisions due … [Read more...]

Watch “Teen Beach Movie” On The Disney Channel! @DisneyChannelPR #TeenBeachMovie #Sponsored

*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Disney Channel.  All opinions are 100% mine.     I have always been a big fan of beach movies.  When I was a kid, they would play reruns of old beach favorites featuring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello from the old Mickey Mouse Club.  It always looked like everyone was having such a great time and everyone was so young and good looking.  These movies would definitely make viewers want to be at that beach party dancing and laughing with the stars of the movie.     This Summer, the Disney Channel is bringing back family movie night with the debut of their new original movie titled "Teen Beach Movie."  It is a musical comedy that guarantees to have every member of your family singing and dancing around your living room.  Even though it is a fun film reminiscent of the old beach movies, it delivers an important positive message about how important it is to believe in yourself and not be afraid to follow your … [Read more...]