There's a story going around that a college in America, is asking smart college graduates to sign a paper stating that they only did fair in school.  Why would a college ask students to do this?  What's the big deal about being smart?  Someone who feels inferior because your intellect may be way above average or genius has issues that must be resolved.  It's not your problem!

The audacity of the "powers at be" of a college to ask students to "dumb themselves down" is beyond my comprehension.  Is this the future for teens?  It's almost as if America is punishing teens for being smart.  What has happened to this country?  Where did we go wrong?  How do we fix America and get it back on track?  You may not know the answers to these questions, and I may not know the answers to these questions, but the people of this country better wake up today before it's too late.

Teens, you are the future.  Do you want a future that includes college administrators that will dumb you down?  Everyone is smart in their own way.  You can be book smart, street smart, artistic smart, and people smart.  If you're book smart, don't apologize for it. 

College and university may not be for everyone.  However, that doesn't give you a free pass to slack off if you're not doing well in high school.  Do the best you can because that is what matters.  Take pride in you and your work today and your future will be bright tomorrow!

Teens who like to write could become teen authors.  You don't have to wait until you're an adult to publish your work.  There are many ways you can become a published teen author.  The question is, "...are you ready for the life of an author at an early age?"

Becoming a published teen author requires discipline, patience, time, dedication, and perseverance.  Are you willing to do whatever it takes to reach your goal?  If you are then you can become published at an early age.

Why teens write

Writing is very cathartic for many teens.  It's a great way to purge your mind and body of any pain or negativity that may consume you.  This is why most writings are dark; you're channeling your pain onto paper or the computer screen.  Most artists write from a dark place within themselves because it makes them feel alive.  It seems ironic that pain and suffering would make you feel alive.  Don't be afraid to write from the "light side" of life.  Besides, you can brighten someone's day with your writing.

Tips to becoming a published teen author

1.  Write every day.  Whether you write short stories, comics, poems, songs, graphic novels, fiction, non-fiction, blog, or journal -- write each day.  The more you write the better your writing skills will improve.

2.  Self publish your work.  This may seem like a lot of work, but it can be done.  Ask mom and dad to help you publish your work.  You can self-publish your work on Cafe Press.com, Amazon.com, and other websites.  Create a website and sell your book online. 

3.  Tell no one what you are doing or only those closest to you.  The naysayers will try and talk you out of your dream; they'll tell you it's impossible.  Refuse to listen to them because they're probably insecure about their life and dreams.

4.  Apply constructive criticism and feedback to your writing.  When your English teacher gives you advice -- take it.  Your writing skills will develop as you get older.  Learn all you can now because it will benefit you later.

5.  Write for the school newspaper or some other publication.  If you've been bitten by the writing bug join forces with your school's newspaper.  This is invaluable experience and will look good on your college transcripts.

Teens can become published authors.  All it takes is a willingness on your part to put in the time and effort.  If you're passionate about writing, go for it!  Most people do not follow their passion because they're focused on making money to pay the bills.  Guess what?  Doing something just to pay the bills is not a good enough reason to make money!  Remember, do what makes you happy and the money will follow!

Many children in the U.S. and around the world are abused each day.  Unfortunately, abused children often grow up to be abusers or perpetrators of crimes.  Jails and prisons are filled with inmates who have been victims of child abuse.  The psychological effects of child abuse can be damaging.  Some believe that the effects cannot be reversed.  Through counseling, a teen can learn coping skills to deal with anger and pain.

Types of Child Abuse

Emotional, neglect, physical, and sexual are the major types of child abuse.  Emotional abuse includes parents who constantly swear at their teens or tell them how worthless they are.  You are blamed for everything that is wrong in your parents lives.  Neglect means your basic needs of food, water, shelter, and clothing are not being met.  You may not receive medical attention and suffer from poor hygiene.  Love is also absent.  Physical abuse includes hitting, biting, hair pulling, punching, kicking, shaking, burns, or other unexplained injuries.  Sexual abuse means you are touched inappropriately by family, friends, teachers, or other adults.  You have a well developed knowledge of sexual issues at a very early age.

Psychological effects of child abuse include but are not limited to the following:

1.  Low self esteem
2.  Anger
3.  Timid -- uncertainty
4.  Using drugs and or alcohol
5.  No interests
6.  Aggressive and hostile behavior
7.  No interest in school; poor performance
8.  Experience difficult relationships with peers or the opposite sex
9.  No goals
10.  A sense of hopelessness
11.  Concentration problems
12.  Panic attacks
13.  Eating disorders

Organizations such as Prevent Child Abuse America has been focusing on child abuse since 1972.   According to their website, "...they provide education and inspire hope to everyone involved in the effort to prevent abuse and neglect of America's children."  To address the psychological effects of child abuse, you may want to contact the organization.

The National Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-4-A-CHILD.  Childhelp is celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2009.  They have programs such as prevention, outreach, hotline, advocacy centers, group home, foster care, and much more.  If you or someone you know is being abused, tell them about Childhelp.  They can address the psychological effects of child abuse and help save teens who are in pain right now.

How to Handle the Psychological effects of Child Abuse

Abused children need good care and emotional support from family; they should not feel lonely or helpless.  A parent can create an environment that is safe and supportive.  Consulting with a psychiatrist and or counselor can help you and your child deal with the psychological effects of child abuse.

Children are precious.  They are the future and require love, care, and attention.  Allow them to grow up within a positive, loving, and secure environment.  Having a positive outlook can ensure child abuse will no longer be an issue.  Please, help put an end to child abuse today!

Teens have a difficult time coping with divorce and separation.  They often believe it's something they did wrong.  Stop thinking like that because it's not your fault.  Your parents either grew apart or were not compatible.  Remember, most people get married "just to say" they're married.  Here's a tip:  that's not a good reason to get married!

Divorce seems so final.  Coping with divorce and separation can wear you down.  It sucks when you're shuffled back and forth between mom and dad, but try to make the most of it.  Think of it as a BIG learning lesson that you can apply when you become an adult.  For example, you do not have to follow in your parents footsteps.

Teens cope with divorce and separation by refusing to allow mom and dad to use you like a "pawn" on a chess board.  Often, divorce becomes about "what he did to me and what she did to me."  Teens are usually caught in the crossfire.  Have the courage to approach your parents and tell them YOU WILL NOT be put in the middle!

Tips for handling divorce

1.  Remember that mom and dad are not divorcing because of you.  Parents divorce for many reasons.  It has nothing to do with you!  This is very important for you to acknowledge because many teens feel it's their fault.  Again, it's not your fault.

2.  Stand up for yourself.  Make it clear to mom and dad that you will not be used.  It's not fair to put you in the middle of the divorce or separation.  Parents do this because they are hurt, especially when infidelity (cheating spouse) has occurred.  By doing this, mom believes she's hurting dad and vice versa.  The only people they hurt are the kids.

3.  Attend counseling.  Your parents may choose to seek marriage and family therapy.  This is a great idea because it will help you cope with the divorce and separation.

4.  Feel and express your feelings.  There's no reason for you to hide your emotions.  Expressing your emotions is a healthy way for you to cope with divorce and separation.  Avoid stuffing your emotions with food, drugs, or alcohol.  Self-inflicted wounds are not the answer either.  You want to express your emotions in a healthy, safe way.  Go for a run or walk; punch a pillow.  Join a gym or sports team.  Take up MMA (mixed martial arts) and work through the pain. 

Teens cope with divorce and separation the best you can.  There's nothing shameful about being from a divorced family.  You are not alone because the divorce rate in the U.S. is over 50%!  Take one day at a time and forgive your parents.  This may not be easy at first.  Looking at the situation from another perspective can help you cope with divorce and separation.

The worst thing you can do is carry around the baggage of divorce. Release the baggage now; do not carry it with you into your adult life.  You will survive the divorce; it's not the end of the world. 

Just a quick post about volunteering.  Teens, you can volunteer for fun.  Not only do you get to give back, but you will learn new skills and meet other teens.  It's a great way to meet friends and do something for the community.

Teens who volunteer will get a sense of responsibility.  If you don't have a job, volunteering is a great way to learn about responsibility.  You will be required to show up at a specific time and have a specific task.  You can put your volunteer endeavors on your college applications.  It's a win-win situation.

The next time you're bored, think about volunteering at your local animal shelter or food bank.  You may have to be 16 years old so check with the organization.  If they have an age restriction, perhaps you and your family could start a food drive or collect donations.

Teens, giving back is just as much fun as receiving!  Give some of your time today and watch how your world changes.  There's more to life than playing video games or hanging out at the mall!

Teens, what have you learned about managing money?  If you live in the U.S., you probably haven't learned a whole lot about managing money.  In school, you're taught algebra, trigonometry, English, literature, history, science, and other subjects, but the educational system fails to teach you about managing money.  This is why the U.S. faces economic issues -- no one knows what they are doing!  Listen up because if you want to be a successful adult, you'd wise to learn about money today!

What you are not taught can ruin you

Teachers do the best they can.  The truth is most teachers do not know how to manage their own money.  This may sound crass, but it's true.  You are not taught about savings and checking accounts, real estate, T-bills, stocks and bonds, and other types of investments.  You are not taught to DIVERSIFY your money.  The good news is that you can learn HOW TO manage money now in order to have a successful future.

It's unfortunate that teens are not taught how to manage money.  Of course, it's a great business for credit card companies, banks, and other lending institutions because they charge outrageous interest rates which is how they make their money.  You can outsmart these companies by learning how to handle money.

Managing your money

Teens, the first rule of managing money is PAY YOURSELF before anyone else.  Pay yourself at least 10% of your income.  You can put the money into a FFA (financial freedom account).  This can be a savings or checking account or even a jar! 

*Second, set-up accounts for education (10%), long term savings spending (10%), necessities (55%), play (10%), and giving (5%).  Do this now and you'll be able to handle money as an adult

Third, learn about MULTIPLE and PASSIVE STREAMS of income.  For example, if you're a writer, you could sell books, cds, videos, write screenplays, ghostwrite, teach, and do other things to earn multiple streams or passive income.  Another example of passive income is network marketing which is nothing but sales.  You join a "team" (make sure you understand the rules of network marketing) and you earn money from selling and bringing in other people to the business.

*10% of income
*55% of income
*5% of income

Finally, forget about what your parents tell you about money.  It's not the root of all evil (the LOVE of money is the root of all evil) and you will not receive extra points if you live in poverty.  God, universe, or whatever name you use will not reward you for being poor -- it's a myth!

Unless your parents are financially set and know how to manage money, chances are they will pass bad habits onto you.  They don't mean to do this, they just don't know any better.  Your parents learned money habits from their parents and their parents learned money habits from their parents; it's a cyclical process.  You can be the one to break it forever!

Managing money is fun

Teens, managing money is fun.  Think of it as a game -- a high priced game.  Set goals for yourself and reward yourself when you accomplish your goals.  This is why the "play account" is important.  It's all right to treat yourself; no one says you must be a victim or martyr of circumstance.  It's o.k. to have fun!

The sooner you understand how to manage money, you can teach your friends and siblings to do the same.  It's up to you how early you want to get started on your finances; sooner is always better than later.  Go forth and prosper!

Underage teen drinking is nothing new.  Many teens try alcohol at one point during the teen years.  Mom and dad may not be thrilled about this, but chances are they probably engaged in underage drinking when they were your age.  Does underage teen drinking happen?  Yes, it does.  Can it be avoided?  Yes, it can.

Most teens will feel peer pressure to try a beer or shot of whiskey.  You don't have to follow the crowd.  Alcohol impairs the brain and before you know it, you could be jumping naked into your neighbor's pool.  Even worse, your friends could take pictures of you and send them to people.  How would you like to go to school on Monday and have people snickering or pointing at you?  It will not make you feel good.  You will feel embarrassed and probably get mad at your friends.  Even worse, all parties involved can get into serious trouble for "snapping" those pictures.

Teenage drinking is not uncommon.  Over the years, newscasts have reported the deaths of teenagers due to underage drinking.  The laws are more serious now than they were in the past; you could face jail time if you cause the death of a person.  Think about that before you get behind the wheel of a car and decide to drive drunk.

Drinking is not that big of a deal in many countries.  Why?  Teens are allowed wine with meals.  By the time teens in other countries such as France or the UK reach the legal drinking age, alcohol is no big deal.  It's not a taboo subject as it is in America.  The more you know about alcohol and drinking the better off you will be.

Underage teen drinking is not a good idea.  Alcohol impairs your judgment and you end up of doing stupid things.  Believe me, I know.  It's not worth it.  If you lose friends over drinking, so be it.  They were never your friends in the first place if they "dump" you because you wouldn't drink a glass of wine.

Drinking doesn't make you cool, older, or sophisticated.  It's packed full of calories that can spike your blood sugar levels.  It will make you act in ways that you never thought you'd act before in your life.  The next time someone offers you a beer, think twice about accepting it.  You could be saving your life.

.

The holidays can be a stressful event for some teens.  Family will be visiting from out-of-town and before you know it, Cousin Jimmy is staying in your room and you're on the couch.  Remember, it's better to give than receive!

Holidays could be fun and light; when families get together it can be very heavy.  Teens can learn great lessons from their parents.  For example, if grandma starts nagging your mom about when she's getting remarried, don't think twice about it.  You grandma, in her own way, wants what's best for her child who happens to be your mom.  There's no need to get defensive -- be grateful that you have a grandma that cares.  All it takes is a change in perspective to defuse a potentially, hostile situation.

Getting through the holidays

Teens, you may see your family around the holidays.  You could look at this as a blessing in disguise -- they could live next door to you!  Or, you could be thankful that you have family in other areas of the world.  You never know when you'll need a helping hand.

The holidays are about love.  Instead of whining that Aunt Margaret wants to spend time with you, be thankful that you have another person that cares about you.  Some teens do not have any family, you're lucky if you have a family that deeply loves you.  Besides, it's only for a week or two.  You will survive!

Tips for getting through the holidays

1.  Be grateful for what you have.  Some teens don't have a mom, dad, brother, sister, grandparents, or aunts and uncles.  Be glad that you do have the family you have; your life could be much worse.

2.  Remember that it's better to give than receive.  It's a good idea to do something for others.  Share holiday cheer wherever you go.  It will come back to you.

3.  Remember that "this too shall pass."

4.  Think of your family as an adventure.  If you're an aspiring writer, you could write a novel based on your family.  Who knows, it could be a best seller!

5.  The holidays arrive for a short time before they disappear for the year.  Enjoy every crazy moment you have with your family.  When you are older, you'll look back on your memories with fondness.

Be thankful for what you have.  Many teens may not be as lucky as you are.  Some teens are on the run, others are in the foster care system.  You never know how good you have it until you meet someone who'd rather trade places with you.  Think about that before you start to complain that cousin Jessica is always using your computer!