I finished reading a story about a teen girl whose parents didn't want her anymore. Her father lost his job which caused him to lose his mind; maybe he's bipolar. He threw her and her belongings out of the house. The girl's step-mom was no help and wouldn't allow her back into the home. This story angered and saddened me at the same time. I wonder how many other teenagers experience this same fate every day in the U.S. and around the world. Know this: your parents did the best they could but sometimes it gets so bad they can't see straight. There's help available at places like Covenant House; they do care and will help you.

The streets are no place for teenagers. Please find a shelter and go to it. There's no shame in this. You can find Covenant House Homeless Shelters in the following areas: Anchorage, Atlanta, Atlantic City, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Managua, Mexico City, Milpas Altas, Newark, New Orleans, New York, Oakland, Orlando, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Tegucigalpa, Toronto, Vancouver, and Washington, D.C. Take advantage of the services Covenant House has to offer.

It's very unfortunate when your parents don't want you anymore. It wreaks havoc on your emotional and mental health. Remember, it's not your fault and there are people who care and will help you. Try not to get into your head and analyze the situation because you'll drive yourself crazy! You can recover from this and many teens have. Stay strong and get help today!

I read a disturbing article about a 17-year-old who participated in beating to death 15-year-old honor student Derrion Albert.  Eric Carson was 16-years-old when he helped beat to death Derrion.  Another teen who participated was 15-years-old.  He'll be placed in a dentition center until he's 21.  What would drive teenagers to commit a horrible crime?  Derrion had a bright future that was snuffed out by teens who obviously had nothing better to do.  Taking another person's life is serious offense.  Don't think because you're teens you won't do jail time because you will.  This isn't the 1980s where teens got away with murder.  Judges and along with the court system will throw the book at you.

If you're having issues, speak to someone about them.  Ask your teacher, guidance counselor, priest, Rabbi, next door neighbor, or someone you trust for help. 

If you have anger issues, talk to someone about it.  You need an outlet for your anger such as art therapy, regular therapy, working out, or someone other means to allow you to express your feelings.  Holding inside isn't the answer.  If you hold onto your anger, you'll explode and do something stupid that can kill you or another person.  Help is available -- ask for it.

Links

Teen Central
Teen Line Online
Teen 2 Teen Hotline
Boys Town National Hotline
Teen Contact

Teenage girls are considering becoming pregnant just to get on MTV's reality program Teen Mom.  This is insane!  Why would you want to put your body through something it really isn't prepared for?  Who will support you and your baby?  I don't think MTV will pay you $100,000 per episode.  And when your 15 minutes of fame are up, they're up!

Amber Portwood has become well known because she was on MTV's reality shows Teen Mom and 16 and pregnant.  Twenty-year-old Portwood had trouble with the law after she hit her boyfriend.

Girls and boys, if you're thinking about becoming pregnant just to get on a reality show, you may be desperate for fame.  Boys, if you're thinking about getting your girlfriend pregnant, think again.  Having a baby is a lifetime commitment.  I don't think MTV will set you up with a house and $20,000 per month so you can live happily ever after.

Becoming a parent is major responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly.  Getting on a reality show isn't the answer to fame and fortune.  If you want to be famous, start taking acting, singing, dancing, painting, drawing, guitar, and other classes that could help you reach your goals.
 
You live in a celebrity culture that's getting out of control.  The fact of the matter is children shouldn't be having children.  You're not ready for the responsibility both mentally and emotionally.  Enjoy being a teen.  When you have a child you won't be able to go out and have fun.  A baby is a major responsibility that you're probably not ready for.  While Teen Mom and 16 and Pregnant may seem glamorous, all that glitters isn't gold!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I will be in theaters on Friday, November 19; Part II will be in theaters in 2011.  This multi-billion dollar franchise is wrapping things up for Mr. Potter and his friends.  Does this mean Harry will be free of the Dementors and Lord Voldemort for good?  Time will only tell, it is after all, the entertainment business!

Do you have real life Dementors in your life?  In the world of Harry Potter, Dementors are known to suck the life out of people.  They feed on good emotions, happy memories, and positive energies and force their victims to relive their worst nightmares.  Worst of all is the 'Dementors Kiss' because once they latch their lips onto your lips they suck the life out of your soul!  You're left with an empty shell -- you cease to exist!  Perhaps you have people in your life who are Dementors.  How do you get rid of them or keep them away from you?  Let's find out.

If your friends are constantly whining and complaining, they could be Dementors disguised as teenagers.  Most people will say that teens have a tendency to whine and complain but if your friends are over-the-top whiners and complainers, they could be Dementors who are sucking the life out of you.  Would you rather be around positive and fun friends or ones that bring you down all of the time?  The choice is yours.

How to free yourself from the Dementors in your life

1.  Recognize the signs of Dementors:  moody, whiny, complaining, 'poor me' attitude, no motivation, and no zest for life.  Okay, most people would say that I just described the majority of teens but I know there are some teens who are motivated and want to live life to the fullest.

2.  Be happy and optimistic.  When you feel the coldness of people who are always negative, it will be enough to make you want to run for the hills!  If you have a positive, can do attitude, Dementors will be repelled by you and won't want to be your friend.  Be kind to them and send them lots of love but don't spend your precious time with them because it will bring you down.  You can't do any good in the world if you're feeling blue.

3.  Bless and let go of the Dementors in your life.  Stay on your path no matter what.  Don't allow others to bring you down to their level.  They'll eventually find their way and may even reconnect with you later in life.

Allowing and keeping Dementors in your life can weigh you down.  Have you ever felt exhausted, drained, or depressed around certain people?  If you said "Yes" then you picked up on negative energy which is like a virus that infects your system.  Rid yourself of negative energy by asking God, source energy, or whatever term you use to clear you of the negative energy.  You can take a deep breath in and let it out; imagine breathing in positive energy and exhaling negative energy.  The negative energy may even resemble a Dementor!

Teens, if you learn how to ward off Dementors and vanquish them from your life you'll be happier and peaceful.  No one has the right to 'rain on your parade' and make your life miserable.  You have this one life so make the most of it!

Choose your friends wisely because you never know who could be disguised as Dementors.  Harry Pottery may not be available to use his magic wand to protect you.  In fact, you could probably say "Expecto Patronum" in your mind which would create your own Patronos to keep the Dementors at bay.  Give it a try and see what happens!

I read a disturbing article on Philly.com about two teenage boys who put a kitten in a microwave and threw it out of a third-story window.  An eye witness saw the boys and called the police.  They rescued the kitten who suffered cuts and bruises but no broken bones.  The boys face misdemeanor charges for a crime that would have sent them to jail if they were adults.

Why would two teenage boys maliciously torture a defenseless animal?  Where were the parents?  If the boys treated an animal this way, how do they treat humans?  These boys were probably unsupervised.  Perhaps their parents aren't around a lot and they have to find their own fo

If you don't respect animals then you don't respect yourself or others.  Mistreating animals is often a sign that something isn't right.  If you think it's funny to harm an animal, you may be suffering from some psychological trauma and need help straightaway. 

Animals deserve the same respect you do.  Like you, they depend on others to care, love, and nurture them.  They openly trust humans even if and when they're abused.  They love unconditionally without any strings attached and can teach humans what it means to actually love someone.

If you or someone you know is mistreating animals, please get help.  No "being" deserves to be abused and tortured.  All of us deserve love and support.  If you're acting out because you're in a horrible situation, ask for and get help today before you do something that can put you away for life!

It's no surprise that teens are not taught how to harness the power of their minds.  You're not taught about the Law of Attraction and other laws that go with it.  You're not taught to focus on that which makes you happy.  You're not even taught about money.  You may have economics but many schools are not going above and beyond to teach you multiple streams of income.  You don't have to go college to be a multi-millionarie (Bill Gates is a drop out).  It's suggested that you do get a good education because it can be a great foundation for you if you no what you want out of life.

7 tips to improve your life

1.   Select your friends carefully.  Stop and listen to your friends.  Are they pessimistic or optimistic?  Are they always whining and complaining?  Do they dump all of their problems on you?  Be selective when it comes to friends because they can weigh you down.

2.  Watch what you read and listen to each day.  You want to stay informed about the current events but too much negative news is a bummer!  Who needs it?  Life is meant to be joyous and carefree, not all doom and gloom.  Stay informed but keep it to a minimum.

3.  Do what you want to do?  This can be tricky because you still live under your parents roof.  However, if you're interested in pursuing music, do it.  If you love fashion, start sketching or practice you runway walk.  Do what makes you happy.  If people "poo-poo" your interests, don't tell them what you're doing.  Keep it under wraps.

4.  Read self-help books.  Believe it or not, you can learn something from books, especially the ones that have been around for some time.  Learn to improve upon yourself.  Everyone can improve in more than one area of their life.  It will strengthen your character.  FYI:  reading is good for your mind!

5.  Get some exercise.  Working out keeps your body fit and mobile.  If you're able to get run, walk, jump rope, etc...Get outside and start running.  Take up martial arts, yoga, or some other sport.  Exercise is good for you!

6.  Meditate.  Quiet your mind for at least 10 minutes per day.  Think of it as "vegging out" without the TV. 

7.  Watch your thoughts.  If you constantly think horrible, pessimistic thoughts your life will be out of control.  Scientist are now recognizing the mind, body, soul connection.  If you're wondering why your life may not be going as you want it to, stop for a moment to reflect about what is going through your mind each day.  You may be surprised at what you're thinking.  Clear out the clutter and get a new attitude.

Being a teen is supposed to be the greatest part of your life.  Most teens have no responsibility with the exception of getting good grades, whereas others have extreme responsibility.  Whatever the case it, follow the above steps and your own to improve your life now and in the future. 

Teens in foster care have a lot in common with shelter dogs.  For example, most teens in foster care want to be adopted by a loving family or be reunited with their own family.  Shelter dogs would like a forever, loving home or be reunited with their owners.  If you stop and think about it, you have a lot in common and could help each other.

All teens and shelter want a loving and caring family in addition to being placed with a forever family.  Teens, you may have been placed into foster care for various reasons such as:  1) you were given up for adoption when you were a baby; 2)  you may come from an unstable home environment and social services stepped into help; and 3) your family may have fell on hard times or which resulted in you being placed in foster care. Shelter animals are often taken to shelters when they are kittens or puppies or as owner surrenders.  Teens in foster care and shelter animals really do have a lot in common.

FYI:  Volunteering at an animal shelter is a wonderful way to give back to the community and to learn skills that could serve you now and in the future.  You could learn how to train dogs, help them get adopted, and perhaps find a career path that resonates with you.

Animals are great teachers.  They don't worry about everything little detail of their life.  If they're abused, they forgive and are willing to trust again.  They may have some issues to work through but they usually get past them in time.

Teens in foster care may want to look into volunteer opportunities with local animal shelters.  You can also visit The Humane Society of the United States of America for shelters in your area.  Not only can you make a difference but you'll grow as a person and may work through any issues you have just by working with shelter animals.

Teens, what do you believe about yourself?  Do you believe you can do anything you put your mind to it?  Do you believe that you can have everything you want in life?  Do you believe negative self-talk you say to yourself?  What about the negative talk from others?  You have a mind of your own, use it!

Take a moment to write down the beliefs about yourself.  Review them and ask yourself if they're true.  Most likely they're not but you made them true because you believed them.  Remember, negative self-talk usually spins out-of-control because you're going through life on auto pilot.  If you're not awake in your life, you could be full of negative energy that is weighing you down.

Tips to believing in you

1.  Make a list of what you like about yourself (forget about what others told you).

2.  Make a list of your talents and skills.

3.  Look in the mirror and say "I love you!"  Do this every day.

4.  Say, "What others think about me is none of my business."

5.  Make a list of all the compliments you've received.  Think really hard about this one.  At first you may say, "No one gives me compliments."  I bet you can remember one or two or more compliments given to you.

6.  Keep a gratitude journal.

7.  Just believe in you!

Many people look outside of themselves for validation but this comes from within you. When you validate yourself and no you're worthy and deserving, others will see you as such.  Start believing in yourself today and watch as tomorrow opens up many possibilities for you!

With the suicide of Tyler Clementi and other teens, bullying is a hot topic that's not going away.  In Ohio, the Mentor school system has had many issues with bullying.  In fact, five students committed suicide within two and half years.  There are two law suits against Mentor High School and the administration.  What's going on with teens today?  Why the need for bullying?

Teens are encouraged to respond to this post and comment on what they think could be done about bullying. 

Here are some thoughts on what could be done about bullying from parents/adults from Cleveland, Ohio.

1.  Bring back prayer, The Pledge of Allegiance, the Golden Rule, and the Ten Commandments.  Have respect for these and you'll have respect for others.  Bringing back "the paddle" isn't a bad idea either.

2.  Students who are mentally and physically stronger than bullies should stand up for those who are being bullied.  The bully needs to be thwarted and realize there are others who will point them out.  All students have a responsibility to their fellow students and parents.  Bullying should not be tolerated or allowed.

3.  Bullying has been around for a long time, even in the 40s!  It wasn't a problem back then because teachers and principals hands weren't tied like they are today.  The problems of our youth can't be solved if teachers and principals have no control.  Dr. Spock's book should have been burned!

4.  Bullying and other problems is now the responsibility of the schools because parents are not teaching their children to respect others.  Respect, responsibility, and reliability are not being taught today.  Teach these and you'll resolve bullying.

5.  A mandatory assembly should take place on the first day of school.  Parents should be expected to show up, sit next to their kids, and listen to the rules and regulations of the school.  It should be explained that bullying is unacceptable and how students suffer because of it. The consequences for bullying should be outlined and parents should understand they could be held liable if their child bullies another student.  Consequences could include a fine, detention and or expulsion of their child.  Furthermore, children should be taught to respect others as soon as they come out of the womb!

Good Morning America has been following the growing problem of bullying in schools and what to do about it.  Eleven-year-old Tyler Wilson, an Ohio 6th grader joined the Flag City Youth Cheerleading squad to be a cheerleader.  He was teased and beaten by two of his classmates because he’s a cheerleader; they broke his arm.  Tyler’s mom filed assault charges against the alleged attackers.  The attackers have threatened to break Tyler’s other arm because he told on them.  He told his mom and she told the principal who’s supposed to deal with the attackers. 

Why would Tyler’s classmates care what Tyler does?  Don’t they have lives of their own?  Are they jealous?  Tyler’s story isn’t unique.  Statistics show that 1 in 3 middle and high school students have been bullied and 1 in 9 high schools students (3 million students) have been tripped, shoved, pushed, or spit on in the last school year.  These statistics are disturbing.

Bullying someone isn’t a rite of passage.  Kicking, tripping, or making fun of someone makes you look immature and doesn’t say much about you as a person.  It says that you need to pick on someone to make yourself feel good.  Most psychologists would agree that you feel insecure.  Being a bully isn't the way to make you feel good about yourself.  If you're bullying someone because you're being bullied, remember that two wrongs don't make a right!

The key to squashing bullying is prevention not dealing with it after it happens.  Teens need to know that there’s no reason for bullying.  Picking on someone because they’re different or have different interests doesn’t make you a “big” person – it makes you a weak one.  

Quite frankly, what others do is none of your business!  Teens, you go to school to learn, that is your job.  If you’re too busy worrying or paying attention to what others are doing, you're obviously not focused on your school work which is probably suffering because of it.

The good news for Tyler is that no one will break his spirit.  A couple of college cheerleaders visited Tyler to cheer him on as he stands his ground.  Currently, there are 90,000 male college cheerleaders and the popularity is growing at high school and college levels.

Here’s the link to watch Tyler’s story on Good Morning America.