The Whitsdom Press

Tag: teenagers

  • Don’t Sleep on Summer: Amazing Learning Opportunities for High Schoolers

    Summer vacation: a time for relaxation, late nights, and maybe even a bit of boredom. But what if your high school student could use those sunny days to get a head start on college, explore a new passion, or even travel the world? Consider them summer learning programs! These programs offer a fantastic way for high school students to keep their minds engaged, develop valuable skills, and gain a competitive edge.

    Why Choose a Summer Learning Program?

    Summer programs aren’t just about academics (though they can definitely help boost your GPA!). Here are some of the long-term benefits:

    • Exploring interests: Students get to deep dive into a subject they love, whether it’s robotics, creative writing, or marine biology. Many programs offer hands-on learning experiences you won’t find in a traditional classroom setting.
    • Get a taste of college life: Residential college programs gives your student a chance to live on a college campus, take university-level courses, and experience dorm life. This can help you and your student feel more prepared for the transition to college.
    • Build your resume: Stand out from the crowd with unique experiences and achievements. Leadership programs, internships, and research opportunities at universities look fantastic on college applications.
    • Travel and broaden your horizons: Immerse yourself in a new culture through study abroad programs. Learn a language, volunteer in a local community, and gain a global perspective.

    Summer 2024: Gear Up for Learning and Adventure!

    Here are just a few exciting summer programs happening this year (and are offered every year):

    • CIEE High School Summer Abroad (May 20 – August 10): Explore fascinating destinations from Costa Rica to China while taking language courses and participating in cultural excursions. They offer partial and full scholarships. If your student applies before December for Summer 2025, they could get a chance to earn a scholarship plus free travel to their destination and back.
    • Harvard Summer School (June 24 – August 9): Take college-level courses from Harvard faculty and experience the Ivy League life on their historic campus.
    • National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) (Various Dates): Develop leadership skills, network with peers from across the country, and participate in workshops on relevant topics like social justice and entrepreneurship. Dates vary depending on location.
    • Experiment in International Living (Multiple Programs): Travel the globe while volunteering in local communities and learning about different cultures. Programs run throughout the summer.
    • Bank of America Student Leaders Program (June 16 – July 27): This prestigious program offers leadership training, college prep workshops, and internship opportunities for high school juniors.

    Find Your Perfect Program:

    This is just a small sampling of the incredible summer learning opportunities available. There are plenty of programs that closely or fully aligns with your students’ interests and goals. Encourage your student to speak with their guidance counselor, explore program websites, and to not be afraid to step outside their comfort zone! Summer is the perfect time for them to learn, grow, and discover the amazing things they are capable of.

  • The Launchpad: Helping Your Teenager Chart Their Course After High School

    Graduation – a momentous occasion that marks the end of one chapter and the exciting beginning of another. But with that excitement often comes a whirlwind of questions for both teenagers and their parents: What’s next?

    The good news is, there’s no single “right” answer. The post-high school landscape offers a variety of paths, each with its own advantages. Let’s explore some of the most common options to help you and your teenager have a productive conversation about their future.

    The Traditional Path: College

    College remains a popular choice, offering a chance to delve deeper into specific interests, develop critical thinking skills, and broaden one’s knowledge base. Four-year universities aren’t the only option, either. Community colleges provide a cost-effective way to earn associate degrees or transfer to four-year programs.

    Gearing Up for a Trade: Vocational Schools

    Vocational schools or trade schools focus on providing hands-on training for specific careers like welding, cosmetology, or automotive repair. These programs often lead to industry certifications and can be a great way to quickly enter the workforce with in-demand skills.

    Serving Your Country: The Military

    The military offers a structured and disciplined environment, valuable job training, and the opportunity to travel and serve a greater cause. Military service can also provide financial assistance for college education after discharge.

    Expanding Horizons: Studying Abroad

    For the adventurous student, studying abroad presents a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a new culture while earning a degree. This path broadens perspectives, fosters independence, and can give a resume a real edge.

    Taking a Gap Year: Broadening Horizons Through Service

    For some teenagers, a gap year can be a valuable opportunity to explore their interests, gain new skills, and give back to the community before diving into college or the workforce. Several programs like AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and City Year offer structured volunteer experiences that can be both personally enriching and socially impactful. These programs can provide a chance to travel, learn new languages, and develop leadership skills.

    Entering the Workforce

    Some teenagers may be eager to jump right into the workforce and start earning a living. This can be a great way to gain valuable real-world experience and build a strong work ethic. Apprenticeships can also be a good option, combining on-the-job training with paid work.

    Becoming Your Own Boss: Starting a Business

    For the entrepreneurial spirit, starting a business can be incredibly rewarding. This path requires research, planning, and a strong work ethic, but the potential for success and personal fulfillment can be immense.

    The Key: Open Communication and Exploration

    The most important thing is to have open and honest conversations with your teenager. Discuss their interests, strengths, and what kind of lifestyle they envision. Encourage them to research different options, take aptitude tests, and talk to professionals in fields that pique their curiosity.

    Remember, the path after high school isn’t always linear. Some teenagers may choose to combine options, like attending community college while working part-time, or serving in the military and then using GI benefits to pursue a degree. The key is to support your teenager in their exploration and help them make informed decisions about their future.

  • From Likes to Legacy: Teaching Teens About Digital Footprints

    Talking to teens about social media responsibility and digital footprinting is crucial in today’s digital age. As parents, grandparents, and caregivers, we play a vital role in guiding our teens toward safe and responsible online behavior. Let’s break it down into actionable steps:

    1. Understand the Landscape

    Before diving into conversations with your teens, it’s essential to grasp the social media landscape. Acknowledge that social media is an integral part of their lives, and it’s here to stay. Here are some key points:

    • Benefits and Risks: Social media offers both benefits and risks. While it connects people, provides information, and fosters creativity, it can also lead to mental health issues, cyberbullying, and privacy concerns.

    2. Open Dialogue

    Keep communication channels open with your teens. Regularly discuss social media and technology. Here’s how:

    • Current Events and Trends: Use current events as conversation starters. If you come across a new social media trend or challenge, ask your teen to explain it. Discuss how their digital presence can impact their future goals.  

    3. Set Guidelines

    Establish clear guidelines for social media use. Consider the following:

    • Time Limits: Limit the amount of time your teen spends on social media. Encourage breaks and offline activities. For example, once your teen come homes from school, a good schedule would be homework, chores, family time, chill time (social media, gaming, etc.) Also consider other methods to replace social media, such as video gaming, or a fun and mentally-healthy app on the VR headset (for those who have them.) Outside of tech, there’s reading time and outdoor time.
    • Device-Free Bedrooms: Remove devices from their bedrooms at night to promote healthy sleep habits. When it is my daughter’s bedtime, I take away the tablet and remove the gaming controller in her room. We call it “tech down time.”
    • Behavior Monitoring: Pay attention and be vigilant for problematic behaviors, such as excessive cravings for social media, compulsively wanting to their electronic versus dealing with everyday needs like eating, inability to stop, and dishonesty.

    4. Teach Digital Footprinting

    Help your teens understand their digital footprint—the trail of information they leave online. Here’s how:

    • Permanent Record: Explain that what they post online stays forever. Colleges, employers, and others may view their profiles. As a former College Access Counselor at a high school I had to host a seminar to my juniors about how their social media profiles could possibly affect their college admissions and scholarship acceptances, even if the profile is private. In 2020, a few graduating high school seniors lost their college admissions acceptances into amazing colleges like Cornell and Marquette because of their racial slurs made on social media.
    • Think Before Posting: Encourage critical thinking. Teenagers (and adults) should always think before sharing anything, “Would I want this to be part of my permanent record?” or “Would I be proud of this 10 years later?” There have been many people who became popular over the years, and due to the change of the culture, old tweets could be found offensive. For example, Tiktok chef/influencer turned Harris County (Houston) prosecutor, Waymond Wesley/Chef Way was in hot water a few years ago for old tweets resurfacing that were colorist, anti-Black, and insulting Black women. While he didn’t lose his job, he did lose a brand partnership.

    5. Privacy and Security

    Discuss privacy settings and security measures:

    • Privacy Settings: Teach your teens how to adjust privacy settings on different platforms. Remind them to limit personal information visibility. The only people who should know your location are your loved ones.
    • Password Safety: Emphasize strong, unique passwords and the importance of not sharing them. A mix of numbers, letters, (alphanumerical) and symbols are helpful towards creating a strong password and securing you accounts.
    • Avoid Oversharing: Caution against sharing sensitive details like addresses, phone numbers, or travel plans publicly. While it is okay to have a pen pal, it is not okay to share your personal information such as your address, real name, or even photos of yourself. Even when taking pictures of your surroundings, be careful what you capture and share on social media. Late rapper Pop Smoke, was killed in his Hollywood Hills home after his “opps” saw his address on his luggage tag that he posted on social media.

    6. Cyberbullying Awareness

    I once watched the ABC Family movie ‘Cyberbully‘ with Emily Osment and Kay Panabaker, and it really showed the dark side of online interactions and bullying on social media. The film highlights the devastating impact of cyberbullying on mental health and emphasizes the need for empathy, awareness, and responsible online behavior. Raise awareness about cyberbullying:

    • Kindness Online: Encourage kindness and empathy. Remind them that words have real impact with real consequences. Michelle Carter, a Massachusetts woman who texted her boyfriend that he should kill himself was convicted of involuntary manslaughter because the boyfriend did die by suicide per those text messages. She was sentenced to 15 months in prison and five years probation in 2017.
    • Reporting: Teach them how to report bullying or harmful content on social media platforms. Remember the phrase “if you see something, say something?” Online is no different. Even if these people are strangers, they are people at the end of the day. If you don’t like being bullied, why watch others be bullied?

    7. Lead by Example

    Parents and guardians, you must model responsible social media behavior:

    • Show Respect: Treat others online as you would in person. I have seen people on YouTube in these “sectors” or communities doing the craziest things online in order to get their channels monetized, get cash apps with large crowds in the chat and viewership, and more. In the midst of it all, there is a lot of “plays being ran”, doxing personal information to the public airways, and arguing at each other from the time their kids go to bed to the time their kids wake up for school. Your teenagers are seeing you do this, so be a better example.
    • Fact-Check: Verify information before sharing. There are so many conspiracies and clout-chasers running around, you must recognize the real from the fake. It never hurts to research before posting. Otherwise, scroll on by.
    • Balance: Demonstrate a balanced approach to social media use. For your own mental health and wellness, balance time with your teenager, your family, yourself, and your own social media use; especially if social media is your side-hustle.

    Remember, our teens need guidance, not restrictions. Engage in open conversations, listen actively, and empower them to make informed choices. By fostering a healthy digital environment, we can help our teens navigate social media responsibly and build a positive digital footprint

  • How to Support Your Teen's Mental Health in 2024: A Guide for Parents

    As a parent, you want the best for your child. You want them to be happy, healthy, and successful. But sometimes, it can be hard to know how to help them cope with the challenges of adolescence, especially in a world that is constantly changing and evolving.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of teenagers around the world. According to various studies, more than a third of high school students in the U.S. reported poor mental health, persistent sadness or hopelessness, and emotional abuse by a parent or caregiver during the pandemic. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms among youth globally increased by 25% and 20%, respectively, compared to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, some teens experienced racism, physical abuse, and job loss in their families as a result of the pandemic. These factors may increase the risk of suicide among vulnerable youth who lack adequate support and resources.

    That’s why we’ve put together this blog post with some tips on how to support your teen’s mental health in 2024. Whether it’s dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, we hope these tips will help you and your teen navigate this difficult but rewarding stage of life.

    Tip #1: Listen without judging

    One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to listen to your teen without judging them. Teens often feel misunderstood, isolated, or criticized by their parents, which can make them reluctant to open up or seek help. By listening to your teen with empathy and respect, you can show them that you care about their feelings and opinions and that you are there to support them, not to judge them.

    To listen without judging, try to avoid interrupting, lecturing, or giving advice unless your teen asks for it. Instead, use active listening skills such as nodding, paraphrasing, asking open-ended questions, and reflecting back their emotions. For example, you could say something like “It sounds like you’re feeling really overwhelmed by school right now” or “I can see that you’re really passionate about this topic”. This way, you can help your teen feel heard and validated, and encourage them to share more with you.

    Tip #2: Encourage healthy habits

    Another way to support your teen’s mental health is to encourage them to adopt healthy habits that can boost their mood and well-being. These include getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, staying hydrated, and avoiding drugs and alcohol. These habits can help your teen cope with stress, regulate their emotions, and improve their self-esteem.

    To encourage healthy habits, you can model them yourself and make them part of your family routine. For example, you can set a regular bedtime and wake-up time for yourself and your teen, prepare nutritious meals and snacks together, join a fitness class or a sports team with your teen, or drink water instead of soda or alcohol. You can also praise your teen for making healthy choices and reward them with positive reinforcement such as hugs, compliments, or privileges.

    Tip #3: Help them find professional help if needed

    Sometimes, listening and encouraging healthy habits are not enough to support your teen’s mental health. If your teen is showing signs of a serious mental health problem such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts, they may need professional help from a therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, or other mental health provider.

    To help your teen find professional help if needed, you can start by talking to them about the benefits of therapy and how it can help them cope with their challenges. You can also reassure them that seeking help is not a sign of weakness or failure, but a sign of strength and courage. You can then help them find a suitable provider who specializes in working with teens and who matches their preferences in terms of gender, ethnicity, culture, or approach. You can also offer to accompany them to their first appointment or check in with them regularly about how they are doing.

    Supporting your teen’s mental health in 2024 may not be easy, but it is definitely worth it. By listening without judging, encouraging healthy habits, and helping them find professional help if needed, you can show your teen that you love them unconditionally and that you are always there for them. Remember that you are not alone in this journey – there are many resources and support groups available for parents of teens with mental health issues. Together, we can make 2024 a better year for our teens and ourselves.