“Vaping” (or electronic cigarettes) has become a big problem with Middle School and High School youth. They think it’s safe because it tastes sweet, but it’s not. There’s nicotine as well as other chemicals and particles in the vapor that can harm the lungs and the developing teen brain. http://www.cdc.gov

I know communication with a teenager can be challenging.  Just remember they still need you and the guidance of your adult brain, even though they act like they don’t.

Teens can become addicted to the nicotine.  Nicotine is very addictive and hard to quit.

Contact me here if you’d like more information.  I also have helpful communication tips for talking with teens and keeping the lines of communication open.

If nothing you do is working, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re not the only one who struggles with parenting a teenager. I’ve been there too!

Two of my favorite books for parenting a teenager are:

Get Out of My Life, but first could you drive me and Cheryl to the mall?  by Anthony Wolf

How to Talk So Teens Will Listen, and Listen So Teens Will Talk, by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish

Check out TeenLine.org   TEEN LINE is a non-profit teen help hotline based out of Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.   Teen “Listeners”  at Teen Line are trained and supervised by therapists to help teens who call, email, or text Teen Line.  “The line is free and open every night from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Pacific Time and can be reached by calling  (310) 855-4673 or (800) 852-8336 (US & Canada only). It’s been running since 1980, making it one of the oldest help hotlines in the country.” Wikipedia

One last word of caution:  If your teen is depressed or withdrawn or having mental/emotional problems, be sure to remove any guns from the home.  Sadly, teen suicide is on the rise because teens are able to access unsecured guns in the home or in a friend’s home.  You might talk with his friend’s parents about securely locking up their guns separate from the ammunition so kids and teens can’t access them.  We need to prevent unintentional tragedies. We see too many today.