Hi! I’m Melanie:
blogger, wife, and mom of three boys
I am here to share my love for teenagers with you.
I am also here to share my hard fought knowledge gained from life with teenagers.
There has been at least one teen in my house since 2010, and we will have one here until 2024!
My husband and I have learned lots of lessons through these years, and there is so much to learn that it can be overwhelming!
Our youngest is in 11th grade and the oldest is 24! The trail from middle school, to getting into college, and onto graduation is a long, but precious journey.
The teenage years have been, and still are, a slippery slope. Parenting seems to never end. I’ve witnessed some pretty funny moments with my kids and had some downright tough love moments too, that have brought me to tears.
I bring my experience from 10 years in the elementary classroom, 10 years in the preschool classroom, and 2 years in middle school to everything that I do. All of this time with kids has helped me to know how and oftentimes, what teens are thinking. Each age has its own challenges, but the teen years take the cake.
I encourage you to stay in conversation with your teen. They may not want you, but they don’t know that you are exactly what they need. Stay connected with your teen because as you all navigate these years, you will both be glad as you come out on the other side as your teen grows up and matures into their young adult years.
Parenting High Schoolers focuses on parenting through the teen years into adulthood. I share articles that are helpful to you. I also write about taking care of yourself as a mom and ideas to be a better friend, mother, and partner.
Here are my most popular posts:
Mom Self Care: Give Yourself The Gift of 4:15
Advice for Middle School Success
You have an 18 year old -get the facts about what’s legal!
7 Best books for parenting teens
5 tips: how to get ready for college
Best year round posts for parenting teens and tweens: 50+ Titles
I would love for you to follow me on Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram!
Do you feel alone as you try to parent through difficult issues? Are you struggling to figure out all the ins and outs of college prep? Of life prep? Of helping your teen to make big decisions? What about finding scholarships? Or learning how to drive or the ins and outs of dating relationships?
I will give your encouragement to take care of yourself in the midst of this messy place that we call life. I’d like to help you with some strategies to make things a little bit easier. I am not an expert, but I have made it through two teens, and have tried a lot of strategies, and have learned so much as I have researched different blog posts.
you may also like:
15 Best Gifts For Dad That a Teen Can Afford!
Father's Day and Dad's birthday can be tough. Here are the best gifts for Dad that a teen can afford, AND that Dad...
5 Steps to Avoid Losing Your Cool With Your Teen This Summer
My good friend Shannon Hale at www.skiptomylife.com has kindly written this guest post letting us know how to avoid...
Stressed Out Teens? 15 Simple Ways Parents Can Help
So, you have a stressed out teen... Today is such a strange reality. We are all home. Working at home. Staying at...
Ideas For Parents in May: 10 Timely Tips
Ideas for parents in May that will be helpful! What I'm learning and loving in the month of May, I talk about a few...
What Will My Freshman Need In The Dorm: The 4-1-1 for Success!
Yesterday they played with teddy bears. Now you wonder, "What will my freshman need in the dorm?" This post will help...
7 Helpful Ways to Help Your Student Prepare for Finals
Right now our students are super stressed with finals. Whether they have high school finals or college finals, doesn't...
What Are The Best Subscription Boxes For Mom? 25+ Great Ideas
Are you like me? Are you constantly wondering what to give your mom for her birthday? Mother’s Day? Does she already...
Bible Verses For High School Seniors: 15 Strong Verses
I have collected what I consider to be the 15 best Bible verses to encourage high school seniors in this post! As our...
Ideas for Parents in April: 10 Timely Tips
Ideas for Parents in April What I'm learning and loving in the month of April! "Smart Parents" is a series that I'm...
7 Things to Know If You Love a Teenager
If you're here, then you must have a teenager in your life. Loving a teen is wonderful, challenging, frustrating, and...
PHS Weekly Review
(PHS) Week In Review! How are you this week? Parenting Wisdom "...It's weird, I know, but I find cleaning cathartic."...
Be The First To Know These 29 Simple Ways To Prepare For College!
There are many ways to prepare for college. There are so many things to know when you teen is starting to think about...
College and Career Planning: 3 Secrets to Success
College and career planning starts young. Younger than you think! Start conversations in middle school. Continue them...
Dorm Room Storage Ideas: 15+ Easy Hacks
Here are great dorm room storage ideas that make the space more organized and user-friendly! There are easy dorm room...
10+ Great Games to Play with Your Teens
The quote below is so true, and I am going to help you out this season to find some really great games to play with...
PHS Weekly Review
(PHS) Week In Review! How are you this week? Parenting Wisdom "Needing to have things perfect is the surest way to...
How To Say No To your Teenager- 7 Ways To Succeed!
Are you exhausted from your whining, wheedling teenager? What is your teen wanting you to say "yes" to? It takes a lot...
PHS Weekly Review
(PHS) Week In Review! How are you this week? Parenting Wisdom "Encourage and support your kids because children are...
Cinco de Mayo With Teens Can Be So Fun! 31 Ways to Celebrate!
Cinco de Mayo means fifth of May. It is important for one area of Mexico, and has become a fun American tradition to...
Middle School: 9 Tips For Success
Middle school is a time of transition and growing. Your child leaves elementary school, and has three years to be...
Prepping Your Teen For Life Is Easier Than You Think
As you navigate the teenage years with your child, you move from the role of a supervisor to more of a mentor parent. You are prepping your child to be a successful adult themselves, so use conversations to ease the way forward.
Do not let your teen disconnect during these years! Use the tools I’ve created below to make your job easier during this time. In addition to these tools, I share information on my blog each month to help you on your journey with your teen. It takes a village, and I am thrilled to be here with you!
Get the High School Parent Survival Kit!
Grab the High School Parent Survival Kit with checklists, to-dos, and calendars for all four years of high school. Stay organized with the necessary information required when applying for colleges, scholarships and future employment.
Learn exactly what you need to talk about with your middle and high schoolers who are planning to go to college and why.
