Recently we talked about helping teenagers prepare for responsible adulthood. You suggested that the process begin at an early age. Today, let's take a look at building responsibility and confidence in young children.

What are some practical ways to instill basic responsibilities in your young toddler?

• Picking up their clothes (as early as 2 years)
  1. Provide easy access to the hamper.
  2. Have them sort between white and dark clothes.
  3. Make it fun! Perhaps it's 2 points for every "basket" they make.

One portion of the new health-reform legislation that caught my eye was this: Until young adults turn 26, they can remain as dependents on their parents insurance. As I understand it, neither marriage nor employment have any effect on this provision.

As a society have we extended adolescence too far? 

• New social reality for 20-somethings...they cannot or do not become independent adults when they turn 18 or even 21.
• The median number of years to complete a college degree has risen from 4 to 5 since 1970.

• The word "adolescence" was invented in the 20^th century  "Teenager didn't make it to the dictionary until the 1950's.

I had the opportunity to interview Mark Gregston, an author, speaker, national radio host, and the founder of Heartlight, a residential counseling home for struggling adolescents, where he lives with 50 high school teenagers. I asked Mark about what he had learned specifically by ministering to teenagers who had been adopted. http://www.heartlightministries.org

My Q&A with Mark:

1.     What things should parents think about when considering adoption?

• There is a definite possibility of more challenges.
• The teen years are especially difficult. Adopted children are trying to find their own identity and are asking hard questions ...like, Why did my birth-mom give me up? What was she like? Who am I really? Do I look like my mom or my dad?
• If and when you have specific problems with your child, they are not necessarily your fault.
• There is help available. Don't hesitate to ask.

Teenagers admit to a stronger likelihood of drinking and driving on prom night. Lets take a closer at the research and what parents can do to help their teenager avoid a possible disaster? 

1. According to a national survey of more than 2,500 11^th and 12^th graders, 90 percent of teens believe their counterparts are more likely to drink and drive on prom night. There is a disconnect though. Only 29 percent say that driving on prom night comes with a high degree of danger.