It is not that difficult to motivate an adolescent, just push the dopamine button in their brain! When you think of dopamine, think of reward. The anticipation of a reward is even enough to raise dopamine levels in the brain and bring on a pleasurable…
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what happens during puberty
Adolescents See You Through an Emotional Lens
December 7, 2017
When you look into the face of another adult, your brain helps you determine if the person you are with is happy, sad or in any other emotional state. That is because your prefrontal cortex, behind the forehead, is fully developed and uses logic to…
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Girl Tribes & Secrets
November 22, 2017
As middle school girls enter the early days of puberty, they begin to pull away from their parents and form very private tribes, as we call them, with their friends. These tribes usually have intense secrecy expectations and provide a safe place for the girls…
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How Important is a “Son Hug”?
October 12, 2017
The puberty years bring with them challenges for kids who are experiencing the changes happening in their body and mind, and challenges for the parents who are trying to understand their maturing child. Conflicts that never existed before with your son, are almost a daily…
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Maturing Through Disappointment
September 21, 2017
Here is a great quote from Michael Jordan: “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions, I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot….and I missed. I have failed over and over…
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