I write this post not long after talking with a frustrated friend. Last night, she received what has become a typical phone call from her husband. Such conversations often begin with his saying: “I forgot…” “Can you please bring me…?” “Oh, I didn’t know that was happening today…” Last night, he needed a ride to a restaurant where he left his jacket and keys. My friend literally put dinner on the backburner, got in her car, and did her due diligence as a gracious spouse.   My friend’s husband...

What to Do If Your Teen Is Falling Behind in School Schoology, Google Classroom, and other learning management systems have made it easier for parents to monitor their children’s grades and specific activities. For many families, such portals show academic growth and success, and become a source of encouragement and celebration. But, for other families, the same tools may lead to contention and stress as missing assignments pile up and grades plummet as a result. The latter scenario...

It’s a Monday morning and, as usual, Nora awakens to the chime of her phone alarm. It’s time to get ready for school, but Nora’s parents have a hard time remembering a drama-free morning when she didn’t dawdle, complain of a stomach ache, become really emotional, etc. In fact, Nora hasn’t ridden the bus in two months and has been marked tardy a whopping 21 times. Pair these incidents with six full-day absences this semester, and Nora’s parents feel more than frustrated. They’re legitimately...