SUPPORT & ADVICE

There has been considerable controversy over school-based Project 10 counseling services in the past few years. Started by Virginia Uribe at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, the Project 10 model is now being used at high schools across the nation to give counseling and emotional support to students who know or feel that they …

When teens feel or fear they may be gay Read More »

Bacterial Vaginosis, or B.V., is simply a new name for the old infection Gardnerella Vaginitis, also known as Hemophilus Vaginitis. What is the infection with all these names? Bacterial vaginosis is the name for the organism responsible for a malodorous vaginal discharge which also causes irritation of the vagina and genital area. This infection is …

What is bacterial vaginosis? Read More »

Many parents wonder when a teenage girl should have her first pelvic exam and Pap smear. Such exams should begin when she starts having sex–or when you suspect that she may be sexually active. The Pap smear, as you may know, involves a slight scraping of the cervix with the cells obtained placed on a …

What you need to know about abnormal pap smears in adolescent girls Read More »

Many people assume that marijuana isn’t really a threat to health. But the drug has changed in recent years. The potency of a major ingredient – THC – has recently increased 10 t0 20 times. And researchers are discovering new, disturbing facts about the effects of marijuana on the body. For example: • A UCLA …

The Effects of Smoking Marijuana Read More »

It’s part of every parent’s nightmare: a teen daughter gets pregnant, your teenage son causes a pregnancy, or your teen tells you that he or she is gay. What can you do? First, contain your own feelings. Listening rather than lashing out can make a vital difference, not only in the resolution of the sexuality …

How To Approach a Sexually Related Crisis Read More »

Many parents feel that talking with their teens about birth control will either give the teens ideas, or communicate parental permission to have sex. However, teens do have ideas about sex, and some actually have sex without either birth control information or our knowledge or permission. And, you, as a parent, can give birth control …

Talking With Your Teen About Birth Control Read More »

What are some good reasons for your teenager to say no to sex? You might tell him or her: 1. “Hold off if you don’t know each other well.” The best sexual sharing comes with someone you know and trust. Why do it with someone who isn’t special to you? 2. “The risk of sexually …

Even More Good Reasons for Your Teen to Say “No” To Sex Read More »

If you’re feeling middle-aged, tired, in a rut, and less fit than you used to be, it isn’t surprising that you might sometimes envy your teen’s physical beauty, strength, youth, and seemingly limitless life choices and opportunities. These feelings of envy are understandable, giving some of the losses of middle age. But ask yourself if, …

Are You Envious of Your Teenager? Read More »

If you’re expecting a baby, you might think you’ve prepared your family adequately for the big event, but wait – have you prepared your pet? Don’t laugh; it’s important if you want your dog or cat and the baby to become good friends, Here’s what a nationally recognized animal trainer suggests: • Be sure your …

Preparing Your Pet For Your New Baby Read More »

Adolescents aren’t necessarily better equipped to deal with divorce because of their age. Anger and uncertainty are normal reactions for these kids, although they may be more adept at hiding these feelings. • Adolescents are learning to separate from the family as a unit and their growth toward independence, and divorce poses additional conflicts for …

Explaining Divorce Read More »