Love and Logic

The co-founders of Love and Logic, a philosophy founded by Jim Fay and Foster Cline, provide simple and practical techniques to help raise responsible kids, and easily and immediately change their children's behavior.

Love and Logic Articles Resources for Parents

Provides links to useful articles, like the ones below, for parents with teens, along with parents of kids with special needs.

• Have a Plan for Dealing With Peer Pressure

• Teenagers and Spring Fever

• You Can Save Your Child's Life

• What's More Important: GPA or Character?

• When It's Time for Them to Get a Life

Middle School EduGuide
EduGuide is a national nonprofit organization that provides many guides, tools, and resources to help parents make the most of their children’s education, from cradle to college. Parents and students can ask questions, get advice, and share experiences. A great resource!

Parentpedia – The Encyclopedia for Parents
Parentpedia is a unique online parenting encyclopedia offering expert opinion, collaborative advice from parents, and real-life stories. It covers all aspects of raising kids, all in an easy-to-find, easy-to-read format.

Mom’s Homeroom
This site features advice and information from experienced moms to moms. Discover ideas, activities, and resources to help your kids learn and succeed in school.

4 Parents.org
This site contains information for parents to help their son or daughter be prepared to make healthy choices. It includes conversation starters and lots of tips on talking to your teen or pre-teen.

American School Counselor Association
Good articles for parents on a variety of issues.

Girls Health.gov
This is a very girl- and parent- friendly website from the U.S. Department of health that covers many topics from drugs and bullying to illness and nutrition. A good starting point fo a parent-daughter chat on difficult topics. The site gives girls reliable, useful information on health issues they will face as they become young women and tips on handling relationships with family and friends, at school and at home.

U.S. Department of Education
A variety of resources for parents covering topics such as helping your child to be successful in school to checklists and tips.

Michigan Department of Education – Parents and Family
This page on the MDE website contains information on a wide variety of topics pertinent to parents in Michigan. Many of the resources can be downloaded and printed.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry -- ADHD- A Guide for Families

• The AACAP is the leading national professional medical association dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and families affected by mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

• Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
  The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF) is a parent-led, not-for-profit, Web-based membership organization of families raising children diagnosed with, or at risk for, pediatric bipolar disorder.

• Facing Bipolar
  This site contains all kinds of information about bipolar disorder including facts, the highs and lows, treatment, and support.

• National Association for Children of Alcoholics
  The people hurt most by drugs and alcohol don't even use them; they are the CHILDREN of alcoholics and other drug dependent parents. The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) believes that none of these children should grow up in isolation and without support. Their mission is to advocate for all children and families affected by alcoholism and other drug dependencies. They help kids hurt by parental alcohol and drug use.

• Depressed Teens.com
  This is an educational site dedicated to helping teenagers and their parents and educators understand the signs and symptoms of teenage depression and provide resources for those ready to reach out and get the help they need.

• University of Michigan Depression Center
  This is the nation’s first comprehensive depression center with information about depression, depressive disorders, and treatments.

• Children and Divorce -- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  The AACAP is the leading national professional medical association dedicated to treating and improving the quality of life for children, adolescents, and families affected by mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders including the impact of divorce.

• Parents. The Anti-Drug
  Up-to-date information about drugs, signs and symptoms of use, and tips for parents.

• Drug Abuse: Above the Influence
  This web site was created for the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign (a program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy). This campaign reflects what teens across the country have said is going on in their lives. Their goal is to help teens stay above the influence believing that the more aware teens are of the influences around them, the better prepared they will be to stand up to the pressures that keep them down. The site gives another perspective and the latest facts so teens can make smart decisions regarding drug and alcohol use.

• This Blood Alcohol Calculator can help determine alcohol intoxication.

• A national database of Drug Rehab centers

• National Eating Disorders Association
  This organization is dedicated to providing education, resources and support to those affected by eating disorders. You’ll find a Parent Toolkit with helpful information, up-to-the-minute news stories and much more.

• Eating Disorder Awareness Guide

• Children’s Grief Education Association
  This organization is dedicated to serving the needs of grieving children and families and to providing education and support to those who serve them.

• Parents Trauma Resource Center
  An excellent tool for parents and caregivers to easily find detailed information about grief and trauma.

• Stop Underage Drinking
  A comprehensive portal of federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue. People interested in underage drinking prevention—including parents, educators, community-based organizations, and youth—will find a wealth of valuable information here.

1. Check your child's planner every night

2. Schedule 1 to 2 hours a night for homework/review

3. Study with your child before tests and quizzes

4. Help your child get organized

5. Talk to your child often about his/her progress

6. Check to see that homework has been completed 

7. Encourage your child to stay after school on days tutoring is offered if they need extra help

8. Log in to Parent Connect frequently to monitor your child’s grades, missing assignments, and attendance. Directions for Parent Connect are here.

9. Communicate with teachers via email or phone

10. Provide incentives to your child when he/she completes assignments

11. Ensure your child has a quiet place to study and complete homework

12. Monitor your child's attendance to ensure he/she attends school every day

13. Provide logical consequences when your child does not complete assignments

Communicate high expectations. Make sure your student understands that you expect him or her to complete homework, study for tests, graduate from high school and continue learning after high school.

Check grades. Take advantage of online information in Parent Connect for your student’s grades, missing assignments and attendance. If you do not have Internet access at home, try using the computers at the public library. Directions for Parent Connect are here.

Contact your child’s teachers. If you have questions or concerns about your son/daughter’s academic progress or classroom behavior, contact his/her teachers by e-mail or phone.

Monitor homework. Homework is extremely important for academic success. Middle school students sometimes still need homework checked for completion and may also need to be reminded to turn assignments in. Please check Parent Connect or contact your child’s teacher(s) concerning questions about specific homework assignments.

Seek help. Encourage your son/daughter to ask questions during class or before or after class if he/she doesn’t understand something or needs clarification about an assignment.

Be prepared every day. Be sure your son/daughter prepares for school the night before and gets a good night’s sleep. Choosing clothes the night before and placing everything for school in one spot makes mornings less chaotic.

Be involved and be present. Your school offers several opportunities for parents to get acquainted with the school and the school staff. Attend Open House/Parent Nights /PSP (Parent School Partnership) meetings, talk with teachers during parent teacher conferences, or volunteer to chaperone extra-curricular activities. Middle school students do better in school when parents are actively involved.