Everything about the job of parenting changes as children grow from age 12 to 15. Find out why many of us continue to relate to our teenagers as if they were three or four years younger than they actually are, how we can change that, and learn new strategies on how to love them in spite of themselves.
• Parenting is not cloning
• Hang on and let go at the same time
• Protect the connection and be who we want them to become
• Relationships, tougher curriculum, and adolescent choices and consequences

Parents are the best teachers – for their children – and for other parents as well. Join us for our first BSM parent panel, and learn from some pros: parents who have been through it and are willing to tell about it.
• Staying close while they pull away
• Time for sports, time for homework, time for family
• Curfews and weekends, dating and parties
• Widen your parenting network and nurture our BSM community at the same time

Bringing back one of our most popular topics—Fathers and daughters—Mothers and sons—what do we need to know about these important relationships?
• The special role only a father can play for his daughters
• Mother and son communication – making it work
• Demystifying your daughter’s social life – help for dads and moms
• Surviving and encouraging the challenging conversations about dating and sexuality

They’re off and running! They now have a driver’s license, job, ACT and SAT tests, and college visits! Where is a parent supposed to fit in? They still need us but they don’t always want us to know it. This parenting talk will focus on senior high and tips on helping them head off to college with know-how and increased confidence. The stakes have never been higher, the navigation never trickier.

What if our teenagers (by virtue of being teenagers) are actually allowed to engage us in power struggles and it’s up to us to not get engaged? There’s so much to fight about—grades, chores, respect, safety. Learn negotiation techniques that can assist us in sticking to our family (and BSM) principles without unnecessary tension.

Please join us for the annual panel presentation by our own BSM seniors. In the past, this has been the “can’t miss” program due to these young adults’ openness and honesty as they rehash their years here. These students share their perspectives on academic pressure, dating, weekends, alcohol and drugs, and getting along with parents.

Even with all the celebrations of family life, there can be an undercurrent of sadness as we experience our children growing up and separating from us. This is as it should be, but it affects our parenting. How can we care for ourselves and confidently walk with our children as they prepare to leave?

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