18 and Under

Special coverage

The Building Blocks to Kindergarten

Lawrence preschools are part of a statewide pre-kindergarten pilot program that some hope will eventually be available to all 4-year-olds in the state.

Book review: ‘Speak No Evil’ a quick read
February 13, 2012
“Speak No Evil” by Marilyn Kaye is part of the series “Gifted,” the beginning of which I had not read. Fortunately, that did not make the book at all harder to understand.
Game-time nutrition: keeping your athlete healthy and strong
February 13, 2012
More than 7 million boys and girls across the country will participate in organized sports this year, and unfortunately, injuries are a part of every season. The mistake athletes, parents and coaches often make is overlooking proper nutrition as a sports injury prevention measure. A balanced diet to fuel your athlete is just as important as protective gear.
Double Take: IEP cannot guarantee spot on sports team
February 13, 2012
Regarding your recent article on participation in athletics as part of an Individualized Education Program, it appears very possible that the student and parent who wrote in are using the IEP as a vehicle to assure the student’s placement on the middle school volleyball team.
Double Take: ‘Mean girls’ face consequences in life after high school
February 6, 2012
Teenage girls are mean, and if you survived junior high you know this. Once a girl hits that 14- to 15-year-old mindset, she can become so devious it leads to destructive behavior. We tend to be competitive, overthinking creatures as it is, but something about the high school environment turns this toxic.
Double Take: Daughter’s IEP addition worth fighting for
January 30, 2012
We asked to have athletic participation added to our daughter’s IEP to ensure she could continue, but the special-ed director told us “under no circumstances can that be dictated in an IEP, only an opportunity to participate is required.” The school never provided any documentation to prove this. I found multiple references online to “when athletic participation is added to an IEP,” and nothing saying it can’t be done. What’s going on here?
Double Take: Eight years of advice compiled in two books for parents, teens
January 23, 2012
Since November 2004, Double Take has churned out one column a week, 50 weeks a year. We break between authors in August, and the results of the contest take up one spot in April. Otherwise, we’re hurling advice for parents and teens in print and across the Internet.
Double Take: Being apart during break causes girlfriend to doubt relationship
January 16, 2012
Halfway through break he went on a trip with his friends, and I haven’t heard from him since. It’s been a week and its not normal for a bf not to text his gf every day in this day and age, so I’m worried that he’s bored with me or maybe he doesn’t really love me like I thought he did. And now I’m thinking maybe I should break up with him if he doesn’t care about me. What do you think?
Double Take: Senior shouldn’t quit in last semester
January 9, 2012
A senior in high school is thinking about dropping out with one semester left.
Double Take: Living at home during college has challenges
January 2, 2012
Mother and college-age daughter disagree about ground rules.
Double Take: Decide what to share about relationships before heading to family gatherings
December 26, 2011
How to approach discussing your relationships with your family over the holidays.
Double Take: A reader responds
December 19, 2011
The subject of a previous Double Take writes in to say thanks.
Double Take: Cutting unlikely to lead to suicide, but teen still needs help
December 12, 2011
Dear Dr. Wes and Miranda: We recently learned that our ninth-grade daughter cuts herself. She’s apparently been doing this secretly for a few months. We are at a bit of a loss on how to deal with this. We asked if she wanted to commit suicide. She claims she doesn’t, and the hospital we called said this isn’t a serious enough problem for her to be admitted, so we are confused and afraid for her.
Double Take: Finding your child a therapist
December 5, 2011
Dear Dr. Wes and Miranda: What tips do you have for finding a good therapist? We haven’t had much luck in the past with my son on this, and we’d like to try again. He’s 14, if that helps.
Double Take: Sex talk with boyfriend vexes teen
November 28, 2011
Dear Dr. Wes and Miranda: Every time my boyfriend and I are making out he brings up sex. He asks if that bothers me, and I always say “no,” because it normally doesn’t. Until last night.
Double Take: What good girls are looking for when they go out with bad boys
November 21, 2011
Dr. Wes: I’ve always pondered one of the great puzzles of adolescence — why nice, respectable girls seek out “bad boys” as dating partners, instead of all those sweet fellows walking the path to sainthood. I know those great boys are out there because I see them too, lamenting their bad luck at being “too nice” to date, always finding themselves with plenty of friends that are girls and no girlfriends.

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