Today's Parent | Parenting Resources… Articles, Advice, Help & Tips

Let’s face it, sometimes fathers feel a bit left out. They may feel a little unsure of their abilities in the parenting department, and women, like many other species, can smell fear.  Not only do we moms want to save a father from feeling bad, we also want to prevent as much fussing as possible, by both the father and the child. So we step in.  The problem is, sometimes we don’t step out again. Having a mom is great, but children need the special perspective that a dad can offer.  As a dad, here are the things that us moms want you to know to feel confident about your parenting abilities:

1. Don’t be afraid to be alone with your child. If your child is in the baby stage, the most important thing to remember is this: babies cry sometimes.  You cannot always prevent it.  So, rather than being intimidated by it, go through a mental checklist:  Is the baby hungry, tired, hot, cold, or in need of a diaper change?  If you’ve tried to fix the above issues and the crying continues, try a change of scenery (and bring the baby with you). If possible, walk outside, several laps around the house, or up and down the street.  If you’re not sure how to work the stroller, don’t use it. You will eventually succeed in calming your baby.  And, in doing so, you will feel an incredible sense of pride in yourself and your “dad instinct.”

2. Children love to cuddle with their dads. You guys have some kind of kid-calming mechanism implanted in you somehow, I am convinced.  You’re warm, you’re calm, you talk in a low-pitched voice, and you can sit for hours, snuggling and watching baseball.  Revel in the fact that you have a talent that mom may not have – the snuggling factor.  Kids often seek mom out for emergencies (no matter how trivial), but if you are open to it, they will seek you out for snuggling, for comfort, for security.  You lucky dog, you.

3. Though mom may have it all under control, you need to be “in the loop.” Find out what disciplinary actions have been taken while you were away.  What’s the back story?  It is imperative that you and mom work together to raise your child.  You need to know what has happened in the day, good and bad, so that any transfer of responsibility is seamless. Children know when we are uninformed and they use it to their advantage.  You can count on that.  So, if you are not told what has happened, please ask.  Your competence depends on it.

4. Your words mean more than you will ever know. Dads tend not to understand how important they are. You may not have had quite as much experience with children as mom has, but your words of comfort, support, love, and pride will stay with your child forever.  Choose your words carefully, for they carry with them the self-esteem that your child will draw upon as she grows.  Don’t underestimate the power of your words. What you say does matter.

5. Play. You work a lot, so when you are with your kids, play. Stay vigilant, be safe, choose age appropriate activities, but gosh darn it, play.  It is the best way to bond with children, because it equalizes you, at least for the time that you are playing.  Children “let their guard down” a little when they play, and you may learn how your child is feeling about things as you play.  Dads tend to be pretty good listeners, so as you play, if you notice your child beginning to open up, just listen.  You don’t have to give advice.  In fact, it’s probably better if you don’t. Every now and then, say, “Do you feel like you need any help with that situation?” and take it from there. Playing opens the doors to having fun, but it also shows your child that you are willing to be there for him. Read More

Perhaps more than anything else, parenting is what defines humanity. The appearance of parenting in the world signaled the end of the Age of Reptiles (dinosaurs and their brethren) and heralded the beginning of the Age of Mammals—and parenting is probably the most important activity that humans have ever undertaken.

Reptile mothers reproduce by laying external eggs and hatching offspring capable of immediate independent survival. Reptiles have no apparent concerns for members of their own or any other species, including offspring, and often engage in cannibalism. Humans, thankfully, are different (most of the time). Like all mammals, our pregnant mothers bear young that emerge incapable of surviving without care. So for humans, parenting—protection and nurturance of offspring from birth—is absolutely necessary for the survival of the child and the species.

The root of our amazing brain began to develop in our reptilian ancestors. Initially, its capabilities were focused exclusively on self-interest, the individual’s own survival. Then, in the later years of the reptilian age, another ability began to emerge in that ancestral brain: altruism, the capacity to be concerned about another individual. Modern science has physically located this capacity in the limbic system, part of our brain’s second developmental stage. Altruism is essential to the activities of parenting in mammals. The limbic system also appears to include a key prohibition against cannibalism: thou shalt not eat thine own kind, if you will.

Because brain development has been a process of accretion, with each new ability added to the previously existing ones, the capacities to act out of self-interest or out of altruism are both hard-wired into our heads. Thus, our ultimate actions are a matter of choice, a function of free will; and technically, a function of the neocortex, our brain’s third developmental stage.

That neurological and behavioral lineage strongly suggests that our lives are in our own hands. By extension, how we can best live becomes a matter of education, beginning with our children. Therefore, one of the most important functions of parenting is education, through example and through the provision of schooling. Along with basic and advanced academic skills, parents can enhance their children’s education by encouraging their participation in sports and the arts—especially team sports and performing arts, as these activities both demonstrate and require sharing.

Learning how to share is a critically important lesson of childhood. It is absolutely fundamental to establishing and sustaining the personal relationships that will define a full, healthy human life. Outside of certain inherently imbalanced learning situations with parent/child or teacher/student, any true sharing demands an equality in power between the people involved in the sharing, with each person having the freedom to accept or reject the sharing without penalty.

Sharing’s deep significance derives from its mutuality and the fact that it simultaneously meets the needs of both self-interest and altruism. My mother demonstrated these profundities of sharing with a very simple but powerful example when I was fourteen. After school one day, my older brother and I were squabbling in our kitchen over who’d get the last apple in the fruit bowl. Mom heard us and intervened, taking the apple. She gave my brother a knife, saying, “You cut,” then saying to me, “And you pick first!” Her solution, and our actions, satisfied our self-interests and yet involved a consideration of each other at the same time.

Obviously, that incident made a deep impression on me. I’ve tried to apply its lesson in my adult life. In my book, “To Find The Way Of Love,” I define the way of love for humans as “promoting freedom and equality in all personal relationships.” Voluntary promotion that arises from within is the most desirable, but even an external stimulus can lead to finding the way. And parents are in the best position to provide that stimulus. After all, just being a parent is an act of altruism but parents need to demonstrate equality with their children. As Gibran wrote in “The Prophet” on children, “Try not to make your children like you. Try to be like them.”

Oliver E. Deehan was a Navy fighter pilot, sailor, skier, and executive who built and administered hospitals. For the last twenty years, his concerns have been about human relationships and how the importance given to the individual has superseded the importance of relationships, with self-love trumping our love of others. This resulted in many years of thought and a decade of researching and writing this book. To find the way of love is to explore and reexamine the purpose of our existence. For more information, visit http://tofindthewayoflove.com or http://oliveredeehan.authorsxpress.com.

As schools are hard at work revamping lunch menus in line with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new school lunch guidelines, chocolate milk has already undergone a makeover that schools, parents and kids can all feel good about.

Dr. Keith Ayoob, RD, a nationally-recognized child nutrition expert, highlights the biggest changes under the new guidelines:

More colorful fruits and vegetables. Both fruits and vegetables must be served every day of the week, and there is now a weekly requirement for specific colors of vegetables. Previously schools only had to offer either fruits or vegetables.

Whole grains will be required. While encouraged in the past, schools now must offer whole-grain rich foods. Schools are really looking at how to ensure foods are nutritious, but also appealing to kids. It’s a challenge, but one that schools across the nation are focused on.

Schools are paying attention to portions. Calorie limits will be enforced based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size. New menus will be increasingly focused on reducing saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

Nutrient-rich milk is emphasized. Along with low-fat and fat free white milk, now all the chocolate milk served for school lunch will be fat free.

While the school lunch menu has only recently changed, school chocolate milk has been undergoing changes for the past five years. The nation’s milk processors have been hard at work to lower the calories and sugar in school flavored milk, while continuing to deliver a nutritious and delicious drink kids love. School flavored milk now has 38 percent less added sugar than just five years ago and on average, just 31 calories more than white milk. The majority have fewer than 150 calories per serving.

Flavored milk is the most popular choice in school lunch rooms, and kids drink less milk and get fewer nutrients when it’s taken away. Whether flavored or white, milk has 9 essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D and potassium, which are all “nutrients of concern” that most kids fail to get enough of. Many kids are falling short of the recommended milk each day, and when they skip milk at lunch, they’re not likely to make up for it the rest of their day.

Dr. Ayoob has some tips to help parents and kids make the most of school lunches:

• It’s equally important that school meals are appealing, as they are nutritious. Along with good nutrition, food choices need to be practical, so they don’t end up in the trash. Many children are overfed but undernourished, so focusing on our kids’ nutrient intake is essential now more than ever. Studies show flavored milk contributes just 3 percent of added sugars to kids’ diets, compared to sodas and fruit drinks, which account for close to half of the added sugar and deliver much less, if any, nutritional value.

• Help kids learn healthy choices. Research has found that if you offer kids carrots and celery, they’ll eat more carrots than if you just provide carrots alone. Offering nutritious choices in schools helps kids learn food and nutrition lessons and research suggests the ability to choose between two or more options helps boost kids’ overall intake of nutritious foods.

Learn more at www.milkatschools.com.

Warm weather has finally arrived, and parents everywhere are starting to plan family vacations. But traveling with a little one can be challenging and requires preparation.

Huggies has teamed up with family travel expert Shelly Rivoli, author of “Travels with Baby,” to help moms and dads beat the heat and plan a no-stress summer vacation for their entire family – including the youngest of the bunch.

Rivoli knows all about vacations with little ones as a mother of three, and has even changed diapers on four continents. “When planning a vacation for the entire family, it’s important to plan simply and only bring necessities for trips,” said Rivoli. “With the right products on hand, like Huggies Hawaiian Diapers and Wipes, you might only need a sun hat for your little one.”

Here are more of Rivoli’s tried and true tips and tricks for making the most of this summer’s trip.

Timing Is Everything

If your baby sleeps well in the car, you can look forward to putting on miles during naptime drives. However, if your child has trouble sleeping in the car, consider leaving first thing in the morning or right after naptime. Plan a meaningful pit stop for your family at least every two hours on the road for fresh air and exercise.

Bring Liquids Onboard

When you travel with a baby or toddler, airport security will allow you to bring a “reasonable amount” of extra liquids for your child, based on your itinerary. Place any prepared bottles, baby food or boxes of shelf-stable milk in a large, clear zip-top bag to present at airport security.

Beat the Heat

During summer travel, long rides in the car can be even warmer for tots riding snugly within a car seat. To keep your child cool and comfortable, dress him or her down to a vacation-ready diaper. Huggies Hawaiian Diapers are shaped to fit to provide proven leakage protection – with an added tropical twist – perfect for summer.

Simplify Diapering on the Go

Carrying just one or two diapers at a time in your purse with a travel pack of stylish baby wipes will make it much simpler to change baby on the go. Huggies Hawaiian Diapers come with two different styles in a pack – providing two outfits for your little one.

Stick to the Routine

Traveling babies need the stability of their daily routines to stay happy, especially for naptime or bedtime. If you and your baby go through a nightly bedtime ritual at home, stick to it. Even with the change in scenery, you and your little one will enjoy your special routine and ensure a restful slumber.

Fashionable Protection No Matter Beach or Backyard

This summer, dress your little ones to be “Cute for a Cause” and contribute to the fight against diaper need. These vacation-ready Hawaiian Diapers allow mom to stylishly accessorize baby for the hot summer, while also helping a baby in need. For every pack purchased, Huggies Every Little Bottom will help diaper a baby in need for a day.

Upload a photo of your summer-ready little one to the Huggies Facebook page, and create a fun animated dancing Hula Baby video to share with all your friends. Learn more at www.facebook.com/huggies.

Concussion is a hot topic. Almost every state across the nation is implementing some version of a concussion bill and nearly 1200 former NFL players are suing the NFL stating that they weren’t made aware of the danger of playing with repetitive head trauma and that they didn’t receive adequate evaluation and treatment for their concussion symptoms. There are so many controversial issues regarding concussion. It’s important for coaches, athletes, parents and physicians to understand the danger of continuing to play with a probable head/neck trauma.

A concussion is any alteration of brain function following a blow to the head, jaw, or chest.

Signs/Symptoms Include

Headache, dizziness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, confusion, feeling of being in a mental fog, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, excessive fatigue, difficulty concentrating, forgetful, repeats same questions, irritability, abnormal behavior, excessively sad or aggressive outbursts.

What can be done to prevent a serious injury from head trauma?

1. Do NOT take blood thinners/aspirin while playing any sport. These make the brain bleed easier after taking a hit.

2. Make sure that equipment is properly fitted. No piece of equipment can solely prevent concussion. A proper fit can decrease the risk of injury.

3. Make sure the athlete is taught proper hitting technique.

4. You must know and teach your kid/athlete the signs/symptoms of a concussion and learn about the inherent risks involved with head/neck trauma.

5. Teach your child to tell the trainer, doctor, coach, or you when they have any of these signs/symptoms of a concussion.

6. Get your child/athlete evaluated immediately if they have a suspected concussion or neck problem.

7. Have your child wear a mouth guard in any contact sport, upper and lower and replace it (boil and bite) when it wears down.

8. Closely observe your child/athlete for at least 72 hours after sustaining any head trauma, as signs/symptoms don’t always show up immediately.

9. You need to report any injury/accident that occurs at home to the trainer/team doctor or coach.

10. You need to follow the head injury sheet given to you by your healthcare professional and make sure that your child is physically fit enough to participate in the sport.

Important things to remember regarding concussion:

A normal MRI or CT scan does NOT mean that the child didn’t have a concussion. It only means that there is not a bleed requiring immediate neurosurgery consult.

You DO NOT have to lose consciousness in order to have a concussion. If there are signs/symptoms of a concussion following a blow or jolt to the head then they probably have a concussion.

Blows to the jaw or chest can also cause a concussion, which causes the brain to shift, rebounding back and forth against the skull’s bony structures, causing damage to the brain.

Children suffer 50,000 bicycle related brain injuries in the US each year, and more than 400 die as a result. Wearing a bike helmet can reduce the severity of brain injury by as much as 85%, yet 50% of kids still don’t wear helmets when riding bikes.

Dr. Kelly Roush, Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician, Certified Athletic Trainer and the Director of Sports Medicine Department at a 140 physician multidisciplinary clinic. Dr. Roush is author of “Sports Concussion and Neck Trauma: Preventing Injury for Future Generations”.

When it comes to buying shoes for your children, there are so many different styles available; it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which one to choose. The most important thing to keep in mind is that your child needs proper foot support during childhood’s growth years is critical.

A child’s foot can grow up to about the age of 18, and the most important development happens in the first seven years. Here is a quick look at how fast kids’ feet grow:

• Under 12 months old, every 2 months.

• 12 months to 2.5 years old, every 3 months.

• 2.5 to 4 years old, every 4 months.

• From 4 to 6 years old, every 6 months.

Shoes that do not fit properly can be uncomfortable and unhealthy. That is why it is important to always measure a child’s feet before buying shoes. Every shoe fits differently, so do not buy shoes based solely on the size printed on the shoebox. Make sure your child tries on every shoe and watch them as they walk to make sure they seem comfortable and fit properly.

Shoe Buying Tips

When you find shoes that you like, hold them in your hand and examine them. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), experts in foot health and development, recommends you look for the following features:

Flexibility. Typically, the younger the child, the thinner and more flexible the soles should be. The sole should be easily flexible and be able to bend in your hand without effort. It should bend with your child’s toes – where the ball of the foot will be, rather than in the middle of the shoe.

Toe room. While your child is standing, you should be able to press about a half inch, roughly a finger’s width, between the longest toe and the front of the shoe. The area of the shoe just below the laces should crease when your baby takes a step.

Materials. The upper part of the shoe should be made of breathable materials such as leather, rather than synthetic materials. The insoles should be cushioned for comfort. Feel around inside the shoe for irregularities in stitching, glue or stapling. Look for a stiff heel cup. Press on both sides of the heel counter. It should not collapse.

To help parents find shoes that fit properly, here are some helpful shoe buying tips:

• Make sure to see a professional trained in fitting shoes for infants, toddlers and young children. For example, Stride Rite’s Fit Training Program received the APMA Seal of Acceptance. The seal recognizes products evaluated by a committee of podiatrists that contribute to better foot health.

• Have your child’s feet measured every 2 to 3 months until toddler years, then every 3 to 4 months after that.

• Feet are seldom precisely the same size. Always buy for the larger foot.

• Do not buy shoes that need “breaking in.” Shoes should be comfortable from the beginning. Observe your child walking around in both shoes for longer than a few minutes. Then, check each foot to make certain there are no irritation marks.

• Make sure the shoe is not too heavy. A heavy shoe can make your child walk irregularly, preventing the development of a normal walking pattern.

• If a child complains of foot pain or discomfort, schedule a check-up with your local podiatrist who specializes in children’s foot care.

To learn more, and to find a retail store near you, visit www.striderite.com. To learn more about APMA, visit www.apma.org.

Families are always looking for ways to enjoy vacation time together that maximizes fun, while minimizing the budget. With focus on the costs of gas prices, a recent AAA report indicated that these days, families are opting to take shorter distance road trips, or “nearcations,” as they make their travel plans.

Family travel expert and mother of three, Suzanne Rowan Kelleher of WeJustGotBack.com, knows the challenges of planning a great family vacation while looking to save. “When I want to cut back on travel spending, I start by picking a destination within driving distance of my home,” says Kelleher. “My kids are always happy to have a quick travel time. They’re always thrilled to visit an indoor waterpark with fun activities like Great Wolf Lodge, and my husband and I are happy to avoid the high cost of airfare.”

To help your family reduce costs on summer travel, Kelleher offers the following tips:

Plan ahead. While spontaneous weekend getaways sound fun, the best way to save vacation dollars is by planning ahead. Keep in mind that most resorts offer the greatest variety of available room options, package amenities and overall savings when stays are booked further out in advance.

Be flexible. Keep in mind the highest rates for hotels and entertainment stops are typically on weekends. Plan a mid-week getaway, or start your vacation on a Sunday to take full advantage of off peak discounted tickets and overnight stays.

Book online. Websites allow vacation planners to easily view best available rates, compare alternate dates for travel, room styles, amenities and package plans. If you have a destination in mind, sign up to receive the location’s newsletter, which often includes discounts and special promotion codes via email. Many sites, like www.greatwolf.com, also feature online chat assistance.

Bundle and save. Research package options that include meals and other amenities. Limited time promotions such as “Kids Eat Free” can help when budgeting for meals. Resort amenities and entertainment offerings are also often bundled for extra savings. Not sure what can be bundled with your stay? Just ask.

Find the cheapest gas. Save on gas with your smart phone. The free app, GasBuddy, can help not only estimate how much you’ll spend, but can also direct you to the cheapest gas stations along the route. Fuel Finder, another gas saving app, shows gas prices throughout the U.S. and Canada, and also features a mapping system. Visit www.GasBuddy.com and www.bottlerocketapps.com/apps/fuelfinder to learn more.

Prepare the car. Purchases from your local grocery store are cheaper than convenience stores and fast food restaurants en route, so save time and money by pre-buying snacks and drinks. Take advantage of the time together by talking, singing and laughing. Make the journey as fun as the final destination.

To learn more about planning a vacation with great value for entire family at one of the ten Great Wolf Lodge resort locations in the U.S., visit www.greatwolf.com.

There are many ways to share the news that you’re expecting. Some couples tell loved ones in person, some over the phone. But many people are now taking to social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs and even Pinterest to reveal the exciting news.

“As both a mom and blogger, I’ve noticed many trends in the last year, both in how the news is shared and how the overall pregnancy is approached,” said Beth Feldman, president of Role Mommy, an online community and events company.

Here are just a few of the trending ways you can share the joy and celebrate your pregnancy:

Gender Reveal Cakes – Ask your ultrasound technician not to tell you the results. Instead, have them seal the gender results in an envelope. Then, take the envelope to a bakery, which can tint cake batter pink or blue, then cover it with icing. At a special party, cut into the cake to reveal the baby’s gender.

Dadchelor Parties – Moms-to-be aren’t the only ones getting celebrated. Dadchelor parties, also known as man-showers, diaper parties and daddymoons, are fun ways for expectant fathers to celebrate their last, child-free months, as well as the upcoming baby. Feldman recommends setting the date of the party at least one month before the baby’s due date. Start planning at www.dadchelorpartyinvitations.com.

Pregnancy Portraits - Professional photographers are receiving more visits from moms-to-be as they pose for portraits and immortalize their pregnancy as a treasured keepsake. Many maternity photos are taken at the beginning of the third trimester. Review the photographer’s portfolio to ensure their style is a good fit with yours. Discuss the types of photos you want, what to expect at the shoot and options for albums, prints and other photo-related merchandise.

Babymoons – These vacations are when parents-to-be take a trip before the arrival of their baby. It can be an exotic excursion or a quiet weekend getaway close to home. Whatever you choose, Feldman advises you minimize travel time and maintain access to medical facilities.

Themed Baby Showers – Celebrities are taking this event to an extreme, as seen with Jessica Simpson’s over-the-top Charlotte’s Web-themed extravaganza. For unique shower ideas, visit the Hostess with the Mostess (www.hwtm.com). You’ll find suggestions for boy and girl parties, as well as gender-neutral, themes for twins and multiples, and styles that range from fancy to casual.

Finding out that you’re pregnant is a very exciting, emotional time. If you want to start planning for your baby’s arrival as soon as possible, the Early Result Pregnancy Test by the makers of First Response is the only test that tells you six days before your missed period. And that allows you to start planning for your pregnancy sooner – including how you’ll tell your loved ones that a bundle of joy is on its way.

For more information about First Response pregnancy, ovulation and fertility tests, please visit www.FirstResponse.com.

Q. Is there anything special to know about using strollers?

A. Yes, the rule of thumb is “Not too often” and “not for too long.”

The Umbrella Stroller

This original lightweight portable stroller was designed for a toddler.  The idea was to be able to take your child, who could proudly walk from place to place for short distances, on longer outings.  Fold up a light soft stroller.  Put it in the car.  Leave him/her in it for a short time.  Go back to the car.  Fold up the stroller.  Then return your toddler to walking again.

The Sturdy Stroller

Soon all the soft flimsy stroller seats designed appropriately for short-term use turned into sturdy vehicles with strong back support designed for long term use.  In time as these portable units totally lost their short-term purpose, they took on hoods, toy racks, diaper bags, plush seats, and all kinds of carrying cases.  With racks on the bottom to transport more items and all kinds of position adjustments, these home-like substitutes could support a child’s living needs for hours at a time.  Now 2- and even 3-year-olds hang out in these, as well.  Worse yet, they have become a place to serve meals and keep little ones for hours at a time.

The Couch

Out of the stroller and onto the couch.  Yes, now the same 2- or 3-year-old can easily watch TV, play DVD’s, and spend hours at home with a computer.  There are parents today that say, “My child developed so fast that he skipped crawling.”  That is not the preferred situation.  Beware of the parent who may soon say, “My child developed so fast he skipped hopping, skipping, and maybe even running.”

From Baby Carriage to Stroller

The very first strollers were designed so that baby or toddler could sit up in a stroller facing Mom.  In that position Mom could talk to her little one, share the joy of the sunshine and breeze, and point out the flowers and the trees.  If baby faced the other way, the way they all do now, the major communication benefit of the walk would be gone.

Today, you sadly see babies out for a walk, covered up by big carriage hoods, toys hanging from everywhere, and Mom totally out of sight.  Sometimes a baby is even holding and feeding him/herself a bottle while on the move.  It gets worse with Mom on her cell phone.  Then, worse than that, the person not paying attention is not even Mom.

What to Do

While you should enjoy whatever luxury stroller you have, you should still be sure to use hands-on, interactive communication whenever and wherever you can.  Remember to make your own personal love and attention a major part of every day.

Sally Goldberg, Ph.D. is a Parenting Specialist.  More tips, activities, and techniques are available on www.earlychildhoodnews.net/parenting-tips.

While most job seekers put the majority of their energy perfecting their résumé and interviewing skills, the real challenge is finding an available job.  With youth unemployment at record highs, a smart strategy is crucial for your teen.  80% of the jobs out there are not posted publicly, so how are these jobs found?

Companies use online job boards, headhunters and ads as a last resort. Why?  Because these methods cost money and time.  Waiting for the ideal opportunity to be posted will guarantee that your teen will miss out.

Networking is the key. And for a teen, it’s unlikely that they have useful contacts beyond teachers, relatives or friends’ parents.  What can they do?  Here are some tips.

Headhunters may hire teens to fill part-time or temp positions. However, for full time, they demand 2+ year’s experience.  Don’t waste efforts here. Warning: your teen shouldn’t ever pay a head-hunter to find a job because it is a scam.

Volunteer work can lead to paid work. At the very least, your teen will get work experience in diverse areas, hard-to-break-into industries, and meet a great variety of people with different connections. And they may even find a new passion or talent.

Informational interviews are a great way to build one’s network and be considered for jobs before they are advertised.  These meetings are similar to interviews except there is no specific job and you are conducting the interview of an employee at a company of interest.  They are an opportunity to learn about entry-level requirements; how to get useful experience and learn what a “day in the life” is like.

Spamming your untailored résumé to everyone is an all-too-common mistake. Employers find this annoying and insulting, and your teen should beware of the fact that it may get them blocked from the company that they’re spamming permanently.

Job boards are useful even if the job your teen wants isn’t listed. By posting their résumé, they can apply for jobs, create an automated notification for jobs matching their interests or be contacted by a recruiter looking to hire.  Post on all the mainstream sites such as Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, Linkedin.com and CollegeRecruiter.com for maximum exposure.

Cold Calling is something that few people do confidently. If your teen plans to attempt this approach, they must keep in mind to prepare a script, mention why they are calling, what they want and discuss follow-up steps.  Remember it takes 5-12 times for a marketing call to “make a sale”.  Most people quit after 3 times, so one shouldn’t take rejection personally. Keep going. Read More