The Blog
Problem Teenagers Aren’t the Problem
There is no such thing as a problem teenager. This is mind-bending for a lot of grown-ups. I hear a lot of adults--parents, teachers, coaches, counselors, grandparents, you name 'em--talking about how this or that teen in their life is a problem or driving them crazy or whatever. But here's the thing:
People aren't problems. People are people.
Granted, some people--and this includes teens--can be particularly difficult to deal with. I know how an angry, defiant, disrespectful, or rebellious teen can wreak havoc on a family...
Teens Unedited: Answers to All Your Questions
A huge thank you to all of you who submitted questions for Friday's "Teens Unedited" event and an Emmy Award for the brave teens who showed up to give candid answers to all your questions. I had an amazing time talking with these young people, and they really got into it. I think we talked for more than an hour about everything from...
Read More...As Seen on TV // A Word About Teens & Finances
According to recent stats, the average 18-year-old is about $3000 in debt. By the time they're 28, if they're still average, they'll be 66 THOUSAND dollars in debt. Not cool. So, here's a challenge for ya: don't let the teens in your care be average. One of the best resources teens have at their disposal for learning about how (and how not) to handle money is you guys--parents, teachers, and adults from all walks of life. I spoke about this issue at a conference in San Diego this past weekend, and FOX 5 interviewed me briefly beforehand. Here's the clip...
Read More...Inc. Magazine selected me for their “30 Under 30” list!
Wow! I'm totally flattered--Inc. Magazine announced it's annual "30 Under 30" list of America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs...and, behold--there I am, sitting pretty at #24! You can read all the nice things they said about me here. They also posted a great video...
Read More...Amazing Limited Opportunity! Ask Teens ANYTHING
Hey everybody,
The other day I had a really cool idea, so I decided to make it a reality. But I'm going to need your help. I'm giving you the opportunity to ask teens ANYTHING...and get honest answers. Interested? Click the "Teens Unedited" link at the top of the page (or simply click HERE) to submit your questions in the Comments section. Opportunities like this don't come up very often, so don't be shy. You have until Midnight EST on October 1 to submit your questions. Fire away!
// josh
Read More...Teen & Child Discipline
It's no secret--questions of child discipline and teen discipline often send grown-ups for a loop. And everyone and their sister has a different opinion about how to handle issues of discipline, right? It seems whatever your approach, whatever you decide to do, you can find SOMEONE to defend your view.
So, instead of rushing to defend one particular methodology over another, my goal here is to touch on two key principles I think everyone can agree on...
Read More...Teen & Adolescent Anger Management
Confession: I was once a very angry teenager, so I know a thing or two about adolescent anger management and the lack thereof. You see, even though I often played the funny guy, I wasn't any fun to be around most of the time. In fact, when I was around, everyone would get all nervous and tense like a live explosive had just walked into the room. And, really, that's what I was--a touchy temper bomb with a sensitive tripwire.
I'm willing to bet you know teens like this; odds are, they sit in your classroom or call you "Mom". So, this topic of adolescent anger management probably hits home for you...
Helping Troubled Teens
If you're reading this, odds are, there's a troubled teen in your life that you desperately want to help. But first I want to spend just a moment and talk to you about this whole idea of troubled teenagers.
You see, I grew up in the foster care system and, let me tell you, I was a VERY rebellious kid. I constantly acted out in all kinds of ways--towards my parents, teachers, mentors, coaches--and all the time I was labeled and looked at as a "troubled teenager". Was I "troubled"? Sure. I had major abandonment issues and trust issues and ADD to boot. But I was also just a normal teen trying to figure out who I was and find my place in the world like everyone else, hoping for someone...
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
I want to spend just a few moments and talk to you about this idea of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). I think, number one, I’m qualified to talk about it because a lot of my former foster parents would tell you that I probably had a bit of ODD myself. I was never diagnosed or anything, but the diagnosis didn't even exist back then, so...make of that what you will.
Now, whether you think that ODD should or shouldn't be a "real" diagnosis, I think you have to accept that it’s something that kids actually have. And by that I mean it's hard to deny that a lot of children and teens--it's something like 1 in 10--exhibit seriously defiant behavior, and it's a real problem for parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, etc. to deal with that.
The good news? There's hope.
Read More...Empowering Positive Teen / Adult Relationships
I'm a huge believer in the power of a positive approach to reaching and relating to teens. Positive
Read More...Welcome
Good evening fellow human, I’m Josh Shipp.
Maybe you know who I am and what I do, but maybe you don't. In short, I've been called an "authority" on communicating with and getting through to teens (blush). "How come you're such an 'authority'?" you wonder out loud...Well, I can't claim to have an MBA in psychology, or that I've spent decades pouring over research. My "expertise" comes from personal experience--speaking to over a million teens over the last 10 years and sharing my story. I was left at the hospital...
Read More...Help Your Teen Survey RESULTS
Here are the results....
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