Teen Hair Conditioning With Exercise

Hair loss is something your teen may associate with old age, but certain conditions or lifestyle habits may cause a teenager to lose her hair. KidsHealth notes that most instances of teen hair loss are temporary, but it may cause your teen angst because many children in this age group are concerned with how they look. If your teen does not exercise, you may wonder if that can contribute to his hair loss. It is unlikely that a lack of exercise will cause hair loss. If your teen is losing her hair, make an appointment with the doctor. The doctor can run certain tests to determine the cause so an appropriate treatment may be determined.
HAIR LOSS
The majority of people lose between 50 and 100 hairs each day, and this is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. A new hair grows back in the follicle where these hairs fall out. If your teen is losing more than this, it is a signal that something may be affecting his health, and he should see his doctor. Certain types of hair loss are temporary, and often occur in response to an illness or trauma. Hair loss may also be permanent, but this is more likely due to aging and does not typically affect teens.
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EXERCISE
Your teen should aim to exercise for about 60 minutes each day. Exercise is crucial for heart and bone health, helps your teen maintain a healthy weight and sleep well at night. A lack of exercise may put your teen at an increased risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but it does not usually contribute to hair loss. Regular physical activity may help your teen improve his self-image and build confidence, but it does not usually have any influence on whether he loses his hair.
CAUSES
Your teen is not losing her hair because she does not exercise. Poor nutrition is one cause of hair loss among teens. If your teen makes unhealthy food choices, she may begin to lose her hair because her body is lacking the nutrients it needs for hair that grows and falls out in a normal pattern. If your teen wears her hair in the same hairstyle everyday, such as braids or a ponytail, it may cause bald patches in certain areas of her scalp. Hair treatments, such as highlights or perms, may also cause hair loss if used too often. A hormonal imbalance, uncontrolled diabetes, certain medications and surgery may also cause hair loss in teens. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder that damages hair follicles and Trichotillomania is a psychological condition that causes the patient to pull her own hair out. Your teen's doctor can determine if she is suffering from either of these illnesses.
TREATMENT
Treatment for a teen's hair loss depends on what is the underlying cause. Certain hairstyles, surgery and poor nutrition are considered to be temporary causes of hair loss. Encourage your teen to wear his hair a different way, and to eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and lean meat to protect the health of follicles and hair. Following a traumatic event, such as surgery, your teen's hair will usually grow back on its own and does not require treatment. Diseases that cause hair loss are treated, which may encourage normal hair growth and loss. Encourage your teen to exercise everyday because it will reap important health benefits even if it does not treat hair loss.

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Posted in: Hair Care,Teens and Tweens

Strength & Power Building for Teens

Young children have less endurance than teens, not to mention from a smaller attention span. Once your child hits the teenage years, her body is more fully developed, and she should be able to perform sustained sports activities that require higher endurance than in early childhood. Keep in mind, however, that teenagers' bodies are still developing, so always be sure to supervise any weightlifting exercises.
Push-ups and Crunches
Whereas exercises like vertical jumps indicate muscle power, the number of push-ups and crunches a teenager can do indicates his muscular endurance, according to the book "Inspire Kids and Teens to Fitness," by the IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Make sure that your teens do crunches and push-ups with the correct form for maximum benefit and challenge. During push-ups, the head and neck should be aligned and straight, and the hands should be below the shoulders, with the weight primarily on the outside of the hand to prevent wrist injury.
Interval Training
Interval training allows teens to improve their endurance while also increasing cardiovascular health and strengthening their muscles. Interval training involves alternating lower-intensity exercises, like walking or jogging, with high-intensity activities like sprinting or jumping rope. According to "The Interval Training Workout," teens should be careful to avoid overexertion during interval training, since the alternation of high- and low-intensity workouts can mask heat exhaustion and muscle fatigue. Fartleks are a classic example of interval training used in teenage sports programs. To perform fartleks, teens alternate slow jogging and fast bursts of running.
Strength Training
Although the intense bodybuilding is inappropriate for adolescents and teenagers, moderate strength training helps build muscle strength and endurance. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, strength training is especially beneficial for children and adolescents who are overweight and those with cerebral palsy. Because heavy lifting can be damaging, challenge your teenager to make strength training a long-term goal rather than focusing on how much weight he lifts. As noted by the AAP, children and adolescents lose any gains in muscle strength that they may acquire from strength training within six weeks of stopping their workouts, so strive for consistency for maximum benefit.
Diet and Sleep
Exercise isn't the only factor involved in improving endurance. In addition to encouraging your teen to exercise at least five days of the week, challenge him to change his diet habits to provide the best fuel for muscle development. Avoid low-carb diets, since carbohydrates provide energy for muscle recovery. Instead, encourage your teen to make at least half of his carb intake from healthy sources, like whole grain products. Sleep is another important factor in improving endurance. Make sure that your teen receives at least 8 1/2 hours of sleep each night, as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.

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Posted in: Fitness,Teens and Tweens

Best Games for Tween Slumber Parties

Slumber parties are a popular party choice for tween-aged children. If you are planning a tween slumber party, you may be wondering what activities and games you can plan to keep the guests entertained. Although most tweens will happily talk and watch movies all night long, having a few party games in mind will ensure the party keeps moving.

1. Drama Bags

   • A drama bag allows the party tweens to make skits to entertain the other guests. Break the guests into two teams. Each team gets a bag full of five different props. You can use any props you would like, such as a shoe, a hairbrush or a spoon; however, each bag should include different props. The two teams then get to figure out a skit to perform using all five of the props. Then they can take turns putting on their skits for the other guests.

   Truth or Dare

   • This is a classic party game that has been played for years. The guests take turns asking each other truth or dare. They have to choose whether they would rather take their chances with a question that they have to answer or perform a dare. The questions can include things such as, "Who do you have a crush on?" or, "If you had a super power, what would it be and why?" For the dares, you can try things such as putting on a 20 second dance with no music or adding the phrase "fuzzy bunny" after everything you say for 10 minutes.

   Do-It! Dice

   • To prepare the Do-It! Dice game, you will need two dice. Write out two lists of actions with six actions each. The actions can be anything from signing "Mary had a Little Lamb" to skipping in a circle. The guests take turns rolling the two dice and performing the action that matches the two dice. For example, if the player rolls a 1 and a 6, she would look at the list to determine the actions. If the first list has action 1 to stand on one foot and the second list has flap your arms like a duck for action 6, the player would have to stand on one foot while flapping her arms.

   Who Am I?

   • Who Am I? lets the guests try and guess who they are. Each guest is given a piece of paper with the name of a famous person or a character from a book, movie or television show written on it; however, guests cannot look at their own piece of paper. Each player tapes their piece of paper on his forehead. For game play, the players look at each other’s names and act as if that person is the name on the post-it note, without using the name. For example, if you had Harry Potter as the name on your post-it, other players may make comment about quidditch or Hogwarts, but never refer to you as Harry. After 5 to 10 minutes, each player takes a guess as to who they were.

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Posted in: Teens and Tweens

Struggle Between Parents & Tweens

The tween years can be an exciting yet treacherous time for a child. Beyond an increased awareness of physical and emotional changes, these 8- to 12-year-olds clinging to childlike innocence are pushed into the world of adolescence.
"Around these years, children begin to become increasingly self-conscious, and this often drives social difficulties that did not exist in their lives before," said Dr. John Duffy, a Chicago-based clinical psychologist. "Of course, pushing the boundaries of freedoms and exhibiting new attitudes also arise during these years."
Even though the tween years can test the strength and patience of the child and parent, it doesn't have to result in a game of survival. The key to a healthy parent-tween relationship relies on a clear understanding of boundaries and the struggles and freedoms the tween is now facing on a daily basis.
The Inherent Struggle

Elizabeth Hartley-Brewer, education specialist and author of "Talking to Tweens," says typical tweens seek individuality while attempting to discover their true identity.

"Tweens are exploring their growing sense of self as they begin to separate from parents and explore how to act within the confines of their gender," she said. "Their question is, 'Who am I now?'"

Hartley-Brewer, a mother of tweens, says social pressures associated with popularity with friends, fashion and self-image come into play.

"For tweens, the important thing about friends is choice and autonomy, precisely because they begin to use friends to strengthen their sense of self," she said. "They are no longer happy to be forced to play with the children of our best friends or those of close neighbors -- they must choose their own."

A tween is also at the stage where freedom is enticing, but not always within reach.

"Children have an unrelenting fascination with the forbidden," Hartley-Brewer said. "It is always there, but it becomes more evident at key stages in their development when children get fresh yearnings to be more independent."

School pressures can bring both positive and negative changes to a tween. A rough day at school may ultimately result in a rough evening at home, says Hartley-Brewer.

"School forms a big portion of any child's life, and parents need to understand children's good and bad experiences."

The Generation Gap

Heather Shannon, a Chicago-based high-school counselor and licensed counselor in private practice, says cyberbullying and cyberaddiction are prominent among today's tweens. It even happens in schools that do not allow cell phones in class."Tweens behave much like teenagers did a generation ago," Duffy said. "Due in large part to their enormous access to information through so much new media, children are simply growing up faster, often faster than their minds can keep up with."

"The practice is so ubiquitous, teachers can't really control it anymore," she said.

Cyberaddictions pose a challenge at home.

"Instead of doing chores or enjoying dinner with the family, they're texting someone," Shannon said. "Tweens don't have actual phone conversations anymore. They just text each other for hours at a time."

While addictions can lead to temporary communication breakdowns, cyberbullying can literally track a tween through life.

"Tweens today do not get the grace of having mistakes forgotten," said Kim Estes, a Washington-based child-safety expert for Savvy Parents Safe Kids. "The Internet and social media sites leave an indelible mark and a permanent trackable record of what tweens say and do for a long time to come. Kids at this age do not grasp the permanency of their actions now and how it can impact them in the future."

Shannon has seen this in practice.

"Kids say things online that they'd never say in person -- the gossip and drama spread much more quickly online, pictures are posted for all to see and there are always way too many people involved in the conflict," Shannon said.

This is another reason why adults need to keep up with the tween's technology usage. Parents unwilling to dabble online can end up with a major disconnection between themselves and the child.

"Kids today are power users of technology, and they need guidance and example setting from the adults in their lives," Estes said.

Reinforcing the Parent-Tween Relationship

Even though your tween may roll her eyes and sigh every time you enter the room, according to Shannon, it may be just an act.

"What I've noticed about tweens is that they still want a good relationship with their parent, even if they pretend not to," Shannon said. "Parents need to be persistent and work hard to break down the walls that tweens often set up because they're feeling fragile and exploring their independence."

Shannon suggests asking what your child needs -- not what he wants -- and try to understand his point of view whether you agree with it or not.

Estes says consistent dialogue is important. It should be part of a daily routine.

"A simple and noninvasive way to connect with your tween is to share the best and the worst part of your days with each other," she said. "You may only get single word responses, but creating a predictable space for them to talk to you each and every day is crucial."

Healthy discussions about dating, sex, alcohol and drugs are vital, too. Even though it's uncomfortable, the tween is going to learn about these things one way or another. The experts say the child needs to know where you stand on each issue, and you need to know your child's feelings and level of understanding.

A shared journal can give the tween a place to write down questions he is uncomfortable asking face to face. Estes says this journal allows parents time to craft thought-out answers to tough questions.

Miriam Jochnowitz, a parent educator and family mediator, said parents have just as much to learn during this phase of their child's life.

"Parents need to recognize that their role is shifting -- it is becoming less about managing and more about guiding," she said. "Children need to be allowed to make their own mistakes to some extent. In general, children who have had the opportunity to learn from their own mistakes will be safer than those whose judgment has not yet developed."

Knowing a parent will be there for support when mistakes occur is the key to maintaining an open relationship with your tween, says Jochnowitz.

"Keep the door open so they can come to you for help without worrying that your reaction will be 'I told you so.'"

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Mean Girls

Mean Girl
She's pretty, popular, and totally vicious. To claw her way to the top, she'll take down anyone, including you. Her weapons of choice? Rumors, name calling, and general nastiness.
What to do: Don't get even, get help. Bullying can harm your emotional health. Talk to a principal or parent. Surround yourself with real friends. And never let a putdown harm your self-image.

Busting Out>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Busting Out

Busting Out
Suddenly all the guys at school are staring, and not at your face. Every girl gets breasts, just not at the same time or in the same size. Developing early makes you the center of attention.
What to do: You need support, and a well-fitted bra is the place to get it. Avoid tight shirts and tank tops. A wrap or button-down shields you from prying eyes.

Embarrassed Online>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Embarrassed Online

Embarrassed Online
Someone's posted the name of the guy you like on your Facebook page, along with a list of all the things you've supposedly done with him. Half of your school has probably seen it. You're humiliated.
What to do: Narrow your online social circle. Limit your Facebook page to trusted friends only. Change your privacy setting so only they can see or post on your page. If kids from school are harassing you online, block them and tell your parents and principal.

Too Terrified to Talk>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Too Terrified to Talk

Too Terrified to Talk
Your teacher just asked a question, and she's scanning the room for an answer. Your heart is beating like crazy. You want to sink down in your seat and hide.
What to do: A lot of people are afraid to talk in public. Before your fear affects your grades, get help. School speech teachers and groups like Toastmasters teach public speaking. Or talk about your fears with a therapist who can help you work through them.

Left Out>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Left Out

Left Out
Cheerleaders, jocks, Goths, artsy kids. Everyone at your school is in some kind of clique except you. You're stuck on the outside.
What to do: Who needs cliques? Make your own group of friends who are into the same things as you. Real friends won't shut you out because you're not popular enough or you don't wear the right clothes. They'll want to hang out with you just for who you are.

Cyber Romance Realities>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Cyber Romance Realities

Cyber Romance Realities
You've been chatting with this guy online. He seems nice, and he's really into you. Now he wants to meet in person. Should you go?
What to do: It's OK to have cyberfriends, just keep them in cyberspace. Never give out personal information (like your address, phone number, or real name) or agree to meet anyone face to face.

Not That Into Him>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Not That Into Him

Not That Into Him

Your boyfriend said the "L" word, but you're not feeling it. He's a great guy --you're just not that into him. How do you break up without breaking his heart?
What to do: Breaking up is always hard. So let him down easy and with the same courtesy you'd want if the feelings were reversed. And do it face-to-face. Texting or emailing a breakup is definitely NOT cool.

Bad Breath>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Bad Breath

Bad Breath
You've just finished talking to the cutest guy in your class when your best friend informs you that your breath stinks!
What to do: If your mouth often smells funky, you might not be brushing and flossing well enough. Or it could be the onions or garlic at lunch. Brush twice a day, including your tongue. Try mints or sugarless gum. Test by licking the back of your hand and taking a whiff after it dries. If nothing helps, see your doctor or dentist.

Black Mood>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Black Mood

Black Mood
Your friends are going out, but all you want to do is curl up in bed and sleep. You're always in a bad mood. Nothing makes you happy -- not school, not sports, not even your friends.
What to do: If you've been sad for two weeks or more, you could be depressed. Ask your parents to take you to a therapist, who can help sort out what's going on. Talking about your feelings could help you feel a lot better.

Dangerous Eating>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Dangerous Eating

Dangerous Eating
Every day at lunch your friend pigs out. Then she runs to the bathroom to throw up. You tell her you're worried, but she brushes you off.
What to do: It sounds like an eating disorder. If she keeps throwing up, she could do real damage to her body. Since she won't listen to you, talk to another adult -- a parent, teacher, or school counselor -- who can get her the help she needs.

Belly Fat?>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Belly Fat?

Belly Fat?
Your belly peeking over the top of your low-rise jeans is enough to start the teasing. You're not fat, but your muffin top is the first thing everyone notices.
What to do: First, try a reality check. Our culture promotes an abnormal thinness for women. And some girls internalize this distorted body image, just as the hip area fills out due to normal development. Is that you? Your friends? If your weight is truly out of line, your doctor can recommend a safe weight loss plan. Looser clothing, more flattering jeans, and cute cardigans can take eyes off your mid-section.

Over His Limits>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Over His Limits

Over His Limit
Every time you go out with your boyfriend he gets drunk and acts stupid. He even drives after drinking. You're afraid he's going to hurt himself or you, but if you say anything, he might break up with you.
What to do: Your boyfriend could have an alcohol problem. To get him help, talk to a guidance counselor or call Alateen. Definitely don't let him drink and drive. If he does drive drunk, call the police and find another ride home for yourself.

You're Caught Bullying>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - You're Caught Bullying

You're Caught Bullying
You've been giving a girl at school a hard time. Now she's told the principal. What's the big deal? You were just teasing her.
What to do: You don't have to hit someone to be a bully. Teasing and starting nasty rumors are also kinds of bullying. The next time you're tempted to torment this girl, think about how you'd feel if somebody treated you the same way. Talk to a counselor and get help so you don't bully anyone again.

Dateless>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Dateless

Dateless
The big dance is just days away and no one's asked you yet. All your friends have dates. You feel like such a loser!
What to do: Why wait for a guy to ask you? Ask him. Pick someone you've had a crush on for a while, or just ask a good friend. Who says you even need a date? Go solo or with a group of friends and you'll still have a great time.

Designer Dud>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Designer Dud

Designer Dud
Your friends have the coolest clothes. They wear all the latest designers, while you're stuck in cheap bargain knock-offs. You wish you were rich like them.
What to do: Get the look by getting creative. Buy designer clothes for less at the end of the season. Shop the gently-used stores for teens, which are popping up everywhere, including online. Or put together your own look with cool, economical, vintage clothing.

Making-Out Mistake>>

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Sticky Situations for Teen Girls - Making-Out Mistake

Make-Out Mistake
Your friend is dating a really cute guy. One day, you're alone with her boyfriend. Suddenly, the two of you start kissing. Should you tell your friend?
What to do: It's normal to be attracted to your friend's boyfriend, especially if the three of you hang out a lot. It's not OK to steal her guy, though, especially if you still want to be friends. Come clean with her and promise it won't ever happen again.

Spreading Messages>>

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