:::::::Jorge & Lorena Gamboa:::::::: Evangelists, Worship leaders and Teachers of the Word of God..... , Evangelistas, cantantes y maestros de la Palabra...

Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

1. Have family dinners. Ask everyone to talk about what happened during the day -- including at least one good thing. This can be small ("I didn't have to wait for the bus; it came right away") or major ("I got a B on my chemistry test").

2. Be health-minded. Encourage the whole family to take care of the three basics -- eating well, sleeping enough and exercising.

3. Make laughter a priority. Watch funny TV shows and movies together. When you hear a joke that you like, repeat it at home.

4. Let go of negative feelings. When conflicts or bad moods seem to get out of hand, call for a time-out. Any argument can benefit from a walk around the block to cool off.

5. Create quiet times. No TV, no music, no computer -- just an environment conducive to meditation, reflection, reading or rest. You may need to negotiate this with a teen who is used to practically round-the-clock sound.

6. Practice sports. Practicing sports help family members release stress and encourages unity.

7. Touch. Hug, kiss goodnight or at least "high five" your adolescent.

8. Pitch in. As a family, help one another. For example, if a teen is struggling to complete a school project, other family members can collate resources, staple exhibits on a display board or bring in a snack.

9. Celebrate. Not just birthdays, but accomplishments like an adolescent's improved report card. No gifts required. Saying "congratulations," initiating a round of applause or writing a note will get the point across.

10. Welcome friends. Encourage your adolescent to invite friends over, have them stay for dinner or sleep over.

11. Inspire. Talk with your adolescent about goals, making plans and thinking ahead. Show that you take your adolescent's goals seriously and will do what you can to help.

12. Affirm that some stress can be healthy and yield rewards. It is stressful to host a party, run for school office or apply for a job when you're a high school kid with little experience. Reassure your adolescent that in order to grow it is necessary to venture beyond the usual, safe boundaries.

From Healthy Teens, Body and Soul: A Parent's Complete Guide by Andrea Marks, M.D. and Betty Rothbart, M.S.W. Copyright® 2003 by Andrea Marks, M.D.; Betty Rothbart, M.S.W.; and Skylight Press. Reprinted by permission of Fireside, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., N.Y.

For More information read our book: "PAIDEIA: Discipline, Correction and Punishment" by Lorena Gamboa