It is amazing how fast little girls are growing up; at times, it's even frightening. What's a mom to do when her 12-year-old daughter wants to wear make-up?

Telling her she can't wear make-up until she is older is probably only going to make her want to rebel. She may even develop feelings of shame associated with it. Soon your 12-year-old may be putting her make-up on when she gets to school or the mall or a friend's house to "hide" her activity from you. This will only build a wall in your interaction and communication with her.

Your teenager is starting to date and you are worried: Will they be safe? Will they have made good decisions in their relationships? Will they know where to go if they need help? A healthy dating relationship can help a teen develop a positive self-image. It is an opportunity to learn how to empathize and understand others. However, they also need to be aware of ‘red flags’ that can exist in unhealthy relationships.

If you really want to know what is going on at school, you need to ask better questions. A good question cannot be answered with a single word. A really good question gets a natural conversation going. Regularly engaging your children in interesting conversations will help keep the lines of communication open as your children grow and mature.

Summer camps help children develop new interests, choose a new direction and make lifelong friends. With so many camps to choose from, how does a parent decide which is the right program for their child? The summer camp industry has changed dramatically in the past few years and parents should learn about the different options in order to make a wise choice.