Make yourself available to talk when your child expresses interest in doing so.   Offer to give your teen a ride and then use the time in the car to chat; sometimes sitting side-by-side can offer a more comfortable venue for conversation. Sometimes this will be easier than others, but put forth the effort to ask questions about activities and events.  Follow your child’s sports team or attend his performances.  Consider learning more about one of your child’s interests to provide some common ground.  If your daughter is a die-hard soccer fan, start following her favorite league yourself.  While you should continue to allow your child space to develop her interests without feeling smothered, one area of common ground can make everyday conversation much easier. Encourage your child to participate in stress-relieving activities such as sports, or relaxing with a funny movie. Teenagers need time to themselves to process the many changes they’re going through.  Encourage your child to write in a private journal. Step back and allow your child the space to figure out some things on his own.  You’ll demonstrate you believe he is capable of making appropriate choices and that you trust his judgment. Teenagers benefit from positive reinforcement -- and lots of it -- as they grapple with forming their own, independent identity.  Tell them when you are proud of them.  Praise positive behavior.  Even in the midst of a more heated discussion, using positive terminology can be really helpful (“I know your teacher’s really impressed with your performance in chemistry.  Let’s figure out how we can agree upon a schedule that allows you to continue acing those exams and enjoy some time with your friends, too.”)  Use descriptive praise.  Be specific: “I really loved the way you helped your little brother with his jump shot.  I could see his pride when he made that basket -- you did a great job of helping him feel like he could improve his technique.” Let your child know that you’re aware of, and value, her opinions. This tactic can be especially important in situations where your relationship with your teenager has become quite difficult.  Another trusted adult such as an aunt, uncle, or family friend can help support your child through this difficult period in your lives. Even in situations where your relationship is reasonably strong, a mentor can provide your child with important extra support. Your teenager may be acting unlovable.  Your teen may even be feeling that he or she is unlovable.  Your job as a parent is to love them no matter what.  Leave a note, give a hug, or speak words of love to your child every day.

Summary: Spend time with your teenager. Stay involved in your teen’s everyday life. Offer your child some time alone. Affirm your child. Seek a mentor for your child. Show your love.


When you take a bath or shower, put plastic around the cast and don’t put that part of your body into the water. You can use plastic bags or trash bags secured with waterproof tape to help keep your arm dry.  When you are taking a bath, you must not get your cast wet even if you have a fiberglass cast. Don’t try to wash the cast in the shower. It may be easier to give children a sponge bath to ensure that their cast stays dry.  If your fiberglass cast has a waterproof liner, you might be able to take a shower. Ask your doctor before you try. If you happen to get your plaster cast wet, or you sweat inside your cast, you need to dry it inside and out. To do this, use a hairdryer set to the cool setting. This will provide air that will dry any moisture inside and outside of the cast. Don’t use the hairdryer set on the warm or hot setting. This can burn the skin and cause problems. It can also cause more sweating and moisture in the cast. Your fiberglass cast with a waterproof liner can get wet, either in the shower or swimming pool. After you get out of the water, it will take around an hour for the inside of the cast to dry. Be patient and let the cast dry naturally. Don't use a hairdryer to try to dry the fiberglass cast faster. Don't stick a towel in or around the fiberglass cast.

Summary: Protect the cast when you bathe or shower. Dry your plaster cast with a hairdryer on cool. Let a fiberglass cast dry naturally.


This is a great option for those who do not have a lot of space in their homes. Seasonal decorations can take a lot of room. You can, however, limit your decorations to just the fireplace to save space. Your home will look festive without looking crowded or tacky. This section will give you some ideas. These items will look great whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, or the winter season in general. Here are some ideas to get you started:  Use hooks to hang up Christmas stockings (use hooks if you are hanging them - tape will hold the empty stockings but full ones will fall from the weight). Use rolled up tape or foam mounting tape to stick Christmas tree ornaments to the top of the mantle. Use large and small ornaments for balance. use ornaments, as used on trees, and use clear tape to stick it on the mantle. If you celebrate Hanukkah, try including a menorah, a dreidel or two, and lots of blue and white. If you don't celebrate any religious holidays, cut some evergreen branches, and spread them over the top of the mantle. You can also drape a pine garland or some string lights over the top of the mantle instead. There are some other items you can use as well, such as:  Place a cornucopia filled with dried corn, miniature pumpkins, and miniature squash in top of the mantle. If you have a large cornucopia, you can place it on the hearth instead. Arrange some miniature pumpkins on the mantle for Halloween. As it gets closer to Thanksgiving, add some miniature squash and dried corn. Make a spooky fireplace for Halloween by arranging candelabras, skulls, old candles, and potion bottles on the mantle. Place a cat statue or a jack-o-lantern on the hearth. Or, use ribbons to hang skeletons and spiders from the mantle. Drape a garland made out of fake fall leaves over the top of your mantle for quick, fall decorating. To make it more suitable for Halloween, add some fake cobwebs and plastic spiders. Softer colors, and bulb plants (such as daffodils, lilies, and tulips) will be suitable for most of the spring season. There are some holidays, however, where you might want to switch things up a bit. For example:  For Easter, place some colorful eggs into a basket, and place the basket on the mantle. You can also decorate the mantle with figurines of chicks, bunnies, and lambs. If the basket is large enough, you can also tuck it inside the fireplace. For St. Patrick's Day, you could place a horseshoe (with the curved side down, like a "U" for good luck), or some plastic gold coins on the mantle. You can also add items that have Celtic knots on them. For Valentine's Day, you could switch out some of the spring decor, and add some more red, pink, white, or ivory. You can also add lace doilies under candles for a more romantic look/ Most spring flowers, such as tulips and hyacinths, are poisonous to cats and dogs. You may want to consider getting fake ones instead. You can also use tropical plants, such as orchids and hibiscus. If you like candles, try to get ones with fruity scents, such as passion fruit, orange, or coconut. If bright, fruity, and tropical aren't your thing, consider using a sea-side theme instead, such as:  For a nautical theme, consider getting one o those bottles that has a model ship inside. You can also drape some netting over the top of the mantle. For a seaside theme, try displaying some of the shells you found at the beach. If you like candles, try getting some that have an "ocean" or "seaside" scent to them. They will usually be light blue in color.
Summary: Consider decorating for the holidays. Use ornaments, pine, and other evergreen for winter holidays. Use lots of pumpkins for Halloween or Thanksgiving. Use bulb flowers and softer colors for spring, but bear in mind the holidays. Use brighter colors during the summer.