We are inundated daily with warnings about social media use and misuse by our teens. How are we supposed to keep up?

We need to stay current on what's happening, what to look out for, and how to mitigate potential risks.

"Make mistakes, just not the big ones"

I don't mind when teens make mistakes. In fact, I promote it. Mistakes can drive personal growth. However, I also warn teens to avoid the big mistakes - mistakes that are life-altering. Avoid these at all costs:

1. Drug use
2. Drunk Driving
3. Unwanted pregnancy
4. Social Media misuse

I recently added #4 to the list - and for good reason. Social media problems are ruining peoples' lives everywhere. Unfortunately, the use of social media has become so widespread, that the odds of someone doing something disastrous are increasing by the minute.

What you should know

• Once posted, consider the content of the post to be permanently embedded in the digital landscape - forever
• Don't believe any promises that your post will disappear in x...

The transition from middle school to high school can be tricky. Teens immediately begin searching for an identity, social acceptance, and a path forward.

As confounding as this is, we (as parents) aren't always in the best position to influence our kids during this period of uncertainty. We're still a major player on the surface - but at the edges of their psyche - they often prefer external voices and opinions.

Enter the mentor.

Mentors come in many shapes and sizes. Your child's mentor could be an older sibling, coach, music teacher, Boy or Girl Scout Leader, guidance counselor, aunt, uncle, grandparent, neighbor - or person like me. Some children have multiple mentors.

Does your son or daughter have a mentor(s)?

Benefits of having an early mentor in high school

Wisdom and learning. Mentors share important life lessons from past successes and failures.

Expertise and knowledge. Mentors can provide answers and guidance in a field most parents know nothing about.

Contacts. Mentors...