![Why Persistent Parenting Pays Off [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/ytparent.jpg "Why Persistent Parenting Pays Off [EXPERT]")
Recent books and articles have focused on the fact that it takes weeks to turn a new behavior into a habit. It takes just as long for our kids to adjust to our new behavior.
![5 Tips For Traveling With Teenagers [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/stk150071rkeccccccccfffff.jpg "5 Tips For Traveling With Teenagers [EXPERT]")
Traveling with your teen doesn't have to be a bust because with a little preparation, traveling together can be something the entire family can look forward to. Before you plan and pack up though, you'll want to be sure to avoid any triggers that can turn a potentially terrific vacation into a terrible one.
Calling all mom and dad bloggers and writers! We are looking for a new LoveMom contributor to write about the intersection of love and kids.
![Why Teens Are Addicted To Anger & How Parents Can Help [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/angry_teen.jpg "Why Teens Are Addicted To Anger & How Parents Can Help [EXPERT]")
A recent Harvard Medical School study found that nearly 8% of adolescents experienced bouts of extreme anger, sufficient to be diagnosed as "intermittent explosive disorder" — a form of mental illness. I'm surprised the number isn't higher.
When I got pregnant, I was bound and determined to look good after the baby was born. I admired those moms in my Facebook newsfeed whose hospital pictures showed them smiling with makeup on as they cuddled their newborn. In retrospect, this was a crazy notion because after giving birth I did NOT look good. Not at all...
![Study Says: Young Girls Aspire To Be Sexy [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/girl_growing_up.jpg "Study Says: Young Girls Aspire To Be Sexy [EXPERT]")
According to a study by psychologists Christy Starr and Gail Ferguson at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, which was published in the journal Sex Roles, young girls value the concept of "sexiness." Specifically, 60 girls were each shown two dolls — one of which was dressed in sexy clothing while the other doll was dressed in a loose yet trendy outfit. The girls were then asked to select the doll that they wanted to look like, the doll that they already looked like, the doll that they wanted to play with and the doll that looked like she would be popular in school.
![How To Talk To Your Kids About The Colorado Massacre [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/teen_talk.jpg "How To Talk To Your Kids About The Colorado Massacre [EXPERT]")
We generally do not associate murder and mayhem with movies. Nor should we have to. But, I am always searching for teachable moments — even in life's most unexpected moments, no matter how wondrous or gruesome. It is my life's work and passion to identify them. And so, I suggest the following to parents:
![Listen Up, Parents! 5 Ways To Communicate With Your Kids [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/talk.jpg "Listen Up, Parents! 5 Ways To Communicate With Your Kids [EXPERT]")
No matter how old your children are, even if they are adult professionals, it is never too late to connect and build strong relationships. These tips are simple but effective ways to communicate your love and support and to celebrate loving connections.
![5 Effective Alternatives To Spanking Your Kids [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/kids_fighting.jpg "5 Effective Alternatives To Spanking Your Kids [EXPERT]")
The truth is, there is no perfect way to parent, and often, methods of discipline will be based heavily on a parent's past experiences with discipline themselves, particularly when they were children. There are alternative ways to discipline a child, with some being more popular than others, that do not require physical harm.
![10 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Spank Your Kids [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/sad_girl_0.jpg "10 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Spank Your Kids [EXPERT]")
A new study reveals a connection between spanking in childhood and mental health diagnoses later in life. Whether or not you agree with the findings, I'd like to present you with ten reasons spanking is never a good idea.
