Your Child, Ages 12-18

Dear Parents,

Thanksgiving is nearly here! Make it a great one by planning ahead, using the holiday as a chance to be gracious and giving, and getting tips to avoid common Turkey Day calamities. Plus, look at the top 10 things to do on Thanksgiving besides watch football.

One way to show thanks for the good in your life is to volunteer to help others. Read about ten great volunteer opportunities for teens, and learn how to talk to your kids about the value of volunteering. You could help to instill a lifelong devotion to community service in your teen.

Finally, if yours is one of the many stepfamilies coming together for Thanksgiving, learn how to handle the holiday logistics and keep the peace among family members.

From the Editors at FamilyEducation.com

Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a chance to slow down and reconnect with your teen.

Top 10 Ways to Be Gracious and Giving This Thanksgiving Tips for Thanksgiving: What to Do Ahead of Time Top 10 Turkey Day Calamities and How to Avoid Them

Top 10 Thanksgiving Activities for Families Having a Thankful Thanksgiving How to Avoid Holiday Overeating More on Thanksgiving

Volunteering
This holiday season, spread cheer to those less fortunate than your family.

Ten Great Volunteering Ideas for Teens Breaking the Ice on Volunteer Visits Talking About Volunteering Teaching Empathy

An Introduction to Volunteering Community Service for Kids Helping Hands More on Volunteering

Holidays for Stepfamilies
Stepparenting is always a challenge, but never more so than during the holiday season.

Holiday Logistics for Stepfamilies Keep the Peace: Planning the Stepfamily's Holidays Special Events for Stepfamilies When Stepchildren Visit

Cross-Cultural Stepfamilies A Smooth-Sailing Household Kids' Resistance to the Stepfamily More on Stepfamilies and Stepparenting

Tired of the Same Old Menu?
Visit our recipe database for hundreds of healthy ideas to spice things up in your kitchen -- like a delicious homemade pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

Home from College

		Be prepared for an adjustment when your college freshman comes home for Thanksgiving. Setting the Guidelines What to Expect More on the College Years

Interactive College Search
Want to start looking for colleges, but just don't know where to start? Try our interactive college search to peruse hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and beyond!

		Join in this discussion about teenaged stepchildren on our Message Boards: "I have a 16 yr. old stepdaughter that is very jealous of me and her dad... She does not look me in the eye when talking to me; she rarely talks to me at all unless she needs something." —hopefulstpmm

Smart Snack Finder
With our new Smart Snack Finder, you can instantly find healthy substitutes for all those less-than-healthy snacks you and your kids are tempted by. Give it a whirl!

Looking for Expert Advice?
If you're hitting the road this Thanksgiving, find out how our experts recommend dealing with holiday driving stress. Find more expert advice by searching keywords and/or selecting a category.