by Shannon Popkin | Aug 10, 2021 | Control Girl, Parenting, Teens
The day we launched our first college student, I woke up in the hotel room with a pit in my stomach. This day is not about you! I reminded myself, and quietly began planning the photos I wanted to take, the quiet moment of prayer we’d have in her dorm room, and...
by Shannon Popkin | Jan 17, 2014 | Faith, Fear, Gifts, Humility, Kids' Perspective, Pain, Parenting, seasons, Teens
As a mom, one of the most painful things in life is to see my kids struggle through something that is humiliating. I alternate between wanting to fix my child and eradicate the struggle, and wanting to pummel anyone who would dare to snicker or poke fun at...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 26, 2013 | Funny, Humility, School, seasons, Teens
I have absolutely no idea how my high school friends and I figured it out. Maybe we were driving along one day and it randomly happened. Or maybe we were trying out an urban legend. Whether it was on purpose or not, somehow we discovered that we could make the garage...
by Shannon Popkin | Aug 27, 2013 | Communication, Parenting, Teens
Recently, I was talking to one of my teens about an upcoming choice. I was laying out the consequences and helping her consider the cost of not doing what she should do.But she cut me off, and said, “Mom, STOP. You’re guilting me for something that...
by Shannon Popkin | Jul 8, 2013 | Anxiety, Beauty, Fashion, Media, Parenting, Teens
Dear Seventeen-Year-Old Me, Right about now, you’re noticing that it only takes a few inches of skin to make you more noticeable—especially to boys. Whether you want to admit it or not, girls like that sense of power they get when boys glance at them. It’s...
by Shannon Popkin | Jun 25, 2013 | Anxiety, Beauty, Discipline, Food, Parenting, Teens, Wisdom
Dear Seventeen-Year-Old Me,Let’s talk about the mirror. Sometimes when you look in it, you’re disgusted. You think you’re fat or ugly or covered in pimples. You’ve already started to experiment with your eating habits and your hair and makeup. You spend hours in your...
