A recent rash of news stories highlights the positive in society’s youngest members: "Child Saves Kids from Bus Crash;" "Child Saves His Brother from Possible Abduction;" "Child Saves Family from House Fire."

But all too often, the news involving children indicates a dangerous lack of morality: 7- and 8-year-olds stealing cars; a 9-year-old's recent shooting of a school classmate; a 12-year-old charged with armed robbery. A particularly bad one nearly 20 years ago shocked sisters Debbie Burns and Patty Cockrell. Two 10-year-old truants abducted a toddler in England, tortured the little boy and beat him to death.

It prompted the women to begin work on Tukie Tales: A New Beginning for a Better Tomorrow (www.tukietales.com), a series of five children’s books designed to help parents teach young children important values.

"There is something especially senseless in reading about small children committing sadistic crimes," Burns says. "We wanted to be part of a positive push in the right direction."  The younger the child, the more impressionable they are, she says. We wanted to help busy parents scrambling to make ends meet teach children empathy, compassion, environmental awareness and other values.

"I don’t think parents are bad," she says. "But with all the economic worries, the job losses and home foreclosures, many are focused on working and worrying. It’s hard to also be thinking, 'What value will I teach my child today?'"

Burns and Cockrell offer tips for parents to help positively shape children:

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Parents and educators are always trying to spark student participation whether it's in the classroom, in the local community, or throughout the world.  When middle-school students at Allison Academy in North Miami Beach were asked what they could do to improve their country, they focused on what they understood – bullying, violence and racism.

Those problems are all rooted in the same issues, says Rachel Albert, author of "Quest to Telos," (www.QuestToTelos.com), a young adult novel where fantasy meets reality and even world peace is possible.  "They stem from a lack of personal integrity and absence of social responsibility," she says.

"Children who choose to put those values into practice are actively working toward peace. But they can only put into practice what they've learned; instilling those values may seem simple, but many parents miss the mark and actually model the opposite."  Throwing money at social problems like racism or violence doesn't resolve them, Albert says.  But children can.

"The energy from kids' excitement can make a real difference and we need their energy focused right here at home," says the mother of four. "They see problems; it's up to us to give them the tools to address them."  The following tips can help parents teach their children personal integrity and social responsibility, giving them the keys to world peace.

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This Mother’s Day…friends, family and spouses can give the gift that keeps on giving, not only to a special mom, but to her kids, too! Helicopter moms everywhere (A mom who hovers over her child; overprotecting; over parenting; doing everything possible to make her child’s life easier) are waking up to discover that their family life needs some major adjusting…and "they" are the ones that are going to have to step-up and make choices to benefit the whole family!

Cleaning House by former White House employee and recovering enabling mother Kay Wills Wyma, chronicles her decision to run a one-year experiment of empowering her five children to master the basic tasks of independence.

Filled with insight, humor and practical steps to overcome enabling, Wyma shares how the process not only changed her kids…but provided her with valuable insights for every parent who seeks to rid their child of youth entitlement.  Keep reading to learn more!

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According to recent national surveys, approximately one out of five teenagers has sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures of themselves, and two out of five have sent or posted sexually suggestive messages.

Nearly half of all teenagers claim to have received such messages. Unfortunately, most parents do not know this activity is occurring, and worse yet, they do not know how to manage a sexting incident after the fact.

Today, uKnow.com, the leading provider of Parental Intelligence Systems including uKnowKids, is providing parents five tips to help prevent or manage a sexting incident.  According to Tim Woda, an Internet and child safety expert and co-founder of uKnow.com: "Sexting does not only affect the reputation of the person involved, it also comes with legal ramifications.

In fact, the same minor that sends photos of himself can become both a victim and a perpetrator of child pornography laws. Forwarding such messages to friends or mobile contacts can also come with serious ramifications.

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Adolescence is difficult in the best of times. It’s doubly stressful for kids today; they're experiencing the same worries and insecurities as adults in this troubled economy, and with far fewer coping skills. From families struggling with joblessness and foreclosure to increasing competition for college admissions to the normal fears associated with impending adulthood, they're particularly vulnerable.

"Teens who are overwhelmed by stress often are unable or unwilling to ask for help," says noted psychologist Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, author of When Your Teenager Becomes…The Stranger in Your House.

"But the longer they continue to flail and struggle emotionally, the greater the chance they'll develop more serious problems like clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, dependence on alcohol or drugs and, sadly, suicidal tendencies," Jantz says. "It’s up to parents and other adults to recognize when a teen is struggling and intervene."

So how do you know when typical teen characteristics, such as moodiness, have moved beyond "normal?" Jantz offers these tips:

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Best-selling author Dr. Gregory L. Jantz offers hope and help for parents of teens in his latest book, The Stranger in Your House.

Adolescence is a frightening and complicated time - for teens and parents. Keeping the roller coaster of the teen years on track takes work and wisdom. Many parents simply don't know where to start. With Dr. Jantz's help they can stop worrying about the turbulence of adolescence and take action. With included resources, reflection questions, and guidance from a Christian perspective, parents learn how to become a port in the storm for their teenager, discovering the God-designed future and promise that awaits. Keep reading to learn more!

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