Parenting teenage boys.....where to start?

I have been thinking about starting this blog for some time now. Usually, it occurs to me when I am experiencing a dilemma in my day to day life trying to parent my three boys. We have gotten through the early years and I have had my fill of emergency room visits, temper tantrums and "all-nighters" with sick little boys. There have been choices to make over school, sports, friends, and extra-curricular activities. Now, I am also faced with 21st century parenting quandaries including (but not limited to) violence on TV and in video games, Internet crimes against kids, bullies at school, drugs, sex, and a child who is driving! You think the toddler years are young...just wait.

When I am caught in one of these teen tornadoes, my method has been to research and read up on the issue. On the tough challenges, I have consulted with friends, relatives, teachers, as well as colleagues. I am a mental health professional who works in the field of child welfare, which provides a basis for the way I perceive societal issues facing my children. I have observed my kids and then tried to make an educated plan of attack. Some challenges are harder than others. I have learned that what affects one child often has effects on the others. And, as we all know, parenting is not an easy job. But the rewards at the end always seem to outweigh the difficulties getting there.

A few years back, when my middle son was in 5th grade, we experienced the harmful effects that bullying in school could do to a bright, happy young boy. Within weeks of the bullying behaviors, my straight A student was bringing home C's. He didn't want to go to school. He started taking out his frustrations on his younger brother. The bullying was not only effecting the bullied child, but his siblings, and parents as well! I found a wonderful book: The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School--How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence, and I read it from cover to cover! I also searched the Internet for helpful resources. Once I felt knowledgeable about the issues, I approached my child's teacher and educated her on what was happening in her class. At the time, I thought: "I should really write up an article on this so that I might be able to share what I have learned with other parents who are confronting this problem!" I didn't follow through because of my own insecurities about my ability to write well. However, I am trying to "get over" my shyness, and thus, I have decided to take the plunge in a different way and try this out in the blog format.

So, here it goes. We will see how far this takes me. I welcome the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences as well as to get feedback and words of wisdom from those of you who stop by and wish to share your comments with me!