Between 1990 and 2000, the number of teens, age 12 to 19 soared to 32 million, an increase of nearly 4.5 million. By 2010, the teen population is supposed to peak at 35 million. Today’s teens live in a time of sweeping technological advances, relative affluence and a flattening divorce rate. Because of the rate of change in today’s society, teens change and develop quickly.

Think you have fear of the unknown? Some of the most stressful times for children are moving from one classroom to another, according to LSU AgCenter child-care associate Cheri Gioe.

Is your child ready to be home alone? Prepare him or her with safety tips. Try a trial run first to be sure he or she is prepared to spend time alone as long as he or she is old enough to do so.

Tips for eating right and exercising for families.

It happens often when children receive a gift. The youngsters often are happier playing with the box than the present. Although amused at first, the gift-givers may soon suspect that their money was ill-spent.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have shown how strong Louisiana families can be. Parents and children faced with strains on time, money and emotions found ways to remain strong, healthy and happy.

Hurricane victims will be faced with the question this Thanksgiving, "What are you thankful for?" and some will find this question difficult to answer. The holiday will be a reminder of what’s been lost in floods and devastating winds.

Trying times can test family and community resiliency. Having our families and communities around us for support can go a long way in helping recover from disaster, emotionally as well as physically.

Keeping the family operating smoothly, particularly during these trying times following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, requires a lot of effort. Each of us, though, can contribute to keep the family strong.

“You got some bones to get some kicks.” “Backup your grill, you got the dragon.” “Boo, let’s go flossin.” Do these phrases seem like a foreign language? If you answered yes to this question, get the lowdown on teen lingo.