The middle school and high school years bring many changes for children. Parenting a teenage son or daughter is as much about listening as it is about offering guidance. These preteen and teen years mark a transition from childhood toward independence, often accompanied by insecurity as youngsters learn who they are and who they want to become.
As parents, these are the years when support and mentorship matter most. Children may begin to act more like young adults, but they still need guidance. This stage lets us really see who our child is becoming and gives us the opportunity to teach them how to be responsible young adults.
Make time to sit down with your kids and talk to them every day. Listen to their stories, even when you’re tired, and be present to help them navigate choices and challenges. Along with parental guidance, children learn a great deal from peers, and books—both for children and young adults—can be an excellent source of inspiration.
That brings us to today’s featured book and story.
Inspirational Story of Moderation (Excerpt)
Today I’m sharing the final excerpt in our series that includes Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul and Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul. This excerpt comes from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Preteens, and it’s a true story submitted by Zulema Anahy Carlos, a preteen who had just received her first cell phone. Her experience explores how phone use can affect school, family life, and priorities.
“Everything in moderation… including moderation”
That quote from Julia Child is a favorite of mine. This book is filled with meaningful quotes at the start of each story and genuine reflections from preteens and teens throughout.
Cell Phone Madness (excerpt)
Don’t let your phone distance you from the real world.
Zulema was thrilled to get a cell phone for her twelfth birthday. On the first day she brought it to school, she found it hard to concentrate; the phone kept drawing her attention. Her grades slipped, and she became increasingly distant at home. Her mother noticed the change and said, “I noticed that you never pay attention to us, your brother or sister. It’s like you have your own little world now and we don’t communicate as much with your phone between us.”
At first Zulema resisted the idea that the phone was a problem, but after a week she decided to try a test. She spent an entire day without her cell phone. That day she had more fun and the people around her noticed she was present and engaged again. She reflected, “Phones really take you away from the rest of the world. When you use your phone, you move from the real world to a technological world. I’m not saying that phones are bad and not to use them, but you do have to make some time to spend with your family, too, and not get stuck with your phone all day.”
She continued, “My phone took away time from my homework and from my family. It also affected my grades.” In the end she decided to keep using her phone but with clearer boundaries. “I will keep using my phone, but I have it under better control now so that it doesn’t interfere with my real life,” she said.
If you want more uplifting stories, practical encouragement, and positive quotes geared toward preteens and teens, consider exploring collections that gather real-life experiences like Zulema’s and offer gentle reminders about balance and perspective.
Related Stories You’ll Enjoy:
- What Parents Need to Know BEFORE Giving Kids a Cell Phone
- Powerful Positive Thinking Tips You Will Want Your Preteen To Remember!
- Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul – Think Positive for Teens
- The Boy Who Had Everything (A Story of Gratitude for Kids)