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In these very tough economic times, emotions and mindsets are stressed out and challenged to the MAX! This is especially true for teens, pre-teens, and single parents. In this day and age of reality TV...wouldn't you like to finally see a show or program that is not only entertaining, but actually (and I mean REALLY) help families going through tough emotional and mental trials? AND ... see these same folks have their DREAMS COME TRUE in the process?

Of course you do!

That is where The C.H.A.M.P. Experiment comes in to your life.

The C.H.A.M.P. Experiment is a new documentary / reality show based on the book and workbook program, The C.H.A.M.P. Within, by author and advocate, Traci S. Campbell. Teens and their families will be featured that need help in some area of their lives: mentally, emotionally, financially, you name it! And you will see them put the practical and spiritual practices outlined in The C.H.A.M.P. Within program to work in their lives. For those who stick to it and make a real effort for change ... you will see Traci S. Campbell and her team do whatever it takes to make the dreams for these deserving families come true.

How COOL is that?

You can check out our introduction video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtofU4aZb_c

Add your city to the map by letting us know what issues are challenging your community:

http://blog.traciscampbell.com/c-h-a-m-p-experiment

Show your support for C.H.A.M.P. by joining us at The C.H.A.M.P. Within on Facebook

* For more information about the show, The C.H.A.M.P. Within program, and the creator/author, Traci S. Campbell call us at 1-888-519-2299 or complete the form at www.traciscampbell.com

Given all of the pressures and issues today’s tweens face, the internet is both a blessing and, potentially, a curse. Many local companies and entrepreneurs are taking up the cause to make the internet, and specifically social networking, a safer environment for tweens.

Many tweens are just being awakened to the allure of the internet world. Their initial exposure may be limited to just sending email or looking up items on Google. However, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter usage will likely come into play for tweens as well.

To assist in the issue of protecting tweens online, a new social networking site, called BFF less than three, is being created. The creators, Roy and Ed Suda, are recent Illinois Institute of Technology grads. For those new to social networking and internet lingo, “BFF” is short for “Best Friends Forever” and the less than three (the number three) looks like a heart laying on its side.

This new network will focus on the security and safety of tweens by employing a couple of methods. First, the network will use the idea of “necklaces” to not only verify the user, but to also make it possible, once the user is verified, to connect only to others that the user knows. Secondly, the network will provide parents a report, via email, so that they can regularly see the communication trail of their tween. Such safeguards will help parents to mitigate the risk and exposure of online predators.

While the BFF network sounds like a potentially great social network for tweens, there will still be the need for parents to actively monitor their tween’s online usage. Starting with mentally accepting that the online world is a major component of how this generation communicates is key. Parents who may not already be internet or computer savvy will need to educate themselves more thoroughly in order to effectively help in the safeguarding tweens as they mature in their own personal internet and social network usage.


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About the Author:
Traci S Campbell is the top advocate for tweens and teens from single parent homes. She is the host of Heroes at Home Radio dedicated to providing single parents with inspiration and motivation by featuring other single parents and the author of The C.H.A.M.P. Within program designed to enrich the lives of children and teens from single-parent homes.

Celebrities Kids | Celebrity Obsession: Are our teens too star-struck?

Following the lives of teen celebrities such as Taylor Lautner or Miley Cyrus are part of the normal past time for the average teenager today. While on the surface this may sound like the sort of thing we'd expect a young person to be doing with their time, this behavior can also lead to some major psychological issues that have far-reaching effects. In a recent study of adolescents between 11 and 16 years of age, two major categories were identified that pertain to how teens relate to celebrities.

The first category, called "entertainment social celebrity worship", consisted of teens that viewed celebrities as sources of entertainment and talked frequently about celebrity news. This was considered completely normal for the everyday teenager. These teenagers displayed healthy emotional independence. However, the second category called "intense personal celebrity worship" showed teenagers who were seeking a personal connection to the celebrity and often developed an unhealthy obsession. These teens, while trying to go through the normal maturity cycle, seemed to suffer from lower self-esteem and confidence than their peers. Their relationships with family and friends were extremely poor.

So this begs the question, "How can we prevent our teens from becoming too often with the lives of celebrities?" Well, there are a few things that can help. First, teens should be actively involved or engaged in school activities. Teens who have responsibilities such as an after school job or specific household responsibilities have less idle time on their hands. Also, teens should be encouraged to volunteer their time to serve in the community to develop an awareness of others who are less fortunate. Lastly, teens who are encouraged to have a spiritual foundation often have a healthier self-confidence and thus feel less inclined to seek out celebrities to idolize.

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Author: Traci S Campbell
Website: www.traciscampbell.com