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written by: Daniel Currie editing and proofreading by: Jacasa Currie Mashup Dedicated to Jacasa Currie Guiding Teenagers Bite-Size 4-minute Blogs, best known as GT Mashups No fancy formats. Opinionated. Based On Facts. Enjoy the Podcast wherever you listen; just search Guiding Teenagers or check it out HERE ! Whether you are a stressed parent navigating this thing they call parenthood, a teenager simply trying to figure out their preferences in life, or someone in between, this is a PSA just for you. In our first post of Season 5, we launch with our fan-favorite Mashup style blog: the shorter, laid-back, and more opinion-based blog, where formats are anything but mandatory. Regardless, in this Mashup, we dive into the concept that is vital to the mind and soul, regardless of your age. The only age criteria for this post is anyone who dares to dream! Now, without further ado, enjoy this first episode with some intense passion! Table of Contents Now you must be thinking, WTF? What does this guy mean by saying, "Enjoy this first episode with some intense passion!" Intense passion? Yeah, you read correctly—intense passion. This Mashup will explain how and why intense passion is vital for a healthy and happy life—regardless of parenting status! To clarify, when I say "intense passion," it's the kind of passion that makes your heart race, your eyes sparkle, and your soul catch fire. Face it: life is too short to live any other way, and if you've been tiptoeing through your days, it's time to wake up and start running. Passion-driven living isn't just a concept; it's a lifestyle, a mindset, a damn good way to turn the ordinary into extraordinary. Why Intense Passion Matters Let's face it: life can be mundane. It's easy to fall into a routine, doing the same things day in and day out until the days blur into weeks—even months, and years. But what if, instead of just going through the motions, you started living with purpose and intense passion? That's when life stops being something that happens to you and starts being something you create, shape, and fiercely own. Passion-driven people don't wait for life to hand them an invitation; they kick down the door and, in a fit of emotional passion, scream, "Here I am, make some noise because you might as well get busy living, or you might as well get busy dying!" They feel every experience deeply, savor every victory, and embrace every challenge with a fire that refuses to be extinguished. Finding Your Passion Now, you might be thinking, "That's all well and good, but what if I don't know what I'm passionate about?" The truth is, not everyone is born knowing exactly what sets their soul on fire. And that's okay! Finding your passion is a journey, not a destination. Start by exploring what interests you. Maybe it's parenting, perhaps it's writing blogs, or maybe it's your career. Regardless, take note of the things that make you lose track of time, the activities that fill you with energy and joy. Experiment, try new things, fail, and try again. Passion-driven living isn't about finding one thing and sticking to it forever; it's about continuously exploring and discovering new aspects of yourself and the world around you. Embracing Intensity in Everyday Life Living with intense passion doesn't mean you have to quit your job, sell all your belongings, and move to a cabin in the woods (unless that's what you're into—then go for it!). It's about infusing your everyday life with meaning and purpose. It's about doing whatever you do—whether it's your job, your hobbies, your relationships—with a full heart and unwavering dedication. If you're a parent, be the most passionate, involved, and loving parent you can be. If you're a student, dive into your studies with curiosity and enthusiasm. If you're a barista, make that cup of coffee like it's the most important thing you'll do all day. Passion-driven living is about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary and never settling for anything less than what sets your soul on fire. Overcoming Obstacles to Passion Let's get real for a minute: living with intense passion isn't always easy. There will be obstacles—fear, doubt, criticism from others, and sometimes even the dreaded burnout. But here's the thing: nothing worth having ever comes easy. When you commit to a passion-driven life, you learn to see these obstacles not as roadblocks but as stepping stones. You embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. When the going gets tough, you dig deep, fuel your fire with your unwavering love for what you do, and keep pushing forward. Passion-driven people are resilient because their passion gives them the strength to overcome anything life throws their way. Connecting with Like-Minded Souls One of the beautiful things about living with intense passion is that it naturally attracts like-minded individuals. Passion is contagious. When you're truly passionate about something, people can't help but be drawn to your energy. Surround yourself with people who share your enthusiasm for life, who encourage you to chase your dreams, and who celebrate your victories with the same joy as their own. Passion-driven living isn't just about finding your path; it's about building a community of people who inspire and uplift each other. It's about creating a network of intense passion that fuels creativity, collaboration, and genuine human connection. With that said, since our blogs typically specialize in raising teens, it is worth noting that it is vital to let your teen (or teens) explore their passions, allowing them to press forward with intensity—and, crucially, without judgment. Making Every Moment Count At the end of the day, living with intense passion is about making every moment, every day, count. It's about waking up each morning excited for what the day will bring. It's finding like-minded people to elevate your feelings and joy that much more, knowing there is no limit to those intense feelings. And it's about ending each day with a sense of fulfillment, knowing you gave it your all. Passion-driven people don't live for the weekends or the next vacation; they find joy in the here and now. They understand that life is a series of moments, and it's up to them to make each one as meaningful as possible. So, take a deep breath, put your heart into whatever you do, and start living a passion-driven life today. Conclusion: Your Passion-Driven Journey Starts Now Life isn't about waiting for the perfect moment; it's about making the moment perfect with your intense passion. It's about taking whatever you're doing, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, and doing it with everything you've got. Whether you're pursuing a lifelong dream, tackling a new hobby, or simply navigating the daily grind, do it with purpose, do it with fire, and do it with intense passion. Because that's how you turn an ordinary life into an extraordinary adventure. So go out there and live like you mean it. Be bold, be brave, and be unapologetically passion-driven. The world is waiting for you to set it on fire. Love it? Share it!  (links below the written date/references!) Make sure they know where it came from 👌 #GuidingTeenagers #CurlyStacheBlogs #BloomingThoughts Take me back to more blog articles !  ✒️ Take me home  🏠 Back to the top  ⬆️ Originally Written on: January 20, 2025

written by: Daniel Currie editing and proofreading reviewed by: Jacasa Currie Guiding Teenagers Bite-Size 4-minute Blogs, best known as GT Mashups No fancy formats. Opinionated. Based On Facts. I've talked about my daughter quite a few times over the dozens of blogs; she is a spitfire that I adore for everything she has become and so much more. She is passionate, fiery, stubborn, and fun. She shares her dad's horrible immatureness and bad sense of humor that many may despise and find vulgar. She is her father's daughter through and through. We have a relationship like many fiery daughters and immature fathers. We love each other without showing a lot of affection, but conversely, we have this unbreakable bond that nobody could ever break, let alone try to understand. Some may even dare to say it's complicated. It's not complicated to us. The only thing that can be complicated is the amount of slack I give her. No, I'm not talking about how long of a leash I give her regarding our relationship, and how she (well, we) behave, or our feelings towards each other, or whatnot. I'm talking about my little girl growing up while this dad starts to watch from the sideline. Sometimes, it's soul-crushing to know I'm no longer as important as I may have once been. Even then, it's very rewarding to know she is walking her own path, independent and uncompromising , not following in anybody's shoes, not even mine. How is a father supposed to let go? I know I must let her grow and mature on her own, but there is no way in hell I am just "letting go." This father will not sit by and let her go unguided and undisciplined . I love my little girl too much to see her potentially slip down a rabbit's hole when I could be there for her as I always have. While weighing my options, another somewhat obvious thought crossed my mind: Should I lay down the law and instill a slew of rules to better protect her? After all, she's just going into high school, and there is so much that can happen. She may not be ready for all that's to come, and she could use some rigid rules for guidance. On one hand, it felt too hot, and on the other, it felt too cold. I needed "just right." I didn't want to be totally transparent, where she could do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted, like I wasn't even there and didn't care. Permissive parenting , or neglectful parenting, is not something I'm into; I just could never see myself not having that unique bond anymore, guiding her in her times of need. Chewing the thought around some more, I realized I certainly did not want to be this massive stone wall, either, locking her in a jail cell of rules. How are teens really supposed to learn without falling here and there? After all, that's what a dad is supposed to do! Help them back up from their fall, dust them off, and tell them to keep trying. I've always felt this solid, stone-wall approach is not necessarily the correct way, either. The problem with too many rules is that teens are much more likely to rebel since they are not fully mature yet. Regardless of how good intentions may be, until the teen sees that, the reason does not matter; it takes maturing. In contrast, by pampering them (putting it bluntly), whether by helicopter parenting or by having too many lenient house rules, they may stumble when they reach adulthood and face "real-life" rules, as all of us adults know! I came to the realization translucent parenting is critical. I needed to be there, to guide and help her—but crucially, I needed to let her live her life. I felt it was vital for her to know I was there for her no matter the rhyme or reason, yet I refused to obstruct her views and goals in life. There was no way in hell I wanted to prevent my little girl from fully blooming into a beautiful woman full of life and personality. I refused to hinder her development or slow her down; she is too good for that, and I love her for WHO SHE IS, not who others want her to be. Not only did I want her to know that her dreams and passions were always within reach and that she could achieve them, but I also needed her to know that I was THERE for her—not transparent or uninvolved, but always there for her, no matter what. Furthermore, she must understand that I am not that impenetrable stone wall either, where she feels her dad had become this dictator, stating, "It's for your best," not allowing her much independent decision-making, originality, and individualism. My little girl needs to understand I am there when it's needed—when she needs Dad to help her back up, to dust her off, and to tell her, "It's alright, let's try again." In this translucent style, I'm only there when she starts to veer too close to the edge, guiding her and keeping her on the straight and narrow. That Goldilocks zone is known as being a translucent parent. Translucent parenting means allowing your teens to flourish independently as you foster their growth. Allowing them to learn from their mistakes based on the morals and beliefs you've instilled in them from a young age. It isn't about turning a blind eye or crossing your fingers, hoping for the best. In contrast, it isn't about controlling and clearing the path for them. It's about relinquishing control in a very smooth, fluid method so that when they become young adults and are on their own, they don't even realize you are there anymore. Here's the bottom line: Be mindful that in order for your teens to mature properly, they must have guidance. Guidance does not mean being careless or rigid. It means helping your teen to achieve their dreams while keeping them on the straight and narrow. It's allowing your teen to experience the world, discover their likes and dislikes, realize their passions, and be comfortable without judgment. Love it? Share it!  (links below the written date/references!) Make sure they know where it came from 👌 #GuidingTeenagers #CurlyStacheBlogs #BloomingThoughts Take me back to more blog articles !  ✒️ Take me home  🏠 Back to the top  ⬆️ Originally Written on: July 6, 2024

written by: Jacasa Currie editing and proofreading by: Daniel Currie While I was in college studying Early Childhood Education for my associate degree, I took a child development. In this class, I learned about attachment theory. This fascinated me, among other things I learned. There are 4 types of attachment that are originally formed as babies but continue to develop throughout childhood. The good news is you can change parenting behaviors to curb this. The four types of attachments are secure, anxious, avoidant-dismissive, and disorganized. Let’s go through the characteristics and how it can affect adult relationships/adult lives. Table of Contents ► Understanding Attachment Theory: Secure ► Understanding Attachment Theory: Anxious ► Understanding Attachment Theory: Avoidant-dismissive ► Understanding Attachment Theory: Disorganized ► To Achieve Successful Attachments: Secure ► To Achieve Successful Attachments: Anxious ► To Achieve Successful Attachments: Avoidant-dismissive ► To Achieve Successful Attachments: Disorganized ► Conclusion Understanding Attachment Theory: Secure Often times these children feel they are safe and supported by caregivers. This is the type of parent that is strived for. As babies, these children become upset when caregivers leave, but then are comforted when they return, and their caregiver’s presence calms them. In adult relationships they are more likely to maintain healthy relationships. Understanding Attachment Theory: Anxious This is also known as preoccupied attachment or anxious-ambivalent attachment. This is a form of insecure attachment. This happens when the caregiver is inconsistent. The child typically isn’t sure when the caregiver will be emotionally and physically available to them. As babies, they are harder to comfort when crying. In adult relationships they are “needy” or “clingy” and often times not trusting. They become worried that their partner will leave them and need constant reassurance. Understanding Attachment Theory: Avoidant-dismissive This type of person is usually seen as a loner. They are more likely to not delve into emotional conversations. In childhood they had experienced a lack of emotional support or connections. This child was provided with the psychical needs but not emotional comfort, therefore they learn to rely on others for their emotional needs. In adult relationships they are self-reliant and emotionally guarded. They are unlikely to seek emotional comfort or understand how to comfort their partner. Understanding Attachment Theory: Disorganized This is also known as fearful-avoidant attachment. This is the most extreme and least common attachment style. These individuals usually act irrationally, are unpredictable or intense in their relationships. This is formed from trauma/fear in childhood. They had an erratic or incoherent relationship with their primary caregiver. As adults they can develop mental health disorders and/or personality disorders. In adult relationships they experience unhealthy relationships where they crave close relationships but push others away once shown attention. Now let’s discuss how to use parenting to avoid/achieve these . To Achieve Successful Attachments: Secure Like mentioned earlier, this is the one that we are trying to achieve. Ways to do this is to be involved in their lives. It is important to be emotionally available to them whenever they need comforting. It is important to show up to various events in the child’s life so that they feel that presence and feel cared about. If there are babies in the picture it is important to comfort them when they are crying and upset, as hard as that can be at times. To Achieve Successful Attachments: Anxious To avoid this attachment style, it would be important to make yourself readily available to them emotionally. Although making sure they are provided for psychically is important, children need the emotional support just as much. Trying to keep an open line of communication is as always important as well. Just being there for the child is extremely important. To Achieve Successful Attachments: Avoidant-dismissive This one like the last one focuses mostly on the emotional aspect of things. For this one it is also important to create that close personal relationship with your child. Have daily conversations and even if you are not actually interested in what they are, still ask about it. Make sure they feel that they are important in your life. Always communicate with them to create that open line of communication. To Achieve Successful Attachments: Disorganized This one should be easy to avoid. However, sometimes we find ourselves in unsafe/abusive situations. In those situations, even if the person you are with is not hurting your child, they are witnessing you getting hurt whether it be mentally or physically or both, and that in turn hurts and effects them. It is important to get yourself out of those situations. If you are the one who is being unsafe/abusive then it is important to find immediate help for yourself. Even if that means you may have to distance yourself while you get better, this is still better for the child in the long run. If this has to happen, it is important to continue to communicate with your child (if possible). In Conclusion It may seem like some of this is extreme, but the little things that parents do every day affects their child. Sometimes there are things that we do that we don’t even realize we are doing such as telling the child to go play and not engaging in how their days were. Those little things will go a long way in ensuring their success and avoiding the negative attachment styles they could develop. — Jacasa Currie, AAS, ECE Love it? Share it!  (links below the written date/references!) Make sure they know where it came from 👌 #GuidingTeenagers #CurlyStacheBlogs #BloomingThoughts Take me back to more blog articles !  ✒️ Take me home  🏠 Back to the top  ⬆️ Originally Written on: July 10, 2024

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◄ Body Piercings Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Find us on Social! >>> Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings Handling the Situation Part II of the 2-part series In the second and final installment of Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings, I will walk you through crucial actions to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your young adult. Missed the first part? Check out Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings: Personal Experience 👈 Read Article! The article reveals life as a teen with a passion for body art and a parent who had to handle the situation. Jump to a Section : Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings: Handling the Situation ►Sustain or Subdue? ▪ Reality Check: Their Age ▪ Don't Add Insult To Injury ▪ Limited Options ▫ Let's go over our options ▫ Boils down to options A or B ►Option C ▪ Middle Ground ▪ Be Humble: Think Back, Don't React ►Essential Parenting Dos (and Don'ts!) ►Spite or Serious? ▪ Spite ▪ Serious ►Raising Teens & Body Piercings: It's NOT the End ►Conclusion ►Comments Written By Dan Currie Published: May 22, 2023 Sustain or Subdue? We as parents should always have a say in our young adult's decisions, especially if they still live in our homes and school. So what should we do when they turn 18 and are adamant about getting a body piercing, and we aren't comfortable with that idea (or downright disapprove)? Let's look into our options and what we can do in this situation: sustain the idea and let it flourish- or subdue it, killing the thought of body shrapnel. Reality Check: Their Age First, it is imperative to remember that they are 18 years old and have a legal right to make their own decisions regarding their bodies. I get it. It's hard letting go sometimes, but they grow up, and we must let them do what they think is best- even if we know better and have the wisdom that comes with maturity and age. All we can do is be there for them, giving comfort and advice as necessary, hoping we have raised them the best they can be. Don't Add Insult To Injury Whatever age your child is, we should NEVER subdue our children and their thoughts, opinions, or preferences- no matter how foolish it may seem to us as parents with wisdom. Remember, this makes them unique and fosters emotional growth and self-esteem. If you attempt to completely quash their idea without listening to them first, they will feel denigrated and disparaged, shattering their self-worth. Limited Options Let's go over our options But I still don't approve of them getting a body piercing, so what should I do? Without sugarcoating it, the brutal truth is that there is nothing. No form of legal action (in typical circumstances) will prevent it. Screaming matches and arguments generally do not work. Faulting your teen and making them feel their preferences and tastes will not work either. Imposing punishments is an option; however, whether they believe it is worth the consequences remains their choice. Boils down to Options A or B There is no golden ticket answer without forcing and threatening your young adult into something else that could make them feel belittled or hamper their self-esteem. Unfortunately, this is one of those deals where you can go to other sites (even the ones claiming a guarantee) where you can legally do nothing without either (A) obtaining a court order or (B) throwing out all morals scorning and vilifying your child. Option C As stated, without becoming a vile parent yourself or jumping through a ton of hoops (or both!), if your child wants a body piercing, they ultimately can get one. What we should be doing as good, responsible, nurturing parents is opening the lines of communication with them- Option (C). Let's not try dismissing their ideas and thought processes; instead, try understanding them. Be direct, sit down with them, and express yourself and reason for your feelings. We do not want them to feel that parents are always in control; otherwise, they will see us as puppet masters pulling all the strings, and they are just going through the motions at that point. So instead, show that you respect their decision and are willing to listen and offer input, gently steering them in a direction where both of you can meet in the middle. Middle Ground Finding the middle ground is the best solution, even if we may disagree with the body shrapnel or what it represents in some cases. We must think objectively and with an open mind, briefly removing the parenting hat. The best way to do this is by putting yourself in their shoes. Be Humble: Think Back, Don't React Take a minute, be humble, and put yourself in your child's shoes. Pretend for a moment you had your heart set on a particular piece of metal you could wear, much like earrings, but only in other parts of the body. Then, as you become excited, you take the high road and run it past your parents rather than trying to hide it or make them upset and just come home with it. What would you hope your parents would say about it when you came to them? If you are honest with yourself, you would want your parents to a least hear you out and respect your opinions rather than ridicule you. Furthermore, the last thing you want to hear is your parents deciding for you even though you now have a legal right to the decision—a tough pill to swallow. Essential Parenting Dos (and Don'ts!) Instead, have a real heart-to-heart conversation with them. Take them out to lunch, the batting cage, the mall, or whatever brings each of you close and gives you a chance to hash it out. When you talk with them, show that you are sincerely listening and be involved in the conversation without hijacking it. For example, have them explain why they find it so attractive, what made them choose that particular location, and their plans after the piercing. In doing this, your child will think highly of your opinions and be more receptive to your thoughts and advice on the piercing. As a bonus, they will surely think much more carefully about it before running off hellbent on doing it. Spite or Serious? As their parent, you probably know whether your child is serious about a body piercing. That said, one of two things will happen. Spite If your teen is coming to you about thinking about a piercing, saying they are going to get one, but their body language or something else screams otherwise, allow your parental panic alarm to sound. For example, once you realize they want one out of spite, because it is the newest fad, or even because of peer pressure, you will want to reach into the bag of tricks to get them to think twice and hopefully not go through with it. Remember, as parents, we only want to subtly assist in making sure they make an informed and correct decision. Under no circumstance do we want to force a decision or add to their stress and pressure them. So instead, give your child the facts, laying them out to allow them to see it clearly and lean on you for advice. Serious On the flip side, if your teenager is adamant about some body shrapnel, and they have come to you with a well-thought-out and organized plan, then it is a safe bet they are mentally and emotionally ready for it. In addition, if your child can answer any questions you may throw at them regarding your concerns about getting a body piercing, you can be sure they are mature enough to have thought it through in depth. Furthermore, that is also an excellent sign that it is not a spur-of-the-moment decision or a spontaneous "you only live once" fling. At that point, and their intent is evident, the only thing left is to let them come to you for support and advice, even if we disapprove of the decision. However, if you respect their decision, they may allow suggestions if it merits them since they can see you are trying. Even if the ideas fall on a deaf ear or there is no room for recommendations, at the very least, you don't end up with the strain of a choppy relationship over differences in opinions. Raising Teens & Body Piercings: It's NOT the End Raising teens today is challenging, especially regarding topics like this. I bring good news, though: as mentioned in the previous article, Raising Teens Today Who Want Body Piercings: Part I , Personal Experience, body piercings are only semi-permanent. That means they come out and heal with a minimal scar. It comes out even quicker and with less effort than going in if your child realizes they do not like it, whether a week or a decade later. Body piercings make an excellent alternative to something much more permanent such as a tattoo, so yes, it could be worse! In Conclusion As stated in the previous post, I agree with body piercings; they are an elegant art form that is not entirely permanent. Much like all art forms, it is in the eye of the beholder. What may be horrifying and disgusting to one may be a marvel or wonder to another. We must always respect each other's opinions regarding body piercings, even if they are our children. To allow them to grow and build self-esteem and individuality, they must be free to make their own decisions when the time comes. All we can do is be there and hope we raise them well. comments debug Comments Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Your Opinion Matters! Leave a comment. Let us know what you think! ▲ Back to Top Home Start Here! Blogs More Shop Podcasts More Find us on Social! >>> CurlyStache Blogs: A division of CurlyStache, www.curlystache.com . | Raising Teens Today: Guiding Teenagers with Essential Parenting Dos and Don'ts Copyright notice: All images on this page, including all pages within the https://www.curlystache.com domain, are fully licensed or created for the sole purpose of this website. For additional information, please contact us at admin@curlystache.com