Santa Clarita Parents have an opportunity to learn how the teen brain functions.  I'm sure we all, at one time or another thought, what is my child thinking? How am I doing as a parent?  Or what can I do to communicate better with my child?

Raising teenagers is one of the most challenging experiences that a parent ever has to go through.  Teens do not seem to think before they act, and can be so emotionally volatile, leading to confusion and even frustration both on the part of the teenagers and the parents. 
Teen Scene Unplugged, an annual event offered by the City of Santa Clarita and the Blue Ribbon Task Force, strives to provide parents with the tools they need to help them understand, and communicate better with their teens.  This popular program draws over 500 parents and community members each year, and is always packed with information and useful resources to help parents and teens get through the crucial teenage years. 

"Parenting/Understanding the Teen Brain" is the focus of the 8th Annual Teen Scene Unplugged, scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, 2008, at the Hyatt Valencia, 24500 Town Center Drive.  It will feature Tina Bryson, Ph.D., lecturer and parenting educator, and Director of Parenting Education and Development at the Mindsight Institute, where she works to help teach parents and professionals about the interface between relationships and the changing brain.  In her own genuine, practical and humorous way, Bryson will make brain science accessible, and discuss how the developing teen brain impacts teen behavior and decision making.

"There's a part of our brain that doesn't fully mature until the early 20s.  And during the teenage years, it's under heavy construction.  Understanding teen brain development, and applying that knowledge can help us make good parenting decisions that will strengthen our relationship with our teenagers, and help them become the best persons they can be," said Bryson.

A resource fair offering valuable information and resources for families will kick off the event, followed by Bryson's presentation.

 "Parenting teenagers is a monumental task and can be very challenging.  Understanding the biological and physiological changes in our teenagers will help us parents connect better and strengthen our relationship with our teens," said Mayor Pro-Tem Frank Ferry who heads up the Blue Ribbon Task Force.

Teen Scene Unplugged is free and open to parents and community members who work with teens.  Parents may bring their teens along.  Spanish translation is available during the program.

For more information about Teen Scene Unplugged or the Blue Ribbon Task Force, please call Tess Simgen, the City of Santa Clarita's Community Services Analyst, at 661-255-4965, or visit www.santa-clarita.com .