Q: Whether she's frustrated, embarrassed or angry, let your daughter know her feelings matter too. Don't roll your eyes or tell her she's overreacting. For example, respond by saying, "I hear what you're saying. It sounds like you're really angry with your friends. That must be difficult." If you're in a heated discussion or just having a serious conversation, always give her the opportunity to speak. Don't just brush off what she says. Make eye contact, nod while she's speaking and really listen. Repeat back what your teen said so that she knows you have listened to and acknowledged her feelings. One of the best ways to validate your daughter's feelings is to show your support with a hug. Sometimes your teen doesn't want to talk. Sometimes she's simply needs your affection and attention. If your daughter is really upset you may want to say, "It sounds like you're going through a tough time. Can I give you a hug?" A hug can be a good resolution to an argument as well. Take a few minutes to cool off, then approach your daughter and summarize what her side of the argument was. Ask her for a hug afterwards to show that you love and support her. You may think she's too young to experience such issues, but if your teen mentions she's depressed or suicidal, acknowledge what she's saying and act on it. One in five teenagers are diagnosed with mental health issues, so it's important to acknowledge her feelings. Although occasional moodiness or bouts of sadness is fairly normal for teenagers, take note if she's withdrawing from friends and family or suddenly has lost interest in all of her favorite activities. Be supportive and let her know she's loved and that this issue is worth your time and attention. Show that you've acknowledged her feelings by scheduling an appointment with a mental health professional. Go with her to the appointment, take notes and ask questions about treatment plans.
A: Let your daughter know her feelings matter. Respond with a hug. Take mental health issues seriously.

Q: The key component of your bucket drum set is going to be the bucket. A 15 liter (4USgal) bucket is usually a good size for someone of an average height. You can find large plastic buckets at hardware stores or by asking friends or family if they have an empty plastic bucket you can use. You will also need a stool or another bucket of equal or lesser height that you can sit on when you drum. The second key component of your bucket drum set is a pair of wooden drumsticks. Look for drumsticks at your local music supply store or online. You can also use metal drumsticks, but they are often heavier and more difficult to use for beginner drummers. If you plan to move around with your bucket drum set, you can make it portable by making a strap for the bucket drum out of duct tape and rope. Begin by wrapping duct tape around the bucket, a few inches from the bottom of the bucket. Wrap the duct tape around once and then once more again. At the end of the second layer of tape, pinch one inch of the tape to make a loop. Continue wrapping the tape once you make the first loop for five to ten inches and then pinch the tape again to create a second loop. A wider gap between the loops works best if you want to tie the bucket around your waist. A narrower gap between the loops works best if you plan to carry the bucket via a shoulder strap. Wrap the tape around the bucket one more time, layering over the loops so they are double layered. This will make them strong enough to withstand the pull of the rope. Turn the bucket upside down, with the opening on the ground. Then, put duct tape on the bucket vertically over the wrapped section to secure it further. Do this three to four times. Thread the rope through the loops and tie the bucket to your waist or make a shoulder strap with the rope and carry the bucket that way.
A: Look for a large plastic bucket. Get wooden drumsticks. Consider making a strap to carry your bucket drum.

Q: Starting your weight training workout by doing some cardio is a great way to make sure your body is warm enough to perform some of the moves better. Do some cardio with a light jog on the treadmill or outside and stop when you are just starting to break a sweat. Follow up with some stretches before you weight lift. When you are first starting your training, it's important not to push yourself too hard. The size weights you lift in the beginning should be light enough that you can perform 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps. Stay away from the "go hard" mentality in the early days of training. Your muscles shouldn't be pushed to the maximum early on. During your first workout in the gym, do 2-3 sets of 12-15 reps with the weights. You should feel a burn, but not to the point of exhaustion where you can't push yourself any further during your reps. After the first 10-12 reps, there should be 2-5 reps left "in the tank" that you could perform after each set if you wanted to. Doing weight training exercises in a pattern with reps between 2 of 12 and 3 of 10 helps you process the motions as their happening to your body. Muscles will also be able to learn to adapt to the weight you're placing on them. Barbell squats are a very common way to weight train, but it's best to start light so that your body can get accustomed to the technique. As you get stronger, incorporate dumbbells and then barbells. Squat by standing with feet slightly wider than your hips and toes pointed slightly outward at a 5-20 degree angle. Look in front of you and find a spot on the wall to concentrate on as you squat down. Put your arms outward in front of you, in line with the ground. Proper technique will help prevent injury. Your spine should be in neutral position and kept straight as you lower into form. Make sure that your knees do not go beyond your toes. Do 5 sets of 5 squats or 25 squats total. When you start to feel gains from your workouts, incorporate dumbbells instead of just your bodyweight. Week by week, you should be able to increase your weights by 2-5 percent. Squats and deadlifts are more complicated than bicep curls. When squatting, if you find that your form begins to suffer during the last few reps, try to perform fewer reps per set. It's your body's way of telling you it's reached its limit. Work your way up to higher reps as you continue to train. Give yourself 1-2 minutes in between rep sets to make sure you are maintaining proper form while you exercise. Lighten your weight if you feel yourself struggling. Focusing on your form is a part of teaching your body proper technique. The earlier you do so, the better your weight training journey will be. Weight training works by progressively increasing the amount of weight that you move with your body. If you're inconsistent, you'll find that your progress stalls. Progress is something that happens over time. Make weight training a lifetime habit in order to see results gradually, all the time.
A:
Warm your body up with cardio. Find dumbbells that are light enough for you. Perform dumbbell exercises in a pattern. Use your bodyweight when first learning to squat. Focus on proper form. Be consistent with your training.