Teen Text Slang: Do You Know What Your Teen is Saying?

What are they saying?

Learning the teen language is only the beginning of parenting teenagers today.

Do you know the A-Z text codes?

Brought to you by TextZapper, now is a very good time to become an educated parent!
TextZapper is a parental-controlled cell phone app, which essentially has a message monitoring component that notifies the parent who is alerted via a text on their cell phone – if a suspicious text or email is sent to their son or daughter.

Any language which makes reference to sex, sexting, as well as things related to cyberbullying, suicide, guns, weapons or drugs – among many other things – are red-flagged.
There are more than 11,000 key words and phrases that trigger the notification. In addition to the alert about the message, the parent will also receive the phone number responsible for sending the message.

Here is an A-Z list of text codes you should know about:

• 1174   Nude club
• 182     I hate you
• 420     Marijuana
• 4Q      F*** You
• 53X     Sex
• 8         Oral sex
• 9         Parent is watching
• 99       Parent is no longer watching
• A/S/L/P  Age/Sex/Location/Picture
• A3         Anyplace, Anywhere, Anytime
• ADIH     Another Day In Hell
• ASL       Age/Sex/Location
• banana  code word for penis
• BITFOB   Bring It The F*** On, Bitch
• BJ           Blow Job
• BM          Byte Me
• BMF        Bad Mother F***er
• BOHICA   Bend Over Here It Comes Again
• BTFO      Back The F*** Off -or- Bend The F*** Over
• BUFF       Big Ugly Fat F***
• CBF        Can't Be F***ed
• CBJ         Covered Blow Job
• CD9        Code 9 - it means parents are around
• CU46      See You For Sex
• DOC       Drug Of Choice
• DUM       Do You Masturbate?
• DURS     Damn You Are Sexy
• DUSL     Do You Scream Loud?
• EOL       End Of Life
• ESMF     Eat Sh** Mother F***er
• FAH        F***ing A Hot
• FAP       F***ing A Pissed
• FAYF***    All Y'all
• FBF***    Buddy -or- FaceBook
• FBI         F***ing Brilliant Idea -or- Female Body Inspector
• FMLTWIA   F*** Me Like The Whore I Am
• FMUTA      F*** Me Up The Ass
• FNG       F***ing New Guy
• FO         F*** Off
• FOAD    F*** Off And Die
• FU2       F*** You Too
• FUBAR  F***ed Up Beyond All Recognition (or Repair)
• FUBB    F***ed Up Beyond Belief
• GAFL    Get A F***ing Life
• GAGFI  Gives A Gay First Impression
• GAL      Get A Life
• HOIC     Hold On, I'm Coming
• I&I         Intercourse & Inebriation
• IBGYBG   I'll Be Gone, You'll Be Gone
• IPN        I'm Posting Naked
• ITS        Intense Text Sex
• IWBAPTKYAIYSTA   I Will Buy A Plane Ticket And Kick Your Ass If You Say That Again
• IWBNI    It Would Be Nice If
• IWFU     I Wanna F*** You
• IWIWU   I Wish I Was You
• IWSN     Want Sex Now
• IYAOYAS   If You Ain't Ordinance You Ain't Sh**
• kitty        Code word for vagina
• KPC        Keeping Parents Clueless
• KWSTA   Kiss With Serious Tongue Action
• L8R         Later
• L?^          Let's hook up
• LABATYD Life's A Bitch And Then You Die
• LAGNAF   Lets All Get Naked And F***
• LAQ          Lame Ass Quote
• LB?W/C    Like Bondage? Whips or Chains
• LBR and LGR   Little Boy's Room and Little Girl's Room
• LBUG or LBIG  Laughing Because You're Gay -or- Laughing Because I'm Gay
• LD            Long Distance -or- Later Dude
• LDIMEDILLIGAF  Look Deeply Into My Eyes, Does It Look Like I Give A F***
• LHOS       Lets Have Online Sex
• LHSO       Let's Have Sex Online
• LHU          Let's Hook Up
• LIB           Lying In Bed
• NICE        Nonsense In Crappy Existence
• NIFOC     Nude In Front Of The Computer
• NIGYYSOB  Now I've Got You, You Son Of a B*tch
• RUH            Are You Horny?
• RUMCYMHMD   Are You on Medication Cause You Must Have Missed a Dose
• RUMORF     Are You Male OR Female?
• SMB     Suck My Balls
• STM     Spank The Monkey
• URAPITA     You Are A Pain In The Ass
• URSAI          You Are Such An Idiot

ZapMyText and learn more about what your teens are talking about.  More importantly, be sure they are not text talking and driving.  Texting and driving is deadly - talk today to your teen about texting and driving and the life you save may be your child's.
Don't forget about distracted bicycling!  Too many teens are texting and pedaling, which is extremely dangerous too.  Read more.

Read more.

Summer Fun for Needy Children: Get Involved and Change the Lives of Children Today

The time is NOW! Yes, many people are struggling with today’s economy, but one way to feel fulfilled is to give a piece of yourself and your family to a child that has none.  You don’t have to have a million dollars to give a child a fun summer.  Just being there, playing ball, swimming or any other family activity is what many children crave.

If you or someone you know is able to host, please sign up now. In 2010, The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.

More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.

“It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child’s face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted…”

Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size, ethnicity and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget.
Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away!

Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends.

The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open, outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.
Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences in rural and suburban areas. Each agency is responsible for registering children for the program.
What do Fresh Air children enjoy?

• Playing in the backyard

• Laughing in the sunshine
• Catching fireflies
• Riding bicycles
• Learning to swim
• Running barefoot through the grass
• Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights
• Building sandcastles
• Making new friends
• Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city

The Fresh Air Fund at the Five Boro Bike Tour
Join The Fresh Air Fund at the Five Boro Bike Tour on May 1st! The largest recreational cycling event in America, the TD Bank Five Boro Bike Tour, leads bikers on a 42-mile fun course through the city and you can be a part of it! The Fund provides guaranteed entry into the event in exchange for a fundraising minimum.

What better way to bike through an amazing route while knowing that the money you raise will help children from low-income communities who live throughout the city. Along the way, bikers will enjoy entertainment, rider photos, bike repair, medical support and the company of thousands of well-wishers!

Click here for more information about the race! If you have questions or are interested in participating, please call Kate Brinkerhoff at (212) 897-8890 or email kbrinkerhoff@freshair.org.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: Nominate a volunteer today!

Wouldn’t you agree that it should be every parent’s mission to teach their children about the positive impact volunteering can have on the world? If you just shook your head yes, then let’s speak further! Get involved with the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards to encourage your community to support the 102 youth volunteer Honorees for the 2011 season.


What is The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, exactly? Created 16 years ago, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards represent the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service.

The program recognizes young heroes who have made exceptional impacts on the lives of others through acts of volunteerism. Each year, two honorees from each state receive $1,000 dollars, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for several days of national recognition events. Support from parents, family, friends and communities show the young heroes are being cheered on and recognized.  It is truly inspiring!

While in D.C., ten students will be named National Honorees on May 2nd, receiving an additional $5,000, gold medallions, trophies, and $5,000 grants from The Prudential Foundation for a charitable organization of their choice.

Do you want to become part of The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards family?  There are a few ways you to do so:

1. Find your hometown hero here and then show support by sharing their volunteer project and story with your family and blog readers.

2. Visit The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Facebook Page this month and tell us what great volunteer project you and your family plan to do this spring. You can also tweet about your plans using hashtag #spiritawards.

3. Share the LIVE webcast event with your readers this coming April and urge them to watch with their family.  I can add you to “The Prudential Spirit of Community Blogging Family” and send you the official webcast link as the awards ceremony gets closer!

More information can be found at http://spirit.prudential.com.

Global Influence Buzzed Driving St. Patrick’s Day Campaign

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and it’s not the luck of the Irish that will keep the roads safe – it’s planning ahead for a safe and sober way home.

For many Americans, St. Patrick’s Day has become a popular night out for drinking and celebrating with friends and family.  Unfortunately, some of these people might also be driving home from their festivities and therefore, the night out has also become potentially dangerous.

On St. Patrick’s Day 2009, 37 percent of the drivers and motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, according to statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Thank you for offering to help spread the word!  Global Influence members have been helping to change the world for more than two years, and these messages are among the most important.

Let’s remind everyone about the importance of remembering to:

• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before you leave for your event.
• Be ready to take alternate transportation such as a bus or taxi. Have the phone number of a taxi service stored in your phone before you leave for the party.

Even if you will not be celebrating this St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that in 2009, 1,119 occupants of other vehicles were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers, so pay attention to others on the road.  And remember, you don’t have to be “falling down drunk” to be too impaired to drive safely. Even a few drinks can impair driving…and a buzzed driving crash has the same consequences as a drunk driving crash.

NHTSA needs your help in keeping the roads safe for everyone this St. Patrick’s Day by spreading the word that buzzed driving IS drunk driving.

To learn more about the impact buzzed driving can have on a life, please consider posting the attached poster to your blog or even your Facebook wall. And we can also ask our readers to follow Buzzed Driving on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Remember: Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving. Don’t rely on dumb luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Plan ahead and ask your loved ones to do the same.

10 Historical College Campuses

Flagler College in St. Augustine

As many high school juniors and seniors are busy debating on what higher education path they will be traveling, it is always fun and educational to look at a diversity of universities and their origin.

In St. Augustine, our nation's oldest city, Flagler College is one of the most beautiful campuses that combines history and education with the small town family atmosphere.

Although colleges and universities more than understandably evolved over the centuries, all of them owe a debt of gratitude to the medieval institutions who started it all. Since 1088, the world of higher education has expanded magnanimously to all corners of the globe, encompassing a far more diverse range of programs, faculty, staff and students. The following have paid witness to this drastic change more than any others, laying the rocksteady foundation for today's institutions. But even beyond that, they have all played an active role in shaping world history itself, regardless of their contributions' sizes.

1. University of Bologna: This lauded institution has been in continuous operation since 1088, give or take a few years. For the longest time, they only offered doctoral degrees, though in recent times they expanded their offerings. Today, around 100,000 students spread across 23 different faculties at 8 different branches and schools — including an international location in Buenos Aires. Considering its Catholic roots, it probably comes as little surprise that University of Bologna receives accolades for its civil and canon law programs. Throughout its incredible history, the school has graduated such diverse cultural luminaries as Dante Alighieri, Nicolaus Copernicus, Albrecht D–rer and Umberto Eco.
2. University of Oxford: As with many medieval universities, the exact date of founding remains largely unknown, though it's well known that teaching was going on in 1096. Although the oldest English-speaking school in the world (pictured), much of University of Oxford's wealthy intellectual legacy stems from massive influxes of Continental students and ideologies. Catholic orders, Renaissance beliefs and figures and scholars fleeing Nazism and Communism have all, at one time or another, flocked to this academic safe haven and eventually left their permanent mark. The year 1878 saw the landmark addition of the first women's college, with a second following a year later — and three more came shortly thereafter. Even today, it remains one of the world's most eclectic, prestigious and influential universities thanks to this diverse heritage.
3. University of Salamanca: Spain's oldest university started offering classes around 1130, but never received a papal charter until 1218 and a royal charter from King Alfonso X until 1254. By 1255, it was able to refer to itself as a university thanks to the confirmation of Pope Alexander IV. Because of its age, this institution participated in its fair share of notable historical events, both amazing and absolutely terrible. For one, many of its graduates and faculty assisted the government in its unjust expulsion and torturing of innocent Jews. Geographers at the University of Salamanca also played an integral role in assisting Christoffa Corombo on his historic voyage attempting to discover a quicker trade route towards the West Indies. After his accidental landing in the Americas, the very same school that backed his journey would go on to debate the ethical and economic impact of interacting with its indigenous peoples.
4. University of Modena: University of Modena actually spreads itself across the eponymous city as well as Reggio Emilia, with eight faculties comprising the former and four in the latter. The original campus was founded in 1175 by former University of Bologna educator Pillio of Medicina, but its original medieval structure fizzled out entirely by 1338. At that point, it ceased offering degrees and focused more on holding classes until funding forced the 1590 suspension. However, it revived itself in Modena around 1680 and eventually picked up its charter five years later. Today, both campuses host a total of around 20,000 students. Anyone visiting Modena needs to head over to the school and explore the Orto Botanico dell'Universit– di Modena e Reggio Emilia. This free botanical garden began as a small plot for medicinal plants, grew into an herbarium and subsequently expanded to its lush form locals and tourists currently enjoy.
5. University of Vicenza: Many academics, unfortunately, consider the University of Vicenza one of the least significant surviving medieval schools. In spite of this mindset, however, it still deserves recognition for its age and endurance. It was founded in 1204 and received recognition as a stadium generale at some point in the 13th Century.
6. University of Cambridge: The second-oldest stadium generale in the English-speaking world sprouted thanks to the first. Because of myriad disputes with faculty and townspeople alike, a small throng of Oxford intellectuals went on to found the competing university in 1209. Today, it is considered amongst the best institutes of higher learning on the planet, but it certainly took an interesting historical path to get here. On the orders of King Henry XIII, Cambridge disbanded its canon law program and dissolved any and all associations with Catholicism. As a result, classes shifted towards math, science, the classics and Bible — offerings which eventually inspired some of the most influential politicians, scientists, mathematicians, writers and thinkers of all time. Without Cambridge, there would be no laws of motion, atom splitting, unified electromagnetism, theory of evolution and natural selection, Turing machines or quantum mechanics. Nor would the electron, hydrogen or structure of DNA been discovered. Among a staggering heap of other accomplishments, of course.
7. University of Padua: A 1222 split from the University of Bologna resulted in the creation of University of Padua, whose new students and faculty desired more flexibility and freedom. At first, it only focused on providing degrees in law and theology, though it expanded its offerings to include astronomy, rhetoric, medicine, dialectic, philosophy, rhetoric, grammar and philosophy by 1399. During and shortly after the Renaissance, University of Padua enjoyed recognition as one of the world's intellectual and research powerhouses, likely due to its closer affiliation with the Venetian government than the Catholic Church. Even now, the 65,000-student institution is oftentimes considered amongst the greatest institutes of higher learning in Italy.
8. University of Naples Federico II: Unlike the other historical universities listed here, this one never affiliated itself with any religious institution. Rather, it received its initial patronage from Emperor Frederico II in 1224, making it the oldest state school in the world. Curiously enough, however, its most famous alum made a name for himself as one of the foremost Catholic theologians. St. Thomas Aquinas likely formed many of his influential religious theories based on his exposure to classical philosophy, letters and political science at University of Naples Federico II.
9. University of Siena: Established in 1240, University of Siena funded itself on taxes levied upon individuals and families renting living quarters to citizens. By 1252, Pope Innocent IV was declaring that teachers and students alike would be exempt from taxes, forced labor, night watchman duty and military service — particularly those involved with Latin, medicine and the natural sciences. Following a giant influx of University of Bologna faculty and students angered with a young man's death sentence, the institution in Siena swelled significantly, even enjoying stadium generale status. While it may not have played a huge role in Italian history, the school did witness major power switches in the region and hosted many extremely vocal demonstrations against Risorgimento.
10. University of Coimbra: Portugal's oldest university is a public school founded in 1290 following the approval of King Dinis. It actually started out in Lisbon before the 1308 move to Coimbra — a result of tensions with Pope Nicholas IV, the citizenry and the students. The core curriculum originally offered classes in the arts, canon law, law and medicine, which remained intact during the transition. In 1338, King Alfonso IV brought the school back to Lisbon, where it stayed until 1537 when King Jo–o III sent it to Coimbra permanently.

Special contributor:  Carol Brown

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Self-Esteem and Your Teens

Self-esteem, confidence, feeling good about yourself etc… All of these are very important to helping your teen make good decisions for their future.

You have been saving for your teen’s college tuition for more than a decade. You have kept him on track in his studies. You have ferried him to countless soccer meets and football games. You may feel like you’re doing everything you can to ensure that your children have bright and promising futures, but you still may have overlooked a crucial element: their self-esteem.

Self-esteem is not something that should be pushed aside. In fact, a healthy sense of self-esteem is much more crucial to your teen’s future than you may initially think. Self-esteem is a measure of someone’s confidence in his or her capabilities as well as his or her sense of identity. It allows people to determine what they can and cannot do. Those with higher levels of self-esteem tend to feel more confident about their capabilities and therefore are more willing to take on challenges and try new things. They also are more likely to be independent and motivated, which is good for teenagers because it will allow them to better tackle the rigors of academics and college life.

Those with lower levels of self-esteem, however, are likely to be nervous, uncertain, dependent, and unmotivated. This is because they lack a sense of security in their capabilities, and therefore are more unwilling to do anything where failure is a possibility. Alarmingly, research cited by the Counseling and Mental Health Center of the University of Texas indicates that low levels of self-esteem can also increase a teen’s likelihood of becoming involved in drug use. For young women, unplanned pregnancies are more prevalent for those with low levels of self-esteem. Low self-esteem also can lead to the development of depression or anxiety.

Unfortunately, teenagers naturally have lower levels of self-esteem because they are going through numerous life changes and facing many new and uncertain things. For example, the onset of puberty, having to navigate high school politics, and moving away to tackle college are all uncertainties that can cause many teens to feel unsure about who they really are and who they will become. The overall result of all these changes is a shaken self-esteem.

It is important for parents to guide their teens through this confusing period so that they may regain the self-esteem they need to get through it all unscathed. You can do this by encouraging your teen to take care of himself. Good physical health can do wonders for mental health and self-esteem, so when your teen seems to be feeling bad about himself, go for a brisk walk with him. This will help him to get his muscles moving and perk his spirit up, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. You can also strive to praise him whenever he does something commendable, such as having a good soccer meet or receiving a good grade in class. The praise does not have to be over-the-top gushing each time. In fact, a simple, “Good job!” can improve a teen’s self-esteem dramatically.

All in all, parents can ensure that their teens have a healthy level of self-esteem by offering them support, love, and respect. This way, teens can develop a good sense of who they are and what they can do, leading to the bright and promising future you always wanted for them.

By-line:
Lauren Bailey, a freelancer who blogs about online colleges, contributed this guest post.  She can be reached via email at: blauren99@gmail.com.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Do you need a boost? Start early! - Jacksonville Parenting Teens | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-teens-in-jacksonville/do-you-need-a-boost-start-early#ixzz1FMcyHfwa