A parenting seeking advice: "I have an eleven year old boy. I recently in the heat of frustration, called him fat..... I know, the worst thing I could say to this child that I love dearly. Now,I have been beating myself up and do not know quite how to fix this with him. Have I scarred his self esteem forever? Does anyone have any suggestions of how to make this right... I am so disappointed in my impulsive behavior that I know was hurtful!"

Community member, smudgeid replies: "Apologize & see what you can do to make him feel better.

If he is fat, I would start by changing what you have in the house - cook healthy meals & maybe consult a dietitian who will help you with better choices. (I'm not talking about a diet - because I don't think that is appropriate for an 11 year old - just better cooking choices and maybe a healthy food plan.)

Don't use food as a reward & if he doesn't exercise, start dragging him on a walk around the block every night. Being heavy & not exercising is self defeating and makes it difficult in gym at school."

Related Resources: Asking our parenting community: Do you have any advice to offer this parent? Please share in the comments area.

Defining what it is you want is called setting a goal. Figuring out and taking the actions you need to get your goal is how you obtain that goal. Both of these are important life skills. Learning how to set and obtain a goal are necessary life skills your teen will need to be a happy and successful adult... read more about goal setting for teens.

More: Health and Hygiene Life Skills | Finding and Keeping a Job Skills

The About.com Readers' Choice Awards is an annual event where About.com readers can nominate and vote on the best of the best in hundreds of different categories. Nominations are currently being accepted. You can nominated your choice as many times as you wish. Nominations will be open until Wednesday, Feb. 15. Then, I'll tally up the votes and choose up to five finalists in each category. Finalists will be posted Wednesday, Feb. 22. You'll have four weeks -- until Wednesday, March 21 -- to vote for the winner in each categories. I'll announce the first place winners on Friday, March 30. These are the categories for our site:
While some say there is no 'prize' just bragging rights, I will be creating a page for every nominee and winner that will be promoted here to over a million parents of teenagers throughout the next year. So get your nominations in for your favorite!

Do you do make craft projects with older kids and teens? Have you made a teen craft you would like to show off? Please share your teen craft project ideas with us by choosing a craft category and using the submission form... read more here.