As Fourth of July approaches, the number of roadside stands selling fireworks has increased. Much to my dismay.

I've always been nervous around fireworks that aren't done professionally. One year, a friend of mine was setting off fireworks behind their house. His wife said to me "Why are you afraid of fireworks?" and I explained that they just seemed dangerous. Not more than a minute or two later, one of the firecrackers misfired and a small ball of fire came at my face! Luckily I had a blanket on my lap and it stopped the firework - but it burnt the blanket.

We were adults and something went wrong. Thousands of people are injured by fireworks every year. It is not safe for your teen to be handling any type of fireworks or firecrackers. Let that to the adults. Better yet, go to your community's fireworks display - that's safest for everyone.

A recent article about teens, dads and sex is interesting, encouraging...and a little sad. Recent research suggests that teens who have fathers who are involved in their lives are less likely to make risky sexual choices, like having unprotected sex. If Dad knows who his friends are, he is less likely to have risky sex. If Dad knows where she is going, she is less likely to make those poor choices regarding sex. Pretty neat, huh? All you need is an involved father (and the continued support of mom, of course). It is suggested in the research that some how dads interact differently with their children, so the message gets across in a different way.

What is sad is how few teens grow up with a father at all, let alone one who knows about his child's life. Much like President Obama did on Father's Day, I challenge all fathers to become more involve in their children's lives. They just do better with a dad around.

"Teens with untreated depression more often have social and academic problems, become parents prematurely, abuse drugs and alcohol and suffer adult depression and suicide."

Parents, read that quote again, it's an important one. I took it directly from a report that discusses current research about teens and depression. Now, consider this. Teens are very worried about what their friends would think if they got help for depression. They are also very concerned about what their families will think. And if you aren't supportive and can't help them get to treatment, they won't get help. Leading to the problems discussed above.

My best advice is that if your teen is saying he or she is depressed - get your teen help, and quickly. Maybe it is a temporary funk, or maybe it really isn't depression - but maybe it is. What do you have to lose by taking your child to a counselor or therapist? The benefits almost always outweigh the risks.

MTV's 16 and Pregnant is a new reality show featuring young teens who are navigating life as pregnant women. The show premiers tomorrow night, June 11th, at 10 pm ET.

It's probably not a school night where you live, so if you can stay up this late, I would highly recommend watching this with your teen. Chances are your teen knows girls who are pregnant, but this "behind-the-scenes" look at teen pregnancy and parenting could be eye opening. I love using popular shows as ways to open up conversations with teens, and this might be a great time to bring up your expectations of your teen about sex and to have a bit of "the talk".

I've worked with a number of teen moms. It is a difficult situation for the teen mom, her family, the father of the baby, and the child. If this show can open up a conversation about sex and its consequences, and helps to prevent a teen pregnancy or two, it will be a success.