Hurting from the Outside - In: The Rise of Self-harming
October 24, 2008
Ask any teacher or adolescent counselor what the most disturbing trend they are seeing in teens today is, and they are likely to tell you it’s the growing number of “cutters”.
By cutters, they mean people who hurt themselves or “self-injure” a term that is more encompassing of the many types of behaviors that are actually involved. Whatever the form of self-injury, cutting, burning, biting or any of many other similar behaviors, teens hurting themselves in an attempt to deal with emotional pain is on the rise.
Today it is thought that 1% of youth in America are engaging in self-harming behavior. And, while both males and females are self-harming, girls are four times more likely to self-harm than boys. This behavior, which has been around forever, but was noted only rarely in the past, is running through peer-groups like a infectious disease; striking fear into the hearts of many parents. Parents often do not know what to make the behavior in their children
War Declared On Instant Messenger: How to Stop Your Child from Wasting Their Life Away Online
October 23, 2008
Hey Parents! I hate to tell you, but there is no such thing as "useful instant messaging". Your crafty child might try to take advantage of your lack of "Techie" know how when they say in that whiney voice… "But Mom?I’m IMing my friends about homework." Don’t buy it! They are simply playing up the school is important bit so they can get you off their back.
To be fair, yes kids might spend a couple minutes discussing their school assignments. But for every 30 seconds of actual work, another 30 minutes are lost in useless chatter with the hundred or so "friends" on their buddy list! And if your child consistently pulls the "I didn’t know the assignment" excuse, then bigger school problems than instant messaging are on the horizon.
You can easily stop the hours upon hours of instant messaging with one simple gesture? PULL THE PLUG! Now, I don’t really mean to literally pull the plug out of the computer on your child. The last thing we want to do is get into a power struggle with your child, or break your $1500 computer.
Teach Your Child About Money
October 21, 2008
What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!
I remember when I was growing up, our family did not discuss money. Money was a taboo subject, discussed by the parents and handled by the father.
This is one thing that I wish that was discussed more openly when I was younger. Just a little guidance such as “save 10% of your income” and I would have been fine!
How I wish I could turn back the clocks of time. How I wish I was encouraged to save even 1% of my income. When I look back at the year I started working until this year 2003, I’m not saying I would be a millionaire but I certainly would have been much better off!
Now a grown woman I have acknowledged and accepted the past and moved on to a great future. My bank account is increasing each year, I am currently purchasing rental properties and I am feeling incredible being and doing what I love-a Prosperity Coach!
God Dont Like Rich People
October 19, 2008
I will never forget the day that my daughter’s sixth grade friend told me that. We had been discussing someone who had recently lost a fortune and had become very bitter as a result. She suddenly piped up with that all knowing scowl that only a twelve year old girl can truly master while proclaiming, “God don’t like rich people!” She said it as if it was a mortal sin worthy of an eternity in hell. She immediately made a snap decision from that point forward to dislike the person we’d been talking about. I’ve met her dad. He’s a nice enough guy and from what I can tell, he agrees with his daughter. They are very regular attendees at their church. I don’t know what church they go to, but all I could think to myself at the time was, “Who in the world is teaching her that!?”
Be Serious With Your Child Future
October 18, 2008
As a parent your biggest responsibility is to prepare your child for the future , physically emotionally and mentally.
The first big Intellectual Challenge your child will face is the Entrance Test for KG and later for the First Standard . Every parent will feel anxious.
We know that a child is born with a million of brain cells called Neurons and they form connection to each other called synapses. You can make the synapses strong by providing your child with a variety of Input & Experiences. If this is not provided at an early age we lose an important learning opportunity.
The early years are most important. Children who are well prepared at home are more confident, enthusiastic, and involved at school. Children who have not received these vital inputs tend to be more withdrawn and less involved. Children are natural learners. They need to be stimulated with a wide variety of inputs.
Preparation begins at home right from the time your child is born .
A rich and diverse learning experience will help to create a complete and well developed personality.
This is the best way to prepare your child for success in school. Don’t you think so?
Children Who Talk to Angels
October 16, 2008
What do you do when your child begins talking to some unseen entity? How do you determine if it’s a psychic event, an imaginary playmate, or some sign of a mental health issue? You want to handle things in a way that is best for your child and of course in a way that isn’t going to harm them in any way. You also want to make sure that you speak from a spiritual belief system that you can believe in. Your child will know if you are uncomfortable with the topic or if you don’t believe in what you are saying. They’ll also be able to tell if you are scared or threatened by the subject matter. You will want to fully research the concepts and choices before saying something that you might later regret. The first response should probably be no response. After all, it may just be a fabrication to gain attention. Kids do that.
Role Models for Your Teen
October 16, 2008
By the time your children reach their teens, there is only a limited amount of time left to influence them and get them started in life in the right direction.
The teen years are a critical time for role models in your children’s lives. Often you will find teens have a hard time talking to their parents. This isn’t always the case, but even in the closest families, teens often feel more comfortable talking to another trusted adult about some of the things going on in their lives.
Of course you would prefer your teen would go to an adult when they need to talk something important out, instead of relying on their friends who may not have the insight an older, more experienced adult would have.
Obviously you have no real control over who your teen goes to for advice, but there are a number of ways you can steer your teen in the right direction.
13 Ways to Spend Time with Your Teenage Daughter
October 14, 2008
The older my daughter gets the more it’s sinking in that I don’t have much time left to spend with her! She’s turning 16 in a couple of months, and I know I won’t be seeing her much after she gets her driver’s license.
It’s hard to find things to do with your teenage daughter. You might be busy, they might have better things to do…I encourage you not to let this time slip away from you. Our interests may be very different from theirs, but there’s always things you can do to bridge the gap.
If you have more than one daughter, then make sure they each get their special time alone with you. I have found that these activities are also great for bonding with teens you want to reach out to and build relationships with, like a step-daughter.
I’ve done all of the following activities with my daughter and/or step-daughter and haven’t regretted a moment. Someday I will be able to look back and appreciate the moments we shared, and I hope they will too.
1. Take your dog(s) on a walk together.
2. Cook dinner together, letting her choose the menu and help shop for the ingredients.
Quality Time with Your Teen
October 13, 2008
It’s sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with your teen without totally intruding in his/her life. You want to talk to them, they don’t want to talk to you (most of the time anyway). I’ve found the best way to connect with my teenage daughter is to enter her world and do the things she likes to do. There’s a saying that if you want to understand your child’s world you have to play with them, no matter how old they are.
You don’t always have to be even directly interacting with your teen in order to be involved in their world. Just being around the same influences they are, and taking an interest in their activities, lets them know that you care and that you understand what they deal with from day to day. Then later, at home, you can talk about the things you have experienced together. It’s a great way to connect. Here are some ways my teenage daughter and I have spent time together:
Raising a Self-Sufficient Teen
October 11, 2008
Teens don’t learn responsibility overnight. If you haven’t been working with your teen on gradually giving them a sense of independence and ownership of their lives, then you’re going to have your work cut out for you. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
By the time your children are in high school, they should be doing for themselves a lot of the things you’ve been doing for them all of their lives. What does your teen do when they have a problem? Run to you? Or try to solve his/her own problem, maybe coming to you for advice when they’ve exhausted their own resources?
I don’t know about you, but I want my daughter to be self-sufficient when she heads off to college. I want her to be able to choose her own friends, manage her own expenses, be up to the challenge of solving everyday problems in an effective and positive manner, and generally get her adult life off to a good start.
