Parenting and Media Smarts

So many parents talk about the problems regarding too much tv, computers, texting, overall online use and other media abuse issues.

Just like all other areas of concern in your child's best interests, it is important to approach the issue in a positive and productive manner.

Use of media and all technologies can be a wonderful advantage for children regarding learning. As always parents must remember safety first. Then check themselves to be sure their issues are NOT about he parents need to control but that there concerns are reasonable and make sense.

OK so when addressing such an issue parents can inform the children of the concerns and why they are concerned. Then explain what a reasonable plan to resolve the issue is going to be. Of course your child can have input about what is fair and reasonable or at least parents can listen to what their children have to say. That would be respectful. Offering choices within a healthy level is always another positive approach to an issue. However parents should do some homework and find out what is normal and what is healthy making a decision that is in the best interest of their child. (Normal is not always healthy so it is NOT just about what everyone does..like some people think it is normal for parents to argue with their teens????...This may be normal but it is not an absolute way of life nor is it necessary or healthy. Another topic for another day)

Anyway, it is always better for everyone if the issues are addressed in a positive way with lots of information available so that during and after the discussion about the issue everyone is at least close to agreeing. Trust me if a parent has good information available and provides their children with valid concerns in a respectful way ..children will be receptive to the info and requests.

If children are not then something is not healthy within the interaction and that is what needs to be addressed. Most often there is a power struggle, underlying anger/animosity, or other behavioral issue. If so seek professional help with figuring out why the unhealthy relationship exists.

For most parents just being sincere about your concerns, treating your children with respect, and
approaching the issue with effective communication skills will certainly help resolve the problem or at least be the beginning of a solution.

Ultimately parents are running the show since they provide all the privileges children like, want, and need! Parents however could benefit from being a little nicer when being firm and understand children just need to learn to make good decisions for themselves...that is the parents' responsibility to teach!

Dog Training vs Child Training?

If people are willing to pay 100$ on average to learn how to teach their dogs appropriate ways to behave, why are parents so reluctant to seek help, learn, or pay for formal education about how to interact with children in order to teach them hwo to behave in appropriate ways?

Suicide Prevention Week: Third leading cause of death in adolescents

Suicide is an unpleasant and too often avoided topic. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 - 24. It is only third behind homicides and accidents as stated in the Amercian Association of Suicidology Statistics. And based on reports there are probably more suicides that are reported as homicides and accidents for a number of reasons. The statistical fact sheets are always overwhelming. Some of the youth facts are listed below from the 2006 Statistics. It takes almost 3 years for these annual statistics to be complied and publicized.

• Each day, there are approximately 11.5 youth suicides in our nation.
• Every 2 hours and 5 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide in our nation.
• In 2006, 216 children ages 10 to 14 completed suicide in the U.S.
• Suicide rates for those between the ages of 10-14 increased over 50% between 1981 and 2006.
• Maryland ranks 34 in 2006 and approximately 9.1 youth ages 15-19 completed suicide per every 100,000. That equals 4189 young people in 2006.

The primary focus of Suicide Prevention Week is to raise awareness that suicide can be prevented. If more people were informed about the warning signs and basic prevention skills many lived could be saved.

There is much to understand and learn about suicide. Everyone is not expected to become an expert, but just as people learn preventative measures for so many other safety and health issues, people should be motivated to learn more about the prevention of suicide.

It is important that people understand the trends, possible causes, and warning signs for youth suicide. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published articles to help keep others informed.

One important point is that there is no type of person who commits suicide and the reason that any one person might consider suicide can be very different from the reasons that might cause another person to become suicidal. Everyone has mental health and can become ill or suicidal, so anyone could be at risk for suicide.

Warnings signs and symptoms of suicidal thinking are not always blatant or obvious but can be more subtle. Warnings signs are important to know and are listed on many reputable sites (warnings signs and risk factors), however, people must feel informed and confident about what to do when they recognize potential warning signs. Warning signs in children or adolescents might be even more masked or underlying since children are less able to recognize unhealthy thinking, are afraid, embarrassed, or have the needed vocabulary, and are more vulnerable in general.

There are many reputable sites and many professional ready to help provide information or intervention. Please be aware, get informed, and prepared to take action in the event you or someone you know is in need of help. A few minutes to listen, talk, learn, or find help could save your life or the life of someone you love.

Lifeline is a national suicide prevention organization among many available for assistance regarding suicide prevention and intervention. Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center is a local suicide prevention and intervention agency available located in Columbia, Maryland.

Please call if you or someone you know has any questions or concerns to get the support, resources, and help that can save a life.

Selective Mutism

If your child has developed 'selective mutism' you might want to read a little about it. BAsically this is when a child is able to understand and speak fine usually but in specific circumstances does not speak at all. It would also be wise to speak with a professional if your child continues with his or her mutism for longer than a few weeks.

Often this behavior is a result of anxiety. Sometimes it is a behavior which children find works for them to get some need met. For example children might not respond to cause distress in adults and redirect the focus or to gain attention when another sibling usually receives most of the caregivers attention.

Each child and situation is unique and should be assessed if continues for a period of time because the cause can worsen.

https://www.google.com/health/ref/Selective+mutism