6 Ways to Protect Your Latchkey Kids- As a parent, you don't choose to have your kids at home alone, but sometimes the pressures of two parents working, school schedules, and baby sitting problems require you to do so. There are some very easy things you can do to reduce the risk for your kids. Every parent can implement these tips to keep their family safer.
Adolescent Angst- On top of the general surge of hormones, young people
are prone to experience depression. Stuck at the
crossroads of adulthood, adolescents customarily feel
low on the totem pole of life when they're under a lot of
stress and duress.
Angry Emotions - Your Child's and Yours- Question: My child can't control his angry emotions.
He tends to lash out at others, verbally and physically.
How can I help him stop getting so angry?
Arguing & Back Talk- I know my kid's going to grow up to be a lawyer! He argues
whenever he's asked to do something. He debates his rights
when he's asked to stop doing something. He pleads his case
when I tell him he can't do something. He disputes every rule I
create. How can I put an end to this?
Baby-sitter Safety Tips- Making sure your family has a fire plan is one of the most important
things you can do, especially important is that everyone knows where
the meeting place outside is. Having everyone meet in one spot not only
helps the firemen know if everyone is out makes their job easier.
Unfortunately, most babysitters are not given this information.
Beyond The Blues: Kids and Depression- Over 11 million prescriptions were written last year for kids with depression. That did not include those who didn't even see a doctor.
Bullying - Both Sides of The Fence- It's time for kids to go back to school. And time again to deal
with bullies. Is your child a bully? Is your child a victim?
Parenting expert, Elizabeth Pantley, has some great advice for
parents and kids on both sides of the fence.
Can Twins Have Too Much Togetherness?- Many twins begin to interact with each other around six to ten months of age. As same-age siblings begin to discover one another, it's a thrill for parents to watch as the two hug, play, and communicate. Even their sibling squabbles are fascinating to parents who are learning to discern each child's unique personality. Most enthralling to parents of twins, however, is the ease with which each twin seems to anticipate the other's needs.
Casual Remarks- It's a curious affliction: the tendency to talk about one's children in the most brutally honest and hurtful ways without realizing that the cherished subjects of the offensive comments are listening to every word. Right now, you may be saying to yourself, "This never happens to me." Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Children Should Take Responsibility for Decreasing TV Viewing- Getting children to decrease the amount of time they watch TV is not often easy, but researchers from Texas A&M University and the University of Mississippi say encouraging children to take responsibility for decreasing their TV time can be effective.
Clean Your Room!- My child's bedroom looks like it's been put through a blender! I can't see the
carpet, and to walk through the room I have to dodge clothes, toys, and last
week's snack wrappers. My child doesn't care, but I do. When I yell and
threaten we sometimes end up with one day of cleanliness, but in no time at
all, the disaster magically reappears. What can I do?
Crosstown Friends- Many parents
would attest to a
new variation on
Murphy's Law:
Your child will
bond with the
classmate who
lives farthest
away, not the
child down the
street. And these
days, those classmates can live far away.
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude with Your Kids- Jerry Seinfeld once recorded a hilarious routine about Halloween as a kid. "Let me see if I get this straight, all I have to do is dress up weird and parade around my neighborhood and people I don't know will give me candy? For free? I can do that!"
Dog Doo To Do- The Hidden Message: "If you can put up with the
drone of my voice, go ahead and feel free to ignore
me. I don't plan to take any action about this issue
at all."
Don't Call Me Dude- Over the past eighteen months I have acquired an entirely new
moniker from our fourteen-year-old daughter, which seemingly
happened in an instant. Gina currently refers to me as "dude".
I find this new label infuriating, especially since I’m not quite
certain how this happened.
Drug Use: The Tell-Tale Trail- 23 Signs of Teen Involvement in the Drug Scene: With teens, an easily crossed line exists between experimental drug/alcohol use and abuse. If a pattern, or cluster, of indicators exists among the following 23 telltale signs of teenage usage, your suspicions should turn into a preventive action plan.
From Boys to Men And Girls To Women- Ah, puberty…the dreaded word rears its ugly head! I think that most of us look back on puberty as a particularly trying time in our lives, and I am sure our parents would agree wholeheartedly with that assessment-only from their point of view as to the hell that we put THEM through!
Gimmee!- Author of "Hidden Messages : What Our Words and Actions Are Really Telling Our Children" and parenting expert, Elizabeth Pantley, really makes you think about the messages you are sending to your children in your everyday activities. First, read the story, then see Elizabeth's explanation and solutions to help you change the way you send these messages.
Gratitude More Than Attitude: Teaching Children the Joy of Being Grateful- Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children.
Help Teens Get the Sleep they Need- Teenagers are one of the most sleep deprived segments of the population. Most teens require at least nine hours of sleep but get much, much less. It's a time when school, homework, community service, extracurricular activities, active social lives, and part-time jobs keep them busy from early in the morning until late at night. They are likely to try to make up for a lack of sleep by ?sleeping in' on the weekends. Unfortunately, this contributes to an irregular sleep schedule and actually makes the problem worse, setting them up for a kind of jet lag when Monday morning rolls around.
Home Alone: When and How?- I'm trying to decide if my children are ready to be home alone for short periods of time. I'm thinking specifically of the time after school until I arrive home from work, or in evening when I attend a meeting or go out to dinner. How can I tell when it's okay to get by without a baby-sitter?
I Hate You!- When my son gets
angry with me he yells, "I hate you!
I wish you weren't my mother!" and
other hurtful things. It really disturbs
me, but I don't know how to
respond.
I Want Privacy!- As children grow, many start to feel a need for a private
space. This is a normal part of development. Your child's
right to privacy, though, should be earned by the
demonstration of trustworthiness and responsibility.
I'm Sitting Up Front!- It's a common situation, all over the country. Who gets to sit in the front seat on the way to school? "It's my turn! He got to yesterday!" whines Jessica. "No way! I'm the oldest, so I get to!" argues Andrew. So what to do?
Kicking the Computer Game Habit- My child spends too much time playing computer and video
games. He's so passionate about these games, that when
I suggest he's overdoing it he gets angry with me. Am I wrong
to try to curb this habit?
Kids & Chores- Assigning children household chores is one of the best ways to
build self-esteem and a feeling of competence. Regular chores
establish helpful habits and good attitudes about work. Children
who grow up perceiving chores as a normal part of life will find
the flow into adulthood much easier than those without
responsibility will.
Kids and Divorce- It is a sad fact that today all our children
are being touched by the shadow of divorce. Even if they
are not among the growing number of families split apart by
divorce, they will be influenced indirectly. They will know
children whose parents divorce.
Making Moving Easier for Your Child- We're planning a move and want it to go smoothly for our child. What ways can we soften the blow of this major transition?
Middle School Blues- Are you singing the Middle School Blues?
If you have a son or daughter in the sixth, seventh or eighth grade, you know what I am talking about!
My Kid, The Lawyer Wannabe- Think about it. Every time you rationalize, explain and bicker
with a child who is willing to deliberate every point, you give
her more and more leeway in which to plead her case.
The cool weather is here and Halloween is quickly approaching! Whether you are looking for fun crafts, great recipes, or costume ideas, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...
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Send your own photos as an e-card
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Family Matters Radio
FMR is a nationally syndicated radio program developed to help you live your best life, hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. No rants and raves - you get enough of that from your kids. Choose a segment below to begin listening!
As a parent, you don't choose to have your kids at home alone, but sometimes the pressures of two parents working, school schedules, and baby sitting problems require you to do so. There are some very easy things you can do to reduce the risk for your kids. Every parent can implement these tips to keep their family safer.
Over 11 million prescriptions were written last year for kids with depression. That did not include those who didn't even see a doctor.
Many twins begin to interact with each other around six to ten months of age. As same-age siblings begin to discover one another, it's a thrill for parents to watch as the two hug, play, and communicate. Even their sibling squabbles are fascinating to parents who are learning to discern each child's unique personality. Most enthralling to parents of twins, however, is the ease with which each twin seems to anticipate the other's needs.
Gratitude is more than an attitude. Recent studies show that grateful people are happier, more resilient, and less depressed. They also have higher self-esteem and better relationships. These results prove that gratitude is more than polite manners and positive thinking. It is a way of life, and a wonderful legacy to leave our children.
Teenagers are one of the most sleep deprived segments of the population. Most teens require at least nine hours of sleep but get much, much less. It's a time when school, homework, community service, extracurricular activities, active social lives, and part-time jobs keep them busy from early in the morning until late at night. They are likely to try to make up for a lack of sleep by ?sleeping in' on the weekends. Unfortunately, this contributes to an irregular sleep schedule and actually makes the problem worse, setting them up for a kind of jet lag when Monday morning rolls around.
Missed the last couple of newsletters? Haven't visited for a while? This section highlights articles and crafts that have recently been added to FC...
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