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Parents who constantly give material objects to their children at the cost of their financial stability are not acting wisely. Such a style of parenting can lead to serious consequences, both for the bankbook and their child’s personality.
Fixing your attitude with your parents requires you to adjust how you deal with difficulties in relationships. Fix your attitude with your parents with help from a former family case worker for CPS in this free video clip.
Adjusting to the college lifestyle can be difficult for any teen; moving away from home for the first time, taking university classes or getting a job can prove stressful. For college students suffering from attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, however, the transition from high school to college is even more difficult. Classes are not as intimate, teacher-student relationships aren’t as close and your college student probably doesn’t want you calling his professors in an effort to help him adjust.
Some parents turn to parochial schools if they're unhappy with the public school system in the area or if their child is struggling in the public classroom setting. Other parents choose such schools strictly because of religious beliefs. A parochial school differs from a traditional private school, because it's run by a church. Having your questions answered before enrolling your child in a parochial school will help you choose the best option for your child.
When applied to parenting, the term "extreme" has some negative connotations. It refers to any parenting style that necessitates total dedication to a method of upbringing, no matter if it's extremely rigid and strict or extremely laid-back and permissive. Brought under fire by critics and parents alike, extreme parenting can be a polarizing subject and may not be right for everyone. Get the facts before you adopt an extreme parenting style for your own family.
If you are looking to get away with your family, there are many vacation options that will suit you and your clan. With a little planning and the right expectations, you can have the perfect family vacation. Wherever you go, schedule your itinerary to match the kids’ pace, and choose destinations and activities that are appropriate for the age of your children while still enjoyable for you.
Many parents find it acceptable to allow their daughters to pierce their ears but are wary of other body piercings. Teenagers may want navel, nostril or other piercings, leaving you to wonder if they can get them without you. The good news is that most tattoo shops require a parent to be present, and will perform only a limited number of piercings on people under 18.
The decision to retain an elementary student is a complicated process where teachers must work with parents to determine the best course of action for each child. State laws and school policies vary regarding who makes the ultimate decision to retain. Teachers have a right to use objective data and test scores to recommend retention, although they generally do not have the right to make the final decision. Parents have a right to request evaluations of their children to determine if there are any learning disabilities that could be helped with special services, offering a possible alternative to retention.
Resting on the east bank of the Connecticut River, the city of Springfield, Massachusetts, has many activities for children. According to the 2011 U.S. Census Bureau, Springfield's population is 153,155, making it the most populous city in western New England.
Parenting is unlike most jobs that come with a clear job description. Parents often develop their parenting styles through trial and error, referencing expert opinions or employing techniques used by their parents. Responsible parenting is the preferred parenting style that enables parents to raise responsible children, given that children will model the examples set for them in the home, notes educator and life coach Ronit Baras on her website, "Family Matters."
Between your cellphone and a constant stream of other distractions, it can be easy to let time slip by without paying attention to your child. Unfortunately, regularly ignoring a child can have long-term effects. It's a form of emotional abuse. Obviously it's not possible to spend every minute of every day playing with our children but it's important to make an effort to show them that they're important to us.
The teenage years are tough years. Teens are in that awkward place between childhood and adulthood. A teen's natural yearning for independence often leads to friction with his parents. While Christian teens might want to honor their parents, it isn't always easy because honoring parents as a teen differs from honoring parents as a child, much as raising a teen differs from raising a toddler. The good news is that there are several ways parents and other caring adults can teach teens to honor their parents.
Friends and family of suicide victims often suffer prolonged grief and guilt. Perhaps no one experiences these emotions more profoundly than the victim's parents, who sometimes spend years blaming themselves and wondering if they could have done anything differently. Understanding mental illness and the despair of those who complete suicide is essential to your own healing.
Every parent knows that children get sick easily. Preschool-age kids may exhibit symptoms up to half of the days of the year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The most common cause of illness in children is communicable disease, or diseases that can be spread to others through microscopic bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. For example, a child who has a cold can spread the virus to others by sneezing or coughing. Parents should know about communicable illness so they can teach their children to avoid spreading germs to others.
Abdication of parental responsibilities can happen either through a parent physically leaving or through neglect. Learn about abdication of parental responsibilities with help from a former family case worker for CPS in this free video clip.
Only 18 states have laws that prohibit parents from leaving their child in a car unattended. That doesn't mean, however, that a parent won't face criminal charges in states that don't have such a law. The rules and regulations around leaving children alone in a car are complex and can get messy. A clear understanding of the basics and what can happen when children are left alone might motivate parents to always take their child inside with them.
You and your spouse know that scheduling regular opportunities to reconnect romantically is important to your relationship. And you look forward to a break from the kids once in a while. But after working all week, maybe the idea of a high-energy, high-stakes date night is just not appealing. Maybe cuddling on the couch sounds more your speed. Well, there's nothing wrong with that -- or with trying out another low-key date night idea that doesn't require fancy outfits, lots of prep time or planning ahead. Remember it's the connection that counts.
Appendicitis has been called the great pretender, meaning that even doctors can have trouble diagnosing it. You might wonder how you'll recognize the signs of appendicitis if doctor's don't always get it right. You might not make the right call every time, but you're safer as a parent to over-diagnose than under-diagnose potential appendicitis. Doctors do the same; they'd rather operate on a suspicious case and be wrong than miss the diagnosis.
Enrolling your child in kindergarten is an exciting rite of passage. Kindergarten marks the entrance into the educational system, and for some families the first time that children are separated from their parents on a routine basis. Preparation for kindergarten is essential for not only the young student, but for the parents as well. Prospective kindergarten parents should arm themselves with knowledge regarding the process so that the transition is a smooth and successful one for everyone.
There is no shortage of ways to pass the days enjoying the scenic and diverse San Francisco Bay area. If you happen to be visiting on a particularly cold and foggy day and the typical outdoor tourists sights aren't going to cut it, there are plenty of indoor play structures and museums that will educate and delight your child.
Pinkeye, also known as conjunctivitis, is an inflammation of the outer layer of the eye that causes the eye to appear red or pink. The highly contagious disease affects adults as well as children but occurs more frequently in schoolchildren because of the increased risk of exposure in school. As a parent, it's important to educate yourself about pinkeye so you will know if your child has it and what to do about it.
Women that are pregnant or considering starting a family may have concerns about their parenting ability if they suffer from epilepsy. Since epilepsy is a neurological condition that may cause falls and loss of consciousness, it is important for epileptic parents to take extra precautions and make lifestyle adjustments for the safety of the child. However, with proper medication epileptic parents are capable of caring for their children in the same manner as other parents.
Science is beginning to uncover that meditation, which has been historically regarded as a sacred spiritual practice, offers psychological, emotional and physical health benefits. The hectic lives that many parents lead, between dropping the kids off at school and extracurricular activities to preparing dinner and putting the kids to bed, demands the calming and restorative benefits of meditation. Even a few minutes in meditation helps practitioners find inner peace, according to medical professionals at Mayo Clinic.
Your sneaky little parental control changer may think he has outsmarted you, but you’re on to him. It may seem quite sophisticated to hack your password and change your parental controls; however, you can get one step ahead of him with a few account changes. Cracking your child’s control-changing system can help prevent him from viewing inappropriate websites or television shows.
When you've spent months or years trying to get pregnant -- not to mention large sums of money -- the effort you had to put into having a child can affect the way you parent. Parents who've conquered the challenges of infertility still have to deal with the aftermath once their baby finally arrives. Not all parents handle this new experience in the same way, but many feel extra pressure to be a good parent. Some also fear losing their child after putting so much blood, sweat and tears into bringing him into the world.
No parent wants to imagine that his or her child could contract HIV, despite information provided in school health classes, ads in teen magazines and on television, and warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, diagnosis of HIV in teen and young adult populations is rising, according to 2009 statistics on the CDC website. As a parent, you can take steps to keep your child safe in the era of HIV.
If you've ever felt torn between washing the dinner dishes and playing dolls with your daughter, you shouldn't, says "Playful Parenting" author, Lawrence J. Cohen. Cohen, a licensed psychologist who specializes in children and children's play therapy, believes taking that extra time to get down on the floor and just play is the most effective way of communicating with her. Playful parenting re-establishes connections with kids through the types of playful activities they enjoy.
Sometimes being a parent can seem so hard, and it's the only job for which there is no compensation and no vacation days. People who are expecting their first child or considering parenthood may wonder what the hardest thing about having children is. While every parent's path varies, there are a few things that many parents face challenges with.
Toddlers are naturally busy little people. Their world is expanding and they must explore. While children can have high energy levels without being gifted, Dr. Karen Rogers, associate professor of gifted studies at St. Thomas University in Minnesota, found that almost 80 percent of all gifted and high IQ children exhibited high energy behavior and almost half needed less sleep than their peers. Gifted children have a measured IQ of 130 or higher, while profoundly gifted are 160 and above. The average age at which the gifted toddler begins to speak is 9 months old. Most high IQ children read…
Parents who are perfectionists want the best for their children, but they can often take this desire a bit too far. In the modern world, flexibility and the ability to adapt are key to success, and perfectionism does the opposite -- it conditions behavior to be firm and unyielding. Having high standards isn’t a bad thing, but taken too far, perfectionism can be damaging to both children and parents.
Wellness is much more than your physical health. Wellness is the full integration of your physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It involves working with all facets of your life to keep yourself balanced and healthy. Seven dimensions contribute to your overall level of wellness, including the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental and occupational dimensions. As a parent, it’s important to balance the seven dimensions of wellness and encourage your children to do the same.
As cool as the phrase may sound, “helicopter parents” aren't certified pilots; the term refers to parents who hover a little too closely over their kids. Helicopter parents lean heavily to the overprotective side, partake in a whole lot of hand-holding and generally maintain the same level of parenting from a child's birth through her college years. For children, this causes potential effects ranging from anxiety to depression to incompetence. While each parent-child relationship requires its own delicate and distinct balance of independence and support, there are certain changes you can make right off the bat to slow the whirring…
Before your baby was born, her every need was met automatically. She didn't have to ask for anything because the body of her mother provided for her. Things have changed, however, now that she is her own person. By bonding with your baby and consistently meeting her needs, you can teach her to trust you. This foundation of trust may help enhance the relationships she will form for the rest of her life.
When a parent determines that a mentor might be helpful for her child, choosing the right program requires more than a telephone call. Good mentoring programs offer to youths healthy relationships with caring adults who provide support, guidance and enrichment. Although the parent is not present during much of the mentoring activities, her role is critical to the success of the relationship. Mentoring programs should offer parents insight into the mentor-mentee relationship and guidelines for ensuring a good experience for everyone (Ref 1).
Helping out at your child's school isn't just something nice to do that gives a teacher a break. The Michigan Department of Education notes that parental involvement can lead to higher grades, better test scores, increased motivation and improved self-esteem. Whether you are a teacher or a parent who is already involved in classroom or other kid's activities, creating thorough guidelines for parent helpers can help to ensure successful involvement.
For a child, a parental separation can be a frightening, sad and uncertain time. A high level of conflict between parents makes it more likely that your child will have behavioral and emotional difficulties. By creating an amicable relationship with your soon-to-be ex that is focused on your child’s needs and providing reassurance and structure, you can gradually reduce your child’s emotional pain and help her heal.
When your daughter is between the ages of 13 and 15, she should see a gynecologist for the first time, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. While your daughter might not need the full pelvic exam during her first visit, annual gynecological exams are crucial for her reproductive health. While you probably want to know whether your daughter is seeing a gynecologist, she might not have to tell you that she's made an appointment.
It’s common for parents to desire respect from children when it comes to communication and following rules. But if respect isn’t happening in your family, you should note whether respect flows both ways between parents and children, according to psychologist John Peterson at the Good Therapy website. Mutual respect helps set the tone for a positive family.
A child holds a special place in his heart just for his dad. As the dad, you have a strong say in how you will raise your child, what you expose him to and what he learns about life. Don’t just be a passive individual -- be an active participant in your kid’s life. Choose a proactive stance and parenting style that works for you and helps you become a better father.
Although helicopter parents may be concerned caregivers, their overprotective and over-involved parenting may be doing their children more harm than good. CNN Living notes that children who grow up under the control of micromanaging parents may feel anxious, frustrated and depressed. Consider the characteristics of helicopter parents to determine if the way you treat your child has gone from reasonable to extreme.
Edward Dragan, doctor of education and scholar of school bullying, mentions in his book, “The Bully Action Guide,” that most parents are unaware when bullying occurs. But in those few cases when they discover bullying, they are likely to dismiss or excuse such situations. Knowing why this is so is the first step to solving a bullying problem that could grow worse.
Parenting is an extremely important job and requires a plan to get your child from birth to adulthood. Dr. Tim Kimmel, founder of Family Matters ministry and author of “Grace Based Parenting,” writes that parents need to exercise love and grace to rear children most securely and effectively. The act of parenting with grace and love uses Jesus as a role model for parents. Parenting with love and grace focuses on kids’ three basic needs as the parenting foundation and adds four freedoms that give kids what they need to become strong, Christian adults.
It's normal to get angry with your children. After all, they all do things that test your patience and frustrate you. Maybe your toddler flings her dirty diaper into the kitchen sink, or your third grader forgets to turn in his homework again. No matter the reason, angry outbursts have effects on your child that can harm her now and as she gets older. Reining in your anger keeps peace in the home and preserves your relationship.
Bored toddlers can turn into naughty, whiny, unbearable toddlers. While the occasional age-appropriate movie or cartoon are acceptable ways to entertain your little one, don't plop your child down in front of the TV as a way to keep him busy. Instead, have a variety of hands-on and active activities for him to do when he starts getting bored and mischievous. Take a cue from other parents of toddlers and add a few new activities to your daily routine.
Parenting is a rewarding job, but it's not without its price. It might begin with sleep-deprived nights trying to satisfy the needs of a baby who can’t tell you what it needs and morph into the challenges of the teen years. Yet, between all of the challenges, you have days where you wouldn’t trade your role as a parent for any amount of money or fame, because you have the biggest reward -- love.
It may be natural to reward your children for good behavior and punish them when they do wrong, particularly if this is the way you were brought up. The reality is, however, that this method often does not work. Child psychologists and parenting experts remain divided on whether reward-and-punishment is an effective style of parenting. It may be the case that an alternative method is more appropriate for your child.
Experts generally define three basic types of parenting styles: permissive, authoritative and authoritarian, which is also known as autocratic, according to WebMD. Although parents can use more than one type of parenting style when raising their children, most rely on a single approach. Parenting styles typically are distinguished by how much affection a parent shows a child and the amount of control a parent has over a child. Consequently, the type of parenting style you use affects your relationship with your child.
The theory a parent chooses to employ in raising her child has far-reaching consequences on the type of person the child becomes. As early as the 1970s, psychologists began researching parental theories and grouping them into categories. Today, psychologists call them “parenting styles” and have grouped them into four main categories. Knowing about these theories can help you understand the consequences of their use and help you decide on the correct one for your family.
While no mom or dad wants to have a child with poor behaviors, parenting and discipline problems unfortunately go hand-in-hand. From the toddler tantrums of the terrible twos to the preschooler's overly precocious ways, and beyond into the older child's defiance, parenting often involves redirecting or correcting your child's actions. Although this isn't one of the more pleasant parts of parenting, finding and using positive discipline strategies is an absolute necessity when raising a healthy child.
When you want your teenager to hear you, it helps to communicate in his language. About 63 percent of teenagers use text messages to communicate daily, according to a Pew Internet survey conducted in 2012. With this statistic in mind, parents can reap distinct advantages by communicating with a teen via text messaging.
