Parent to Parent

Resources for Babies and Toddlers

2006-03-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

For those of you with newborns through three year olds, there is a very interesting, informative, and fun journal/book for parents. Dr. Christine Harris has written several books. Baby's First Year Journal lets you record your thoughts and feelings while also gaining valuable information. She also has the Toddler Journal for 1-3 year olds! These are a great resource for parents!

Something to Think About

2006-03-10T06:41:00.000-08:00

"One of the most obvious facts about grownups to a child is that they have forgotten what it is like to be a child"

Randall Jarrell

Beware of Strangers

2006-03-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

I've blogged about this important topic before, but I feel so strongly the importance of talking with our kids about strangers! I just heard on the Today Show that kid abductions has risen over 400% on the last 10 years or so!! That is incredible. Some of the important tips they stressed:
-Teach your kids it's better to be Rude and Wrong
-People who abduct may appear kind and appealing
-It's never too early to start talking about kids
-Ask your children what a stranger might say (This helps you know how they perceive them)
-Practice scenarios with them

Read more at http://www.msnbc.com/todayshow

Know Their Strengths

2006-03-01T11:12:00.000-08:00

Knowing your children's strengths is one of the biggest keys to their success. Second to that is helping them use them!! A great resource to find out how your child will respond in situations based on their own skills and strengths can be found at www.kolbe.com. Children as young as 3 can use this tool to help determine their Kolbe profile. There is a fee involved, but is well worth it. This tool was recently featured in Martha Beck's column in Oprah Magazine.

Divorce and Kids

2006-02-24T07:21:00.000-08:00

Did you know that research shows that the biggest impact on children and divorce comes from their financial situation (ie..if they experience poverty) and the degree to which the parents are able to get along. Of course it is important to look carefully how divorce impacts every child and take appropriate meausures, which may include professional counseling, to ensure they are doing well. However, it is also important for parents to keep in mind how they can keep their relationship as harmonious as possible. PBS kids at http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/ (It's my life) has some great resources for kids and coping with divorce as well as other issues.

My Middle Schooler is Ignoring Me

2006-02-22T07:27:00.000-08:00

One of the biggest adjustments for parents of middle schoolers is that of how their child views them. Children under the age of 10 often enjoy spending time with parents and the focus is much on the family. However, that shift begins to move towards a focus on friends. Friends and social relationships become very important, especially by the middle school years. This can leave parents feelings hurt. Don't take it personally! This important step for your child is a natural part of growing up. Try to find a healthy and respectful balance of spending time together while also honoring their new preferences. Take the focus off of them and give yourself some time by picking an activity you enjoy.

Are you stressed?

2006-02-20T07:40:00.000-08:00

Come to a free workshop from the comfort of your own home. Learn new strategies to address stress in your life, next Monday 2/27 at 9 pm central. Find out more information at www.livinghappyandhealthy.com.

Tele Groups for Parents

2006-02-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for new ideas? Support? Encouragement? Check out the new parenting groups I'm offering through living happy and healthy. Visit www.livinghappyandhealthy.com and click on the services page! Join us from the comfort of your own home for these informational and fun groups!

Talking with Teens

2006-02-15T11:55:00.000-08:00

I've heard from many people how difficult it can be to talk with teenagers sometimes. They get new attitudes, go through phases, and the parents are left on the side wondering how to relate to this person they love so much. If your communication with your teen is not where you want it to be, here are a few ideas to ponder.

1) Start at their level. Most teens love email, text messages, etc...Start to regularly send them communications in this format.

2)Ask yourself, what would a perfect relationship look like with my teen? What needs to change to get there? Give your teen the opportunity to answer the question what a perfect relationship with their parent looks like. Try to meet somewhere in the middle.

3) Set aside time each day where you can have undistracted time, whether its 5 minutes or 30 minutes.

4) Use driving time to start up conversations. It sounds simple, but use open ended questions.

5) If you're still stuck, don't be afraid to ask friends for ideas and to get professional help if your not making any headway.

Teaching Toddlers Right from Wrong

2006-02-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

In the March issue of Parents magazine, Michele Borba, Ed.D outlines his 4-R Strategy to help young kids. Here's the scene: Unhappy about sharing his toys, a 4 yeard old yanks his favorite pail out of his friend's hands.

1. Respond: Calmly encourage your child to think about his actions (Why did you tkae the pail from Sam like that?)

2. Review: Why the behavior is wrong (It isn't nice when you don't share toys with your friends)

3. Reflect. On the behavior's effects (Did you see how sad Sam looked? How would you feel if he took a toy from you?)

4. Right the Wrong (How do you think you could make Sam feel better?)

Take Time For You

2006-02-08T08:56:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to make time for yourself to get centered. As a parent it's very easy for quiet time for ourselves to be pushed aside or squeezed out of the way. Try making an extra 15 minutes for yourself to meditate, think, stretch, or do whatever you need to do to get back in the game. By making sure we are full, we will be giving our children our best selves!

It can happen to you!

2006-02-06T06:24:00.000-08:00

A recent investigation revealed the danger of kids and teens using the internet. No surprise, right? But, often parents have the attitude, it won't happen to my kid. Here's the issue. Sexual predators visit teen sites like www.myspace.com searching for the perfect victims. What can you do about it? Make sure your child doesn't put any personal information on site (ie..address, birthdate, phone number). Know what your child is doing on the internet.

You can also visit www.isafe.org to get more safety tips!

Too Much Stress?

2006-02-01T13:54:00.000-08:00

Are you feeeling stressed out? Are you tired of feeling like you can't keep up? Do you want to learn some new ways that you can immediately and effectively begin to reduce stress in your life? I'm offering a FREE coaching teleclass on Monday Feb 6th, 9 pm central time in honor of International Coaching Week. From the comfort of your own home, please join us for this fun and informative session! I'd love to have you join us. Just email me to register for the class!

Feel free to share this announcement with anyone you think would be interested!

A must read for Teenage Girls

2006-01-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of Voltage Energy Up? Wow! I was so impressed with the short time I saw Voltage talk about her amazing program for young girls. Her program tackles 2 key problems: 1)Health and weight issues for girls 2) self esteem. Schools can implement their programs and they also have it available to the regular consumer. Visit the above link to find out more. If you want this program to come to your school you can have them request info.

Kudos to Voltage for bringing girls this amazing program!!

How Can You Listen Better?

2006-01-25T11:46:00.000-08:00

No matter what the age of our children, it's very easy to think we're listening when we really aren't! Have you really stopped to check in with your child? Have you paid attention to their body language? What they said and how they said it? Try to ask open ended questions instead of ones that just end in yes or no. If your teenager, or toddler doesn't want to talk, let it be. Try to engage them in some simple activity. Make dinner together, do a chore together, or something simple like this.

Call to Action!!

2006-01-20T19:05:00.000-08:00

Did you know that commercials are killing our kids? There is an interesting website you can check out, where in under 1 minute you can make a difference by sending a letter like this to your congress member. It is really simple!!

Dear Member of Congress: I want you to help stop the commercial assault on our nation's children. Kids today are suffering from an epidemic of marketing-related diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, alcoholism and eating disorders, while millions will eventually die from the marketing of tobacco when they grow older. Perhaps worse, corporate marketers aggresively promote damaging values to children, such as materialism, violence, addiction and anti-social behavior. I strongly urge you to introduce and support the Parents' Bill of Rights (http://www.commercialalert.org/pbor.pdf), to restore to parents some control over the damaging commercial influences on children's lives.

No Chat Rooms For Kids!!

2006-01-17T19:27:00.000-08:00

Do you want to protect your children? Do you want to save them from pedophiles? I heard a detective (who specializes in tracking pedophiles) talk about his advice for parents. His number one tip: Don't let them go into chat rooms on the computer! Why? He said that as part of his job he had to pose as a child going into all types of chat rooms and in every single one there was a predator there....often trying to lure him or make suggestive comments.

It's unfortunate that chat rooms designed for children can be such a unsafe place.

Using Strengths

2006-01-11T20:02:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's very easy for all of us to get caught up in the negative behaviors or attributes of others, let alone our own children. When this happens, and even when it doesn't, try to put things into perspective. Try to think about the qualities and actions that make your child special, unique, and completely lovable!

A great resource to better help identify personal strengths from a unique perspective is at www.kolbe.com.

Kathy Kolbe has developed amazing tools to help us better understand our innate abilities and what we will and won't do. She even has an index geared for children. It does cost about $40, but it is well worth it!

Odd Girl Out

2006-01-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

Girls and Aggression. Rachel Simmons visited over 300 schools before writing her book Odd Girl Out. This book addresses the culture of violence and girls and is extremely eye opening. I haven't read the book, but I saw an interview with Simmons that was extremely interesting. If you have a daughter, you may want to be aware of the subculture that can exist and what you can do to help prevent and address these behaviors.

Read more at the amanon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0151006040/002-5899686-5986457?v=glance&n=283155

What Kind of Parent Do You Want to Be?

2006-01-04T19:37:00.000-08:00

As you think about the past year and get ready for 2006 it seems like a very natural time to think about these simple questions.

1) What did I do really well as a parent in 2005?

2) What do I want to drop as a parent in 2006?

3) How can I parent more in line with what I really value?

The Joyful Child

2006-01-02T10:30:00.000-08:00

This is a must visit website for parents! Do you remember Samantha Runion? A five year old who was abducted from her front yard and then murdered? Her mother, Erin Runion, has started this foundation to protect and serve our nation's children. They have also initiated a nationwide program entitiled PRIDE. Visit this website to get information to keep your children safe and to find out how you can help!

www.thejoyfulchild.org

Back To School

2006-01-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

Getting back to school can be a difficult transition after the holiday break, no matter what the age of the child. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1) Try setting a bed time close to the school time about 1 night before the new week starts.

2) Be patient with yourself and your children as the new schedule begins.

3) Look at the New Year as an opportunity for a new start. Find out what your child wants to accomplish this quarter and also talk about your expectations.

Feel free to post any other ideas and suggestions!

Stressful Vacations?

2005-12-28T08:57:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the most looked forward to vacations can turn into a stressful vacation! If you're kids are starting to push your buttons, take a step back, a deep breath, and re-group. They will be going back to school soon! How can you enjoy the few days you have left together? What can you do each day to lessen your own stress? What strategies help center your kids the best? Do they need more exercise? More quiet time?

A Must Read Safety Tip

2005-12-14T06:35:00.000-08:00

Did you know that you should never recline your passenger seat when driving? I met Vicki, the mother of Jamie who was killed when riding in a reclining passenger seat. It was a tragic accident that could've been prevented.

Please visit the website above and read more about this safety information and share it with everyone you know! They have also started a non-profit organization where you can get a FREE copy of a safety DVD. Make sure you Sit Up and Buckle Tight!!!

Eating Disorders

2005-12-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

Last week's Newsweek covers an important topic, eating disorders! So often they go undetected or unnoticed until it is too late. This is happening to our children at younger ages. Would you believe children as young as 8 have had eating disorders? Check out this link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10219756/site/newsweek/.

What's the Verdict About Time Out?

2005-12-12T21:10:00.000-08:00

I was reading an article recently that talked about the discussion about time out. Experts don't agree that it is a solid solution every time to deal with toddlers behavior. I have tried it with my toddler and it isn't always effective. I've thought about trying a new type of time out. Here's an example. I want to find and create a space where my toddler can calm down. If he is sent to this special place, we'd talk about calming down, why he is there, and what he needs to do before he returns to his activity. My personal opinion is that certain strategies are going to work better for different kids. What works for yours?

Free Book Offer

2005-12-08T05:39:00.000-08:00

I wrote about this a few weeks ago, but now I actually have the contact information to receive Brain Foods for Kids: Over 100 Recipes to Boost Your Child's Intelligence.

All you need to do is send your proof of purchase from one 10.4 oz box of Kashi Mighty Bites to: Parent Magazine PO Box 10254 Des Moines IA 50340-0254. This offer is only good until January 31, 2006, or until supplies last.

An important reminder

2005-12-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

I saw part of an Oprah show lately that was an important reminder to me. They were talking about child abduction and one of the stories was about a young girl who was riding her bike home and a man pulled up along side her and tried to take her into his car. She fought back and was never abducted!!! Her parents had previously sat her down and talked to her about doing just that. They had looked at the story of Carly (the young girl who was taken from a car wash in Florida and never returned). So, I thought this was an important to remind our children of the dangers of strangers and that they can fight back. They should never just go with someone. Depending on the age of your child, you may need to consider different ways to explain this to them.

Beware of Crystal Meth

2005-12-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

It sounds funny to admit, but I hadn't realized how big of a problem crystal meth has become in our country!!! This is a very scary problem for adults and young people across all socioeconomic groups.

Did you know that many addicts say that it only took one try of crystal meth to start a severe addiction?

Here are a few websites to visit. Educate yourselves and your children on this important topic. For general info visit http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs5/5049/. If you are an addict yourself or know someone who is visit www.crystalmeth.org.

Create Happier Family Moments this Holiday

2005-12-02T19:43:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season here, it gives most of us wonderful opportunities to spend more time with family. As much as we look forward to this occasion, it also can cause stress. Whether you want to spend more quality time with your children or visit with relatives from out of town, all of us desire to make the most of the time we spend with family. By using these simple ideas, family moments can be happier by reducing stress and other obstacles that interfere with our family time.

1) Make Sure You’re Full. Have you ever paid attention to the speech given by the attendants on an airplane? In case of emergency, put the oxygen mask on who first? You or your child? You. The message here: Take care of yourself first and make sure you are breathing so you will then be able to care for your child. The lesson applies to creating happier family moments. To improve moments you need to make sure your energy tank is full and that you are taking care of yourself.

If you want the rest of the ideas, please email me and I'll send you the rest of this article. What things have helped you create happier family moments?

Family Fun

2005-12-01T12:23:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for some fun ideas, activities, vacations, or recipes to share with your family, check out this great website.

What other websites do you like?

Tips for Twos

2005-11-28T12:30:00.000-08:00

Two can be a difficult age. Two year olds love to explore, dump, try things, and play. One tip I have for parents. If you are getting frustrated with your two year old, find ways for them to help you. Can they rake with you outside? Help you put dishes away? Get the idea? They may not be able to do all of this on their own, but by involving them you will be teaching them along the way and keeping them busy!

Happy Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T12:20:00.000-08:00

For starters, if your children don't thak you for being a wonderful parent. Let me take a minute to acknowledge you. Parenting well is a tremendously difficult job.

On the same token, make sure you let your children and other people in your lives who you are thankful for know how much they mean to you!

Connecting with Your Teen

2005-11-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

If you have found it difficult to connect with your teenager, it would be helpful to read yesterday's post. The tips can apply equally to parents of teenagers.

My Middle Schooler Won't Talk to Me

2005-11-22T12:12:00.000-08:00

First of all, let me assure you that this is common, in fact normal. Children around 5th or 6th grade begin to make the adjustment of looking to their friends and peers for social support more than their parents.

If this is happening to you, here are a few ideas to stay connected.

1) Find a good time to talk. By good time, I mean one where neither of you are stressed out or needing to be somewhere else.

2) Let them know what you want (ie..15 minutes to talk each day). Ask them for input for how this might work.

3)Try to be creative. Does emailing or text messaging each other count?

4)Thank your child for working with you on this.

Have other ideas you'd like to share with parents?

Great Nutrition Tips for All!

2005-11-21T08:27:00.000-08:00

Did you know that one of the main culprits of brain drain comes from the refined sugar found in alot of the processed foods we eat? For great nutrition info and recipes, find more in this wonderful free resource.

Look in Parent Magazines or on the box of Kashi's Mighty Bites cereal for a free book offer. Or, just try emailing Kashi directly through their website www.kashi.com. This site also has helpful links and nutrition information. The book you want is Brain Foods for Kids, Over a 100 receipes to boost your child's intelligence, by Nicola Graimes.

The book is available to purchase, but hopefully you can also send in for it. The book publisher also has a website www.bantamdell.com.

Pure Joy

2005-11-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

My husband was commenting on children and I wanted to share the ideas we were talking about. Picture a young child you know. Imagine what it would be like to experience and feel the pure joy that is expressed by a young child. Children are in essence the finest examples of living in the moment. They have no worry of the future, no concern of the past. What would your life be like if you lived it this way? How would it be different? How can you bring that pure joy into your life more?

Please share!

Beware of Pharming!

2005-11-16T07:25:00.000-08:00

Pharming! I didn't know that over 2 million teens are into this these days. Pharming is a new way kids are abusing drugs. Often they take prescribed medication from their parents, throw them in a bowl at a party, and then take a handful. As you can imagine this can have deadly results! Click on the link above to read the full story that aired on www.ksdk.com here in St. Louis. It also provides links for more information and resources.

Seven Parent Teacher Conference Tips

2005-11-15T09:45:00.000-08:00

With parent teacher conference time approaching, I thought I'd share a few ideas to help your conference go smoothly. It can be a stressful time, but also a wonderful opportunity to learn more about your child, their growth at school, and to connect with their teacher.

1. Be respectful of the time: Arrive on time and try not to go over the time allotted.
2. Be prepared to ask any questions that you have. If you think you need more time to talk about things, schedule a time to follow up on the phone or in person.
3. Come with an open mind. If a critique of something is shared, try not to take it personally.
4. Focus on your child's strengths, but don't be afraid to look at ways your child can improve.
5. Try to give your child's teacher a compliment.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for additional resources provided for by the school or outside professionals.
7. Don't forget to take a deep breath and try to enjoy hearing about your child's experience at school.

Preschool Age Websites for Parents

2005-11-14T07:39:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for some quality activities to share with your preschool age child? You'll want to check out these websites. Each of them are a little different but all provide a wide variety of activities, themes, and topics.

www.preschoolrainbow.org
www.preschooleducation.com
www.perpetualpreschool.com

What other websites have you found that you like?

3 Steps to Less Holiday Stress

2005-11-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Don't let the holidays stress you out! If you'd like all six of my tips, email me at carrie@livinghappyandhealthy.com for the full article.

To get started, picture what the perfect holiday season is going to look like. Pick 3-5 things that are imporant to you. This may be a feeling or things that you want to actually happen.

Next, figure out what you need to add or subtract from your schedule to make sure the holidays look and feel like what is important to you.

Finally, make sure you build in time to relax and exercise. It's hard to make time for it, but you'll feel better and have more energy.

How do you lessen your holiday stress?

Domestic Violence Touches All of Us

2005-11-10T22:24:00.000-08:00

How many of you know someone touched by domestic violence? Wheter you are raising sons or daughters, as parents and citizens, all of us can play a part in ending domestic violence.

If you personally are in a violent relationship, you need to take a close look at your life, and find the resources to get yourself help. Think about the type of example you are setting for your children.

As parents, we have the challenge to raise our boys and girls in such a way that they don't become part of this widescale problem.

The link above has multiple resources to end abuse. Additionally, check out The National Coalistion Against Domestic Violence www.ncadv.org and www.womenslaw.org.

Safe Teen Dating

2005-11-09T06:22:00.000-08:00

Did you know that one statistic said that 1 in 11 teens could be involved in a violent relationship?

Teen dating violence is a serious problem. It can take many forms including physical, emotional, or sexual violence. Whether you have a son or a daughter, please read more about this important topic at the link above. There you will find facts, resources, and key information to keep your teens safe!

Know the warning signs and facts about this important topic and share this website with other parents and your teenager.

Click above to go to www.safeyouth.org

Emotions and my grade schooler

2005-11-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

Think about your 3-5th grade child. What emotions do they express? Are they friendly? angry? withdrawn? happy? agitated? It's important for parents to keep track of their child's emotions. Sometimes at this age, children may use feeelings as an outlet for something they haven't talked about. For example, let's pretend that Brad was getting really angry at school and had been sent to the principal's office. His anger could be a cover up for a range of different situations. Maybe he was frustrated in class, or he feels like he has no friends, or he's upset about a home situation.

How can you help your child? If they are experiencing distress, watch for the feeling triggers. Pay attention to their comments and don't be afraid to talk to them about their feelings. Check in with their school to see if they are noticing the same behaviors. Then, find a way your child can safely express their feelings either through words, play, art, or music.

I hear you

2005-11-07T21:17:00.000-08:00

Its amazing how much our young children pick up on the things we say. I was reminded again today of this important lesson when my young son was copying the very conversation I was having. I just thought he couldn't hear or didn't care. So why am I mentioning this? Because I often need to remind myself of the role model I am for my children-whether I'm speaking or acting. What a job! These minds are so impressionable. I'm sure you have many examples of this copy cat behavior in your family. But, my point is this:

Think carefully about the example you want to set with your words and actions.

Your View of Family

2005-11-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes during our busy lives we begin to lose sight of the things we viewed as important to our family. Maybe we value family dinners, family outings, game night, etc...Take a minute to write down what you envision for your family. Next, ask yourself, how close are we to looking like this? What would need to change to make our perfect vision become a reality?

Whether you have one thing or many things you'd like to change, start with one. Then, check back with your vision each week and see how you can align your actions more with your dream for your family.

Are We Too Hard on Ourselves?

2005-11-03T07:03:00.000-08:00

What do you think....Are we too hard on ourselves as parents? I know I am. Sometimes, when I feel like I've made a bad parenting decision, it's easy to get focused on that! I have a challenge for you. Of course, we can always improve our parenting skills, but my challenge starts here.

1) Write down all the things that make you a great parent!

2)Write down what you think would make you a better parent.

3)Pick one thing from your improvement list and decide how you can do that this week. Make a commitment to check in with yourself one week from today and see how you did.

4) Post your list of things that make you a great parent in a spot where you can read it every day!

Teens and Suicide

2005-11-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

Some of the warning signs of depression are the same for suicide. Feel free to read the depression blog from last week. This is not a complete tip sheet for parents, this blog is meant to facilitate a discussion and to share some helpful tips.

1) Take any talk of suicide seriously. Get help for your teen by calling your doctor or going directly to the emergency room.
2) Don't be afraid to talk about suicide. Talking about it, doesn't make people want to do it more.
3) Watch for signs of changes in behavior or attitude. Don't be afraid to check in with your teen's teacher or other adults in their life.

For more information, click on the title above for a helpful website about this topic. Please feel free to post other helpful websites!

Help my child has no friends

2005-11-01T07:51:00.000-08:00

Parents often ask what they can do if they're child is having difficulty making friends. Depending on the age of the child, the suggestions may vary. If your child is in between 3-6 grades, here a few ideas to get started.

1) What does your child enjoy doing? Can you get them involved in these activities?
2) How can your child's school help? Have you talked with the teacher? Social Worker? Counselor? Cany they pair them up with a buddy? Can your child start a new group for something they are interested in?

Please share your ideas and comments!

Bedtimes and Young Children

2005-10-31T07:40:00.000-08:00

I recently read a statistic that a large percentage of parents struggle with putting their young children to bed. I know that I do as well. There are many great ideas out there, but from my experience, parents need to find what works for their child.

What has worked for your family?

Here are a few ideas to get us started:

1)Start with a bedtime routine (ie..bath, book time, bed) Make sure you are doing activities to unwind, dim the lights, soft music, etc..
2)Let your child hold onto a comfort object
3)If your child wants you to stay in their room, set a timer for a short time and let them know you need to go when the timer goes off.
4)If they are old enough, try using a reward system with sticker charts

What are your great ideas?

Family Time

2005-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

How is your family time? When is your family time?

We all could use more family time, the trick is sometimes finding the time where everyone can do something together. Some people make a commitment to eat one meal together, others block off a weekend afternoon together. I don't know if there is any one right answer. But, it begins with asking yourself how much family time do you want each week?

Please share how you've been able to add family time in your life!

Must Read Websites

2005-10-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

Attention Parents,

Protect your children from sexual offenders by learning more at these helpful websites!

You will want to check out the link at the top of this page www.familywatchdog.us. This is a special site where you can find out more information about registered sexual predators in your neighborhood. You can enter your address and obtain important information.

You can also get helpful information and guides at this website and sign up for a free newsletter www.missingkids.com.

The other list of offenders can be found at the national registry www.nsopr.gov.

What other information about this topic would you like to share with other parents?

After Divorce: Co-Parenting Survival Guide

2005-10-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

I discovered what looks like a helpful book on co-parenting after divorce. Have any of you read it?

The outline provided at the link above, gives you the main beliefs of the writers. I couldn't agree more that it is helpful to have some guidelines for parents to use when co-parenting after divorce.

From my experience, many parents out there feel that their children are oblivious to the effects of divorce. They are not. They watch and observe everything that goes on. They are experts at picking up on body language as well as spoken language.

If you're looking for some help in the co-parenting stages after divorce, maybe this will help!

Depression: Know the Warning Signs!

2005-10-25T10:01:00.000-07:00

Did you know that recognizing depression in youth can be difficult for several reasons? 1) Symptoms are expressed differently depending on the developmental stage of the child
2) Kids express their feelings and moods differently
3) Sometimes kids act out or are irritable instead of communicating how bad they feel. It can be misinterpreted as misbehavior or disobedience.

Here are a list of Symptoms of Depression in Adults or Kids (Five or more must persist for 2 or more wks)
-Persistent sad or irritable mood
-Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed; withdrawal from friends
-Significant change in appetite or body weight
-Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
-Loss of energy
-Feelings of worthlessness
-Difficulty concentrating; indecision
-Recurrent thoughts of death/suicide

Here are signs that may be associated with depression:
-Frequent vague, non-specific physical complaints (headache, muscle ache, stomach ache, tired); or pretending to be sick
-Frequent absences from school/poor school performance
-low energy/chronic fatigue
-Talk/efforts to run away from home
-Outbursts of shouting, complain, irritability, crying
-Cling to parent
-Worry that parents may die
-Being bored
-Lack of interest in playing with friends
-Alcohol/substance abuse
-Social isolation
-Fear of death
-Sensitive to rejection/failure
-Increased irritability, anger, hostility
-Reckless behavior
-Difficulty with relationships

If you notice these signs, talk to a professional right away and seek help for your child. Please feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with depression.

Learning Disabilities

2005-10-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

The title of this blog almost feels like a taboo word in the eyes of many parents. I've found that many parents fear this word and everything that is associated with it. But, I wanted to make a statement about learning disabilities, because unfortunately I've seen some parents who were so afraid of this word, that they put off helping their child for sometime thinking they were actually helping them.

If you or someone from your child's school suspects your child may be struggling, get help! Don't wait. For starters, find an advocate you trust. A friend, family member, social worker, or counselor. Be informed, but come with an open mind and willingness to work with the school team. Seek out your parent rights and don't be afraid to ask questions. Look for support groups on line or in your paper or through the PTA.

Many resources are out there for parents! If you need assistance identifying them, please contact me, and I'd be happy to share more.

What's your experience been with learning disabilities?

Nutrition, Nutrition

2005-10-23T17:33:00.000-07:00

Nutrition, what makes sense to you? It's definitely a challenge to feed our children right while living the busy lives most of seem to lead. But, it is possible. What are some of the things you have found to be helpful? I'll share a few ideas I've tried to use.

I try to give my kids lots of fruits and veggies. Stay away from trans fats (look for the word hydrogentated in the food label). Limit sugar and candy. Drink lots of water. Stay away from fast food. Exercise often.

It's not always easy. Recently, I heard about the Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver (www.jamieoliver.net). He has some great recipes and ideas about how to feed children. Also feel free to check out www.5aday.com as well as the link at the top of the article which is a nutrition website for kids. If you're open to new ideas about how to give kids more fruits and veggies you can also check out my other website www.yourfruitsandveggies.com

We'd all love to hear any ideas you have to share on this subject!

Precious Moments

2005-10-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

One of the struggles I have on a daily basis is trying to enjoy moments with my children instead of getting caught up with everything I feel like I need to get done. You know how it is whether you're trying to make a meal, work, clean the house, or whatever else is on your to-do list, it pulls you away from what really matters most, your children. So, how do the rest of you try to stay with them in the moment? I try to make the most of our time in the car, bedtimes, play time with them, etc... I think for me, just recognizing that I wasn't always as present with them as I could be was half the battle!

How do you all stay present in the moment?

What Do You Need?

2005-10-22T07:25:00.000-07:00

This may sound selfish or strange, but I truly didn't realize how difficult and honorable a job it is to be a parent until I became one! Parenting is an incredible opportunity to love and grow. But, it is also very demanding. There's no rule book, guide, or particular tools. I do know that it has been helpful to talk about the challenges of parenting with other parents. We all have something to contribute. My hope is that this blog will be a support for all parents out there who want to be a great parent while living a healthy and balanced life.

So, what do you need? What topics would you like to see at Parent to Parent? I'd love to hear your story and ideas. And, please, share this blog with your friends. We need all the ideas we can get!