Security World News » Family Issues

How to Deal with Alcohol Abuse in the Family

Cristiano Ronaldo — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:38:11 +0000

Dependence on alcohol greatly affects the whole family. More than often, everybody tends to place their attention on the affected person while ignoring the whole family. When a member of a household starts to abuse alcohol, the entire family is affected emotionally and financially. Assisting a family to deal with the aftermath of alcohol reliance is critical in keeping or rebuilding a strong household unit. Fright, remorse, disgrace, annoyance, humiliation and fury are all usual feelings which are good to deal with as soon as they begin to manifest rather sweeping them under the carpet.

Luckily, there are numerous resources that are accessible to families that have a member who is reliant on alcohol. Other than the one-on-one therapies, thanks to the internet you can now access live alcoholic anonymous support meetings as well as internet support forums. These resources can assist families in different ways by enabling them to learn more about one another, thus enabling them to find the best ways to assist the affected person.

The benefit of using support groups such as alcoholic anonymous and forums is that they are available for free. These channels of peer backing enable affected persons to talk with other people that are going or have undergone the same experience. At times, just chatting with somebody that has underwent the same circumstances as you, and has lived to see another day can be beneficial and supportive. The stories told by persons that have weathered the storm inspire those that are still going through the difficult moments to find the strength to carryon.

Does your family member need assistance?

The answers to the following questions can enable you determine if you or your family member has a drinking issue:

- Do you have the nudging feeling to cut back on your alcohol consumption?

- Do you feel irritated when people talk about your alcohol consumption?

- Do you feel bad or remorseful after a night out of drinking?

- Do you find yourself taking a sip of alcohol in the morning just to stabilize your nerves or to discard a hangover?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to seek help as it is an indicator of alcohol abuse issue. If you suspect that either you or somebody else you are well acquainted to has an alcohol issue, it is crucial that you see a general practitioner immediately. A physician or a healthcare provider is in a better position to assist you chatter the right course for your drinking problem.

What type of assistance is there for alcohol abuse?

The following are the different types of assistance you can get for a family member that is struggling with alcohol problem:

Medication aided therapy

Medication aided therapy is a pharmacotherapy involving drug abuse. It merges pharmacological involvement with counseling as well as behavioral treatment. This offers the patient with a complete approach in the medication of substance abuse conditions.

Peer support

There are numerous peer support groups such as alcoholic anonymous (AA) that are designed for people that are dependent on alcohol. Whereas peer support is not really a form of treatment, it is one of the tools which constitute alcohol therapy plan.

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How to Deal With Chronic Illnesses of Your Child

Cristiano Ronaldo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:28:55 +0000

Nurturing a chronically sick child is not that simple. One of the most traumatic times in your household’s life, will be the voyage through your son’s or daughter’s healthcare. Life, as we know it, changes considerable once your child is diagnosed with a chronic illness. The flipside of it is that, you will become acquainted with new medical terminologies and cultivate a new way of going through life. Parents with children suffering from chronic ailments are usually faced with hurdles and choices which other parents hardly know of. A chronic ailment not only affects one child, but the entire household.

To be successful as a family, you need to work together as one unit. This in turn will make it easier to face the challenges ahead. Discussed herein, are tips and guidelines on how to deal with chronic illness your child might have:

Tip #1 – Education

The adage “Education is a continuous process” is not in vain. You can make things easier by taking the time to learn about the illness your child is suffering from. If you can, educate all the members of your household on the nature of the disease. This in turn will make it easier to deal with any unforeseeable event in the future no matter who is with the child. “Information” as they say is power. In addition, having information about the illness your child is suffering from will enable you to answer any question that he or she might have. Children are known to ask a lot of questions, especially when they see they are treated differently from others or not allowed to do things which other children are doing. Consequently, you need to be in a position to answer all of these questions with utter honesty.

Tip #2 – Ask questions

Chronically ill children are usually taken to the hospital every now and again for observation. During such visits, you should be able to ask your child’s physician all the questions you have. If there is something which you do not understand, do not be afraid to ask the doctor to explain. Learning about your child’s illness is not a one-time thing, but a process.

Tip #3 – Talk about the illness as a family

If you have other children, talk to them about sickness their brother or sister is suffering from. Most parents with chronically ill children tend to find it difficult to talk to their other kids about the nature of sickness that their sibling is suffering from. While it is okay to fret about the possible anxiety as well as stress that you may trigger in other children, it is recommended that you be open and honest to your entire household regarding the nature of illness that one child is suffering from.

Tip #4 – Get your kid ready for medical procedures

It is important to make your child comprehend what to expect in his or her life. Encountering strange medical procedures can trigger stress as well as anxiety in your chronically ill child. Therefore, it is important to prepare your child for future medical procedures by talking to them about it.

Being Harassed by Creditors? The Law Can Protect You

Cristiano Ronaldo — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:30:44 +0000

One of the things that a majority of people fear in this world is bankruptcy. The costs of bankruptcy are extremely high. There are people that have lost their dream homes, cars, businesses and other assets because of bankruptcy. A majority of Americans came face to face with bankruptcy during this economic recession. This can be supported by the number of homes that went into foreclosures. While the economy has made a little bit of recovery since the last recession, millions of people are still struggling. The numbers of people that are still dealing with creditors are many. This in turn has led to a number of people switching off their home and mobile phones or changing their addresses so as to avoid the constant harassment of creditors. The worst thing that you can do is to hide or run away from your creditor as they will still be able to track you down. Moreover, hiding or running away from your creditor will only ensure that you get bad credit rating.

Unknown to a majority of people is that the law can actually safeguard you from creditors. This is because the most of the methods used by creditors to recover what is owed to them actually violates the rules and guidelines that have been set by FDCPA – Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. As such, their actions can be deemed by the law as harassment. Just because you are in a heap of debt does not give your creditors the right to mishandle or treat you unfairly. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a legislation that has been enacted by the federal government so as to safeguard consumers from the abusive methods that have for a long time been used by creditors.

What are the guidelines set by the FDCPA?

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act offers strict recommendations which illustrate the way in which debt collectors as well as creditors can get in touch with their clients. A number of states alongside localities have legislations that are akin to the FDCPA. These laws exceed beyond the guidelines laid out by the federal government. Creditors are allowed by the law to get in touch with their clients through the phone, telegram, letters or in person. Nonetheless, there are a lot of limitations as to what creditors can do.

The following are some of the things that the FDCPA forbids:

- Getting in touch with you at your place of business after they have been instructed that they are not supposed to do so.

- Getting in touch with you before 8 in the morning and after 9 in the evening.

- Speaking to your colleagues, friends, neighbors, business associates, family members and employer regarding your debt.

- Debt collectors are not permitted by the law to utilize profane language.

- Debt collectors have to first of all identify themselves before proceeding with their business.

- Send you certified letters or documents that appear as if they have been issued by the law court.

The FDCPA has been formulated to safeguard you from harassment by creditors. Unfortunately, because a majority of those in debt feel overwhelmed, they end up falling victims of debtor collector harassment.

How to Deal With Alcohol Abuse in the Family

Cristiano Ronaldo — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:02:27 +0000

Drunkenness is a lingering ailment which makes an individual’s body heavily dependent on alcohol. The individual can become obsessed with alcohol to the extent of not being able to take control on how much he or she drinks. Unfortunately, a majority of alcoholics do not realize that their vice is triggering serious health issues, family problems and financial strain. Inebriation is an issue which extends far and wide. In addition, it does not discriminate against race and social status. There are millions of families that are affected as a result of alcoholism every year. The issue is not just about being inebriated. It includes emotional abuse, financial issues and physical abuse. Unlike what you may have heard, it’s not simple to deal with an alcoholic person. Fortunately, there are ways you can use to cope with an alcoholic person.

Discussed herein, are tips and guidelines on how to deal with alcohol abuse in the family.

Tips & Guidelines

Tip #1 – Comprehend the triggers of alcoholism

The most prevalent trigger of alcoholism is depression. It’s quite uncommon to hear that someone has become an alcoholic without depression. Furthermore, consuming alcohol only adds more sorrows to the person’s problems. The main reason why most depressed people drink too much alcohol is because the intoxication causes them to forget their problems. In a drunkard stated they hardly have control over their actions. As such, most alcoholics are usually forgiven for their actions when drunk since they are not in their right state of mind. Dealing with issues when you are sober is quite hard. However, in a drunken state you can deny your responsibilities.

If you would like to help a family member with this issue, encourage them to speak out about the likely factors for the depression that drives them to alcohol. Demonstrating compassion is not comparable to tolerating drinking. Whereas you cannot make them to stop drinking overnight, you can assist them to minimize the amount of alcohol they take on a daily basis.

Tip #2 – Know that it is not your fault

You need to know that it is not your mistake that your parent or sibling is abusing alcohol. Most alcoholics in the family tend to either blame their siblings or parents for their vice. They may not say it directly, but they do blame you for their habit. If you are to assist them overcome this vice, you first of all need to know that it is not your mistake that they are drinking. They are the ones that chose to abuse alcohol in the first place.

Tip #3- Let your feelings known

If you are to assist your parent, brother or sister overcome alcohol, you need to let them know how you feel. If you are afraid of confronting your parents, you can document your feelings in a journal. On the other hand, you can get someone who is close to your parents or siblings to talk to them about how you feel.

There are a number of ways that you can deal with alcoholism in the family, and seeking alcohol abuse help is at the top of that list.

When is Your Child Old Enough to Own a Mobile Phone?

Ralph Winn — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:09:11 +0000

Only ten years ago, cell phones weren’t accessible in the manner they are today. However, those days are long gone. Children as young as ten are asking their parents to buy them cell phones.

A research that was carried out in the year 2008 by a group referred to as Pew Research Center revealed that approximately 75% of kids aged between 12 and 17 had mobile phones. Most of these kids were given the cell phones by their parents even before reached adolescence. The research went further to reveal that nearly 57% of 12 year old kids had their own cell phones. It is important to point out that these statistics are of the US. There are nations where children below the age of 10 already own cell phones, for example, in Finland children as young as 8 are carrying cell phones. In spite of the figures, when a child should own a cell phone ought to be determined by a particular scenario.

Need vs. Want

A majority of professionals recommend that parents and guardians assess whether or not their son or daughter “needs” a mobile phone. For example, is your son demanding for a cell phone just because his best friend owns one or is he asking for one because there is a genuine reason for it?

Take into account the following consideration when assessing whether or not your child really needs a cell phone:

Does your child spend most of his or her time without an adult supervision? This needs to take into account when they go to the school.
Does your child frequently require lift to and from school?
Do you have the need to get in touch with your son or daughter when you are on a trip or at work?

Your response to these questions will determine whether there is a genuine need to buy for your child a mobile phone. Nonetheless, also take your time so as to make certain that your son or daughter really comprehends that the cell phone is to be utilized mainly as a communication device, instead of a symbol of social status amongst his or her peers.

Accountability

Once you have identified a need, as a parent or a guardian you have to take into account the amount of responsibility which you think that your child can manage. There are cell phones specially designed for children as they only enable particular numbers to be dialed on pre-paid basis. Such a cell phone would be ideal for a child in an elementary school using it as a means of getting in touch with his or her parents. Nevertheless, there are kids that will not consider this type of cell phone as a “real” mobile phone and will continue pressing for a better model.

Educate Your Teen on Safe Sex

Cristiano Ronaldo — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 22:34:40 +0000

Whenever individuals think having children, they normally think of babies as well as toddlers, and not about the ever-bored, sardonic, and dogmatic teenagers. However, after some time, your once sweet little adorable baby does grow into the annoying teenager. As parents it is your duty you have to love and support them through this phase in life. After all, you were once also a teenager.

In case you have not already had a candid talk with your teenage son or daughter regarding sex, you need to do this as soon as possible. On the other hand, if you have already talked about it, you need to continue with the discussion at every given opportunity.

Talking to your teenage son or daughter regarding sex is not a one-time tête-à-tête – it is a continuous discussion.

While you may not feel at ease talking to your kids regarding sex, it is crucial that you do so otherwise you risk sending your children to the cruel world without the right information. If anything were to happen to them, you’ll be the first one they’ll blame for their misfortunes.

If you feel uncomfortable talking to your teenage kids about sex, then you need to know that they won’t also feel at ease talking to you about issues regarding their sex lives.

What are some of the things that your teen child already knows about sex?

You will be astonished about what your teen son or daughter already comprehends regarding sex. However, you can also be surprised at what your child does not understand. When one of my relatives was in the 8^th grade, she had a general idea how animals procreated. After being muddled up regarding a number of issues she overheard some of her classmates chatting about, her parents decided to sit her down and talk to her about sex. They were actually on point telling her what sexual intercourse was all about. While she was not impressed by the whole conversation, it is important to point out that she was at least aware of what sexual intercourse is and the consequences that come with it.

When the same relative begun her high school education, one of her initial coursework in her health class was an essay query prompting her to illustrate the means by which she would gratify her partner without really involving sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, she did not have any idea since having sexual intercourse was the last thing on her mind. But, just because she was not experimenting with sex, it does not mean that her peers were doing the same. As a matter of fact, that this particular subject was even given goes to show that some of her classmates are actually thinking about having sex, if not doing it.

If you surf through a number of sites such as Yahoo, you will come across a myriad of queries posted by teenagers such as “does fingering break your virginity?” or “what does fingering mean?” or “what does popping your cherry mean?” or “what is AIDS?” Most teenagers look for answers from the web because they are scared of asking their peers or parents lest they think that they are inexperienced and at them, or because their parents will start thinking that they are having sex or have STIs.

Don’t Hesitate to Counsel Your Teen on Sex

Ralph Winn — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:01:37 +0000

Unknown to a number of parents is that their teenagers desire to chat to them regarding not only their future careers, but also sex. Circumventing the issue will not stop your teenage son or daughter from having sex. However, it can result in them depending on erroneous info, thus placing them in danger of getting unwanted pregnancies as well as STIs (Sexual Transmitted Infections).

Thanks to continuous development in technology, teenagers are today exposed to pornographic images plus stories on a daily basis. A majority of teenagers chat about sex with their buddies or search for information relating to sex from the web. Unfortunately, not all the information gathered is precise or correct.

A recent study showed that a majority of young children (88%) search for information regarding sex at some point. According to the study, approximately 56% of young children approach their mothers while another 55% approach a female figure head. The study also showed that nearly 49% of children will ask about sex from their health class whilst 44% of children will get to know about sex by reading about if from pamphlets.

Talking to your children about sex does not in any way inspire them to experiment with sex. As a matter of fact, several studies have shown that children, especially teenagers that receive detailed sex education from their parents are unlikely to get unwanted pregnancies or are less likely to engage in sexual intercourse at an early age.

How and when to begin

There is nothing wrong in feeling uncertain when conversing to your children regarding sex education. After all most parents feel the same way you do. The simplest means to chat to your teenage child regarding sex is to begin at an early age, even though it’s never too late. Answer every query directed at you with utter honesty. In addition, try as much as possible to educate yourself on some of the things you do not know.

The first thing you need to do is to equip yourself with information. Surprisingly, only a handful of parents know every detail pertaining to sex education.

Preparing yourself

Listed below are some of the ways through which you can prepare yourself for sex education class with your teenage children:

Take some time and discuss the matter with your spouse or other parents with teenage children.
Make a decision on what type of values along with messages you would like to pass out to your teenage children.
Equip yourself with as much information as possible by reading about latest sexual matters from health magazines or the internet.
Acknowledge that your teenage son or daughter may have a diverging opinion about sex.
Note that the purpose is to discuss the matter with your child and not to lecture them about it.
Have a positive approach towards sexuality. Remember that the finest sex education is “sex positive”.
Accept that fact that teenagers are sexual beings. As such, they may decide to be either sexual active or not.

Tips to stop your teen from misusing the Internet

Cristiano Ronaldo — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:13:28 +0000

Teenage is a delicate phase in your child’s life. It is a time when they tend to inculcate habits they find it hard to let go off. Warning the teen of what bad habits they might develop may be interpreted by them as lecturing. It is a time when the child wants independence to take their own decisions, but not the adequate experience to gauge the outcome of a decision.

The world of the internet is multifaceted. It gives boundless knowledge, both good and bad. So you will have to be cautious of its usage. You cannot avoid the net, so it is preferable you make rules in usage. Fix the time your teen can work on the net, make it a point that he abides by that time. A few minutes can be extended provided the usage is in your presence.

Moreover place the computer in areas that you will have easy access to, and where you will be able to easily monitor what usage is being made of the pc. Like in the common areas where you can just walk past. This will make the teen cautious of your vigilance. Do not set up the desktop computer and the broadband connection in the teen’s room.

As parents it’s your responsibility to keep an eye on your teens. Do often find out the sites that they have been browsing. It is not suspecting your child, but you are only keeping an eye. This may trigger anger in the child if he is caught. But do not lose your calm, at this stage children might be unpredictable or rude, even if the love them very much.

Do tell him in an opportune moment the problems that arise out of addiction to the net-physical ailments like back pain, neck pain, and headache, numbness in the wrist and the fingers, dry strained eyes as well as mental ailments. Watching adult sites can often tamper with the teen’s mental health. Also while talking to him relate to some other child, this will caution him in a veiled way.

Encourage him to take part in other games, probably outdoor, like soccer and cricket. Let him groom his hobbies. This will be a constructive recreation and would also serve the purpose of keeping them away from the net.

It is always wise to root out the cause for such misuse. Find out why your teen is appropriating a disproportionately large time on the net. Is there a cause? Often teenagers suffer from inferiority complex which forbids them to interact socially. If this is a case, then tell him how special he is, how talented he is and boost his confidence. Also parents failed relationships often bother the child. Remember it is your responsibility to provide your child with an ideal grooming atmosphere.

Teenage is a confusing time for children, a transition phase between child hood and adult hood. These tips will help you to stop your teen from misusing the internet.

Laws against Cyber Bullying

Ralph Winn — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 05:48:13 +0000

Over the last few years, a couple of states have passed firm cyber bullying legislations which have been specially formulated to safeguard kids from being intimidated, terrorized and humiliated on the web. These legislations represent a critical move towards nationwide anti-cyber harassment legislations that will safeguard kids of all ages despite their social or financial statues from cyberspace bullying.

The following are some of the laws enacted by a number of states so as to protect children from cyber bullying:

The State of Arkansas

In the year 2007, the State of Arkansas passed legislations permitting school authorities to take stern actions against cyberspace bullying even though the bullying was not instigated or took place within the school’s property. The decree gave school officials much more flexibility and room to bring to book those people that sought to bully their fellow colleagues.

The State of Idaho

In 2006, the law makers in the State of Idaho passed a by-lay which permitted school administrators to suspend students that participate in cyber bullying (i.e. internet and telephone).

The State of Iowa

The State of Iowa passed a couple of rulings that compelled schools to form anti-cyber bullying strategies that address bullying within a school setting.

The State of New Jersey

The State of New Jersey has always been recognized for its stern laws against bullying. However, it was not until the year 2007 that the legislations were revised to add bullying through “electronic communication”. These bylaws gave extra power to school administration to implement bullying-related retribution for actions which cannot take place whilst in the school’s premises.

The State of Oregon

The State of Oregon actually digs deeper into the facts of cyberspace bullying. The by-laws enacted in the past few years in Oregon extend the barriers of what makes up online bullying to incorporate those actions that “significantly affect” the education of young children.

The State of Missouri

After a 13 year old student, Mega Meier, committed suicide as a result of cyberspace bullying, there was an increased awareness of internet bullying and its punishment in the State of Missouri. The governor of Missouri went as far as creating a special task force that was charged with studying and formulating bylaws in respect to cyber bullying. Due to this, the Internet Harassment Task Force has set precedence for other states. In addition, the State of Missouri has strengthened the laws on the issue, elevating cyber-bullying from a misdemeanor to a class crime.

The State of New York

The State of New York formed a system to examine allegations of cyber bullying which would assist the police and the school authorities better determine the circumstances of every occurrence as well as bring to book the offenders to fullest extent of the law.

The State of Rhode Island

Currently, the governor of Rhode Island is in the process of attempting to enact a bill which would compel repeat cyberspace bullying culprits to come before a family court judge, where they would face charges as criminals.

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Post tags: bullying, Cyber bullying, cyber-bullies, cyberspace bullying

The Dangers of Self Medication

Cristiano Ronaldo — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:12:44 +0000

There are millions of people worldwide that are suffering from anxiety as well as depression. From an early childhood, these people feel uncomfortable when in a social gathering. As a result, they try their level best to avoid social contact throughout their teenage years. Whereas seclusion makes such people feel good about themselves they still feel left out in the society as they cannot interact with their peers with ease. With time, they start to loath social phobia and in the end make a decision to do something about it.

Having seen their parents take alcohol during social gatherings at an early stage and observed how it made them feel relaxed, people who are filled with social phobia start to self-medicate on alcohol, over-the-counter anti-depressants and other drugs. Today, there are men and women whose marriages have broken up, they have lost their jobs, or are in rehabs or in jail as a result of excessive drinking or drug abuse that started in early childhood with just one sip of wine or one puff of cigarette.

A majority of people that have social phobia often resort to alcohol or other drugs (i.e. marijuana) as it provides them with temporary respite from daily tussles. Nonetheless, for those people who habitually search for something that can “take the edge off” grave issues with overreliance might just be lying underneath the shell. What initially starts off as a means of struggling with awkward scenarios can rapidly turn into an all-encompassing, overwhelming addiction. Overreliance of substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cigarettes or pain killers to calm the mind is nothing short of compulsion, necessitating for a change in lifestyle and in most instances, professional assistance.

Self-medication can result in a number of psychological health conditions, such as, anxiety, depression and bipolar. However, there are other mental health conditions which one can suffer from due to overreliance on self-medication, for example, post-traumatic stress disorder.

The likely hazards of self-medication are numerous, and key amongst them is the risk of addiction. A study that was carried out in the year 2007 by a group of psychiatrists and reported in the American Journal of Psychiatry recognized a clear correspondence between alcohol reliance and social anxiety. The report further illustrated that folks suffering from anxiety are more susceptible to a snowballing dependency on alcohol given that alcohol wears off, triggering withdrawal symptoms can cause a greater anxiety, and this in turn increases the chances of further drinking.

Even though self-medication is frequently regarded as an adult behavior, teenagers are also at risk. A study that was carried out in 2008 by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy showed a disturbing association between depression and teen drug abuse. The research explains a common situation of teenagers treating feelings anxiety and depression using cannabis sativa, anti-depressants and other medications, only to extend their sorrow and develop more significant psychological health issues in the future.

Persons that self-medicate with painkillers, alcohol, marijuana or other drugs are advised to look for healthier, less risky approaches of dealing with their uneasiness. Suggested alternatives to self-medication consist of enhanced dietary habits, counseling, regular workouts and natural medications.

For those who started out self-medicating with various drugs until they found themselves hooked, there are many substance abuse help options that can help them get off those drugs.

When is your kid old enough to go out on his own?

Cristiano Ronaldo — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:02:49 +0000

Many parents nowadays are extremely worried about their child’s protection and safety, and therefore never let them go to school or anywhere else for that matter alone. There have been cases where 15-16 years old kids have been forced to have their parents as a company while going to school. This is not at all normal as the kid needs to grow up on his own and sooner or later, they will be going to places on their own. But the emotion that drives parents to do such a thing is understandable, the rate of kidnapping, child-molesting and raping has been rising consistently and despite measure taken by the government such incidents haven’t been able to be curbed wholly. So, it becomes a big question when should parents allow their kids to go out alone?

The situation depends from country to country and state to state. In many states the crime rates are very high and so parents have to be that extra careful while dealing with their child’s safety. So in such a case, children should never be allowed to leave the house on their own before they reach teenage and it is better to let them go out with a bunch of friends during the first few times. Even if you let them go out on their own, it is advisable to let them carry a cell phone with them all the time so that they can always keep you updated with their itinerary and let you know that they are safe.

Let the first trips be very short, preferably to your neighbour’s house or to a friend’s down the lane. If your child can manage that to the tee then you can think of sending him/her to the school alone. Usually, going to the school or soccer practice after that doesn’t carry much threat associated with it but you never know these days! So to be on the safe side, prepare them beforehand what to do in case they encounter someone with malicious deliberations on their mind. Teach them about 911 and keep it as speed dial on their phone.

The other thing you can do is to let all your neighbours know that your little one is going out on his own and so just if they can keep an eye out for any disturbance around their locality. If you got good neighbours then surely they will help you out in this matter and look after your kid. But still you can’t be assured with that can you? So it is better you make it a point that your kid takes the usual route and doesn’t linger here and there.

Lastly, it is better if you enrol your kid to some self-defence class so that he can wriggle out of any messy situation on his own. Such training will not only help your kid to fend off goons and thugs but also instil some confidence in both of you.

Taking this big decision can be very hard for doting parents but it is one they have to take very prudently.

Stop drugs at your child’s University

Cristiano Ronaldo — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:54:22 +0000

When the teenage child goes to University, it’s the most vulnerable time of the life. The child isn’t mature enough to handle the pressure and stress of new challenges that is being faced with and can be easily swayed into bad practices such as drugs in an attempt to escape from the hardships. Some kids already have done drugs before and they are the ones that can influence others, such as your kid to join in. The first step is to keep make your child to say no to drugs, after that it is to make sure the university is drug free zone.

Often the drug abuse in a University goes unnoticed and when it comes to light it often is too late and with consequences. Someone dies, or is critically ill or loses the plot and misbehaves and this is when people come to know that the child is on drugs. After this, people find out that a lot of students in the University are on drugs as well. We don’t want that situation in any educational institution.

The first step to safety starts at home. There should be meetings held between parents of the kids to get together and discuss how they stop the menace of drug abuse. Ideally, an expert should be brought to teach all the parents on how to identify is someone on drugs. Identification is the most important step and early identification leads to early solution.

Then there should be discussions on how to keep the kids stress free and prepare them mentally so that they are strong enough to say no to the temptation of drugs. If a child is strong to say no, then the chances of him/her getting into drugs are greatly reduced. These are a couple of things that the parents can do in order to fight the menace and now let’s look at what the university can do. For this, parents must urge the university.

Discussion

The students and the teachers and the doctors or persons who know about drugs should come and discuss about the ill effects of drugs. Show them pictures of drug addicts whose life has changed drastically due to drug abuse. These might scare some but it is necessary to teach them the effects. This kind of knowledge will not harm them and will work on most of them. Most because there will always be some on whom these won’t work.

Counseling

The kids who are stressed out and depressed are the ones most likely to get involved in drugs. Hence, the University should identify those students, usually the underperforming ones and organize counseling for them to release their stress and encourage them in doing better, give them the self esteem that they are losing.

After all the efforts, if there are signs of drug abuse, then you should not wait for confirmation and take necessary action before it starts spreading. The suspect should be dealt with and if

Considering that many youngsters are being influenced by their friends at school to use drugs, parents should know how to recognize the signs of drug addiction so they can immediately do something about it once they see those signs in their child.

Tips to Stop your Teen from Misusing the Internet

Cristiano Ronaldo — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 22:37:25 +0000

In this twenty-first century where science and technology rule our everyday life, the computer has also made its entry into every home. Today almost every home possesses a computer. This is because of its efficiency and its versatile power. It has brought the world in one’s dining room because of internet. Any information is available with just a click of the mouse. It is also a very good device for communication because of Skype, video chat and various other social networking sites. But as for each and every good thing, one has to pay a price; similarly this also has several disadvantages.

Now each and every personal computer comes with the internet connection. The result is, most of the teenagers are addicted to the internet and they spend hours over the computer, surfing the net, much to the disappointment of their guardians and parents. This internet addiction is mainly due to gaming, social networking and the opportunity for instant messaging. This acts as a strong drug to which millions across the world are addicted. As teenage is the most vulnerable period of one’s life, it is during this time that the person takes into various different addiction. The way one leads his life during this time, determines the kind of life he is going to live.

To stop the teenagers from getting addicted to the internet, the parents should be a bit more careful and should watch if their children are spending too much time in the internet. If they find that the children are spending a considerable amount of time in the internet then the parents should try to find out the reason behind it. Most often it is seen that the virtual world is a way for escaping from the real world. If this is the reason, then the parents should try to solve the problem for which the children are trying to escape from the reality. The parents should talk to the children in a friendly manner and not as some dictators. They should understand what is going on in their children’s mind.

Another solution is, to keep the computer in an open area where it becomes easy for the parents to keep an eye on the internet usage by their children. The parents should check whether their children are visiting any adult and illegal websites, if they are doing so, the parents should take the necessary actions. So the computer should never be kept in the bedroom of the child.

To keep the child busy with some other fruitful activities such as some form of sports or other extracurricular activities is also a great idea. If one is engaged in these forms of activities then he or she will be having very little time spending online and thus avoid getting addicted to the internet.

Setting of administrative password is also a solution as the child has to come and request the parents for logging in to the internet and the parents can become aware of the child’s internet usage in the meantime.

So, if these few tips are followed and the parents keep an eye on the children, internet addiction among teenagers can be prevented.

Don’t Let Your Teenager Stay Up Late at Night

Cristiano Ronaldo — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 03:00:50 +0000

Teenagers are infamous for staying up late at night watching television, texting, chatting on the web or playing video games. If you have a teenage child, chances are that they are staying up late at night. Whereas some parents tend to associate staying up late at night with laziness, recent studies have shown that this habit has a physical trigger. All of us have an internal clock which affects the body’s temperature, appetite, napping cycles plus hormonal variations. The genetic and physical processes that adhere to the sequence of this 24-hour inner timing are referred to as circadian rhythms. Before puberty, the internal clock forces a majority of kids to go to bed at approximately 8pm or 9pm. However, adolescence alters a teenager’s circadian rhythm, procrastinating the time a teen may start to fall asleep around 11pm. Staying up late at night socializing or studying can interfere with a teenager’s inner clock further.

Consequences of inadequate sleepFor a teenager to maintain an optimum daytime attentiveness, they need at least eight to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. Lack of sleep can have a serious effect on a teenager’s life. Daytime drowsiness makes it hard for them to focus on their studies, as most teenagers and even children who stay up late at night find themselves sleeping in class. In adequate sleep can also contribute to social issues as well as mood swings. What’s worse is that, a drowsy teenager that gets behind the wheel of an automobile can cause a serious road accident. Staying up late at night watching television can also interfere with your teenage child’s normal growth. This is because the growth hormone is only secreted by the body when one is asleep.Listed below, are some of the consequences of allowing your child staying up late at night studying, socializing or watching television:InsomniaChildren who stay up late at night are more likely to suffer from insomnia compared to kids that go to bed early.DepressionDid you know that lack of sleep can cause your child to suffer from depression? Depression in children is normally linked to either sleep deprivation or too much sleep.IrritabilityBecause of lack of sleep, your child is more likely to become irritable.ExhaustionChildren who stay up late at night are more likely to suffer from fatigue. This in turn may hinder them from participating in physical activities.Restless legs syndromeThis is a disorder that triggers a “creepy” feeling within the legs and an overwhelming need to move the legs, normally briefly after going to bed. The constant movements of the legs can interfere with the quality of your sleep.NarcolepsyThis is a term used to refer to an abrupt daytime slumber, normally for only brief durations of time. If you have noticed this in your child, chances are that they are not getting enough sleep. The thing about narcolepsy is that it can occur even in the middle of a conversation. Unexpected bouts of muscle weakness in reaction to feelings, for example, anger, laughter and surprise can trigger the condition if one is used to staying up late at night.

Sibling rivalry can be dangerous

Cristiano Ronaldo — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:45:54 +0000

Sibling rivalry is the competition between the two siblings in the family. It is a very common problem in most households. But if it is not nipped in the bud and parents do not follow proper tips, it could lead to devastating consequences. Sibling rivalry can be dangerous. Tips for parents can prove useful in handling this problem.

Sibling may share a special bond and companionship. This companionship cannot be obtained from parents or family members. This saves the child from loneliness and boredom. Very often sibling can be best of friends. But things may not be that simple because with this percolates jealousy, may be more, may be less.

The first child has been enjoying undivided attention till the advent of the second. This division in attention, especially of the mother, does hurt most children. As such the priority shift from him to the younger one piques him; over that the lack of attention of the parents, leaves him devastated. He begins to act strange, and tries to impress the parents and draw their attention.

This competition in all respects is how sibling jealousy can be dangerous. Tips for parents include firstly giving equal attention to both the children. It is very tough especially post motherhood and in the initial years, but there is no other alternative. Caring is the key principle in child rearing. You will have to be patient with the elder one too, and not just leave him to do all things on his own.

Never ignore any of the children’s feelings. If one is angry, let him vent out his feelings. At that instant he may be loud and unruly, but suppression of his feelings may nurse a deep resentment that may cause harmful outcome later on. So let him express what he want to say, and speak out his heart!

When the children fight among themselves, do not take sides. This is how sibling jealousy can be dangerous. Tip for parent is instead of being biased and punish one, you reproach both for disturbing peace, and let them settle disputes among themselves. It is also logical since you can never be sure who is chiefly guilt.

Next is, never do comparisons between children. Each child has his strengths and weaknesses. To compare one with another is to be unfair. You can appreciate qualities of one; but do find out the qualities of another too, and appreciate the other one. Comparison leads to increase in the urge to do better and competition is the prime reason how sibling rivalry can be dangerous. Tip for parents is to tell children that both of them are unique but in different spheres.

With the arrival of the second child the first child gets increasingly curious. He may sometimes unintentionally hurt the younger one. In that case instead of scolding the elder one, tell him how he is causing pain to the younger one. The best way is to supervise every second the two children are together and avoid such situations.

Children may either cherish a lifelong companionship or a lifelong grudge! It is up to you how you will tackle them since sibling rivalry can be a dangerous thing. Tips for parents are indeed essential in this case.