Saturday, May 31, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts - Sue Scheff - Summer Reading for Teens and Parents


Summer is almost here and what a better time to catch up on relaxation and reading!

Go to your local library with your kids or a bookstore and find some educational and fun books to read. Health Communications Inc. http://www.hcibooks.com/ offers a wide variety of wonderful books for both parents and kids today.

Also review http://www.helpyourteens.com/books.html for great reading!

Friday, May 30, 2008

Sue Scheff: Argument or Bullying?


By Julie Williams


Argument or Bullying: How to Tell the Difference


Sooner or later, it happens to just about every parent. Your child comes home from school sobbing, “That kid is SO MEAN to me!” It’s enough to make you want to race out, find that other kid, and whack him yourself.But what really happened? Most of the time, as many kids will eventually confess, there are two sides to the story.


Your child may have upset a classmate; or, as commonly happens, two friends misunderstood one another and the problem escalated, distressing them both. But sometimes, there is something worse going on: bullying. Professionals agree: if that’s the case, it’s a big deal, and adults need to move in to stop it.


Here are three key signs that you should be concerned:


Power Imbalance. Arguments happen between peers. When two children feel equal, they can solve problems together. But bullies pick on people they consider weak, says Nathaniel Floyd, Ph.D., executive director of the Institute for Violence Prevention. “It’s psychologically important,” he says, “for the bully to have that person under his control.” One child may physically torment another; but more often (and just as devastating), a bully will jeer and threaten. Children may also try “relational bullying” – hurting other kids by excluding and harassing them.


Intent to Harm. While kids may argue and become angry, they rarely walk into it intending pain. Not so with bullying. Bullies want to hurt other kids, says Virginia Blashill, M.Ed., a program implementation specialist at the Committee for Children, an internationally respected anti-bullying group. “The person doing the bullying takes a certain amount of pleasure in witnessing the pain or humiliation which has been caused.”


Repetition. While bullying may occur just once, it often includes further threats. In severe cases, bullies target their victims and pursue them. Floyd adds, with regret, that this isn’t “just a phase.” Adults must step in, or violent habits can continue for life.


Extreme as these behaviors may sound, researchers have found that they happen often in schools. What can parents do? First, take a deep breath and listen, listen, listen to your child. Feelings of humiliation and self-blame can be red flags for victims; if your child is acting differently, pay attention. Second, if you do think you see signs of bullying, treat the school as your ally. No school wants bullying to take hold, but, as Blashill says, adults can easily miss it – “especially the more subtle, social forms… like exclusion and spreading rumors.” Bring schools the facts and you’ll be giving school professionals the information they need to change the situation.


And finally: be a model yourself. Use fair negotiation and problem-solving strategies whenever you can. Bullying is bad news, but there is good news too: schools are doing more than ever to stop it, and parents can help.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Why Kids Steal




Kids of all ages - from preschoolers to teens - can be tempted to steal for different reasons:Very young children sometimes take things they want without understanding that things cost money and that it's wrong to take something without paying for it.Elementary school children usually know they're not supposed to take something without paying, but they may take it anyway because they lack enough self-control.


Preteens and teens know they're not supposed to steal, but they may steal for the thrill of it or because their friends are doing it. Some might believe they can get away with it. As they're given more control over their lives, some teens may steal as a way of rebelling.


Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Behavior Therapy for Children with ADHD




Seven parenting strategies guaranteed to improve the behavior of your child with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD).


The fundamentals of behavior therapy are easy to understand and implement, even without the help of a therapist. Have you ever given your child a time-out for talking back — or a “heads-up” before taking him someplace that is likely to challenge his self-control? Then you already have a sense of how behavior therapy works.


“A lot of behavior modification is just common-sense parenting,” says William Pelham, Jr., Ph.D., director of the Center for Children and Families at the State University of New York at Buffalo. “The problem is that none of us were trained how to be good parents, and none of us expected to have children who needed parents with great parenting skills and patience.”


The basic idea is to set specific rules governing your child’s behavior (nothing vague or too broad), and to enforce your rules consistently, with positive consequences for following them and negative consequences for infractions. Dr. Pelham suggests these seven strategies:1. Make sure your child understands the rules.


Telling a child to “do this” or to “avoid doing that” is not enough. To ensure that your child knows the rules cold, create lists and post them around the house. For example, you might draw up a list detailing the specific things your child must do to get ready for school.Make sure the rules are worded clearly. Go over the rules to make sure he understands, and review them as necessary. Stick with the routines until your child has them down.
Click here for more: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1563.html

Monday, May 26, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Talking to your kids about drugs




Just as you inoculate your children against illnesses like measles, you can help "immunize" them against drug use by giving them the facts before they're in a risky situation.When kids don't feel comfortable talking to parents, they're likely to seek answers elsewhere, even if their sources are unreliable. Kids who aren't properly informed are at greater risk of engaging in unsafe behaviors and experimenting with drugs.


Sunday, May 25, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Inhalant Abuse- WARNING SIGNS


Inhalant Abuse is a lesser-known form of substance abuse, but is no less dangerous than other forms.The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service has reported that more than 2.1 million children in America experiment with some form of an inhalant each year and the Centers for Disease Control lists inhalants as second only to marijuana for illicit drug use among youth.

However, parents aren't talking to their children about this deadly issue. According to the Alliance for Consumer Education's research study, Inhalant Abuse falls behind alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use by nearly 50% in terms of parental knowledge and concern. The Partnership for a Drug-Free America reports that 18 percent of all eighth graders have used inhalants, but nine out of 10 parents are unaware or deny that their children have abused inhalants. Many parents are not aware that inhalant users can die the first time they try Inhalants.

Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome is caused in one of two ways. First, Inhalants force the heart to beat rapidly and erratically until the user goes into cardiac arrest. Second, the fumes from an Inhalant enter a user's lungs and central nervous system. By lowering oxygen levels enough, the user is unable to breathe and suffocates. Regular abuse of these substances can result in serious harm to vital organs including the brain, heart, kidneys and liver.

Even if the user doesn't die, Inhalants can still affect the body. Most Inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication with initial excitement, then drowsiness, disinhibition, lightheadedness and agitation. Short-term effects include headache, muscle weakness, abdominal pain, severe mood swings and violent behavior, slurred speech, numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, nausea, hearing loss, limb spasms, fatigue, and lack of coordination. Long- term effects include central nervous system or brain damage. Serious effects include damage to the liver, heart, kidneys, blood oxygen level depletion, unconsciousness and death.

Studies show that strong parental involvement in a child's life makes the child less likely to use Inhalants. Know the warning signs or behavior patterns to watch for and take the time to educate yourself about the issue so that you can talk to your children about inhalants.

Click here for entire article and warning signs http://www.inhalant.org/inhalant/warnings.php


www.inhalant.org
www.helpyourteens.com

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Sue Scheff: Alliance for Consumer Education (ACE)


Welcome to the Alliance for Consumer Education's (ACE) inhalant abuse prevention site! ACE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community health and well-being.


Did you know 1 in 5 children will abuse inhalants by the 8th grade? Inhalant abuse refers to the deliberate inhalation or sniffing of fumes, vapors or gases from common household products for the purpose of "getting high".


This site is designed to assist you in learning more about inhalant abuse prevention and giving you tools to help raise the awareness of others. While here be sure to check out our free printable resources, and post any comments or questions on ACE’s community message board.


Friday, May 23, 2008

Sue Scheff: A Relentless Hope - Surviving The Storm of Teen Depression


A Relentless Hope: Surviving The Storm of Teen Depression
By Gary E. Nelson

(Published by Cascade Books, an imprint of Wipf & Stock, a traditional publisher)


Depression and related illnesses threaten to wreck the lives of many teens and their families. Suicide driven by these illnesses is one of the top killers of young people. How do teens become depressed? What does depression feel like? How can we identify it? What helps depressed teens? What hurts them? How do families cope with teen depression?

In, A Relentless Hope, Dr. Nelson uses his experience as a pastor and pastoral counselor to guide the reader through an exploration of these and many other questions about depression in teens. He's worked with many teens over the years offering help to those confronted by this potentially devastating illness. The author also uses the story of his own son's journey through depression to weave together insights into the spiritual, emotional, cognitive, biological, and relational dimensions of teen depression. The book is written for those without formal clinical training, so it appeals to teens, parents, teachers, pastors, and any who walk with the afflicted through this valley of the shadow of death. Through careful analysis, candid self-revelation, practical advice, and even humor, this pastor, counselor, and father, reminds us God's light of healing can shine through the darkness of depression and offer hope for struggling teens and their families.

Dr. Nelson is available for speaking engagements, workshops, and interviews. See the contact page for information about reaching him. http://survivingteendepression.com/index.html



Thursday, May 22, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Alliance for Consumer Education - Inhalant Abuse


Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Inhalant use is a major concern that parents need to learn more about. It is a growing problem among teens and parents need to understand the dangers involved and potentially tragic endings.
Visit http://www.inhalant.org/ for a vast amount of information.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sue Scheff: Teenage Driving Statistics


By ParentingMyTeen.com

When your teen starts to drive it is a good idea to be well aware of the teen driving statistics that are out there. A lot of the teen driving statistics may prove to be rather shocking.As a parent, if you search for any information about Teen Driving Statistics you will find statistics similar to those below. I have reviewed various websites to summarize the information from these sources, however, please feel free to search the web for “teen driving statistics” for more websites and information on this subject.
The information allows us to ponder if teen driving needs to be revisited on a national level. How are teen drivers being educated by driving schools? Do we need to increase the amount of time for driver training? How about requiring higher levels of car driving education (not just traffic education, but how do drive a car education)? Should driver’s licenses only be issued at age 18? What are the economic implications to increasing the driving age? We will visit these questions in the next article. For now we need to understand what is happening on our roads today.

We know that the current requirements for driver education are not sufficient. Both commercially and by parents. We can add that a younger age teen is not mature enough to control a vehicle and might as well be considered to be driving a deadly weapon. Teens with permit licenses are driving with their parents in an unmarked family vehicle only increase the likelihood of accidents. Using car magnets that are thick, reflective for the night and are durable can help reduce this likelihood. Identifying these almost 2 million vehicles on the road should be a requirement on a national level.

As parents we must take the responsibility of protecting our children. Should you reconsider your decision the next time your teen asks to take the car?

The Facts from reliable Sources

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

In 2003, 3,657 (3,827 in 2002) drivers 15 to 20 years old were killed, and an additional 308,000 (324,000 in 2002) were injured, in motor vehicle crashes. Nearly 31 percent of teen drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2003 had been drinking and 74 percent of this group was not wearing their safety belts.

National Safety Council

In 2000, 6,495 people between the ages of 15 and 20 were killed in motor vehicle crashes-the leading cause of death for this age group. And although young drivers represent only 6.6% of the nation’s licensed drivers, they are involved in 14.8% of fatal crashes. The National Safety Council urges all parents to familiarize themselves with the risks associated with young, inexperienced drivers.

Traffic crashes are the number one cause of death among children and young adults.

More than 3,800 young drivers age 15-20 are killed every year in traffic crashes.

More than 326,000 young drivers are injured.

Young drivers are involved in fatal traffic crashes at over twice the rate as the rest of the population.

Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving at an unsafe speed is the most common error in fatal accidents.

About 30% of crashes killing young drivers involve alcohol.

More than 1,000 young drivers lose their lives every year in crashes because of an impaired driver… be it themselves, or someone else.

Sean Mullsteff Teen Driving Foundation

The number one cause of death for 15-20 year olds is car collisions.

This age group makes up 7% of licensed drivers, but suffers 14% of fatalities and 20% of all reported collisions.

53% of teen driver deaths occur on weekends.

Teen drivers killed in motor vehicle collisions had a youth passenger in the automobile 45% of the time.

In 2002, The National Center for Statistics and Analysis reported that 8,278 adolescents (ages 15-20) were involved in fatal crashes.

324,000 teens were injured in collisions in 2002.

65% of teen passenger deaths occur with a teen driving.

Teen lifestyle of staying up late make teen drivers a high risk to have an automobile collision due to drowsiness.

More than any age group, teens are likely to be involved in a single vehicle crash.
Melih Oztalay, CEO
Auto Safety Magnets
The Driving Book -

Covering virtually every scenario a new driver may face–from changing a tire to negotiating privileges with parents to handling a car in bad weather.

Roadside Emergency Kit

With the 29 Piece Roadside Emergency Kit you will be prepared for almost any emergency you may encounter in your automobile.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Sue Scheff: Troubled Teens


Are you struggling with your teen?


Visit http://www.helpyourteens.com/ P.U.R.E. - Parents Universal Resource Experts - Parents helping parents.


P.U.R.E. is based on reality - especially with today's teen society of technology including MySpace and other Internet concerns for children. Today we are educating children at much younger ages about substance abuse, sex, and more.


The latest wave of music and lyrics, television, and movies help to contribute to generate a new spin on this age group.


This leads to new areas of concern for parents. We recognize that each family is different with a variety of needs. P.U.R.E. believes in creating Parent Awareness to help you become an educated parent in the teen help industry.


We will give you a feeling of comfort in a situation that can be confusing, stressful, frustrating, and sometimes desperate.Desperate? Confused? Stressed? Anxious? Helplessness? Frustrated? Scared? Exhausted? Fearful? Alone? Drained? Hopelessness? Out of Control? At Wit's End?...

http://www.helpyourteens.com/
http://www.witsendbook.com/
http://www.suescheff.com/

Monday, May 19, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Can Children Outgrow ADHD?




Parents of children with attention deficit disorder often wonder if their kids will stay on ADD drugs for life. A medical expert explains.


I recently diagnosed eight-year-old Aidan with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD). When I met with his parents to explain the disorder, each time I described a symptom, his mother exclaimed, “That’s me!” or “I’ve been like that all my life, too.” At the end of the appointment, she asked me if she should be evaluated, as well.


As an adult, Aidan’s mother had jumped from job to job, and had difficulty meeting household demands. As a child, she had struggled through school, often getting into trouble and getting poor grades. After a thorough evaluation of her chronic and pervasive history of hyperactivity, distractibility, and other symptoms of ADHD, she was diagnosed by a psychiatrist who works with adults.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Sue Scheff - Military School Information


I hear from many parents at this time of the year that their children are struggling academically and they are considering Military Schools.


As a reminder, Military Schools are an excellent opportunity for boys and girls that need motivation and stimulation, however your child has to have somewhat of a desire to attend.These are not schools for at-risk or troubled kids.


I think Military Schools offer a great sense of responsibility and discipline for children.If you think your child may do well in a Military School take the time to research them. Email me for more information at sue.s@helpyourteens.com - As a parent, my son attended a Military School and it was an excellent education and experience.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Sue Scheff: Cutting Back on Sugar to Treat Symptoms in Children



By ADDitude Magazine

Simple changes in diet, like cutting back on snacks with sugar, could bring out the sweeter side this holiday season in your child with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD).

Chances are, you’ve had the following chat with the doctor of your child with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) — probably just before the holidays: “Every time Johnny eats lots of sugary foods, his symptoms of ADHD worsen, and he becomes irritable and hyper. I dread this season because Johnny turns it into unhappy days for everyone.”

Click here for entire article.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts - Sue Scheff - Parents Need to Monitor Their Child's Diet (easier said than done)






The number of overweight kids in the U.S. has doubled since 1980, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some blame the long, inactive hours that children spend watching TV, but new research suggests the reason may be less about how much television children are watching and more about what they're watching. Click here for Tip Sheet for Parents.


Monday, May 12, 2008

Sue Scheff - Parents Universal Resource Experts - Alliance for Consumer Education - Preventing Inhalant Abuse


Welcome to the Alliance for Consumer Education's (ACE) inhalant abuse prevention site! ACE is a foundation dedicated to advancing community health and well-being.


Did you know 1 in 5 children will abuse inhalants by the 8th grade? Inhalant abuse refers to the deliberate inhalation or sniffing of fumes, vapors or gases from common household products for the purpose of "getting high".


This site is designed to assist you in learning more about inhalant abuse prevention and giving you tools to help raise the awareness of others. While here be sure to check out our free printable resources, post any comments or questions on ACE’s community message board, and visit our new blog by visiting http://www.inhalant.org/.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts - Sue Scheff (P.U.R.E.)



P.U.R.E. is based on reality - especially with today's teen society of technology including MySpace and other Internet concerns for children. Today we are educating children at much younger ages about substance abuse, sex, and more. The latest wave of music and lyrics, television, and movies help to contribute to generate a new spin on this age group. This leads to new areas of concern for parents.


We recognize that each family is different with a variety of needs. P.U.R.E. believes in creating Parent Awareness to help you become an educated parent in the teen help industry. We will give you a feeling of comfort in a situation that can be confusing, stressful, frustrating, and sometimes desperate.


Desperate? Confused? Stressed? Anxious? Helplessness? Frustrated? Scared? Exhausted? Fearful? Alone? Drained? Hopelessness? Out of Control? At Wit's End?...
http://www.helpyourteens.com/
http://www.witsendbook.com/
http://www.suescheff.com/

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Sue Scheff: i-SAFE helps keep you safe online


i-SAFE Inc. is the worldwide leader in Internet safety education. Founded in 1998 and endorsed by the U.S. Congress, i-SAFE is a non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting the online experiences of youth everywhere. i-SAFE incorporates classroom curriculum with dynamic community outreach to empower students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults to make the Internet a safer place. Please join us today in the fight to safeguard our children’s online experience.

Click here for more information.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Discipline Do’s: Creating Limits for ADHD Children


5 ways for parents of ADHD children to establish a reliable structure and solid limits.
Your child with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) is loving, intelligent, cute, creative — and often wants his own way. He has the talk and charm to out-debate you, and will negotiate until the 59th minute of the 23rd hour. Like salesmen who won’t take no for an answer, he can wear you down until you give in to his wishes.

Sound familiar? Children with ADHD are more often slave to, than master of, their wishes and feelings. Those who are exceedingly impulsive and distracted seem to have a greater need for interaction and attention, even if getting it means battling with their parents. While all children require reliable structure and solid limits, ADHD kids need them more. Holding your ground is not mean or unreasonable. Here are some strategies for hanging tough.

Be clear.
Your child may be good at distracting you. You ask your son to clear the dinner table. He tries to avoid the chore by pointing out that his sister didn’t clean her room, and that you left a dirty dish in the TV room. And he has too much homework to do, after an afternoon spent with his new Wii.

Resist the bait and keep your reasonable goal of clearing the table. Re-state it in simple, direct words: “I’d like you to clear the table, please.” Telling your child why you want him to do it, or why he should want to help, is a waste of breath.

Be a deal-breaker.
When your child says she’ll clean her room in return for a later bedtime, walk away. Deal-making is for the used-car showroom. You are a good and loving parent, and your expectations are reasonable and in your child’s best interest. Allowing your child to nickel-and-dime your parenting will cheapen the power of your wise influence.

What should you do if your child raises the stakes or says something nasty? Be strong. Resist yelling or punishing, for those only demonstrate your lack of power. Stick to your original expectation and consequences. Your steadiness over time will persuade your child to fulfill your requests.

State your terms once.
When your child asks again whether he can watch the late movie after you’ve said no, do you have to answer that question another 15 times? Do you have to defend your position? Do you need to ask your child’s permission to parent?

No, no, and no. When children ask you to explain something 21 different ways, are they seeking understanding, or do they want to wear you down? Answer once or twice, and assume the message got through. “Because I said so” may be the best answer.

Create a bribe-free home.
Bribery is tempting. All parents have done it, especially in moments of fatigue and frustration. Buying our children’s time, however, is a slippery slope that leads to paying for every inch of cooperation.

What if your child is already accustomed to getting something in return? It’s time for a regime change. It’s never too late to stop overindulging your child. Once you stop, he will probably protest—loudly. But don’t be dismayed by the ruckus; a tantrum shows that change is indeed needed.

Follow through.
I work with loving parents every day who know what they need and want to do, but somehow they can’t back up their words with action. If you threaten to take away that trip to Chuck E. Cheese, do so. Giving in to an angelic grin and promise of better behavior tomorrow or rationalizing that life is tough enough and he needs some fun will teach him that he can count on getting his way. It may also teach him that he can’t count on you to deal with him.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Sue Scheff: Internet Video Bullying by Connect with Kids


“It never goes away. It’s a permanent record of your stupidity.”

– Griff, 17

Here’s a recipe for trouble: start with a teenager’s impulsive brain, add in a little peer pressure, a video camera and the Internet, and the results are violent assaults, dangerous crashes, and outrageous stunts – all captured on video and posted online.

On one website, there are videos of kids crashing while rollerblading … skiing while tied to a car … shooting fireworks at a friend.

“I saw this video of two friends, where one guy put himself in a garbage can and his friend pushed him down the street, and then it was going and going, and then bam! he just hit the door,” says Donte, 15.

In other news, eight Florida teens were arrested recently for beating up another teen. How did the police catch them? The teens posted the video of the assault online.

Because of the popularity of video-sharing sites such as YouTube, experts say that each week, kids try even more dangerous stunts to gain their 15 minutes of fame.

“It’s one-upmanship almost,” says Harold W. Phipps, computer forensics expert. “They say, ‘Well, he jumped off a 10-foot ladder … I’m going to do him one better. I’m going to jump off a 15-foot ladder.’ And then it will be a 20-foot and then a 30-foot [ladder].”

“They could say, ‘I jumped off my roof.’ And if someone doesn’t believe them, they could say, ‘Well, go check my Myspace. I have a video,’” says Derek, 15.

Experts say parents should explain that stunts are not just dangerous -- they may also have life-long consequences.

“You could do something stupid and then say, ‘I’m going to erase it.’ But you have to realize that [the video] could have been reproduced by hundreds if not thousands of people who have seen it,” says Phipps.

“It could have all sorts of effects, like when you are trying to go to college, if they see that you are an arsonist, they might not accept you,” says David, 15.

“It never goes away. It’s a permanent record of your stupidity,” says Griff, 17.

Tips for Parents


Harold W. Phipps, computer forensics expert, The Norcross Group, offers these tips:

Make sure your kids never use their real name or address when posting material on the Internet. Avoid posting any information that would allow a stranger to locate your child. This includes the name of a school or sports team or the city where you live.

Take your child’s level of maturity into account when deciding whether he or she can handle a video camera or web cam.


Make sure kids understand that videos they post on the Internet may damage their reputation. Often kids assume only their friends will view these videos. Explain that teachers, college admissions departments, police departments and prospective employers all scout the Internet to learn more about a person’s character


Additional tips for parents:

Realize that kids who post videos or profiles on the Internet are more likely to be contacted by a sexual predator. Report any unwanted or inappropriate messages to law enforcement. (Joe Rosen, former FBI Agent)


If kids do want to post videos online, suggest they do something that would help others see them in a positive light. Have kids exercise their creativity. For example, write, film and video-edit a skit. (Melanie Mitchell, director, iD Tech Camps, Emory location)


References
iD Tech Camps
Joe Rosen, former FBI Agent
Harold W. Phipps, computer forensics expert, The Norcross Group

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Sue Scheff: Raising Successful Kids


Against All Odds


Why do some children succeed while others fail? How do children who face tremendous obstacles find the determination, strength and skills to achieve? And what can parents and educators do to help nurture the resiliency in our own kids?


Against All Odds will give you an inside glimpse into the lives of children who are reaching their personal dreams and goals despite challenges such as poverty, drugs, crime, family problems, cultural differences and more.


“No one really travels from a difficult childhood to a successful adulthood alone.” - Mark Katz, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and author of Playing a Poor Hand Well and other books about nurturing resiliency in children


Watch Against All Odds with your children, so you can learn and discuss the qualities it takes for young people to succeed. Hear from experts about the best ways to support your kids and keep their resiliency alive and working in their favor. And understand the pressures kids face, and how your children can overcome them.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Does your teen steals?


What to do if your teen is stealing


If you discover that your teen is stealing, it is important to confront them before taking any further action. If you *suspect* your teen is stealing (e.g., you have no witnesses or tangible proof), it is important that you approach the situation calmly and rationally- and do not accuse your teen of anything. Allow your teen to explain their side of things before you react. If they confess to stealing, it is important that you are clear in the position that you will not tolerate this type of behavior. Experts suggest a great way to dissuade your teen from stealing again is to escort your teen back to the store with the stolen merchandise and have them apologize and explain themselves to store security or management.

If your teen has already been caught in the act by store personnel, his or her options may not be that great. Each store determines its own rules about how to handle shoplifters. Some teens may be let off with a warning, while others may be banned from the store, and some may even be formally charged and prosecuted in compliance with local laws. If your teen is arrested and prosecuted, the value of the merchandise they have stolen will greatly determine the amount of trouble your teen may find themselves in. If the merchandise or money your teen has stolen is worth less than $400, this is considered petty theft. Petty theft is punishable by fine and up to six months in prison. If the value is over $400, your teen can be sentenced to up to a year in prison, and can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. The danger in your teen being charged with a felony is that this will stay on your teens permanent record, unless your teen is deemed by the court to be a minor and his or her record is sealed when your teen turns 18.

A felony on your teen’s permanent record can haunt your teen for the rest of his or her life. It can prevent your teen from college acceptance, future jobs, scholarships, apartments and can even play a role in future custody battles or adoption cases.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Parents Universal Resource Experts (Sue Scheff) Parent Connect


Online Program Allows Parents to Tracks Kids' Grades Step by Step
A new online program called Parent Connect allows parents to check their children's grades step by step — long before a report card is printed.


But is the technological advance an ace for students and teachers or a hindrance that allows helicopter parents to hover?




Sunday, May 4, 2008

Sue Scheff, Great Book for Parents: Preventing Addiction - What Parents Must Know to Immunize their Kids Against Drug and Alcohol Addiction



In this unique handbook, Dr. Fleming Provides the latest medical and scientific information to help parents understand what they can and must do to prevent addiction in their children.
For more information put the title of the book in the Amazon Box on the side.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Sue Scheff: Parenting ADHD Children, Advice from Moms

By ADDitude Magazine


It’s the stuff attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) days are made of: You’re trying to get your daughter to finish her homework, but she insists on doing cartwheels across the living room. Or you’ve already had two big dustups with your son — and it’s only 9 a.m.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Sue Scheff: Parenting Kids with ADD/ADHD



12 Parenting Strategies That Work for ADD Kids by ADDitude Magazine



A dozen ways to be a better parent to your ADD child.



Most parents are good parents. But if your son or daughter has attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD), "good" may not be enough. To ensure that your child is happy and well-adjusted now and in the future—and to create a tranquil home environment—you've got to be a great parent.



Click Here for the Entire Article.