Children don’t just tattle for attention; they do it because they feel smart and important when they observe something and report it to you. When the “reports” are always negative, it is annoying and unproductive. However, there is a way to change or stop this kind of tattling. Look at it this way. When children […]
I have received several letters from parents since the publication of two columns on latchkey children. I strongly agree with readers who believe that our communities desperately need to provide affordable, supervised programs for latchkey children. We must all continue to work to improve this situation by contacting our legislators and our government and school
Children are like emotional sponges. They will pick up on your tension and anxiety, even if you say nothing. In many cases this can cause more stress than would the truth, because they may imagine far bigger problems than you have, or may think they are the cause of the tension. Many parents feel uncomfortable
Last month you gave advice to parents who had just decided to divorce. How about tips for those of us who have to deal with problems after the divorce? I often encounter stress when my 13-year-old visits her father, my ex-husband. It just seems to be such a hassle. — G.A., McAllen, Texas Your daughter
You may see the first signs in her tension and tears or by the remnants of a home pregnancy test in the trash or your daughter may share her fears with you directly. What is the best course of action when your daughter fears she may be pregnant? While home pregnancy tests are undeniably convenient,
She may call a boy she likes ten or more times a day, perhaps leaving suggestive messages on the answering machine. She may write a boy notes that would make even the most liberal grown Child of the Sixties (or Seventies) blush. She may take the lead in urging sexual activity. She is the central
Competition for admission to top colleges has spawned whole new industries-from individuals who will coach a student and his family through the entire admissions process to firms that prepare students for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. Some community centers, high schools and community colleges are getting in on the act by offering
“What do colleges want?” is a question nervous high school seniors and their parents ask over and over–especially as the application season approaches. Individual requirements vary with highly selective private and public universities differing quite dramatically from less demanding community colleges of four year schools struggling to fill their freshman classes. Overall, however, the colleges
As the holiday season nears each year, thousands of frantic high school seniors are faced with a major decision–choosing where they will send their college applications and, ultimately, where they will go to college. Ideally, however, this decision-making process needs to start much earlier. The junior high years are not too soon. What can a
Why is it so important that your unborn baby be active? You should begin to feel some fetal movement as early as 16 weeks pregnant. The exact timing will vary depending on the individual. When the baby becomes viable then your perception of the quality of the fetal movement becomes very important. This is your
