Talking to Tweens About Suicide? I didn't think I would have to do this until TWO of Miss Sarah's schoolmates attempted it last year. One was a result of bullying, the other was depression from family issues. In the modern world, many lives are, unfortunately, touched by suicide. As a parent, you may want to hide the meaning of death from your tween, but in reality, this is not possible in this age of social media. If you are a parent and have heard the news of a much-publicized suicide, then chances are that your child has also heard the news. There is no denying the fact that tweens will have their reactions and feelings. But since they have less experience, compared to adults, in processing distressing news they need to be helped by a responsible and informed parent. You can start a conversation with your tween after a publicized suicide in the media. Having said that, a parent need not wait for any tragic news to start this all-important conversation. However, these sad … [Read more...]
How to Help Your Talented and Gifted Child
**Note: this article has been modified after a message from Keith Nerby, the principal of the Sun Prairie High School. It was the PRIOR principal we had an issue with, and I had mentioned that to Mr Nerby when we had a meeting about Sarah in May of this year. I am sorry if this blew back onto him, as he is not the person I had the unfortunate phone conversation with several years ago. Your precious peanut is brilliant, thinks every parent ever. The reality? Less than 5% of them actually end up in a TAG or ALP program at their school. Even then, there is a series of problems that arise, and many variables occur. That leads to two different philosophies of parenting. How can you best help your talented and gifted child? My Talented and Gifted Child Story Miss Sarah was the kid who could read Moby Dick entering kindergarten and understand it. This didn't surprise us as she also knew her states and capitals, could speak basic phrases in both French and Spanish, had half the … [Read more...]
Talking to Tweens About Bullying
Talking to Tweens About Bullying? It's been all over the news this year in middle schools and Junior high schools. Parent groups are forming, community-wide anti-bullying task forces, and more. Anti-bullying ordinances are being voted on by local governments, and school handbooks have been rewritten. Bullying is a very common problem that affects the youth of all age groups, and it can harm any student. Bullying is so dangerous that it affects the social and emotional well-being of a student, and even the overall physical health is affected. There is also a rise in the evidence that proves that bullying is somehow linked to sexual harassment and dating violence. Talking to Tweens about Bullying I know it is nothing new - bullying has been around for a long time, but here is the thing? When we were kids? There was no social media. The school yard bully was out of the picture for the 16 hours a day that we were at home with our family and friends. Now? Kids deal with it 24 … [Read more...]
Talking to Tweens About Makeup
Talking to Tweens about makeup? If your young daughter cannot check herself from observing the makeup aisle at the neighborhood drug store or the superstore then it is probably time to consider how you will talk to your tween daughter about the issue of makeup. Many companies manufacture makeup for girls; choosing a company is probably not a difficult task for you. But there are many things to consider and discuss before you allow your kid daughter to get introduced to the world of cosmetics. Talking to Tweens about Makeup Makeup and Tween Girls Most of the parents do not want their tween daughters to wear any makeup because they are afraid that their daughters will look much older and mature than they actually are and will unnecessarily attract attention that they might not be able to handle later on. Some of the mothers though want their daughters to wait till the time they can understand how to apply makeup properly and also take good care of their skin. The reasons may be many … [Read more...]
Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten
Unfortunately, many parents stress over getting their kids prepared for kindergarten. The good news is that it doesn't have to happen to you. Keep reading, to learn more about how to accomplish the task so that it goes smoothly for everyone. We have some great tips for Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten. Getting Your Child Ready for Kindergarten Positive Interactions When your child starts kindergarten, he's going to be around lots of kids every day. It’s important to talk with him about getting along with his classmates, especially if he's an only child. Talk to him about his own feelings and make sure he understands that all of his new classmates have feelings, too. Motor Skills These days, many kids use apps to learn letters, shapes and colors. While these apps are excellent learning tools, they don’t help to develop your child's fine motor skills in the same way traditional activity books do. Find a few coloring or activity books for your child, to go … [Read more...]
What Do You Do When A Friend Tries To Kill Themself?
What Do You Do When A Friend Tries To Kill Themself? This is my story of what I did. Middle school is tough enough - our bodies are changing, cliques are starting and we are trying to figure out exactly who we are going to be when we grow up. It is even tougher when you have a feeling that you are even more different than ninety percent of your peers. When you are a 12-year-old girl and you have that one zit on your forehead each month? It's like a billboard announcing you have your period. Heaven help you if you started earlier than the girls in your grade, or if you are a late bloomer. The friends you hung out with in Elementary school are now into different sports than you, different kinds of music, different games, and more. The weekly sleep-overs with them have ceased, and you might not be invited to birthday parties like you used to be. Your body is developing and your center of gravity is off thanks to the new boobs, or hips that seemed to pop out overnight. … [Read more...]
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