Parenting Information

Parenting Information

Parenting Videos


A variety of videos on a mixture of parenting topics for your information, or amusement!

Are You Too Busy for Your Kids?


In his recent newsletter "Happy Kids", parenting expert Michael Grose (yes he is an expert with three kids of his own) said:Australian parents currently rate achieving work-family balance as their greatest parenting challenge. Currently, 71% of Australian parents say they have difficulty finding time to do the things they enjoy with their children.

Should The Dad-To-Be Attend The Birth?


Not so long ago a dad-to-be would pace up and down outside the labor room and would be admitted only after the birth. Modern practice is to assume the dad-to-be should be at the birth to offer support.

Twins - Double The Trouble Or Double The Pleasure? Both!


If You're Having Twins..

The ABCs of Raising Twins


As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins, I am often asked, "How do you do it?" I do not have an answer. I am just a regular 27 year old who has never known it any other way.

Using Pocket-money To Promote Independence In Kids


In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether it should be earned or only given when children behave well.My belief is that children should receive pocket-money as their small share of the family-wealth just as they should share the workload at home.

10 Steps To Prepare You For Life With Children


It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that a child will bring to your life - nothing is quite the same again. If you are an expectant father (or even mother) or just considering the prospect of parenthood, do the following 10-step program so you can learn what you're in for.

Anorexia Nervosa Alert - is Your Daughter Dying To Be Thin?


Anorexia nervosa is a serious medical disorder that is statistically most prevalent in the adolescent teenage years of young women. It is estimated that 7% of the population suffers from eating disorders and if left untreated over 20% of them will die from it.

The Post-Holiday Blues In Stepfamilies


In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and post-holiday blues, says Susan Wisdom, a licensed professional counselor and co-author of "Stepcoupling."As a stepmom, I know about expectations.

Small Children, Languages and Myths


Our children are growing up bilingual in the French part of Canada - Qubec. "That's fine", says everyone.

The Symtoms Of Meningitis And Septicaemia


Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by either a virus or bacteria.

Paediatric Osteopathy


All babies cry, but if yours cries a lot, isn't sleeping or is just plain irritable, many parents have found that a paediatric osteopath can help, particularly if the birth was difficult.By gently touching a baby, an osteopath can use manipulation to ease the tension and help improve the way baby's body functions.

Registering a Birth in Scotland


Who Can Register A Birth? The child's mother or father should register the birth within 21 days. However, a father who is not married to the child's mother can only register a birth and be named on the birth certificate as the father if: he jointly signs the register with the mother, or a court has declared that he is the father, or the mother and he jointly sign a declaration available from the Registrar.

How Well Do You Know Your Child?


Do you think you really know your child? I don't mean know what he/she likes and doesn't like, but to know him/her well enough to understand his/her challenges, to appreciate his/her strengths and weaknesses and to help him/her develop his talents. Knowing your children can help increase their chance for success in the future and improve your relationship.

Baptisms And Alternative Ways To Hold A Naming Ceremony


Traditionally, babies have been named at a christening/baptism. Most still are, but increasingly parents are choosing an alternative, non-religious ceremony.

Crazy Colors Fun Kid Experiment as a Party Activity


Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for your next kid birthday party.This activity, which is strictly speaking a kid science experiment, can be used in any party as entertainment.

More Articles from Parenting Information:
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MORE RESOURCES:

Moms have more freedom to complain about parenting?
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 5 hours ago
I was reading "Love in the Time of Colic" for work when I stumbled across this idea that men might not have the same cultural freedom to complain about ...


10 parenting resolutions for a healthier new year
MSNBC - 15 hours ago
Parenting expert Stacey Boyd offers simple, easy ways to transform your habits and provide a healthier environment for your little ones. ...


Police: Shoplifting mother caught with parenting book
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2 for allegedly shoplifting a parenting book while accompanied by her two young children. Callie Rough, 5032 College Corner Pike #38, reportedly entered the ...
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Wyandotte and Leavenworth County Community Calendar January 7-13
Kansas City Star, MO - 8 hours ago
FREE PARENTING CLASSES-HELPING YOUR CHILD SUCCEED: Registration is required. 11 am Jan. 9, Wyandot Center Youth Services, 1301 N. 47th, Kansas City, KS. ...


Parenting: Hunger Makes Son Feed Himself
The Ledger, FL - 7 hours ago
Q: Our 16-month-old son refuses to feed himself. He will not even touch his food other than to throw it to the floor. If I try to put a bit of finger-food ...


Parenting, safety classes at Mercy Medical Center
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Knowledge is the foundation of good parenting. It is better to go into childbirth or childcare prepared than to just be afraid or uncertain," said Hawkins. ...


Parenting classes being offered
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SILVER SPRINGS--During the month of January, Family-to-Family Connection will focus on "Ones and Two" and "Active Parenting" classes at Hillyard Hall ...


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Special to The Community News “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent,” a five-week parent training program designed by the Love and Logic Institute, ...


Parenting: Six common causes for kids' nightmares
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 1 hour ago
Though normally a person has nothing to worry about from a nightmare, it can be an unsettling, if not frightening, experience for a child. ...


Parenting with purpose: Fighting substance abuse
Jackson Hole Star-Tribune, WY - Jan 5, 2009
Look here every other week for "Parenting with Purpose," a column presented by the Natrona County Prevention Coalition family and parenting committee. ...
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Meth conference begins today Jackson Hole Star-Tribune
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Parenting - Google News

Supplementary Article

Parenting Teens - Getting Your Point Across

01/07/09

by Carolyn Schweitzer

Giving advice to a teenager is very easy; getting a teenager to take that advice is another matter altogether. It's not only a case of the advice 'falling on deaf ears', sometimes the teenager seems to go deliberately out of their way to do the exact opposite, that's when you know you've got a problem. So how do you go about giving advice to a teen?

The short answer to this question is "dont". Now at first glance this probably sounds ridiculous, after all parents have more experience of life and most would agree that a parent's job is to pass this experience onto their children. But the problem with giving advice is that it's really just a way of maintaining control. We often cover it up by saying we know what's best in the situation, we have the experience and knowledge, but in reality what we're saying is what we want to happen, this is what we want you to do.

Adolescence is a time for learning to self-manage, to take responsibility for yourself and your actions. It's an essential process if your teen is to become a well-adjusted, fully functioning adult ready for the 21st century. And a fundamental part of the process is handing over control to your teen.

For most parents this is a really scary thought. They're concerned about what will happen if they do, that if they give up some control it will mean they lose all control. They're concerned about what their teen will do or what happens if they get it wrong, in other words they feel a need to protect their teen.

Firstly, handing over control at this stage is more about handing over responsibility and accountability on how to do something, not handing over total control. It's about letting your teen have an involvement in how to solve a particular problem, it's about teaching them problem solving skills. If you always provide the solution how will they ever learn to do it for themselves?

Secondly, your teen is very likely to get it 'wrong', to make mistakes and what is wrong about that? Youre teaching them how to self-correct, just as they did when they first learned to ride a bike and kept falling off. Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process; more learning comes from making mistakes than comes from getting it 'right'. How much does it really matter if they dont get it 'right' first time or choose the 'best' alternative?

Finally, is your solution the 'best'? It's easy to forget that our children are different to us when thinking about a solution to a problem. The solution may be the best one for you, but is it the best one for your teen?

Giving advice by telling teens what to do is only one way of passing on a parent's knowledge, there are other ways of achieving the same outcome and with a higher likelihood of success. And it's how you pass on that experience that makes the difference.

How to Get Your Point Across

1.Ask before you give. Always ask your teen if they want your advice before you start to give it. If they say, "yes please" then go ahead and have your say, if they say "no" respect their decision and keep quiet.
2.Question their intent. If your teen has refused advice, ask them specific questions about how theyre going to handle the situation. Asking questions about smaller 'parts' of the problem is a way to at least get your teen to think about whats involved.
3.Provide information instead. Directing your teen to a source of information that's neutral allows your teen access to information without having to agree to your point of view.
4.Give your teen time. Just because your teen hasn't given you an immediate answer to your question doesn't mean theyre ignoring it. Give them time to go away and think about the answers.
5.Highlight their qualities. Reminding teens of their strengths will focus their minds on choosing options that make the best of them. Focus on their weaknesses and they're likely to lose confidence in doing anything.
6.Listen to your teen. Often just listening to your teen without interrupting will show you that you don't even need to give advice; your teen already has a solution.

About the Author

Carol Shepley has been involved with teenagers for over 10 years and, as the parent of a teen herself, fully understands the pressures placed on parents and teens today. She now shares this knowledge and experience through her website http://www.howtohelpteens.com so that parents can help their teens become resilient, resourceful and responsible adults.

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