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 Recent research has demonstrated that excessive screen time in young children can have significant negative impacts on their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Studies have revealed that prolonged screen time can lead to decreased cognitive ability, impaired language development, mood problems, and even autistic-like behavior, such as hyperactivity, short attention span, and irritability. The negative effects of screen time on cognitive ability and language development can be attributed to the fact that screen time often involves passive consumption of information, as opposed to active engagement, which is crucial for learning and development. Moreover, excessive screen time can interfere with children's sleep patterns, resulting in mood and behavioral problems. ==> Join Online Parent Support   Over the past few decades, there has been a significant and steady increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This trend has raised co...

In this article, we will discuss some valuable insights and techniques that can help you recognize when your teenager is being less than honest. So let's get started! Before diving into the signs of lying, it's crucial to highlight the role of open communication in building trust with your teenager. By fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment, you create a space where they feel comfortable being honest with you. Make it clear that honesty is valued and that you are there to support them unconditionally. One of the key indicators of lying is body language. Pay attention to any sudden shifts in posture or excessive fidgeting. Avoiding eye contact, crossing arms, or touching the face are also common signs of discomfort and potential dishonesty. However, it's essential to remember that these cues are not foolproof evidence but rather potential red flags that deserve further investigation. ==> Join Online Parent Support   Besides body language, there are verbal indicat...

The issue of teen drug use is a complex and evolving problem that has been a major concern for many years. While some drugs, such as marijuana and alcohol, have been traditionally associated with teen drug use, there has been a significant shift in recent years towards the use of other substances, such as e-cigarettes and prescription drugs. This changing landscape has created new challenges for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals, who must stay informed and adapt their strategies to effectively address the ever-evolving nature of teen drug use. It is crucial to understand the underlying reasons behind this shift and to develop innovative approaches that can help prevent and address the harms of drug use among teenagers. It can be difficult for parents to recognize the signs of substance abuse in their teenagers, but early identification and intervention can greatly improve their chances of recovery.  ==> Join Online Parent Support   Some signs that your teen m...

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral disorder characterized by a pattern of disobedient, hostile, and defiant behavior toward authority figures. It is a common disorder among children and adolescents, and it can cause significant distress and dysfunction in the affected individuals and their families. The Power of Positive Reinforcement— Managing ODD can be a challenging task for parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals. While there are many different approaches to managing ODD, positive reinforcement has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting positive behavior and reducing negative behavior in children and adolescents with ODD. Positive reinforcement is a behavioral technique that involves rewarding desired behavior. The reward can be anything that the child or adolescent finds reinforcing, such as praise, attention, privileges, or tangible rewards. The goal of positive reinforcement is to increase the frequency and intensity of desired behavior and reduce the ...

 Living with a defiant child can be a challenging and complex experience, with daily life feeling like a never-ending struggle. What may start as minor issues can quickly escalate into major conflicts, causing significant stress and emotional turmoil for the entire family.  Parents can often feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to handle the situation, leading to feelings of helplessness and frustration. The key is to understand the underlying causes of their defiance and use techniques that are tailored to their individual needs. Setting clear boundaries and expectations is an important first step in managing defiant behavior. Children need to understand what is expected of them, and having clear rules in place can help reduce the likelihood of negative behavior. Using positive reinforcement, such as praising and rewarding good behavior, can also be an effective tool in encouraging positive habits. ==> Join Online Parent Support   Offering choices within reasonabl...

When your teenager wants to argue with you as a parent, it's important to approach the situation with patience and understanding. Teenagers are at a stage in their lives where they are trying to assert their independence and challenge authority, and it's natural for them to want to argue with their parents. However, as a parent, it's crucial that you handle these situations with care to maintain a healthy and respectful relationship with your teen. Firstly, it's important to listen to your teen's perspective and validate their feelings. This doesn't mean that you have to agree with everything they say, but it does mean that you need to show empathy and respect for their point of view. Try to understand where they are coming from and acknowledge their concerns. This can go a long way in building trust and rapport with your teen. Validating your teenager's feelings is an important aspect of building trust and strengthening your relationship with them. It invol...

  Hi B., == > I’ve responded throughout your email below: Hi Mark Thanks for the quick response to my queries..I am now having a few more... I told L___ that I realised I had made mistakes etc this morning and she flew off the handle so aggressively telling me that I couldn't change things now and that she would not change no matter what etc etc.. == > This is to be expected. I managed to remain relatively calm, at least externally but on the inside i left the room and proceeded over the next hour to experience a pretty intense emotional meltdown... it felt like a combination of guilt for the past, pain and anger at having such a difficult child and fear that it was all too much and that things were never going to change... I am thinking that perhaps it is quite natural to feel a deep emotional reaction to all this shift..?? ==> Join Online Parent Support    == > That’s correct. People don’t like change, because change gets them out of their comfort zone. Plus...

Mark, I have been putting your principles into practise for a few months now and everything was going well until my sons best friend came back into his life big time. His girlfriend dropped him two weeks ago and he had been kicked out of both his mothers and fathers house because they cannot live with his behaviour any more, this child has uncontrollable tempers and word around the place is he is on steroids. How do I get my son back on track and to accept that his friend is a bad egg. He stayed out all night because I was mad with him, he is not responding to the consequences unless I change them. He is now 17 and I know he would be scared if I really threw him out, but I am scared if it backfires. If I call the police when he stays out, is this not going to backfire and make him so wild with me? What normally happens in this case? Can you give some advice? ~ L. ````````````````````````` Hi L., Re:   …son’s best friend. Peer pressure is a very potent force, but its influence is v...

"I would like some guidelines on setting up clear rules. My 15 year old son constantly yells, belittles his younger brother and basically tries to defy or argue when I ask him to anything. He certainly sets the mood for the house. I found it harder to stay in control and feel I am at wits end. He doesnt worry about his appearance and I constantly remind him of basic hygiene. He lacks motivation at school, football relationships at school always seem to be a drama. He seems to be closer to girls and does not seem to be able to form close relationships with boys. Has quit his part time job. Doesnt seem to be passionate about anything. He often tells me how he wants to leave and live with anyone but me. My husband has been ill with Leukaemia and suffers with the complications of the treatment. It has impacted our life for the past three years. Upsets me that he is so angry and not happy. I would like him be responsible for the cleanliness of his room, his appearance and speak nicely ...

"Hello Mark, Well his grade 12 graduation is this week-end. He is not able to “walk the stage” as he did not get his credits required. Natural consequence of not attending school and not getting his work done. He is still planning to go in a limo with his friends and attend the banquet with his girlfriend. My husband says we should not attend any of the grad events, however, will our son ever forgive us for being the only parents not there? We have tried to talk him out of going but is insisting he wants to. Please advise whether we, as the parents, should be “celebrating” a grad event when he is not technically graduating.  Thank you Mark. ~ S." `````````````````````````` Hi S., Re: Please advise whether we, as the parents, should be "celebrating" a grad event when he is not technically graduating. Great question! Should you be celebrating? No. There's nothing to celebrate, unless you want to celebrate lack of credits. Should you attend at least on...

  Hi Mark, Another question from Australia (I have SO many questions)! M__ and I are in the process of starting up some chores and allowing A__ to earn some money from the non-mandatory ones. We thought we'd have a rule where the mandatory ones had to be done first and then there would be the capacity to earn money from other chores. If the mandatory ones are not done, then there is no pocket money for the week. Is this OK? Can we put a caveat on her spending like no lollies, fizzy drinks or junk food-her behavior is so much worse if she has these things-she can buy books, toys clothes or save some for example?   ==> Join Online Parent Support Also, what happens if we have bad behavior during the week-can we tie it all in together-bad behavior, no money or is that a separate issue of consequences? A__ was so awful the other night-she had the most amazing temper tantrum and was kicking me and M__ had to restrain her-she is getting too big for me-at the age of 8...

I wanted to get some final advice from you relative to my soon to be 18 year old son. Your website advise was great and the personality traits you explain have been dead on. I think we learned this a bit late in the game though. We are at the point where it is highly unlikely that he will graduate. He continues to say he will be able to graduate but continues to go out with friends at night rather than focus on school. We have not planned for any grad events and I do admit to feeling guilty as this should be such a wonderful time of his life. Question One : What should our attitude be toward grad? We know his work is not done to graduate and yet he insists he will be fine. He even wants to get a suit this week-end? == > The more you take responsibility for your son's academics, the less responsibility he will take. The problem is an ownership problem. Let go of ownership of your son’s education. This problem belongs to your son. When you give up ownership, your son wi...