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Gang violence in schools has become so prevalent that schools now have special police officers assigned to deal with it. Being aware of gang involvement or gang intimidation is necessary to keep your adolescent safe and involved with peers who are positive influences. Adolescents looking for acceptance will often look for negative attention just as readily as they seek positive attention. Adolescents often want to join a gang because of certain issues (e.g., racism, poverty, loneliness, media influences, etc.). Sometimes, they might be tempted to join a gang because they were not closely moderated by their parents and feel that they have the freedom to do the unlawful things gangs commit. In any event, here is how you can prevent your adolescent from joining a gang. Tips for Parents— 1. Be a positive influence for your adolescent. Providing a strong parental role model is considered the best way to help your adolescent through difficult situations. 2. Promote posit...

Most children plug into the world of television long before they enter school. According to the research: children and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a television screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games children under age 6 watch an average of about 2 hours of screen media a day, primarily television and videos or DVDs two-thirds of infants and toddlers watch a screen an average of 2 hours a day The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 years old not watch any television and that those older than 2 watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming. The first 2 years of life are considered a critical time for brain development. Television and other electronic media can get in the way of exploring, playing, and interacting with moms and dads and others, which encourages learning and healthy physical and social development. As children get older,...

A selection of synthetic marijuana,  clockwise from left:  Mr. Nice Guy, Peace of Mind, Mr. Kwik-E, and XXX  (which uses the logo for  Monster Energy drink). What is synthetic marijuana? Herbs sold as incense in small packets. The plants have been sprayed with a chemical that is designed to mimic THC, the active ingredient in pot. Where is it sold? Often available at liquor stores, gas stations and convenience stories. How much does it cost? About $30 for 3 grams. What are the possible side-effects? Dizziness, nausea, agitation, irregular or racing heartbeat, hallucinations or coma. Synthetic marijuana (also called fake pot) is legal in some U.S. States, is sold in many gas stations and convenience stores, and to some, it sounds pretty harmless with names like "Mr. Nice Guy" and "Peace of Mind." But, synthetic marijuana has left such a trail of emergency room visits and possibly even deaths in its wake that 15 states have banned ...

Question My daughter is 17 and gets upset or angry about the littlest things, especially with her 15 year old sister. Yesterday, it was because her sister, Kami, left her makeup in the car. Kylie was in the back seat and her sister was in the front. After Kylie got mad that she had to sit in the back, she starting yelling because Kami had left some of her makeup and an eyelash curler in the backseat. Another time recently, we were at our cabin at the lake and the day we were leaving, Kylie accused Kami of having on her shirt. They have the same shirt and Kami and I both thought it was hers. I sometimes put their initials on the tag of the clothes so I can tell who it belongs to when I'm doing laundry. I looked at the tag and told Kylie her initials were not on the tag. Kylie said she didn't believe me and grabbed Kami's shirt (halfway strangling her) and looked at the tag. Kylie's initials were on the underside of the tag. Kylie started screaming at Kami...

Many adolescents experience a time when keeping up with school work is difficult. These periods may last several weeks and may include social problems as well as a slide in academic performance. Research suggests that problems are more likely to occur during a transitional year, such as moving from elementary to middle school, or middle school to high school. Some teens are able to get through this time with minimal assistance from their parents or educators. It may be enough for a mother or father to be available simply to listen and suggest coping strategies, provide a supportive home environment, and encourage the youngster's participation in school activities. However, when the difficulties last longer than a single grading period, or are linked to a long-term pattern of poor school performance or behavior problems, parents and educators need to intervene.   ==> My Out-of-Control Teen: Help for Parents Some risk factors (listed below) may represent persistent...

"What is involved in giving up one’s parental rights?" Any parent can choose to give up his/her parental rights as long as another person, such as the youngster's other parent or an adoptive guardian, is willing to take responsibility for the youngster. By relinquishing parental rights, the parent is usually relieved from any obligation to his/her biological youngster. Biological parents might choose to give up (relinquish) parental rights in a number of situations. For example: If a couple decides to place a baby for adoption, a court will first need to terminate the parental rights of both biological parents before an adoption can be finalized. If a woman remarries and wants her new husband to adopt her youngster from the previous relationship, the biological father might chose to relinquish his parental rights. Some parents choose not to be involved in the lives of their kids. By giving up parental rights, they can be absolved of responsibility for provi...

A lot of U.S. families are having “financial woes” these days. More families are facing foreclosure on their mortgages …energy prices and grocery bills are all going up ...and uncertainty over when things will take a turn for the better is making everyone tighten-up their spending. So how do moms and dads explain this “money crunch” to their fashion-conscious middle-school children as well as their teens with dreams of out-of-state college or a new car? Here are some tips that may help: 1. Be honest with your kids — but don't tell them more than they need to know. Avoid overloading older children with too many details or worries that might scare them. Stick to brief explanations and be clear about changes made to the family budget. 2. Encouraging children to find creative ways to save or make money not only helps them feel empowered — it helps them feel like they're doing their part to help out. 3. Even young children are “brand- and consumer-aware” these da...

Dealing with toddler behavior can be really stressful when you’re not sure how to handle it. Every parent knows that so-called “bad behavior” starts with the “terrible twos” and often gets worse before it gets better. We’ll call them the “tortuous threes.” Some important “toddler traits” include the following: Toddlers are mobile and expressive. They know how to move (fast!) and they know how to express themselves with words and actions. They know how to ask for things. They know how to scream at you when you say “no”. But they pretty much lack any capability to use adult logic. Toddlers want independence. Toddlers can tell you what they want to have, or what they want to do, they want to be allowed to have it (or do it). They want to push the boundaries and try new things. Yet too many moms and dads don’t realize this is how the youngster learns and gains confidence. If you keep your youngster boxed into a strict set of rules, you risk squashing their inner confidence and...

Learning to drive can be nerve-wracking for adolescents and moms and dads. It's likely to be your first experience putting your safety and auto investment in your adolescent's hands. And since you know all the risks of the road, this can be pretty scary. Moms and dads play an important role in helping adolescents practice their driving skills and develop confidence behind the wheel. To help prepare for this critical time in your adolescent's life, it may help to refresh your driving knowledge by attending a basic defensive driving course. You'd be surprised to learn how much has changed since you learned to drive. When it comes to driving, experience is an important teacher. The more time teen drivers spend honing a variety of skills in different road and weather conditions, the more calm and confident they will feel and the better they'll be able to react to challenging situations. Before each practice session, plan the specific skills you want to ...

Staying connected as children approach the adolescent years and become more independent may become a challenge for moms and dads, but it's as important as ever — if not more so now. While activities at school, new interests, and a growing social life become more important to growing children, moms and dads are still the anchors, providing love, guidance, and support. And that connection provides a sense of security and helps build the resilience children needs to roll with life's ups and downs. Your 12-year-old may act as if your guidance isn't welcome or needed, and even seem embarrassed by you at times. This is when children start to confide more in peers and request their space and privacy — expect the bedroom door to be shut more often. As difficult as it may be to swallow these changes, try not to take them personally. They're all signs of growing independence. You're going to have to loosen the ties and allow some growing room. But you don't have to ...

An allowance can be a great way to teach children money management skills and help them learn how to make decisions, deal with limited resources, and understand the benefits of saving and charitable giving. There's no single correct way to handle giving an allowance. Deciding when to start, how much to give, and whether you want to link the allowance to chores are choices that should fit your family. Also, no particular age is best for every kid, but you may want to consider starting an allowance by the time a youngster is 10 years old. By then, most children have had experience making thoughtful spending decisions but still look to moms and dads for guidance. How much allowance should you give? It depends on your financial situation and what kind of commitment you feel that you can comfortably keep. Experts generally recommend that children get no more than $2 per week for every year of their age (e.g., maximum of $20 per week for a 10-year-old). Regardless of how mu...

Becoming a parent by blending families or marrying someone with children can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. If you've never had children, you'll get the opportunity to share your life with a child and help to shape his/her character. If you have children, you'll offer them more opportunities to build relationships and establish a special bond that only siblings can have. In some cases, your new family members may get along without a hitch, but other times you can expect difficulties along the way. Figuring out your role as a parent — aside from the day-to-day responsibilities that come with it — also may lead to confusion or even conflict between you and your partner, your partner's ex-wife or ex-husband, and their children. While there is no foolproof formula for creating the "perfect" family, it's important to approach this new situation with patience and understanding for the feelings of those involved. The initial role of a ste...