Drug and alcohol addiction and abuse. Recognition. Prevention. Treatment
20/20 Parenting. Recognizing and mitigating early vulnerabilities and risk factors.
Pre-Teen: 9 - 12
Parenting your Changing, Mysterious Pre-Teen
Perhaps our pre-teen's greatest developmental task is to begin to form their own sense of self through "separating" themselves from parental control. This can lead to objectionable or uncooperative behavior in an unconscious effort to assert their growing sense of "maturity".
Paradoxically, science has found that their frontal lobes (decision-making control center) will not be fully developed until their early 20's!
Pre-teens, and teens, can bounce back and forth like a yo yo between the familiar state of childhood dependency and the unfamiliar, exciting, sometimes scary state of adult independence. Parents, caught in the middle, can be driven to exasperation!
Then there is the looming threat of drugs and alcohol. If your child has emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual weaknesses you will want to address them as soon as possible. Unresolved, they can contribute to a need to self medicate in order to cope.
Yes, you have your parenting "work" cut out for you. It will help to balance your parenting "work" with parenting "play". Your child needs to know you enjoy him/her as much as you both need to take time to de-stress.
The articles below will also give you many helpful suggestions.
And for a really good laugh view Anita Renfroe, mom comedian at UTube. Then if you want to adopt a new more positive 24 hours script read or re-read "When You're About To Go Off The Deep End" by Kelly Nault which is now in its' second print.
*Please also visit "Potential Vulnerabilities" in the left menu for health information on the many, often confused and misunderstood, childhood 'menta'l conditions.
Articles
Gag Your Nagging: How to gain family cooperation and harmony
Youth Drug Experimentation: Simply a Matter of Choice?
Parenting Media Challenge: Teenage Girls + Media = Low Self-Esteem
The 7 Worst Things You Can Say to a Child
Think Your Teen Needs Counselling?
Alcohol and Drugs: Strategies for Parents
Personal Safety and Substance Abuse: Helping young people protect themselves from substance abuse
Children's Learning and Brain Injury: Information for Teachers and Caregivers
Drinking More and Enjoying It Less: Girls, Women and Alcohol
Money Tips for High School Kids
Turning a Learning Disability into an Ability
Seven Ways To Optimize Your Brain and Your Life
Escaping the Monkey Mind: Using Meditation to Break Free
The Beginner's Mind and Meditating for Children
Family Function: Sense and Sensibility
Preventing Difficult Behavior in Adolescents: A Parenting Question Re: Teen Taking Drugs
Date Rape Drugs: Roachies, Rope, Roofies, R2, Liquid Ecstasy, Easy Lay, Special K, K
Love Them As They Are: How to Love Unconditionally
What to do When Siblings Fight
Dyslexia and Confused Diagnoses
Do You Know What Your Teens Are Doing?
Build Rapport to Facilitate Teen Behaviour
Are My Children Abusing Substances?: What to Look For and Tips on How to Proceed
Behavior After Brain Injury FAQs
You Can Help Prevent Suicide: Crisis Centre Guidelines
Moving in and out of Children's Lives (OC/PT)
Talk To Your Teenager About Gambling: Gambling Among Youth A Growing Concern
Understanding Addiction and Building Resiliency
What We Offer
PRESENTATIONS
For schools, parent groups, task forces.
My main focus is on EARLY RECOGNITION AND MITIGATION of vulnerabilities and risk factors.
Presentations can be tailored to the needs of the audience.
