Sue Scheff: The Choking Game

G.A.S.P. - Games Adolescents Shouldn't Play is a very serious concern for parents everywhere.

The Choking Game is a misunderstood activity causing death and suffering for thousands of families worldwide. It often begins with high-achieving teens choking each other as a way to get high without the risk of getting caught with drugs or alcohol. It ends with thousands of kids dying or suffering permanent brain damage each year.

Part of being an educated parent is learning about prevention of dangerous activities, such as the Choking Game.

Prevention within your own family begins with an honest discussion about the consequences of participating in The Choking Game. Remember - 75% of Middle School aged children already know about it - chances are, you are not telling them something they have not already been exposed to by their peers. The problem lies in what their peers have failed to mention- the dangers. Please also be aware that children as young as Kindergarten have been reportedly "choked out" emulating an episode or conversation displayed by an older sibling or neighbor.

Texting: Be on alert for these text symbols ;)/// ;})))

Computer / Cell Phone: Check your child's computer/cell phone for websites containing "Pass Out" or "Choking Game". Also look for videos created, viewed or uploaded by your child from video sharing sites like MySpace or YouTube. Popular tags are Fainting Game, Passing Out.

Be candid - be honest and be real! Show them the pictures of children who are no longer with their families. Share the "Life After" stories of children with permanent disabilities after playing and the words of parents now forever grieving the loss of their child. Stress to your child that the end result of the child participating was preventable.

Source: ChokingGame.net

Why are kids doing this?

Some do it for the high, which can become addictive. Others do it because it's "cool" and risky. Most kids who have died from this were active, intelligent, stable children who thought this was a safe alternative to drugs and alcohol. Most children have no concept of their own mortality-they truly believe nothing can hurt them.


Take the time to talk to your children. This is a trend that we don't want to continue. Learn more at Ed4Ed4All Blog.

Learn from from the video and read more on Examiner.

Sue Scheff: Money Talk with Your Teens

Part 6 of my sneak peek series inside Dr. Michele Borba's latest book, BIG BOOK of Parenting Solutions, brings up a topic that is not only timely with today's difficult economy, it is critical parents understand the importance of how to talk to your kids about money and finances.

"Are you talking to your kids about money? If not, you'd better!" - Michele Borba

Approximately fifteen hundred high school seniors were asked basic facts about personal finance, and the great majority were stumped by those questions: 95 percent scored below a C. So it should be no surprise that another survey found that 80 percent of all college freshman admitted to never having a conversation with their parents about managing their money. What's more, almost one in four of these teens say it's just fine to blow as much as $500 without checking in with Mom and Pop. If you're concerned about your kids' future spending habits, than start the "money talk" now. Let them know that money doesn't come easy and that you do have clear expectations and limits about their spending (and then tell them what they are).


Step 1. Early Intervention

Identify your parenting style. Here is a quick quiz to see how you doing to help your kids learn about money management. Check the statements that describe your typical family: (page 553-554 will offer you descriptions you can review).
Be a good role model. Kids always look to us as the example to copy. (continued on page 554)
Monitor TV Consumption. Television is the one of the biggest culprits in fueling kids' spending urges, and commercials are relentless in trying to get kids to buy, buy, buy. (continued on page 554)
Explain how money works. Start money lessons when your kids are young. (continued on page 554)
Use real-life examples. Take your child to work. Show your daughter how you balance your checkbook. (continued on page 554)

Step 2. Rapid Response (read pages 555-556 for this wise advice)

Step 3. Develop Habits for Change (read pages 557-558 and start raising a money-smart child)

ONE SIMPLE SOLUTION

Cut Impulsive Shopping by Teaching Kids to "Think Before Spending"

Set a household rule that your child must write down any pricier intended purchase and postpone buying it for at least twenty-four hours. A younger kid can draw it on her "wish list". The wait time could vary from an hour or day to a week or month depending on the child's age and maturity. If she loses interest before the time is up, even she will agree that she didn't really want that item after all.

WHAT TO EXPECT BY STAGES AND AGES

Preschooler (page 558)
School Age (page 558)
Tween (page 558)

Next sneak peek: Could your child have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)? - page 78

For those that don't have time to read, this is the perfect book for you since it is not the type of book you sit down to read. As parenting questions come up, you can go straight to the index and find the page number. Immediately you will see the pages divided by boxes, quick tips and advice and easy to read and understand resources. Did I mention she also gives you proven research and statistics?

Order The BIG BOOK of Parenting Solutions today! Whether it is for yourself or as a gift, you won't be disappointed.

Previous sneak peeks: (1) Gratitude Recipes: Big Book of Parenting Solutions, (2) Parenting 101: Ungrateful teens and children (3) Seven Deadly Parenting Styles, (4) Sex Talk with your Children, (5) Gifted children, (6) Money and your kids, (7) Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Click here to subscribe to my articles and read more.

Reminder: Holiday Safety Tips

Sue Scheff: Parenting ADHD Children: Advice from Moms Like You

Source: ADDitude Magazine

Moms' advice for parenting ADHD children, creating an ADD-friendly household, and smoothing out daily rough spots with discipline and behavior.

by Arlene Schusteff

It’s the stuff attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) days are made of: You’re trying to get your daughter to finish her homework, but she insists on doing cartwheels across the living room. Or you’ve already had two big dustups with your son — and it’s only 9 a.m.

Sound familiar? Parents of ADHD children have a lot on their plates. And while doctors, therapists, and ADD coaches can offer helpful guidance, much of the best, most practical advice on parenting ADD children comes from those who have been there, done that.
In other words, from other ADHD parents.

For this article, ADDitude asked members of support groups across the country (both live and online) for their tried-and-true parenting skill tips for monitoring behavior problems, disciplining and smoothing out the daily rough spots. Here’s what they said.

The Morning Routine

In many families, the friction starts soon after the alarm clocks sound. It’s not easy to coax a spacey, unmotivated ADHD child out of bed and into his clothes; the strategizing required to get the entire family fed and out the door on time would test the mettle of General Patton.
Getting off to a slower start can make all the difference, say parents. “We wake our son up a half-hour early,” says Toya J., of Brooklyn, New York, mother of eight-year-old Jamal. “We give him his medication, and then let him lie in our bed for a while. If we rush him, he gets overwhelmed — and so do we. Once the meds kick in, it’s much easier to get him going.”
Some parents aren’t above a little bribery. “In our house, it’s all about rewards,” says Jenny S., of New York City, mother of Jeremy, age seven. “Every time we have a good morning, I put a marble in the jar. For every five marbles, he wins a small reward.”

Amy B., of Los Angeles, mother of Jared, age seven, is another believer in reward systems. “If the TV is on, it’s impossible to get him moving. Now the TV stays off until absolutely everything is done and he’s ready to go. He moves quickly because he wants to watch that television.”
Another way to keep your morning structured and problem-free is to divide it into a series of simple, one-step tasks. “I’m the list queen,” says Debbie G., of Phoenix, mother of Zach, 10. “I put a list on his bedroom door that tells him step-by-step what he needs to do. I break his morning routine down into simple steps, like ‘BRUSH TEETH,’ ‘MAKE BED,’ ‘GET DRESSED,’ and ‘COME DOWNSTAIRS FOR BREAKFAST.’ The key is to make it easy to follow.”

What about kids who simply cannot, or will not, do what’s asked of them? When 10-year-old Liam refuses to comply, his mom, Dina A., of New York City, shifts into “if-you-can’t-beat-’em,-join-’em” mode. “I can’t believe I’m admitting this,” she says, “but I wake him up and bring him cereal in bed. Once he’s gotten something to eat, he’s not as crabby.”

Number Two: Behavior Patterns

Read entire article here: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/581-2.html

Sue Scheff: Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Dating Abuse

MADE - Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Dating Abuse

MADE: Moms and Dads for Education to Stop Teen Dating Abuse is a national coalition of parents, teachers and concerned citizens who are advocates for ensuring that every middle school and high school in the country is teaching a curriculum on preventing dating relationship violence and abuse.

MADE is inspired by those courageous and dedicated parents who are committed to mobilizing people across the nation to spearhead education efforts in all middle and high schools after watching their children suffer at the hands of a violent partner.

MADE aims to strengthen the pathways to healthy dating relationships and take the essential steps to break the cycle of relationship violence in the future.

MADE is working to support the 50 State Attorneys General who have endorsed a teen dating violence resolution and have committed to introducing curricula on dating violence education in their state's schools.

MADE is working with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and their outstanding members to support the introduction of legislation to teach about teen dating abuse and violence.

Follow MADE on Twitter @MADECoalition and on Facebook.