National Car Seat Check Saturday Sept. 21st

National Seat Check Saturday

Keeping Kids Safe in Car Seats

During Child Passenger Safety Week (September 15-21, 2013) many communities will have certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians available to provide free, hands-on, car seat education and inspections. The week concludes with National Seat Check Saturday on September 21, when certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be available at car seat events across the country to offer advice and instruction. To locate a car seat inspection station near you, click here.

Yelling at Your Teen Doesn’t Help

Yelling at Teens Doesn't Work

What Yelling Yields: The Truth About how it Impacts Your Teens

 

There is much buzz about a recent study that concluded that yelling at teens yields little benefit. Specifically the study, which was conducted by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and University of Michigan, found that the teens of parents who reported using verbal aggression to discipline were more prone to symptoms of depression and problem behaviors including lying and fighting. The study highlighted that the verbal aggression parents displayed during altercations with their teens had a strong negative impact on teens. These effects were not moderated by displays of warmth and support by parents at times when parents and teens were not in conflict.

Physical and Emotional Health: The Best Gift for Our Children

Getting Emotionally Healthy: The Best Gift for Our Kids

Dealing with Suppressed Emotional Issues Helps Us be Better Parents

by Amy Egan

I love working with parents on their quests to better relationships with their children, more harmony within their families and more joy in parenting.  There are many aspects to reaching these goals such as feeling comfortable saying ‘no’, allowing kids to make mistakes, listening and validating kids’ feelings, realizing you as parent are not responsible for fixing their problems, loving children no matter how happy or sad they make their lives, being truly present with them, etc.  But there is another aspect that I realize I’ve not given ample focus. The aspect of getting healthy, yourself, is vital to a child’s well being. Of course, this means physical health,  but it also very much means emotional health.  A parent who has inner turmoil – issues not dealt with such as, suppressed anger, addiction or emotional scars, will parent their child from a clouded perspective.  A parent who is emotionally unhealthy  is far more likely to under react or over react to children’s issues and behaviors throughout their lives.