Friday, March 14, 2008

Sue Scheff: Troubled Teens, Struggling Teens, At Risk Teens


Do any of these labels sound familiar?


•Truancy (Excessive Absences)

•Multiple Suspension/Detentions

•Expulsion

•Academic Failure/Grades Dropping - Underachiever
•Social Withdrawal – Isolating themselves

•Poor Decision Making

•Peer Relationship Problems; Fights; Arguments

•Choosing the Wrong Peer Group

•Defiant/Anger/Violent/Rage/Rebellious – Conduct Disorder•Confrontational Behavior/Acting Out

•Refusal to accept Accountability for their Actions •Depression/Bipolar/Oppositional Defiance Disorder

•Involvement in Cult Activities – Gang ActivityDoes any of the above sound familiar?


If so it may be time to start searching for healthy and safe alternative schools or programs. Whether they are local or out of the area, after conferring with a school guidance counselor or therapist, you may determine that a different academic setting may benefit your child. Absences and Suspension Rates (or Incident reports) are useful indicators of student academic or behavioral problems. Most truancy and incident rates increase with grade levels.


Another words, this will most likely escalate rather than go away if not addressed. We always recommend parents to seek local adolescent therapy* prior to residential placement. Incidents rates are on the rise and school expulsion have increased, nearly doubled in the High Schools within the past three years.


The zero tolerance rates may be attributed to this rise in numbers, however it is a clear indication that some teens are truly struggling and need outside help. This is has to do with many factors:

• Population Increase, which leads to overcrowding in the schools

• Lack of ACCEPTANCE of our Cultural Diversity

• Family Conflicts – Marital Issues (Divorce, Separation, etc.)

• Stress and Anger Management Problems

• Lack of Communication and the skills to communicate with Today's Teens.

• Ineffective or Inconsistence Parenting/Discipline Strategies• Substance Abuse (Drugs and/or Alcohol)• Undiagnosed Learning Disabilities – ADD/ADHD/LD

• Zero Tolerance Level at Schools• LACK OF AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES & SERVICES




Monday, March 10, 2008

Sue Scheff: Talking with your children about sex and relationships





Sex. It's on TV, the Internet, in magazines, movies and music videos. But it's still one of those topics that is hard for parents and their children to talk about. And that's a problem, because what kids don't know – and what they think they know – can hurt them.


Learn how to talk with your kids about sex – in a way that they'll listen. Order the Sex & the Silent Parent. You'll learn specific advice about where, when, what and how to talk with your kids about sex.


You may be surprised by what your kids believe about sex. A recent health survey reported that most kids don't know you can get an STD from oral sex. A majority believes you can't get pregnant the first time you have sex. And two-thirds of teens that do have sex later say they regret it. It's up to you to give your children the facts and help them be safe and healthy.
Sex & the Silent Parent provides information to help parents learn when the timing is right to have these conversations and how to answer the questions kids ask. You'll learn how important it is to discuss the dangers and risks, as well as explain what it means to develop trusting relationships. Kids really do want to talk… and listen… and learn from an adult they trust.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Sue Scheff: Early Dating and Early Sexual Activity by Connect with Kids


First Comes Love


Will you be ready when your son has his first girlfriend? When your daughter has her first boyfriend? Will you be able to help them with the peer pressure to have sex? Will you be ready to address the warning signs of dating violence?


These are difficult topics for parents and kids to talk about together... First Comes Love helps you start the conversation. The program features real kids sharing their true dating stories – and suddenly the pressure is off of your children as you talk about the kids in the program. That, says experts, opens the door for communication and learning. The program also features advice from health experts and child specialists about the best way to protect children from the “dark side of teenage love.”
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Connect with Kids is a wealth of information for parents. I refer parents to them daily and I am always impressed with their valuable new weekly parenting articles and DVD’s. In today’s world of teenagers - parents need to be a step ahead!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Sue Scheff: The Reality of Teen Pregnancy


Teen pregnancy in the United States is a serious concern.


The US has the highest rates of teen pregnancy and births of any industrialized country.1/3 of all US teenage girls will become pregnant.


This equals to roughly 750,000 each year! Unmarried teenage mothers rarely finish high school; in fact, 2/3 do not.Children born to teenage mothers are more likely to suffer from low birth weight and other medical problems.


They are also more likely to develop learning disabilities and mental disorders as they reach their teenage years.The facts are real. Our sons and daughters live in a generation plagued by these statistics, and it is up to us as parents make a change.


Find out more about Teen Pregnancy.




Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Sue Scheff: Cyberbullying is becoming a major problem among teens


More and more news articles, media and others are finally taking Cyberbullying seriously. As both a victim and survivor of being abused in Cyberspace - I know first hand how important this subject is.


Kids today need to be aware of what lingers online as well as take precautions not to feed into Cyberbullys and their tactics of invading a child's privacy.


As a parent, you can take steps to protect your kids online. Know what they are doing and where they are going in Cyberspace. It is almost as important as knowing where they are going when they leave your house! Take Cyberspace seriously!


A recent news article by the Associated Press is one of many that are bringing this awareness to parents.


I always encourage parents to consider Reputation Defender MyChild to help protect your children online, especially in the social networking sites such as MySpace and others.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Sue Scheff: Teenagers Cutting Themselves by Connect with Kids

The Enemy Inside
It's hard to understand teenagers cutting themselves, but kids do deliberately burn, scratch and cut themselves until they bleed. Even the kids involved with teenage cutting can’t tell you why it makes them feel better... at least for the moment. They can tell you that it’s addictive and scary.

“Cutting” is the most popular form of self-injury today, and it is on the rise among adolescents. Teenagers cutting themselves is a sign of emotional pain but it can also lead to major physical injury... and even death in some cases. The addictive nature of this condition allows it to spin quickly out of control.


How can you help prevent teenage cutting?


The first step is communication, but talking about teenage cutting isn’t easy.
The Enemy Inside can help. Compelling true stories from kids who struggle with self-injury will help explain why kids do it, why they want to stop – and so often why they can’t. You’ll also hear expert advice for parents, teachers and counselors, on how to help prevent this kind of self-harm cutting and how to suggest healthier alternatives.


Order your copy of The Enemy Inside to learn what you need to know about teenagers cutting themselves and to see why Connect with Kids programs have been shown to improve youth behavior and increase communication between parents and children.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

The Secret Life of Kids: What Your Kids Are Doing Shouldn’t Be a Mystery


Who’s pressuring your kids? Who’s offering them alcohol or drugs? Who’s talking to them on the Internet? Whether we’re teachers, parents, counselors…sometimes we just don’t know what’s really going on in a child’s life. If you want to talk to your kids about the challenges they face, but aren’t sure what to say, our programs will help…with real kids sharing their true stories, and advice from experts, educators and parents who have “been there.”



Click here for a fantastic educational resource to help you help your kids!
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