Teens

Ask the Expert: What is Oppositional Defiant Disorder?

Dr. Irm Bellavia,

Q: Over this past school year, my 6-year-old daughter has been increasingly defiant at home and having difficulties behaving at school. She argues constantly, does not listen to my husband or me and seems to purposefully provoke me. Everything is a power struggle for her, from what she eats for breakfast to the clothes she wears. Last week we were called by her school to pick her up because she would not listen to the teacher and was unable to calm down after her tantrum. My mother thinks she

Resorts Kids Love

Elaine Heitman, Eve White,

Parents plan family vacations fully intending to make everybody happy, but, let’s face it, if the kids ain’t happy, nobody’s happy. With that in mind, you’ll want to take special care to select a destination that appeals to the kids, even involve them in the planning process, so that it truly is a "vacation" for everyone!

Traveling and the New Red Tape

Shelley Bokman,

Since September 11th, we have been subject to many new security precautions. Knowing the alternatives, most of us understand we must tolerate these new regulations, along with whatever extra time and energy they require. But, as parents, we now have even more "red tape" to get used to. We have researched some of the new rules for you to help you become more aware and better prepared for your child’s next trip.

The Learning Dilemma: Educating your special needs child

Kara Lynn Mann,

Raising a child with special needs, whatever his or her limitations might be, is challenging. Trying to find a program or a school that fulfills all his or her education needs may be even more difficult. The public school system has specialized programs, but, for some, exploring alternatives outside the public school system just might be the answer.

Guiding Kids Through Grief

Brenda Nixon,

Hurricanes, terrorist attacks, accidents, old age, war and terminal illnesses are a part of life today. Death is never an if — it’s a when event. And with loss of people, pets and the familiar comes a stinging sadness. Educating children about death and guiding them through grief is something we prefer to avoid. But it’s one of our teachable moments. With our help, children can appreciate the feelings that are unique to this occasion, learn new coping skills and how to embrace life.

The Dangers of Steroid Abuse

Jacqueline Bodnar,

The examples those in professional sports have set by using steroids are being repeated by teenagers across the country. Although steroids require a prescription, many teenagers illegally obtain them to enhance their sports performance and their looks. What many of these youngsters don’t realize is that they are putting their health at risk by taking them.

Ages & Stages: 11-17: Children Raising Children

Gina Roberts-Grey,

After almost 10 years as a stay-at-home mom, Tenna Perry found herself in the unexpected position of returning to work. Needing to find reliable and safe, yet inexpensive child care for her two younger children, Perry, like countless parents today, needed to rely on her oldest child.

Reap the Benefits of Outdoor Play

Jennifer Woodford,

As obesity rates rise among children and teens, it will take more than an apple a day to improve the health and well-being of today’s young people. Some experts suggest that an hour of outdoor time and more physical activity each day along with those apples (and other healthy foods) may be the solution.

Adolescent Might Need Immunizations

Kristin Rager,

Most parents realize that immunizations are an important part of infant and early childhood medical visits and that vaccines are necessary to keep our children healthy. Often parents (and teens!), however, don’t recognize that adolescence is an important time for immunizations as well. As the end of summer approaches and many adolescents head to their doctor’s office for school physicals, it is a great time to think about the shots that teens might need.

Cleaning the Air for Kids

Site Staff,

Each day the routine act of riding a school bus exposes children to a toxic mix of airborne carcinogens and particles from diesel exhaust. Diesel engines have long been known to spew dirty exhaust from their tailpipes, but studies now reveal that levels of diesel pollutants getting inside school buses can be up to four times greater than outside levels.

Danger in the Hallways

Jane Paige,

Student safety has always been a priority for state and local school officials, but the emphasis on keeping our classrooms safe has increased in recent years with the numerous tragic school shootings nationwide.

Ages & Stages: 11-18: The Myth of Peer Pressure

Carl Bosch,

Good old peer pressure. We hear that term thrown around a lot. It’s the cause of bad behavior and impolite language in our little ones. Later on, it’s blamed for everything from bad grades and ugly gossip, to loss of motivation and angry disrespect. Still older, we can pull out peer pressure and use it as the reason for alcohol and drug use, promiscuous sex, even depression and law-breaking.

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Parent Involvement = Student Success

Dr. Peter C. Gorman, superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools,

The 2007-08 school year will be an exciting one for CMS. The district will shift to learning communities as part of our decentralization, and we will begin to put into place some new programs designed to boost student achievement. All of these programs are important ones, and we think they’ll help students learn. But our biggest asset in helping CMS raise student achievement is you — the parents of our students.

Teach Your Children about School Bus Safety

Laidlaw Education Services,

The beginning of a new school year can bring many new experiences for children. They may need to become accustomed to an unfamiliar routine, get to know a new teacher or perhaps ride a school bus for the first time. But whether a child is new to the school bus or a seasoned "veteran" in junior high, it’s important for them to know the rules of school bus safety.

Give Board Games a Spin

S.C. Torrington,

The next time your family is making a beeline toward the video game department of a toy store, try taking a detour into the board game section. You’ll find plenty of old favorites and new variations. Along with the simpler luck-of-the-dice racing games for younger children, there are complex scenario strategy games for older kids and teens.