Whoo hoo! Heading into summer. At least there's no homework...and for those of you sending your kids out into the world, you've done your best, now all you can do is "mentor".
I'll be presenting a series of "What You Need to Know to Get Your Kid Out the Door to College" in the coming weeks. Check it out. Even if this is NOT your first kid to go, it's worth a bit of a review. Very high stakes.
I'll be presenting a series of "What You Need to Know to Get Your Kid Out the Door to College" in the coming weeks. Check it out. Even if this is NOT your first kid to go, it's worth a bit of a review. Very high stakes.
Let's get the crap out of the way so we can move onto the cream. There's another challenge out there called the "Vacuum Challenge" and yes, it's a Fatal Fad which is my name for these kinds of dares that can kill your kid or leave them with lifelong injuries.
Here's an article on it, so brush up and know what's going on.
The bottom line: Kids climb into large trash bags. It's sealed. They're standing up while someone sucks out all of the air. Someone else videos it. Takes 5 minutes of no oxygen (anoxia) for brain cells to start dying.If kids fall over when they faint, you're talking head injury.
Depending on the kid's particular physical strengths and weaknesses, other terrible stuff can start happening.
Sit down with your kid. Explain, briefly, what could happen. Tell them, "In this family, we don't do things that hurt us". Make sure your kid can't make a comeback such as, "Well, you smoke, drink, don't use the seatbelt", etc. Don't be a hypocrite.
At least once a month, do an online search for "dangerous teenage fads" so you can see what's circulating through the internet and their social groups.
Here's a brief article I wrote about this. Of course, new ones have popped up since then. Heaven help us! Let's do our best to keep them alive until they get smarter about this kind of stuff.
Here's an article on it, so brush up and know what's going on.
The bottom line: Kids climb into large trash bags. It's sealed. They're standing up while someone sucks out all of the air. Someone else videos it. Takes 5 minutes of no oxygen (anoxia) for brain cells to start dying.If kids fall over when they faint, you're talking head injury.
Depending on the kid's particular physical strengths and weaknesses, other terrible stuff can start happening.
Sit down with your kid. Explain, briefly, what could happen. Tell them, "In this family, we don't do things that hurt us". Make sure your kid can't make a comeback such as, "Well, you smoke, drink, don't use the seatbelt", etc. Don't be a hypocrite.
At least once a month, do an online search for "dangerous teenage fads" so you can see what's circulating through the internet and their social groups.
Here's a brief article I wrote about this. Of course, new ones have popped up since then. Heaven help us! Let's do our best to keep them alive until they get smarter about this kind of stuff.
Image by Foundry Co from Pixabay
This kinda fun, but a little creepy. I saw this "viral tweet" that claims "all women have a freckle in the same spot". I thought, "Ridiculous!" Then, I looked at my wrist and there it was! Check out "what's going on!"
Mine is on my left wrist which, of course, gets the most sun when I drive. Do you have one, too? Who knew?
Mine is on my left wrist which, of course, gets the most sun when I drive. Do you have one, too? Who knew?
Image by Bruno Glätsch from Pixabay
Need help wrangling the toothpaste with kids in the house? Need another job just to pay for the wasted toothpaste? Here are some handy dandy ideas!
Wikor automatic toothbrush dispenser uses adhesive to stick to the wall of your bathroom. It only dispenses when a toothbrush is pressed underneath it and it delivers just the right amount. About $8 on Amazon.
The reviews are great, but there's one concern with getting the mounting adhesive to work. My recommendation is that you make sure your wall is perfectly smooth and clean. Consider wiping some alcohol on the area to which you want to stick it to make sure there is no dirt or oil to interfere with adhesion.
There is also the Gika R dispense for about $9 on Amazon.
Check 'em all out and see what will work for you! My parents would have loved this with all 5 of us!
Wikor automatic toothbrush dispenser uses adhesive to stick to the wall of your bathroom. It only dispenses when a toothbrush is pressed underneath it and it delivers just the right amount. About $8 on Amazon.
The reviews are great, but there's one concern with getting the mounting adhesive to work. My recommendation is that you make sure your wall is perfectly smooth and clean. Consider wiping some alcohol on the area to which you want to stick it to make sure there is no dirt or oil to interfere with adhesion.
There is also the Gika R dispense for about $9 on Amazon.
Check 'em all out and see what will work for you! My parents would have loved this with all 5 of us!
For the Momma with the 13-year old son who is "mercilessly" bullying and taunting his 9-year old brother, see what kind of progress you make by directly addressing the issue instead of reacting to it.
Look at the ideas for establishing a different kind of environment in your home. This post addresses both how to start and maintain family meetings where problems can be solved while everyone is calmer and ready to negotiate and it addresses the idea of a "mission statement". A mission statement sets out guidelines for who we want to be as a family. Gives the family a framework.
How to Run the Family Business
Don't let any meeting last more than 10-15 minutes or it's a loss. Keep your agreements. Hold the meeting every week.
If your older son is still struggling with his anger and irritability. It's time to look for an assessment and therapy. Family therapy is best because the family is suffering.
Look at the ideas for establishing a different kind of environment in your home. This post addresses both how to start and maintain family meetings where problems can be solved while everyone is calmer and ready to negotiate and it addresses the idea of a "mission statement". A mission statement sets out guidelines for who we want to be as a family. Gives the family a framework.
How to Run the Family Business
Don't let any meeting last more than 10-15 minutes or it's a loss. Keep your agreements. Hold the meeting every week.
If your older son is still struggling with his anger and irritability. It's time to look for an assessment and therapy. Family therapy is best because the family is suffering.
For the young woman who discovered her fiance has given her the humanpapilloma virus (HPV) which led to cervical cancer, yes, you're right to be enraged. You're paying a debt you didn't owe.
Yes, the engagement is off. Here's what I hope for you.
That this new challenge of surgeries and chemotherapy will show you how strong you are and how loved you are when you let others nurture you in honest and healthy ways.
You spoke of revenge. Take that anger and channel it toward recovery. Once you're healed, you're less likely to have murderous thoughts, but they're oh so fun, aren't they?
Revenge is supposed to be sweet, but it really isn't. There's a reason it is said to "dig two graves" when seeking revenge. I don't want you jumping in that plot after him.
You'll very soon realize that you've been saved from a life of disappointment and stress with him. He'll continue to be the creep for the rest of his life and you will go on being an ethical, integrous person who deserves to be loved, truly loved. He'll pop up again in your life and you can punch him in the nose.
I've always loved the lyrics to this song called, Wildflower, by the group, Skylark. It was written for the girlfriend of one of the band members. She was a pediatric oncology nurse and dealt with the horror of childhood cancers.
I think it will be meaningful for you.
She's faced the hardest times you could imagine
And many times, her eyes fought back the tears
And when her youthful world was about to fall in
Each time her slender shoulders bore the weight of all her fears
And a sorrow no one hears
Still rings in midnight silence in her ears
Let her cry, for she's a lady (She's a lady)
Let her dream, for she's a child (Child)
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild
And if by chance I should hold her (If by chance that I should hold her)
Let me hold her for a time (Let me hold her for a time)
But if allowed just one possession
I would pick her from the garden to be mine (I would pick her from the garden to be mine)
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm
Be careful how you touch her, for she'll awaken
And sleep's the only freedom that she knows
And when you walk into her eyes, you won't believe
The way she's always payin' for a debt she never owes
And a silent wind still blows
That only she can hear, and so she goes
Let her cry, for she's a lady
Let her dream, for she's a child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild
Let her cry, for she's a lady (She's a lady)
Let her dream, for she's a child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild
She's a flower growing wild
She's free
Songwriters: DOUG EDWARDS / DAVID RICHARDSON
Here's a YouTube video of the original group performing the song along with the lyrics. Yes, You'll cry. Decide if it's your anthem or not. I'd go with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", but that's just me.
"Wildflower" will help you cry and "Survive" will help you express your rage.
You can do this...
Good luck out there!
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing!
Yes, the engagement is off. Here's what I hope for you.
That this new challenge of surgeries and chemotherapy will show you how strong you are and how loved you are when you let others nurture you in honest and healthy ways.
You spoke of revenge. Take that anger and channel it toward recovery. Once you're healed, you're less likely to have murderous thoughts, but they're oh so fun, aren't they?
Revenge is supposed to be sweet, but it really isn't. There's a reason it is said to "dig two graves" when seeking revenge. I don't want you jumping in that plot after him.
You'll very soon realize that you've been saved from a life of disappointment and stress with him. He'll continue to be the creep for the rest of his life and you will go on being an ethical, integrous person who deserves to be loved, truly loved. He'll pop up again in your life and you can punch him in the nose.
I've always loved the lyrics to this song called, Wildflower, by the group, Skylark. It was written for the girlfriend of one of the band members. She was a pediatric oncology nurse and dealt with the horror of childhood cancers.
I think it will be meaningful for you.
She's faced the hardest times you could imagine
And many times, her eyes fought back the tears
And when her youthful world was about to fall in
Each time her slender shoulders bore the weight of all her fears
And a sorrow no one hears
Still rings in midnight silence in her ears
Let her cry, for she's a lady (She's a lady)
Let her dream, for she's a child (Child)
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild
And if by chance I should hold her (If by chance that I should hold her)
Let me hold her for a time (Let me hold her for a time)
But if allowed just one possession
I would pick her from the garden to be mine (I would pick her from the garden to be mine)
Mm-mm-mm, mm-mm
Be careful how you touch her, for she'll awaken
And sleep's the only freedom that she knows
And when you walk into her eyes, you won't believe
The way she's always payin' for a debt she never owes
And a silent wind still blows
That only she can hear, and so she goes
Let her cry, for she's a lady
Let her dream, for she's a child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild
Let her cry, for she's a lady (She's a lady)
Let her dream, for she's a child
Let the rain fall down upon her
She's a free and gentle flower growing wild
She's a flower growing wild
She's free
Songwriters: DOUG EDWARDS / DAVID RICHARDSON
Here's a YouTube video of the original group performing the song along with the lyrics. Yes, You'll cry. Decide if it's your anthem or not. I'd go with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive", but that's just me.
"Wildflower" will help you cry and "Survive" will help you express your rage.
You can do this...
Good luck out there!
Claudia
Join me on Facebook at Dr. Claudia McCulloch.
At DrClaudia.net, click on the "Ask Me" button and send me a question.
Sign up for the Sunday newsletter. Don't miss a thing!
