We are supposed to protect students!

A recent article posted on cnn.com describes legislation that may PROTECT bullies rather than prosecute them may be passed in the state of Tennessee. Check out the article at: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/05/critics-say-proposed-tenn-bill-could-enable-harassment-in-schools/

What do you do to protect your child from bullying behavior?

Do you know the warning signs of victimization?

A good website to inform yourself and your children is: http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Stay informed and advocate AGAINST bad legislation.

Sexting: What Is This All About?

Dr. Stephanie was interviewed about sexting. Read below:

http://www.johntfloyd.com/blog/2011/10/09/texas%E2%80%99-approch-to-teen-sexting/

Make sure that you have access to your teens texts and emails. The reality is that your teens have rights to their privacy to a minimum. When it comes to your children, safety comes first. Be aware of what your teen may be communicating to other teens, how, and why. Underlying issues need to be addressed. Make sure to open the lines of communication related to sexuality, safe practices, and body awareness early on during pre-adolescence. So when sticky situations arise, the foundation has already been set for children to know the environment is one founded upon trust and understanding.

A Great Article about Gifts

Find an article with Dr. Stephanie quoted!

http://www.carolinaparent.com/articlemain.php?Handling-Holiday-Gift-Rivalry-Among-Children-3150

Little One Books

Check out two little blurbs I have written for Little One Books. One of the short articles pertains how to keep children occupied during the winter months and the other article discusses the importance of pets and social skill development. Find the articles at: http://blog.littleonebooks.com/?cat=216

Happy Reading.

Best,

Dr. Stephanie

“Tiger Mother Parenting”

I submitted a post a few weeks ago regarding Chinese versus American mothers and how parenting styles were different. Since that time–the media, psychologists, sociologists, and other professionals have weighed in on a number of factors related to how the style of parenting may have detrimental or beneficial effects. I think passing judgment is inappropriate given we are not currently living in China nor can we say what works for one family may not be beneficial for another. However, this article posted below highlights how this particular type of childrearing left “scars” for one Chinese man.

See: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/01/20/lac.su.tiger.mother.scars/index.html?iref=obnetwork

Enjoy the reading and again always consider how YOU can make the right choices for YOUR family.

Always,

Dr. Stephanie

Children’s Art Work

How do you pay attention to the art work your children bring home? What types of explicit or implicit messages do you tell the about their creativity? I recently found a great article that I recommend for reading to help parents and caregivers analyze their own reactions to what children bring home from school:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/27/garden/27art.html?_r=1

Enjoy!

Dr. Stephanie

Brief Article at Little One Books

Check out an article by Dr. Stephanie at http://blog.littleonebooks.com/

Enjoy!

Teenage Pregnancy

Interesting article related to teenage pregnancy in one high school in Memphis, TN.

The article made me start to think about the current state of sex education in both public and private schools across the U.S. More importantly, what are parents doing today from a prevention standpoint to curtail teen pregnancies? Not talking about it does NOT resolve the problem. Teens are curious…they want to try, touch, feel, explore. Skirting around the issue of sexuality does not afford your teen or tween the luxury of knowing how to say “no” or delay the decision to engage in sexual activities. In fact, a lack of open communication about the topic may make sexual activities more taboo and subsequently more exotic to tweens and teens. Consider that!

Check out the article: http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/01/14/5841767-90-pregnancies-at-one-high-school?GT1=43001

Article in Parenting Magazine

Check out a Q & A with Dr. Stephanie at: http://www.parents-digital.com/parents/201101/?pg=121&pm=2&u1=friend

Enjoy!

Chinese Mothers

Check out an interesting article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

The article discusses nuances in parenting such as stressing academic success, the cultural importance of sports, language differences across Western and Eastern cultures, and how praise is used different in Eastern and Western cultures.

I think this article highlights how parenting is customized for each and every child and is individualized based on culture, special needs, temperament–among many other factors.