TIP OF THE WEEK- By Lillian Reekie
TIP 19-
Be able to admit that something you did may have been wrong and be willing to apologise.
It is expected that if children make a mistake or doing something wrong or inappropriate that they apologise. The same should be expected of parents and carers of children. If you lose your cool, yell, try to control or treat your child in any way that you would not like to be treated just tell them you are “sorry” or ask for their forgiveness (or better still both). Children really appreciate that we too make mistakes and are very quick to forgive us, especially when we apologise for any parenting ‘meltdowns’.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
TIP OF THE WEEK- By Lillian Reekie TIP 18- As parents we are both the teacher and the student. Be ready for your lessons!
TIP OF THE WEEK- By Lillian Reekie
TIP 18-
As parents we are both the teacher and the student.
Be ready for your lessons!
Our role as parents are to guide our children, to encourage and support them from toddler to adult. It is about allowing them to experience life and make decisions and choices that affect them (which are age appropriate). It is about teaching them by example; love, tolerance, integrity, acceptance, respect, cooperation and many of the values important for a well balanced life.
It is also about letting go of only being the teacher and being open to also being the student. Today’s children have so many lessons for us and we too must be willing to be open and ready to learn from them. Our children chose us as parents and for that we must be so grateful and embrace the lessons they were sent to teach us.
So keep your eyes and mind open for those lessons, allow your relationship with your children to include being both the teacher and the student!
Monday, July 12, 2010
TIP OF THE WEEK- By Lillian Reekie
TIP 17-
Don’t sweat the small stuff!
Sometimes we get caught up with the little things our children do (or don’t do) that sends our tolerance temperature gauge up high. Keeping in mind that we want to focus our communications with our children on the ‘positive’ things they do, does it really make sense to worry about all the small stuff. Continue to let your children know you love, tolerate and support them at all times and if ‘the small stuff’ is really annoying you discuss it with your child at a time when you are both calm. The discussion should be to gain cooperation and perhaps come to a compromise NOT for you to TELL them what YOU want.
TIP 17-
Don’t sweat the small stuff!
Sometimes we get caught up with the little things our children do (or don’t do) that sends our tolerance temperature gauge up high. Keeping in mind that we want to focus our communications with our children on the ‘positive’ things they do, does it really make sense to worry about all the small stuff. Continue to let your children know you love, tolerate and support them at all times and if ‘the small stuff’ is really annoying you discuss it with your child at a time when you are both calm. The discussion should be to gain cooperation and perhaps come to a compromise NOT for you to TELL them what YOU want.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Does Anyone Know What Causes ADHD?
Does Anyone Know What Causes ADHD?
Thought this would be of interest. Some good information.
Most would answer no, we don’t. However, we do know the food choices of most children are beyond poor. How could you possibly expect a child to have normal behavior if he is fed refined grains, sugars, processed foods loaded with chemicals, and juices and soft drinks instead of pure water? Add to that 90 percent fewer vegetables than what is required for health, along with an overabundance of omega-6 fats and a virtual lack of omega-3 fats.
If you are a cook you will immediately recognise that this is a recipe for disaster. You simply cannot have a healthy functioning brain in a child that is not given the proper ingredients to develop optimal brain function.
This is not rocket science, folks. But it is easy to understand why there is so much confusion regarding this issue when the drug companies spend BILLIONS of dollars to confuse you with direct-to-consumer ads on TV (in US), in addition to brainwashing physicians to stick to the belief system that drugs, not foods, are the answer for children with behavior problems.
Five Powerful Tools to Virtually Eliminate ADHD!
* Eliminate most grains and sugars from your/your child’s diet
* Replace soft drinks, fruit juices and pasteurised milk with clean water
* Increase omega-3 fats by taking an effective form of omega-3 oil like krill oil
* Minimise your use of nearly all vegetable oils -- they are loaded with omega-6 fats, which distort the powerful omega-6:3 ratio
* Avoid all processed foods, especially those containing artificial colors, flavours and preservatives
By Dr. Mercola | December 01 2007
See Hidden Dangers book for more info on theses topics at www.hiddendangers.com.au
Thought this would be of interest. Some good information.
Most would answer no, we don’t. However, we do know the food choices of most children are beyond poor. How could you possibly expect a child to have normal behavior if he is fed refined grains, sugars, processed foods loaded with chemicals, and juices and soft drinks instead of pure water? Add to that 90 percent fewer vegetables than what is required for health, along with an overabundance of omega-6 fats and a virtual lack of omega-3 fats.
If you are a cook you will immediately recognise that this is a recipe for disaster. You simply cannot have a healthy functioning brain in a child that is not given the proper ingredients to develop optimal brain function.
This is not rocket science, folks. But it is easy to understand why there is so much confusion regarding this issue when the drug companies spend BILLIONS of dollars to confuse you with direct-to-consumer ads on TV (in US), in addition to brainwashing physicians to stick to the belief system that drugs, not foods, are the answer for children with behavior problems.
Five Powerful Tools to Virtually Eliminate ADHD!
* Eliminate most grains and sugars from your/your child’s diet
* Replace soft drinks, fruit juices and pasteurised milk with clean water
* Increase omega-3 fats by taking an effective form of omega-3 oil like krill oil
* Minimise your use of nearly all vegetable oils -- they are loaded with omega-6 fats, which distort the powerful omega-6:3 ratio
* Avoid all processed foods, especially those containing artificial colors, flavours and preservatives
By Dr. Mercola | December 01 2007
See Hidden Dangers book for more info on theses topics at www.hiddendangers.com.au
State sued for school 'abuse' of autistic boy
A must read for ALL PARENTS AND CARERS OF CHILDREN
State sued for school 'abuse' of autistic boy
NATALIE CRAIG
July 4, 2010
A SEVERELY autistic boy is suing the state government over claims he was abused and ''chemically restrained'' with medication by his ex-school.
The claim comes as disability advocates say autistic children are increasingly sedated with drugs in place of effective behavioural treatments.
Ellen Modra is suing in the Federal Court on behalf of her son Luke, now 21, under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Ms Modra says staff at a school for autism in Melbourne conspired with a medical practitioner to prescribe her son, then about 12, with three times the recommended dose of antipsychotic drug risperidone. As a result Luke developed a neurological condition characterised by jerky, involuntary movements, she alleges.
She says he was also physically restrained and abused while in respite care and at school, including being locked for long periods in a courtyard.
''The school was supposed to be there for people with autism, but we wound up in a situation where nobody loved him, nobody wanted him and he deteriorated,'' Mrs Modra told The Sunday Age. ''They told us he was incapable of learning … the best they could do was try to contain him with drugs.''
In May, Victoria's Senior Practitioner, Jeffrey Chan, called for a review of the increasing number of young Victorians in state care being ''chemically restrained'' with mood stabilisers and sedatives.
Disability advocate Julie Phillips said she was helping several parents of autistic children whose schools had recommended medication.
''Schools are increasingly making requests that parents consider medication, which is often linked with an inability to support the child in the class,'' Ms Phillips said. ''They simply lack the resources to cope.''
The Sunday Age last month reported that an autistic boy who had been taking Prozac suffered a violent breakdown at his Geelong school. His mother said he had been taking the drug on advice from the school, and it distorted his moods.
The school said it had suggested the student required an acute management plan that included medication, which had been suggested by a doctor.
Another parent, who is considering suing the state over her son's treatment at a special school, said the school invited parents to a presentation on behavioural medications. ''I was gobsmacked,'' she said. ''They were essentially promoting drugs for our children.''
Ms Modra said her son's school insisted he be medicated in order to attend, and that staff liaised directly with his doctor, who eventually increased his risperidone dose to three times the maximum recommended for autism.
''We were so emotional and distressed at what was happening, we agreed. But we now know it was chemical restraint,'' Ms Modra said.
Professor Alasdair Vance, head of child psychiatry at the Royal Children's Hospital, said risperidone, in conjunction with social treatments, was appropriate as a last resort.
He said schools had to ensure all children were safe and able to learn, and parents needed to work with schools to develop appropriate programs.
Early intervention programs for children with autism were making significant inroads in treating the disorder, and many schools had provided effective autism programs, he said.
An Education Department spokesman declined to comment on the Modra case but said: ''From time to time, families ask and give their permission to schools to provide information to medical specialists about the well-being or behaviour of their child during school hours … medical specialists may use the information to help make an assessment … ''
State sued for school 'abuse' of autistic boy
NATALIE CRAIG
July 4, 2010
A SEVERELY autistic boy is suing the state government over claims he was abused and ''chemically restrained'' with medication by his ex-school.
The claim comes as disability advocates say autistic children are increasingly sedated with drugs in place of effective behavioural treatments.
Ellen Modra is suing in the Federal Court on behalf of her son Luke, now 21, under the Disability Discrimination Act.
Ms Modra says staff at a school for autism in Melbourne conspired with a medical practitioner to prescribe her son, then about 12, with three times the recommended dose of antipsychotic drug risperidone. As a result Luke developed a neurological condition characterised by jerky, involuntary movements, she alleges.
She says he was also physically restrained and abused while in respite care and at school, including being locked for long periods in a courtyard.
''The school was supposed to be there for people with autism, but we wound up in a situation where nobody loved him, nobody wanted him and he deteriorated,'' Mrs Modra told The Sunday Age. ''They told us he was incapable of learning … the best they could do was try to contain him with drugs.''
In May, Victoria's Senior Practitioner, Jeffrey Chan, called for a review of the increasing number of young Victorians in state care being ''chemically restrained'' with mood stabilisers and sedatives.
Disability advocate Julie Phillips said she was helping several parents of autistic children whose schools had recommended medication.
''Schools are increasingly making requests that parents consider medication, which is often linked with an inability to support the child in the class,'' Ms Phillips said. ''They simply lack the resources to cope.''
The Sunday Age last month reported that an autistic boy who had been taking Prozac suffered a violent breakdown at his Geelong school. His mother said he had been taking the drug on advice from the school, and it distorted his moods.
The school said it had suggested the student required an acute management plan that included medication, which had been suggested by a doctor.
Another parent, who is considering suing the state over her son's treatment at a special school, said the school invited parents to a presentation on behavioural medications. ''I was gobsmacked,'' she said. ''They were essentially promoting drugs for our children.''
Ms Modra said her son's school insisted he be medicated in order to attend, and that staff liaised directly with his doctor, who eventually increased his risperidone dose to three times the maximum recommended for autism.
''We were so emotional and distressed at what was happening, we agreed. But we now know it was chemical restraint,'' Ms Modra said.
Professor Alasdair Vance, head of child psychiatry at the Royal Children's Hospital, said risperidone, in conjunction with social treatments, was appropriate as a last resort.
He said schools had to ensure all children were safe and able to learn, and parents needed to work with schools to develop appropriate programs.
Early intervention programs for children with autism were making significant inroads in treating the disorder, and many schools had provided effective autism programs, he said.
An Education Department spokesman declined to comment on the Modra case but said: ''From time to time, families ask and give their permission to schools to provide information to medical specialists about the well-being or behaviour of their child during school hours … medical specialists may use the information to help make an assessment … ''
Monday, July 5, 2010
If you are co- parenting it is SO important to be back to back with each other
TIP OF THE WEEK- By Lillian Reekie
TIP 16-
If you are co- parenting it is SO important to be back to back with each other.*
The parenting messages you send to your children will be way more effective if both parents/carers are consistent in their communications with the child.
Children are clever and will play one against the other if they see inconsistencies. They will also be confused if one parent says and does something one way and the other parent another way. Parenting should be team work. You should both work out your parenting style and not contradict one another (especially in front of the children). Support each other as parents as your joint goal is surely to have happy and healthy children and relationships all round.
*This takes much work from all that play a large role in raising your children, Whether you are raising your children together or separately it is important to be on the same page. Involve people like extended family and teachers and let them know your parenting ideas and strategies. If it works for you at home it will be even more effective if followed outside the home if possible.
This is not always possible but at least communicate with those outside the home that care for your child. I’m sure they want the best out of and for your child too :)
TIP 16-
If you are co- parenting it is SO important to be back to back with each other.*
The parenting messages you send to your children will be way more effective if both parents/carers are consistent in their communications with the child.
Children are clever and will play one against the other if they see inconsistencies. They will also be confused if one parent says and does something one way and the other parent another way. Parenting should be team work. You should both work out your parenting style and not contradict one another (especially in front of the children). Support each other as parents as your joint goal is surely to have happy and healthy children and relationships all round.
*This takes much work from all that play a large role in raising your children, Whether you are raising your children together or separately it is important to be on the same page. Involve people like extended family and teachers and let them know your parenting ideas and strategies. If it works for you at home it will be even more effective if followed outside the home if possible.
This is not always possible but at least communicate with those outside the home that care for your child. I’m sure they want the best out of and for your child too :)
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