WOLFPACK

As I examine our teen/tween boys that are currently in the middle school and high school, I see the following similarities: a lack of a consistent positive role model, a constant struggle with fitting in with their peers, and few friends. As parents, we tend to ask a lot of questions at this age in development. I find it most beneficial to pay more attention to your teen/tweens behaviors more than what they are saying, focusing on sudden changes in personality. In this case, actions “speak louder than words”. Sudden changes in personality could look like…for a shy boy, interest in a new sport that would be out of their character (boxing, wrestling) or an outgoing boy, wanting to change schools. Developmentally, erratic behaviors are often present, but paying attention to your child’s personality and the sudden changes will help you rule out normal developmental changes. You’re the parent, you are the expert on your child, but if you need assistant with interpreting what is normal developmentally and what is not, please contact us and we can help!



“Wolfpack” is an all boys (middle/high school) group. The group allows a sense of belonging with other boys, provides techniques and skills geared specifically to boys, includes parent instruction, and provides positive male role models as “pack leaders”. The “Wolfpack” begins in December 2009 and will occur once a month from 630-8pm. For more information and registration contact us, limited space available!

Daily Reflection

"There is…nothing to suggest that mothering cannot be shared by several people."
H.R. Schaffer

Bullying

BULLYING AND ITS DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS



The St. Louis Metropolitan area recently came into the spotlight following a terrible bullying incident that occurred in Belleville, Ill., when two teens beat another teen student on the bus. As a result, this topic was fervently discussed among administrators, students, families and national media, all in a quest to determine how and why this incident happened.






Locally, radio stations KMOX-AM and Y98 FM turned to teen expert Russell Hyken for his expertise on the subject of bullying. Some of his recommendations include:






•Parents should have a conversation with their kids about what to do in a bullying situation.






•Recommend to your kids that they sit with friends if they feel threatened because there is always safety in numbers.






•Always document any problems that your kids report to you so the school has record and can address the problem accordingly.






•Encourage your kids not to be afraid to talk to you about a bully. Reassure them that you are there to help resolve the problem.
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Just encountering a "bullying" situation personally and professionally with my kids that I work with and at home, I thought this article to be fitting.  I believe it is important to add that one should "listen and watch" more than you talk, when believing there is a bullying situation arising with your child.  Is your child not wanting to go to school anymore, talking about not having friends or playing by theirself, wanting to "change" schools, or pleading to participate in sports that were not an interest before (ex. boxing). Observing behaviors or personality characteristics that are different from the norm will give you a ton of insight without having to outwardly ask questions.  Remembering that being "bullied" can be an uncomfortable/embarrassing/shameful situation to discuss, although important to ensure safety with your child earn their trust by treating them with respect when approaching this situation, the more facts you have ahead of time, the less you will have to ask and make it personal and it can be more about techniques and tips.