ScottCounseling

Do you have a demanding child?

It’s not unusual for Children to begin to make some kind of demanding remarks between the ages of two and four years of age. This behavior is often a test given by a child to test parent limits and boundaries. Children who are demanding often are seeking control or may be facing some stress in their life. Parents who avoid stopping a child’s inappropriate demands… Continue Reading

 Do your children know the rules for the road?

School bus drivers have set rules that the school children must follow for the safety of all who ride the bus.  Elementary students are taught these rules during the school day.  If a student does not follow these rules, they are told that they may have to have an assigned seat, be suspended from the bus or be expelled permanently from the bus.  Parents may train their children with similar rules.  Here are some parenting tips:

· Sit down with your child and let them know the purpose of riding in a car.  “Cars are used to get us safely from our home to where we want to be.”  Ask the child these questions:
1. What… Continue Reading

Loving your child is…

There are hundreds of ways to show love for your child. Some are simple and some are not hard to do at all. Child psychologist and child development experts shared that you can not say “I love you” to your child too many times.  It’s important, however, before any parent can begin to show love toward their child, is to ask these two questions:

“What is love?” and “Do I love myself as a parent”

Yes, it’s important to love yourself first. As your child grows up, he or she will certainly be able to tell if you love yourself. They will be able to tell by the way you demonstrate your love for them. You see, the… Continue Reading

As a school counselor, I am beginning to see more younger females who exhibit the symptoms of depression or have been diagnosed with depression. Stress appears to be a leading factor for depression in younger females. Participation in too many activities, desire to get good grades and low self-esteem seem to bring about most of the stress symptoms exhibited. Child psychologist and child behavior experts agree that the increase in female teen depression is on the rise. More research in this category of child development needs to be explored. This article explores some of the social, biological and environmental factors involved in this area of depression.

Social and Economic Factors

The role that school, friendships… Continue Reading

It’s hard for a parent to say “no” when everything our children see in our culture today promotes “yes.” Advertising companies make and spend billions of dollars every year to get us to say “yes.” Our classroom teachers, who have been trained to say “no” in a variety of acceptable ways, have been replaced by Hollywood writers, video game producers, the music industry and other business cultures promoting “yes.”

“Yes “Is In and “No” Is Out

Unless you and your family live in a home built in a remote part of the country, where there are no billboards, televisions, radios, Internet, mail and other modes of advertising, your children will be exposed to hundreds of promotional ads each day. In fact… Continue Reading

Divorce is difficult. There are no easy answers. It’s difficult managing your own emotions and handling your own personal matters, let alone handling your child’s concerns. Below are some coping factors that you may want to consider while helping you child. It’s always important to take into account your child’s age, child development, level of maturity and emotional stability before you discuss the follow with your child.

• Is it possible for both parents meet with the child together?

Having the ability to meet together while discussing any issue, regarding your child, shows that you can still work together for the betterment of the child. The child sees that you are civil, respectful and sharing your concerns… Continue Reading

Some parents are against it. Some parents are for it. Is it a good idea or a bad idea for teenagers to get a job? Some parents want their teen to earn and handle their own money. There are plenty of jobs for teens out there, but do all teens fit for all jobs. There are many things parents should consider when their child asks if they could get a job. Children who are legal to work and want to do so can learn a lot about the world and who they are through the right job and learn about work ethic and earning money. Some can learn that through making an allowance at home. Child development and… Continue Reading

As a fun summer comes to an end, butterflies nerves fill the bellies of many children as they get dressed for their first day back to school. Parents assure their child that they will do “just fine.” For most children that’s where the anxiety ends; they reach the classroom, catch up with their friends and get on with their day. But for some children, the anxiety of leaving home and going to school is so overwhelming that they are unable to attend school at all; these children have become school phobic.

About 5-10% of American school children suffer from a mild form of what is commonly known as school phobia. About 1% suffer from a more severe form, leading to serious… Continue Reading

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people. A major cause of suicide is mental illness, commonly known as depression. Young adults who are suffering from depression are often overwhelmed by painful emotions and see death as the only way out. There are several categories or levels of depression.

Situational Depression: Sadness due to break up of friendship, loss, not being successful or a short term failure are common examples of situational depression. Almost ever human-being faces this kind of depression in their life time.

Acute Depression: On-going situational depression that may begin to affect the body in a physical manner. A constant sadness, lack of sleep and anxiety are common symptoms.

Chronic Depression: A constant, on-going depression… Continue Reading

The causes of depression in children are numerous. Child psychologist agree that depression is a complex disease that can occur as a result of a variety of childhood situations.

For some, depression occurs due to a loss of a loved one, a change or move, or after being placed in a situation that causes severe fear or abuse. Like adults, depression can occur in children due to family history.
Common factors involved in causing depression in children may include:

Personal and ongoing disputes within a family

Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse

Major events that occur in everyone’s lives, such as moving, starting school, divorce parents, death of a pet

Serious illness: depressed feelings are a common reaction to many medical illnesses certain medications.

A history of depression in… Continue Reading