ScottCounseling

Vanessa Van Petten does it again! ScottCounseling loves this author. Her insights, words of wisdom and positive applications for teens and adolescents hits the mark every time. Read, enjoy and learn!

Oh boy, the kids are at home, my sisters are scrounging with nothing to do. I thought it was time for a little 10 tips post! Most of these are academically geared because I think summer is great time to relax and to get ahead.

…most teens have no problem with the relaxing part, but need some help with the motivational part.

1. SAT Prep

Yes, summer is the best time for this. Get an SAT Review Book and just start going over vocab and taking practice… Continue Reading

Study Shows  Youngsters Use Inhalants as “Gateway” to Other Illicit Drugs

Author, Kelly Colihan, shares some alarming trends in preteen and teen use of inhalants ( Drugs administered by breathing in its vapors. Most inhalants are organic solvents such as glue and paint thinner or anesthetic gases) as “gateway” drug to other illegal and illicit drugs. Ms. Colihan and other child behavior experts share present date taken from over a half a million 12 through 17 year old student from across the United States. Child development experts are seeing increasing trends in younger children beginning to experiment with household products that include paint thinners, spray cans, glues and other toxic products to “get high.” The purpose of this article is… Continue Reading

Home should be a place where children feel truly comfortable about talking freely about their likes and dislikes, their friends and their feelings. Parenting children in an atmosphere with open communication, will help both the parent and child feel more comfortable during life’s ups and downs. This secures both parent and child and creates a safer family environment

If you notice a change in your child’s behavior, have a heart-to-heart talk. Find a comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted and talk with your child in a concerned and nonthreatening way. Ask teachers and school administrators if there’s a problem at school and, if so, ask them for help.

Here are some strategies for promoting good communication with your children and an… Continue Reading

To succeed in school, parents need to be involved in their children’s learning. It’s important to be involved early, and it’s important to stay involved. Learning the skills for success takes place at home as well as at school. Here are some of the things that parents can do at home and at school.

At Home

* Ask questions about things your children are learning and doing, and encourage them to give you lengthy answers.

* Keep books, magazines, and newspapers available. Use them yourself to show you value learning, too.

Have paper, pencils, crayons, and washable markers handy. This encourages children to practice writing.

Watch TV with your children, and talk with them about the things you like and don’t like about the shows. Be sure to… Continue Reading

When it comes to homework, it’s common for some children go through many developmental stages before they arrive at the acceptance stage of doing homework. Parenting children who refuse to do homework can be difficult. Below are ten successful steps that parents can use to help end the homework battle.

1. Set a daily schedule for homework and put the schedule where you will see it often. The best schedule and length of time will depend on your child.
2. Pick a well lit, fairly quiet place for your child to study. Make sure that necessary supplies are on hand and, if it is possible, let your child decorate their space with their favorite handmade artwork.
3. Remove distractions such as the television… Continue Reading

Are you a parent who’s having a difficult time getting your teen to sit down and have a conversation with you? Does your teen avoid your questions? Do you only get a one or two word answer or short comments from your child? Well, you are not a parent who is facing a rare situation. Many parents are searching for methods or strategies to get their child to open up with them. This article will provide you with some ideas to get your teen talking.

Parenting children, especially teens, requires patience and creativity. One way to get your teen taking is to use open-ended statements and questions. For example:

“So, you’re getting a “D” in math and, uh…” “So, tonight you are going… Continue Reading

Morality and Parenting

Part of our education as we grow and develop as human-beings is to establish a set of beliefs. Many of our beliefs and character traits pivot around our moral values. One of the benefits of raising children is not only passing on our family history and cultural beliefs, but moral beliefs, as well. Children, as early as the age of two, begin to understand the concepts of right and wrong. This article will help you, the parent, with some beginning talking points to begin discussing moral values with your child.

Possible Topics to Discuss:

• Your child sees cheating occurring at school.
• Your child witnesses drugs being sold at school.
• Your child finds some money or a valuable item

Does your parenting philosophy include the responsibility of having to make uncomfortable decisions for your children and family? You are not alone as a parent or an adult when it comes to feeling uncomfortable in telling someone, especially a child, “No.”

More and more parents are searching for a way to tell their child, “No.” Saying “no” is important. Numerous youth surveys indicate that children expect adults to say “no.” Here some considerations that parents need to make while considering telling their child “no.”

Tell your child that some of your answers will be “yes” and some answers will be “no.”

Tell yourself that it’s okay to tell your child “no.”

Enter… Continue Reading

Child do not want us to judge them; especially in a manner that compares them to other children. Successful parenting involves developing a relationship that includes open, positive conversations with your child.

Ask your child how he or she feels about the situation that you are discussing before you state your feelings or present your opinions.

Strive to keep your voice tone neutral and accepting. Be descriptive, rather than critical.

Descriptive example: “I heard you swear, what’s going on?”

Judgmental example: “People swear because they are not smart enough to select a better word.”

Descriptive example: “I see your wearing that beer shirt again. “The school does not allow it and neither do I.”

Judgmental example: “Kids who wear shirts like that turn into drug… Continue Reading

Teens normally come to their parents when they need to talk. Be patient. Your teen may appear to be rude, in a hurry or cut you short. This is not their intention. Be patient.

• Teens are not adults. You may from time to time have an adult conversation with your teen. Treasure this moment! Don’t expect it all the time.
• Teens often are more comfortable talking to their friends or peers than they are talking to adults; especially their parents. Again, nothing against you mom or dad, but kids their age are more fun to talk with. Be patient.
  Moody teens will avoid conversations with you.
• Happy teens may talk your ears off. You may have