Mi Choza De Nipa

The mental health issue keeps on being discussed and debated, and I've seen one article that relates mental health problems with poverty, and goes on to say why. And there is one other aspect of the article that I like: insisting that parents take a stand on child-rearing despite the odd facts of life. I can't repost the article here due to copyright issues, so if you are getting interested, click below for the article: Behavioral, mental health problems play big role in other childhood issues Related articles Mental Health on Abortion and Childbearing (beinghealthyhomeandaway.blogspot.com) Some news for Translucid and for Bob (translucid.ca) Three in 10 Britons suffer sleep problems which could cause mental health problems (mirror.co.uk) Better Mental Health Care Won't End Murder, But It Will Save Lives [Aftermath] (jezebel.com) You: Nick Clegg to unveil £400m plan to help "cure" mental health patients - Mirror.co.uk (news.google.com) Mental ...

By Dr James Dobson Not all mums can stay home with their kids. But that doesn’t mean they have to settle for a poor work schedule. A lot of companies today are more child-friendly than we give them credit for. Sometimes, just asking for a change in schedule makes a lot of difference in the time we get to spend at home. And that change may take some negotiation, but it is worth the effort. Begin by learning all you can about your company ’s policy regarding flexitime. Then arrange a meeting with your boss to discuss your proposal. You may need to write your ideas on paper, so you don’t forget. And be specific. If you’re going to ask for a change, tell them exactly how you propose to do it while still getting your work done. Assure them that you’ll still be available for emergencies or additional work. Show your boss how it can be a win-win situation, and he’ll likely be more open to the idea than you might expect. From TODAY, Voices - Tuesday, 13-July-2010 ----- Related ...

By Dr Bill Maier Are you constantly unhappy with the way you look? Maybe you need a change – and I’m not talking about a makeover. Self-image is a strange thing. Many people you would consider handsome or pretty actually struggle to accept the way they look. A girl may think her nose is too big when it’s a perfectly normal size. A man may fret over a bald spot that no one else even notices. How we see ourselves is seldom the way others see us. Poor self-image often comes from a parent who didn’t accept us, or failed to build us up as they should have. And it probably wasn’t a conscious thing on their part — they were simply reacting the way their parents reacted to them. Blaming your parents does no good. The healthy approach is to get past your childhood and move forward. Learning to accept yourself may take a lot of work — even counselling — but it’s critical to a happy future. From TODAY, Voices - Thursday, 01-July-2010 ----- Related articles by Zemanta Rob Asgh...

By Dr Bill Maier What do you do when you love your child but cannot seem to get along with him? All of us have days when our children grate at our nerves. With some parents, however, those days are the norm. We all love our children dearly but sometimes their personalities are so different from ours that we clash with them at every turn. Begin by reminding yourself that they are not trying to drive you crazy on purpose. They merely think differently. Children are created with a unique set of gifts and qualities, and these things make them who they are. Some of the very traits that you struggle to deal with when they are four years old may catapult them towards great things later in life. Instead of trying to change your child’s personality, learn to embrace it. Even if you do clash in the process. From TODAY, Voices - Wednesday, 30-June-2010 ----- Related articles by Zemanta Rob Asghar: Generation 'N' for 'Narcissist': Pushover Parents and the Kids ...

Image via Wikipedia By Dr James Dobson You don't see many mothers dress like Wonder Woman these days, but I think any mother who lovingly raises a child from infancy to adulthood deserves to be called a Superhero. I recall a time many years ago when my wife broke her leg skiing, requiring me to play Mr Mum for two weeks. It was a lot tougher than advertised. On my first morning on the job, our headstrong three-year-old boy began teaching me the rules of the game called “motherhood”. At 6am, I was woken from a deep, dreamy sleep by his loud cry and he continued shrieking as I staggered down the hall. When I pushed open his bedroom door, the crying immediately stopped and a cheery little voice said, “Is breakfast ready?” He followed me into the kitchen, where I rummaged through the cupboards bleary-eyed, all the while being barraged with questions: “Why isn't the milk poured? Don't you even know where the eggs are?” and: “Are you sure you've ever done this before?” ...

This is a Father's Day post, and while late, i still would want to send out the greetings to all fathers out there: Happy Father's Day. Be blessed as a father , and be a blessing today! ----- By Dr James Dobson I’m told that when I was just a child — maybe two years of age — my family lived in a one-bedroom apartment. My little bed was located beside the bed of my parents. My father said it was common during that time for him to awaken at night to a little voice whispering: “Daddy? Daddy? Daddy?” My father would answer quietly: “What, Jimmy?” And I would say: “Hold my hand!” And Dad would reach across the darkness and grope for my little hand, finally engulfing it in his. He later said that the instant he had my hand firmly in his grip, my arm would become limp and my breathing deep and regular. I had immediately fallen back to sleep. You see, I only wanted to know that he was there! Until the day he died, I continued to reach for him — for his assurance, for his g...

By Dr James Dobson My mother and father were married for 43 years in one of the most beautiful, loving relationships the world has ever seen. When my mum turned 50, my father was beginning to think about the passage of time. And he wrote a wonderful poem on that day that he called, simply, Your Birthday. This is what he said: The whole world singing , now that Spring has come. I saw a robin in the morning sun. Among the pale green leaves and bursting buds, I heard His talk. But it is Autumn, where we walk. ‘Tis true for us, the Summer too is gone. Now, whiplash winds arise, and further on the ice and sleet and cold and grim assault to pierce us through. Does Fall in Spring-time frighten you? Impotent shines the April sun so fair, to melt the wisps of frost within your hair. My dear I know you feel the threatening gloom, but I’m with you and hand in hand, we’ll face the winter too. The winter did come for this man and woman, and they’re now both gone. But my dad kept...

By Dr James Dobson Imagine being depressed and miserable over the shape of your nose, or the texture of your skin or the colour of your hair. Dissatisfaction with one's body is an experience that most adolescents live with every day. If you were to ask a hundred teenagers what they're most unhappy about, 80 per cent of them would describe some minor physical imperfection with which they're stuck. They're either too tall or too short. Or they feel fat or too thin. Or that they hate the freckles on their nose. And most teenagers have heard about these perceived flaws from their peers – who often judge human worth strictly on the basis of physical attractiveness. At least a portion of the anger and frustration usually associated with adolescence can be traced to this vicious system of values that runs amok during the adolescent years. In my book Preparing for Adolescence , I recommend that parents begin to teach a different system of values in the period immedia...

By Dr James Dobson I was walking toward my car outside a shopping centre a few weeks ago when I heard a loud and impassioned howl. I spotted a man about 15 metres away who was in great distress. His fingers were caught in the car door, which had obviously been slammed unexpectedly. Crouching in the front seat was an impish little three-year-old boy who had apparently decided to close the door on dad. The father was pointing frantically at his fingers with his free hand and saying: “Oh, oh, open the door, Chuckie!” Chuckie finally got the message and unlocked the door, releasing dad’s blue fingers. The father then hopped and jumped around the parking lot muttering things that a child should never be allowed to hear. Now, I know this incident was painful for the man, but I must admit, it struck my funny bone. I suppose his plight symbolises the enormous cost of parenthood. If you find yourself stressed out by your kids today, who don’t seem to appreciate the sacrifices you’ve ...

by Dr Bill Maier Just when you thought you had your house all to yourself, look who shows up on your doorstep! More than ever, empty-nesters are opening their homes to a returning son or daughter. They’re called “boomerang” kids, and they’re growing in record numbers. Some are coming home to save money for university , or to search for the perfect job. Others may be going through personal problems and need a safe refuge. Whatever the reason, before the move-in takes place, make sure you sit down and discuss the boundaries and expectations. And do it quickly, so you don’t have any misunderstandings. No matter what their age, if they’re living under your roof, they need to live according to your rules. If it’s a temporary situation, set a clear timetable for their stay. Help them all you can, but be careful you don’t become an enabler to kids who just don’t want to grow up. From TODAY, Voices - Thursday, 20-May-2010 ----- Related articles by Zemanta How to Talk Money W...

By Dr Bill Maier At what age do you plan to let your teenagers start dating? Better decide now, before your children get older. In the past, most parents said 16 was a proper age, but today, a lot of families are questioning whether that is a good idea. You have to wonder what good can come of two hormonally-charged teenagers pairing off and spending hours together with no supervision. It is a formula for trouble. Many parents now encourage their teens to group date. It is a great way for young adults to develop healthy relationships without the unhealthy temptation. Other parents allow their children to date, but not until the age of 18, and even then in moderation. However you feel about your kids’ dating habits, it’s important to discuss it with them at an early age. Make sure they understand your rules – and your reasoning behind those rules. From TODAY, Voices - Tuesday, 18-May-2010 ----- Related articles by Zemanta The Five Love Languages of Teenagers - Recomme...

By Dr Bill Maier For all the tasks that life puts on our plate, there is one area where none of us can afford to fail. Between being busy with work and many of life’s other activities, it is amazing anything gets done well. But there is one area of life that stands heads above the rest in importance: Raising kids to be healthy, happy, and well adjusted. It is the most critical thing we will ever do. Parenting is serious business . The stakes are unbelievably high, and the cost of failure is immense. We are raising the leaders of the next generation, and what we do with that responsibility will echo into history. The world is filled with good counsellors who are ready with great advice and resources. So, when you feel confused and challenged by the job of parenting, don’t be afraid to ask for help. From TODAY, Voices - Monday, 17-May-2010 -----

By Dr James Dobson Take all the problems associated with parenting and multiply them by two. Now you have some idea of what I call the single-parent blues : Having twice the problems, with half the resources to deal with them. How do the blues get started? Often, it’s with the single parents themselves. Unwittingly, those parents will pass on their own stress points to their kids. Take, for example, the issue of self-esteem . Children in single-parent homes are more likely to fight and compete with one another for love and acceptance. Why? Because the parent is struggling with these very feelings themselves and has only a limited amount to share with the children. Bitterness is another transferable commodity. If a parent feels resentment over the death of a spouse or has anger against a departing husband or wife, the children will often display feelings of anger and bitterness that they can’t explain. A harsh attitude by the remaining parent can deeply wound children who ma...

Image via Wikipedia By Dr James Dobson What can a mother do when she feels confused and frustrated about raising a son? Many women these days express a sense of anxiety about dealing with their own sons. Whether she’s single or married, there’s a feeling of not being equipped to meet the special challenges of teaching and training a young boy. A friend of mine, Mrs Jean Lush, has written a wonderful book on the subject called Mothers and Sons . I think many mothers will be encouraged to hear her advice. First, she says that mothers should realise that it’s normal for little boys to be difficult — even extremely difficult. Emerging masculinity can be a boisterous and destructive force. Mothers should learn to anticipate their son’s energy level and look for ways to channel that force into exercise and constructive activity. Also, when we look at little boys, let’s keep in mind that they aren’t finished yet. History shows that many great men began as baffling, headstrong boys who...

Image by ashley.adcox via Flickr By Dr James Dobson When you teach your child about the natural world, you can start in your own backyard. Teaching children to appreciate nature is one of the most enjoyable tasks of parenting. It is also one of the simplest. Children are naturally curious about the world around them. When you start teaching your own child about nature, I suggest you take a cue from his own curiosity. If he walks into the house with an earthworm or a frog in his hand, see it as an opportunity. Our own two-year-old once asked his mother if worms could yawn. She was unprepared for the question. If you have a backyard, walk around with your child and look under the leaves and rocks to see what you can find. Even in a small fish tank , you can grow a garden and teach the miracle of plant life from seed to harvest. It only takes a little effort to kindle in your child a lasting fascination with the natural world. From TODAY, Voices - Friday, 16-April-2010...