The Blog of P.U.R.E. and Sue Scheff

School will be out for the holidays and there will be a lot of idle time for teens. Do you know have plans for them? At this time of the year, as well as at spring break, I hear from many parents that are struggling with their good teens making not so good choices. By the time they call Parents’ Universal Resource Experts , it has usually escalated to a decision many parents don’t want to make. Should they consider a residential therapy school? Before it reaches the point of having to make a call for help, let’s look at some options you can encourage your teens to do to keep constructively busy during their holiday time-off. Hanging out is not always a bad thing, however it can be when it leads to negative activity and behavior. Having this time-out can is also an opportunity to do things as a family. Spending more time together helps open up the lines of communication. 1. Let’s see what movies are playing. The kids love to hang at theaters, but try to find movies you all can ...

Did you take part in Black Friday? Many people set their alarm clocks for those 4:00am sales. Everyone is looking for a bargain. In a year that has been less than financially friendly to many families, these early morning sales can help them make a difference in giving their child that special gift they asked for. During this time of year, it is also time to think about so many gifts that won't cost you money, however will be priceless in their value. Here are some ideas: Your time. It is that simple, your children crave your attention and would love to have more time with you. Can you make a promise to take more time out of your schedule and give it to your child? Learn about " Family Time Out " all year round. Volunteer with your family. There is nothing more fulfilling than giving back to those with less. Contact your local Goodwill , Red Cross or Salvation Army . Find out where the homeless shelters or soup kitchens are in your area - take a day to donate your t...

It is always better to give than it is to receive. We hear that a lot and for good reason. It is true! This is such an important topic, there will be two parts to this article. VolunteerSpot is a fantastic organization designed to help you give back to your community. There are no more excuses! During this holiday season, take the time to learn more about your neighborhood and what their needs are. The founder of VolunteerSpot , Karen Bantuveris, recently took time to answer questions about her mission and hopefully will give you inspiration to take steps to help others this holiday season and all year round! Part 1: 1. Why and when did you start VolunteerSpot? I'm a working mom and when my daughter entered school I knew I wanted to be active in the classroom and with her Scout troop, etc. I wanted to quickly and easily schedule my volunteer commitments with the rest of my business calendar, but my inbox kept filling up with back and forth emails over how many cupcakes to bring to...

As we are now approaching the holidays, many people will be in malls or shopping plazas. It is time to review some tips to insure you and your family’s safety. Be sure to go over these with teenagers and caregivers. •When parking your vehicle to go shopping, remember where you parked it! Write it down if you have to. This can save you time and frustration after a long day of shopping. •Always park in a well lit and well traveled area. •Have your keys in your hand when approaching your vehicle. •Before entering your vehicle, scan the interior of your car to be sure no one is hiding inside. Check to see if you are being followed. Always be alert. •When storing items purchased at stores, place them out of sight in a locked trunk. •Do not leave your purse, wallet, or cellular telephone in view; always LOCK VEHICLE, while driving or leaving your vehicle parked, even when in your own driveway. •Don’t resist if someone tries to take any of your belongings. Don’t chase someone who robs you, th...

Hoping everyone has a safe and fun Memorial Day. Most importantly take the time to honor the many people that have served our wonderful country. Since I usually Blog about Parenting Articles, I have to bring your attention to a fantastic article from Educuation.com - The Real Meaning of Memorial Day - read more here: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/The_Real_Meaning_of_Memorial_Day/

What a beautiful day to spend with your family and loved ones. Holidays are a perfect reason to put aside your personal hectic schedules and celebrate what Easter means to you and share with those you love. In today's high-tech world, there doesn't seem to be enough one-on-one time together - but we can't give up that technology when we want to reach out across the country to touch more friends and families. Take the time today to smell the roses (tulips) or life in general.