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

Parent’s Universal Resource Experts, Inc. (P.U.R.E.™) was founded in 2001 by author and parent advocate,  Sue Scheff . Since that time, P.U.R.E.™ has provided over 100,000 families with valuable information and resources for their at risk children and teens.  These are teens who are  struggling  with  peer pressure , experimenting with  drugs and alcohol , and are  simply good kids starting to make bad choices . We have many very satisfied families who have used our services.  Call today for a free consultation or visit www.helpyourteens.com for more information.  Fill out a contact form.

Parent's Universal Resource Experts, Inc launched their new website today.  It still has several glitches - links not active, but overall it is up and running.  We hope you like it.  It has been years since it had a face-lift. In addition to being mobile ready, we have added a 3-minute video.  Take time to learn more about us and how we have helped many families since 2001.  If you need help with an at-risk teen, please feel free to contact us at www.helpyourteens.com .

No matter what time of the year it is, dealing with a teenager that is pushing the limits and creating friction in your home can be a stressful time. Compound that with the holidays approaching and knowing there will be time off from school, can be a bit overwhelming.  Will they get into more trouble or will they be busy with constructive projects?  Maybe get a part-time job? In most cases, my colleague and I hear from parents that are at their wit's end and realize that if they don't intervene the consequences could be serious. Holiday time is not always the most opportune time of year, however troubled teenagers don't know when to take vacations. When parents call us for help in searching for residential therapy , many want to try to keep them as close to home as possible. There are some concerns we express when we speak with the parent about selecting a program as it pertains to the location: Convenience is nice, however the priority is what is best for yo...

After 12 years, my organization has been recognized for helping literally thousands of parents and families with their tweens, teens and young adults. Recently I was interviewed by Career Thoughts . Parents' Universal Resource Experts, Inc was created after I was duped online by trying to get my own daughter help.  I was a parent at my wit's end .  I was vulnerable - I was scammed - and my daughter suffered the consequences. Many people have asked about her, and she is now a grown woman, successful in her career and has two children of her own.  We have overcome the hurdles - not because of the horrific program she went to, but in spite of it - and because of the fantastic help we found after it to help de-programize her from the damage they did to her. I always share with parents to learn from my mistake and gain from my knowledge.  That is the biggest gift I can give. Enjoy this article -click here .  

At first, "drunkorexia" may sound like kind of a funny word, jokingly made up to describe a situation in which college students and others forgo food in order to be able to afford more alcohol and feel higher effects of alcohol on an empty stomach. But what some may brush off as crazy college-kid behavior is actually a serious problem that can have highly damaging consequences both in long- and short-term health. Of course, that hasn't stopped college students from engaging in this unhealthy trend, and a study at the University of Missouri-Columbia indicated that one in six students had practiced drunkorexia within the last year. Typically, drunkorexia is done by women; the study showed that three out of four drunkorexia respondents were female. Students may not realize that drunkorexia is incredibly damaging to their health, but the fact remains that the practice puts them at risk for problems like sexually transmitted diseases, malnutrition, and even s...

NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) has created an extremely informative and educational website to keep parents, teachers, teens and kids informed on substances and all forms or mind altering drugs that are being used today. Here is a snapshot to learn about the effects of drug abuse on the body and the brain. Anabolic Steroids – Anabolic steroids are artificial versions of a hormone that’s in all of us — testosterone. Some people take anabolic steroid pills or injections to try to build muscle faster. Cocaine – Cocaine is made from the leaf of the coca plant. It often comes in the form of a white powder that some people inhale through their nose. Another form of cocaine, known as crack, can be smoked. Hallucinogens – Hallucinogens cause people to experience – you guessed it – hallucinations, imagined experiences that seem real. Inhalants – Hair spray, gasoline, spray paint — they are all inhalants, and so are lots of other everyday products. Some people i...

Yes, your teen is making bad choices. Yes, your teen is failing. Yes, your teen is experimenting with drugs. Yes, your teen is hanging out with less than desirable kids. Yes, your teen may be having sex. Yes, your teen is disrespectful. Yes, your teen needs help !  They don't need to be harmed! If you feel you are at your wit's end and have exhausted all your local resources - therapy isn't working or your teen simply refuses to go, it may be time to start thinking about residential therapy. This doesn't mean you are a bad parent, quite the contrary, you are giving your teen a second opportunity at a bright future. Need more information? Visit www.HelpYourTeens.com .

The authorities all but tell you (or they do tell you) "typical teen" they will show up eventually.  In the meantime you are a nervous wreck. What do you do?  Here are some quick tips for you: Keep an updated phone list with the home and cell numbers of your teen's friends. Using the phone list, call every one of your teen's friends. Talk immediately with their parents, not their friends, as teenagers will often stick together and lie for each other. The parent will tell you anything they know, including the last time contact was made between their child and yours. They will also know to keep closer tabs on their own child. Keep an updated photo of your child on hands at all times. With this photo, create one-page flyers including all information about your teen and where they were last seen. Post these flyers everywhere your teen hangs out, as well as anywhere else teenagers in general hang out. Post anywhere they will allow you to. Immed...

Do you suspect your teen is using drugs? Or it isn't your teen, it is their friends? Don't be a parent in denial, you aren't helping your child. Does it start with marijuana? Advance to pills? On to needles? There can be so many different paths your teen can take to the road to addiction, but the one path they need to realize is they don’t need to start to begin with.  Understanding the risks and dangers is the beginning of teaching prevention. October 31st through November 6th is National Drug Facts Week . This is an opportunity to shatter the myths about drug and substance abuse as well as become an educated parent and build a stronger drug-free community. What is ecstasy? “Ecstasy ” is a slang term for MDMA , short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a name that’s nearly as long as the all-night parties where MDMA is often used. That’s why MDMA has been called a “club drug.” It has effects similar to those of other stimulants, and it often makes t...

Shatter the Myths! National Drug Facts Week is Monday, October 31st through Sunday, November 6th, 2011. Why do people and teens smoke when they know it is bad for them? Maybe they smoke because they can’t stop. People start smoking for different reasons,but most keep doing it because of one reason—they are addicted to nicotine. DID YOU KNOW? Research says that teens who see a lot of smoking in movies are more likely to start smoking themselves. Sometimes characters smoke to look edgy and rebellious; but sometimes it’s justabout “product placement” — the tobacco industry trying to get into your head and your pockets. Teen Drinking: FACT:  More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking before age 15 eventually become alcoholics. Teen Prescription Drug Use: FACT:  In 2007, prescription pain medications like Vicodin and OxyContin were involved in more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined. Want to learn more FACTS about teens and substance use?  Down...

Did you know: Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don't, yet only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.  Take the pledge: Take the Red Ribbon Pledge now and be a part of the creation of a drug free America. What's the Pledge about? As parents, we will talk to our children about the dangers of drug abuse. We will set clear rules for our children about not using drugs. We will set a good example for our children by not using illegal drugs or medicine without a prescription. We will monitor our children's behavior and enforce appropriate consequences, so that our rules are respected. We will encourage family and friends to follow the same guidelines to keep children safe from substance abuse. I pledge to set guidelines to help children grow up safe, healthy and drug-free. - Click here .

Teen peer pressure is a serious concern. If your teen has a choice of their childhood friend or a less desirable group of friends (in an effort to fit into a group that they believe are cool) - who would they choose?  Their BFF or EX? What path will your teen choose? National Drug Facts Week is Monday, October 31st through Sunday, November 6th, 2011. Sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Drug Facts Week is an annual official health observance designed to shatter the myths and spread the facts about drug abuse and addiction. National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) is a health observance week for teens that aims to shatter the myths about drugs and drug abuse. Through community-‐based events and activities on the Web, on TV, and through contests, NIDA is working to encourage teens to get factual answers from scientific experts about drugs and drug abuse. Download the NDFW Info Sheet ! PeerX : RX abuse is drug abuse. Over and over again pare...

Early decision - may secure your first choice school. Do you have a high school senior? Are they in the middle of applying to colleges? Do they have a favorite - first choice? Have they considered early decision or early action? Many parents are not aware of the early decision option if your teen has a strong desire for a specific college and believe they are a perfect candidate for them. What is early decision and early action ?  There are slight differences you and your teen need to understand. You should understand the differences between early decision and early action before sending in your applications. Keep in mind that the rules may vary somewhat by college. Check with your counselor to make sure you understand your rights and obligations. Below are some important facts about the types of early-application plan. Early decision plans are binding. You agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Alth...

Are you at your wit's end? Summer is over – school is into their first quarter and your teen’s behavior is only escalating!  You are soon driven to your wit’s end! When a parent is reaching their wit’s end, they are most at risk for making mistakes – mistakes that can cost them financially as well as emotionally.  Good kids – bad choices:  Where did my innocent toddler go?  When therapy isn’t working This is not a science, in most cases when a belligerent, defiant and entitled teen is faced with a therapist or counselor, they will either close up like a clam, or tell the most amusing stories – which can be called – manipulation. Did you know it was your fault?  It really isn’t, but in some cases the teen can actually convince a therapist that it is the parents that have the problem, not them.  Again, another example of manipulation. Are you ready for a residential program? Have you exhausted all your local options? How do you know if y...

It was only a short time ago parents were scrambling to get school supplies and their kids ready for a new school year. Now the time is nearing for parents. Parent teacher conferences are usually set for October.   Are you ready? Here are some tips to help you get the most from your time with your child's teachers. Before the conference: Check grades and teacher expectations. Many schools post student’s grades on their Student Information System. So review your child’s past work. There’s no reason to get caught off guard. Jot questions and prioritize concerns. Take a few minutes to jot down questions for the teacher. Take those with you so you won’t forget to ask. Also, don’t forget to ask your kid if there is anything the teacher might tell you that you don’t know. (It’s always best to not be surprised.)   Meet your needs. If you need extra set of “ears” to be with you, you feel intimidated, or worry the teacher may use jargon you don’t und...

How many parents have seen their kids go crazy looking for their cell phone? How many parents are paying for cell phone services for their kids or teens? How many parents try to limit their teen's cell phone time? How many parents are finally learning to text to communicate with their teenager? Just another example of how parenting has become more challenging than generations prior.  Exactly what did we do when there weren't any cell phones? Sometimes, it appears that cell phones have become a required accessory attached to every kid and teenager that you see in public. You see them being used for calls, text messaging, music listening, and game playing, virtually everywhere that kids are found.So, how did kids survive without cell phones in the 80′s? 10 ways kids survived without cell phones:  Notes in Class. Kids in the 1980s may have been one of the last generations to have to rely on passing notes to communicate with each other during class. Pay Phone...

What is a helicopter parent, you ask? These are the parents that won’t let their kid out in the front yard to play without constant supervision. They won’t take a nap and risk their twelve year old being home ‘alone’. They are constantly hovering over their children and micromanaging their every move. How can you tell if you’re a helicopter parent? Well, you know you’re a helicopter parent when… You know the risks are incredibly high – Part of the problem is that with wall-to-wall Internet and cable news, every missing child case gets so much airtime that it’s not surprising even normal parental paranoia can be amplified. Know the real risks. You are afraid your child will literally die if left unsupervised – Mortality rates from all causes, including disease and accidents, for American children are lower now than they were 25 years ago. According to Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research group, between 1980 and 2003 death rates dropped by 44 percent for ch...

Is your teen skipping classes? Truancy is a term used to describe any intentional unauthorized absence from compulsory schooling. Children in America today lose over five million days of their education each year through truancy. Often times they do this without the knowledge of their parents or school officials. In common usage the term typically refers to absences caused by students of their own free will, and usually does not refer to legitimate “excused” absences, such as ones related to a medical condition. It may also refer to students who attend school but do not go to classes. Because of this confusion many schools have their own definitions, and as such the exact meaning of the term itself will differ from school to school and district to district. In order to avoid or diminish confusion, many schools explicitly define the term and their particular usage thereof in the school’s handbook of policies and procedures. In many instances truancy is the term referr...