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

By Aurelia Williams Teen smoking statistics are on the rise. It is very important that children are informed of the teen smoking statistics and the harmful effects of smoking.Having involved parents — those who know a lot about their children’s friends, activities and performance in school — can help children overcome peer influence to start teen smoking, according to a study by a researcher at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The study also confirmed earlier findings that the more widespread children think smoking is, the more likely they are to start. Moreover, children who are socially competent — who have the ability to exercise self-control and good judgment — and have parents who monitor their behavior tend not to start smoking. The study, which was published in the December 2002 issue of Prevention Science, surveyed students in four middle schools in a suburban Maryland school district. Why Parental Involvement Is Key While researchers have k...

Parenting Tips by Sue Scheff 1. Communication: Keeping the lines of communication of your child should be a priority with all parents. It is important to let your kids know you are always there for them no matter what the subject is. If there is a subject you are not comfortable with, please be sure your child has someone they can open up to. I believe that when kids keep things bottled up, it can be when negative behaviors can start to grow. 2. Knowing your Children’s Friends: This is critical, in my opinion. Who are your kids hanging out with? Doing their homework with? If they are spending a lot of time at a friends house, go out of your way to call the parent introduce yourself. Especially if they are spending the night at a friends house, it important to take time to call the parents or meet them. This can give you a feeling of security knowing where your child is and who they are with. 3. Know your Child’s Teachers – Keep track of their attendance at school: Take time to meet ...

Did you know 1 in 5 children will abuse inhalants by the 8th grade? Inhalant abuse refers to the deliberate inhalation or sniffing of fumes, vapors or gases from common household products for the purpose of "getting high". Learn More About Inhalant Abuse Today! www.inhalant.org - You may save a life.

Safe Eyes 5.0 Parental Control Software Receives Parents’ Choice Award Safe Eyes ™ 5.0, the latest edition of Internet parental control software from InternetSafety.com, has earned a 2008 Parents’ Choice Approved award from the Parents’ Choice Foundation. The award is the latest in a series of honors for the parental monitoring software, including two consecutive Editors’ Choice awards from PC Magazine. “If you think your family’s safety requires Internet filtering and monitoring, whatever level, this program provides an array of options to get it done,” said the Parents’ Choice Foundation in its recognition of the Safe Eyes product. The 30-year-old foundation is the nation’s oldest non-profit program created to recognize quality children’s media, including books, toys, music and storytelling, software, videogames, television and websites. “This commendation from the Parents’ Choice Foundation reflects the growing concern that parents have over their children’s Internet use as well as ...

By Connect with Kids “When parents talk about politics with their kids, when they participate themselves -- this leads to a higher level of interest in politics among their children,” – Dr. Alan Abramowitz, Political Science Professor, Emory University Nineteen-year-old Will Kelly is pounding the pavement, knocking on doors and talking to voters. Seventeen-year-old Amelia Hartley is answering phones, making copies and filing news clips. She is a die-hard Democrat, and he is a faithful Republican. Both teenagers have a passion for politics and for getting involved. “To be honest,” Will says of his volunteer work, “because I care about what’s going on and it troubles me to see how so many people become apathetic with what they do have in this country – that we take so much for granted.” “At 17, I can’t vote yet, I don’t pay taxes, but within a year I’m going to have to know enough about leaders – not only national, but local and state – to be able to say who I want running things,” says ...

By Sarah Maria http://www.breakfreebeauty.com/ Sara Maria is offering her E-Book, which is normally $27.00 for free to all readers! Click here for more information. Body Image in Teens If you're in high school, most of your friends are probably on a diet. A recent study shows that 90% of junior and senior girls are on a diet regularly, even though only 10-15% are actually overweight. The modeling industry also promotes the idea that you need to diet and exercise religiously. Fashion models are actually thinner than 98% of American women. An average woman stands 5'4" tall and weighs about 140 lbs, while the average fashion model is a towering 5'11" tall and weighs under 117 lbs. In reality no amount of dieting, exercise and discipline can earn you a magazine cover-ready body because those photos have been Photo Shopped, doctored and airbrushed. Don't waste your time attempting to be what you are not, instead; focus on cultivating who you are! Body Image Tip...

This Press Release is posted with the permission of InternetSafety.com - Visit Internet Safety for more vital information to protect your children online. 10 Tips For Keeping Your Kids Safe On Social Networks ATLANTA, GA — May 28, 2008 — June is Internet Safety month. With hundred of millions of teens, pre-teens—and adults—around the world using social networking sites, there’s no better time for parents to be aware of the fun, the benefits, the powerful attractions, and the potential risks that MySpace, Facebook and other similar sites offer their children. InternetSafety.com, the recognized leader in Internet safety solutions, has assembled a list of practical tips parents can use to ensure a safe networking environment for kids: Show Interest — Ask questions about how your child’s preferred social networking site or sites work. Kids are generally happy to demonstrate their knowledge if you show genuine interest. You can even ask your teen to show you how to set up your own social n...

By Hannah Boyd In a society where waifs rule and magazines herald a different fad diet every week, some kids view eating disorders as a small price to pay for fitting in. They’re wrong. Anorexia kills more than 10% of its victims, and bulimia 1%. Eating disorders also lead to depression and place enormous stress on families. Concerned that your child may be at risk? Here’s what you need to know. “People with anorexia starve themselves to dangerously thin levels, at least 15% below their appropriate weight,” says Edward J. Cumella, Ph.D, CEDS, Executive Director of Remuda Programs for Eating Disorders in Wickenburg, Arizona. “People with bulimia binge uncontrollably on large amounts of food – sometimes thousands of calories at a time – and then purge the calories out of their bodies through vomiting, starving, excessive exercise, laxatives, or other methods. They are of normal weight or overweight.” Some anorexics also purge, but they are still underweight. Not surprisingly, eating diso...

Many people have seen the recent news stories on the 17 girls in MA that made a pact to get pregnant and succeeded. The Boston Globe article details this distressing situation. The National Campaign seeks to improve the well-being of children, youth, families, and the nation by preventing unplanned and teen pregnancy. Take a moment to visit this website of educational resources. *********************************** For parents, a teenage daughter becoming pregnant is a nightmare situation. Every year, approx. 750,000 teenage girls become pregnant in the United States. That is roughly 1/3 of the age group’s population, a startling fact! Worse, more than 2/3 of teens who become mothers will not graduate from high school. If you are a parent who has recently discovered that your teenage daughter is pregnant or may be pregnant, we understand your fear and pain. This is a difficult and serious time in both yours and your daughters’ life. Our organization, Parent’s Universal Resource Expe...

By http://www.education.com/ Everyone remembers the school bully in their lives. Maybe they stole your bike, or bloodied your nose, or spread a nasty rumor that had you hiding out in the bathroom. Whatever they did, they made life miserable. But as bad as they were, you could identify them, predict their behavior and try to steer clear. Unfortunately for your kids, that may no longer be the case. That’s because bullies can still be on the school grounds, but they can also be in cyberspace, lurking where no one can see them. Cyberbullying is on the rise, and the bad guys are not always who you think. A bully can be a girl spreading rumors about a former friend, or a student trying to get revenge on a teacher who gave them a bad grade, or a group of kids playing a prank on an unsuspecting schoolmate. Cyberbullying is a complex beast. Often it starts with otherwise nice kids from nice families who go online to “have a little fun” at someone else’s expense. But it can get out of hand very ...

A Parent's Guide to Gateway Drugs A gateway drug is a drug that opens the metaphorical gateway to more potent, dangerous drugs. Substances like alcohol, cigarettes and marijuana are considered gateway drugs. While many parents are tempted to say " it's only beer" or "its just pot ", the danger in gateway drugs is their ability to convince the user that they can handle larger quantities or in many cases, stronger, more potent substances. My name is Sue Scheff™ , and I am the founder of Parents Universal Resource Experts (PURE)™ , an organization dedicated to helping parents help their troubled teens. As a parent, I know all too well the difficulties of raising a child in these chaotic times. Parents can easily feel alone and overwhelmed when their child is in trouble, but P.U.R.E . is here to help you. We can provide you with information on the most trusted and effective treatment and counseling resources available. This site is meant to educate parents about...

By ADDitude Magazine Eight simple parenting rules for motivating a vulnerable child with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD). What’s the key to reaching one’s goals and making a happy, productive life? Motivation. But it’s hard to feel motivated when much of what you try goes awry. Just ask (or observe) a child with attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD); distractibility and memory deficits can lead to frequent mistakes at home and at school — and what feels like constant discipline and criticism from parents and teachers. Some kids buy into the idea that they aren’t capable of much, and give up when faced with even small challenges. Others become so fearful of not doing things right that they don’t even try. Either way, these kids suffer a severe blow to their self-esteem. Now for the good news: It’s surprisingly easy to “inoculate” your son or daughter against defeatism and low self-esteem. All you have to do is teach your child how to think about the mistakes they make. Use my eig...

By http://www.inhalant.org/ Inhaled chemicals are rapidly absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and quickly distributed to the brain and other organs. Within minutes, the user experiences intoxication, with symptoms similar to those produced by drinking alcohol. With Inhalants, however, intoxication lasts only a few minutes, so some users prolong the “high” by continuing to inhale repeatedly. Short-term effects include: headaches, muscle weakness, abdominal pain, severe mood swings and violent behavior, belligerence, slurred speech, numbness and tingling of the hands and feet, nausea, hearing loss, visual disturbances, limb spasms, fatigue, lack of coordination, apathy, impaired judgment, dizziness, lethargy, depressed reflexes, stupor, and loss of consciousness. The Inhalant user will initially feel slightly stimulated and, after successive inhalations, will feel less inhibited and less in control. Hallucinations may occur and the user can lose consciousness. Worse, he or sh...

It is Father's Day today - many teens may take this special day to spend time with their dad, and sadly some don't have a father, however have a special person (mother, grandparent, uncle, mentor) that is like a father to them. Take time today to spend with your special person - some that may not be perfect, but loves you unconditionally . By Shoulder to Shoulder Ok , we know it may seem like an oxymoron: parents and teens having fun together ? It has been known to happen. Whether its family activities, time just for you and your teen, special events and trips or just the every day activities around the house, find ways to create fun and connections with teens. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS: Read the same book and then talk about it. Take a class together. Try dog obedience or cooking classes. Go out for lunch to celebrate the beginning of the school year. Celebrate half birthdays with a special family meal. Share a subscription to a favorite teen magazine and talk about one article....

At this time of year, it seems we are contacted by more and more parents that have an 18 year old or a 17 year old that is almost 18. If you have been struggling with your younger teen and like many of us, keep hoping and praying it will change , take a moment to think about if it doesn't. Don't miss opportunities to give your child a second chance for a bright future. Whether it is local therapy, summer motivational program or a Boarding School, as parents we do what is best for our kids. "My 18 year old is out of control and I am at my wit's end! What can I do?" Anonymous Parent . 18 - 19 year old teens can be the most difficult to address simply because they are considered adults and cannot be forced to get help. As parents, we have limited to no control. Practicing "Tough Love" is easier said than done, many parents cannot let their child reach rock bottom ? as parent's, we see our child suffering whether it is needing groceries or a roof ov...

As a resident of Florida, I am very aware of the damage the sun can cause people and especially teens that feel they are invinceable to skin cancer or any sun damage. Here is a great article by Connect with Kids and a Tips Sheet for parents. By Connect with Kids “My mom bought me a whole bottle of sunscreen. I haven’t used it. I don’t think it really helps that much, and it stinks.” – Nigel, 13 years old Like many people, teens love the water and worship the sun. “Most teenagers don’t really worry about sunburn, they’re just really concerned about how their tan looks,” 13-year-old Kelsey says. Still, many young people admit they know the dangers. Fourteen-year-old Chris recites: “Skin cancer, sun damage …” and Bianca, 13, follows up: “… and maybe in the future your skin will get all wrinkly.” Kelsey says her parents, “tell me to wear sunscreen or wear a hat if I’m gonna be out in the sun.” The truth of the matter is that the warnings about the dangers of too much sun exposure and not e...

Since my Blogs went out yesterday about Teen Eating Disorders, I was literally flooded with emails from parents, authors, programs etc.... thanking me for bringing this subject to the forefront. Lori Hanson was one of these people and wrote a very powerful story of her own experiences - starting at age 14 with Pop-Tarts! If you have a teen or know someone struggling with eating disorders, check out her experiences at http://www.lori-hanson.com/ .

By Education.com Introduction: Teens Navigating Cyberspace If you believe e-mail, blogs, and instant messaging are a completely harmless way for teens to communicate, think again! Many teens have Internet access--often private communication in the form of blogs, chat rooms, and forums. These online communication aids are not themselves a problem. But the ever-present threat of being sexually solicited or bullied while on the Internet is a big problem. While online, teens may be persuaded to do things or share private/confidential information, to be sexually solicited, and/or to experience public humiliation. Recent testimony on child protection before Congress, alerted the public to online sexual solicitation of teens. However, parents and youth workers may be less aware of "cyber-bullying" in which peers viciously attack one another. This article will define online sexual solicitation and cyber-bullying, explain the risk factors and negative effects of these communications,...

This has been one of my favorite Blogs and Articles describing a variety of personalities of people that simply have nothing better to do than harm others with their evil keystrokes. Top Ten Blogger Personas: The Mobosphere Unveiled by John Dozier , Esq. Ever since Congress passed Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act giving immunity to interactive service providers for publishing the defamation of others, a wide range of characters has arisen and infiltrated the mainstream blogosphere. Instead of becoming a source for obtaining reliable information, the blogosphere, and user generated content, is at risk of becoming a less credible information source. Dozier Internet Law defamation lawyers are constantly battling these “black hat” forces and over the past several years we have acquired quite an insight into this underworld; an anonymous and covert society bent on terrorizing businesses. These are our internal thoughts on the matter, and not scientific analyses. We are not ps...

MEDIA ADVISORY The Partnership for a Drug Free America to Hold a Virtual Press Conference Announcing Launch of “A Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain” - New Site to Help Parents Decode Teen Behavior and Connect with their Kids - Release of the 20th annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study WHAT: The Partnership for a Drug Free America will debut their newest online parenting tool: “A Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain.” The site launch also coincides with the release of the 20th annual Partnership Attitude Tracking Study (PATS), a survey of parents’ attitudes about drugs and alcohol. WHY: For every parent of a teenager who has ever wondered “who is this kid?” the website aims to make answering that question easier. Designed to help parents navigate the confusing, often frustrating teen years, “A Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain” translates recent scientific findings that shed light on how brain development shapes teens’ behavior and personalities into easy-to-understand tips and tools for ...

By Connect with Kids After chat rooms, instant messaging, and social forums became popular, a new word entered our vocabulary: cyber-bullying. It's been a problem almost since the Internet was invented but studies now show that online harassment and bullying has increased over 50 percent since 2000. Read entire article here: http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2008/388_jun4/thisweek/080604_gossip.shtml

Source: Shoulder to Shoulder Monitoring teens is an art form. Too much and teens will rebel or not learn the skills they need to function on their own. And too little monitoring can result in behaviors that spell trouble. What to do? Here are some strategies to consider for keeping track of teens. Monitoring Teens Know where our teens are - especially on evening and weekends. Let teens know that using alcohol, cigarettes or drugs is illegal and unacceptable, and that it would upset you - very much. Monitor television programs teens watch. Set rules about the music teens listen to. Know how teens are doing in school. Don't blow off parent-teacher meetings. Monitor Internet use. This is a big one. Keep computers in "public" rooms of the house. Try to eat together on a regular basis (without the TV, please). Curfews are good. Enforce them. And know the curfew laws in your community. Check in when teens come home from school. Have family routines. Insist your teen gives you...

Dr. Paul Jenkins is a Family Coach that has successfully helped many families through his practice as a Psychologist, as a Radio Host and as a Family Coach. Many parents are using coaching as an option prior making a decision to place their child in a residential therapy program. Learn more at http://www.creationtreecoaching.com/ or a quick Internet Search can help you find others.

Summer is almost here and what a better time to catch up on relaxation and reading! Take your kids to your local library or a bookstore and find some educational and fun books to read. Health Communications Inc . http://www.hcibooks.com/ offers a wide variety of wonderful books for both parents and kids today. Visit http://www.helpyourteens.com/books.html for more book recommendations. Also http://www.suescheffbooks.blogspot.com/