How Can I Talk to My Child About Alcohol?

How Can I Talk to My Child About Alcohol?

by Mark Peterson

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism gives some practical strategies for bringing up the subject of alcohol use with your child:


# Encourage conversation. Encourage your child to talk about whatever interests him or her. Listen without interruption and give your child a chance to teach you something new. Your active listening to your child’s enthusiasms paves the way for conversations about topics that concern you.

# Ask open-ended questions. Encourage your teen to tell you how he or she thinks and feels about the issue you’re discussing. Avoid questions that have a simple “yes” or “no” answer.

# Control your emotions. If you hear something you don’t like, try not to respond with anger. Instead, take a few deep breaths and acknowledge your feelings in a constructive way.

# Make every conversation a “win-win” experience. Don’t lecture or try to “score points” on your teen by showing how he or she is wrong. If you show respect for your child’s viewpoint, he or she will be more likely to listen to and respect yours.

# Draw the line. Set clear, realistic expectations for your child’s behavior. Establish appropriate consequences for breaking rules and consistently enforce them.

# Offer acceptance. Make sure your teen knows that you appreciate his or her efforts as well as accomplishments. Avoid hurtful teasing or criticism.

# Understand that your child is growing up. This doesn’t mean a hands-off attitude. But as you guide your child’s behavior, also make an effort to respect his or her growing need for independence and privacy.

Drug abuse used to be considered a moral failing, with addicts written off as willful and incorrigible. Today, teen drug abuse is more likely to be seen as a physiological disorder, a disease that can be treated and eventually conquered. Approaches to treatment for drug abuse vary, but people in treatment all learn how to change their behavior and reduce their cravings. Relapses are common, but people who stick with drug addiction treatment and can reclaim healthy, productive lives.

Drug addiction certainly can be treated. While drug abuse used to be viewed as being, at best, a weak, flawed person’s response to life’s pressures and temptations, today most professionals who work with teen drug addiction consider it a medical condition, on the same plane as diabetes or heart disease. And just as someone with diabetes or heart disease has to institute lifestyle changes and take medications, teens in treatment for drug addiction learn behavioral changes and often take medications as part of their treatment regimen. This change in attitude has helped boost hope for many teens and their families.

In fact, one of the reasons drug abuse is so prevalent is that many folks who need treatment for drug abuse don’t get it. The U.S. Department of Labor posted a report recently of one study showing that 47 percent of men and 41 percent of women in need of treatment for abuse of illicit drugs are not treated. Much of this gap between need and actual treatment comes from inadequate funding for drug abuse treatment and inadequate education about drugs and drug treatment.

There are many ways in which drug and alcohol addiction can be treated, and that treatment can lead to permanent recovery if the person fighting the addiction makes a real commitment to a treatment program and sticks with it. According to several studies, drug treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent, but, typically, only for people who stay in treatment for three months or longer.

Treatment for drug and alcohol abuse is a long process that involves not only recovery from the physical effects of substance abuse but therapy that allows drug abusers to understand the psychological and social roots of their addictions and learn new ways of coping. As much as they need to stop using, they also need to recognize the emotional triggers that can cause them to start using again. That’s why it’s important to choose the treatment program that best serves the individual needs of the recovering addict.



Mark Peterson has done a lot of research about behavior modification. Through his research he has compiled a lot of information about boot camps.


Article Source: http://www.abcarticledirectory.com

Earth Hour Ambassador-An Australian Success Story

Earth Hour Ambassador-An Australian Success Story

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mary-Jane_Irwin]Mary-Jane Irwin

A short time ago, I was Lucky enough to meet a young, very fit and driven, 22 year old girl from QLD, whom, frustrated by the lack of action by our Governments and inspired by the Sydney Earth Hour Event, decided to do something off her own steam. Sarah brought awareness to the general public, not only for this event, but in general. to raise awareness for the need for us, to stand up and take action, in relation to a grass-roots level, of helping to save our environment for future generations.


Sarah took it upon herself to walk the distance from Brisbane to Sydney. Along the way, she gave talks at primary and Secondary Schools, to media and everyone she met along the way, encouraging them to actively participate in the Earth Hour Event.

Supported by Clover Moore, The Mayor of Sydney, at 7:30pm on March 31st, Sydney residents and businesses, were asked to turn off their lights for one hour. Some big business, including McDonald's and Coca Cola, participated. The event was so successful, that thousands of kilowatts of power were saved. This event has now sparked worldwide interest from such cities as New York, London and other major cities around the Globe.

Sarah's commitment to her own odyssey, in support of this idea, was also very successful, so that it wasn't just Sydney who turned off their lights, but everyone whom Sarah came into contact with, including myself. Incidentally, in our household, we attempt to have Earth Hour every evening since.

What is staggering is, the sheer spirit and determination in one so young, the belief in herself and her strength of character to undertake such a mammoth task. Of course, Sarah was backed up by a support team, but it was HER voice, Her feet and Her will power that drove the machine. Everyday, she endured heat exhaustion, exposure to the sun, the rain, all elements and sported huge blisters and fatigue. She sacrificed rest times to give talks along the way. Not once failing or becoming disheartened by what she had begun. Along the way she inspired thousands of young minds, encouraging them, that it IS possible, for one person to rage against the machine and take action themselves, to help better their own future.

If only our world was made up more individuals with such tenacity and determination to change the future we are now acing in regard to Climate Change.

I am in awe of her dogged strength and her exemplary statement to the Youth of Australia and the world. That one person CAN make a very big difference to the outcome of events. We should not sit on the fence and wait for our Governments and Politicians to lead us into evil. We have the power to flaunt the system in simple, non-aggressive and educational ways.

Sarah Bishop is an Australian Hero for the Environment and I only hope that her self-sacrificing efforts will be recognised and rewarded by the Australian Government. She deserves an Australian of The Year Award. http://xcessivetangents.blogspot.com
By Mary-Jane Irwin, [http://onegiantwalk.org]http://onegiantwalk.org, http://www.earthhour.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary-Jane_Irwin http://EzineArticles.com/?Earth-Hour-Ambassador-An-Australian-Success-Story&id=548559

Dear fellow bloggers,

I would like to invite you to be a part of this Earth Hour Project and together we will save the earth in a a short time. Let us save our mother earth.

The Power of Negative Thinking

The Power of Negative Thinking
by fin2000

Before you attempt to banish a bad thought, consider what it could teach you. Negative emotions can help you pinpoint problems you need to address. What follows are three major types of negative thinking - and how you can use them for good.


Feelings of Inadequacy

Recognize it: I suck at my job. I don't have any good ideas. It's just a matter of time before I'm fired.

Overcome it: Maybe you do suck - at certain tasks. Sometimes our negative thoughts are true, but don't accept that until you look critically at the evidence. Some people excel in group meetings, while others shine when they work alone. Figure out which environment suits you better. Still struggling? Maybe you and your job are simply a poor match. Find another job - quickly. Researchers at the University of Texas found that negative employees stick around in dead-end jobs longer than their confident colleagues do.

General Pessimism

Recognize it: I'm going to be late for my flight and miss the meeting. There goes the account. There goes my year-end bonus. My wife is probably going to leave me.

Overcome it: Don't deny your worst-case-scenario thoughts, but focus on specific things you do have control over. This will help keep your anxiety from spiraling out of control. It might also extend your life: research in the journal Psychological Medicine linked high levels of anxiety in your twenties to higher rates of death from illness later in life.

Self-Esteem Issues

Recognize it: The brunette at the bar didn't return my smile. She's ignoring me like every other girl. Oh, God, I must be hideous.

Overcome it: Once you start generalizing your problems, it's hard to stop. When you feel a sense of heaviness in your body, focus on what just went through your mind. Then stop the cycle by breaking the problem into manageable pieces: did she even see me? Is that a ring on her finger? Do I have snot hanging from my nose? If you look at the situation in this way, you won't become overwhelmed so easily.



For more articles on sexual health subscribe to Sandra Prior’s online newsletter at http://intercell.shacknet.nu.

Article Source: http://www.abcarticledirectory.com

Another Very Inspiring Story of Jessica Cox

Another Very Inspiring Story of Jessica Cox

I received an email about an American Filipina lady despite of her handicap, she believe all is possible. Let now more about her.

Jessica has an American father and a Filipina mother. Oxford and Cambridge should now remove the words CAN'T and IMPOSSIBLE from their dictionary



Jessica Cox, 25, a girl born without arms, stands inside an aircraft. The girl from Tucson, Arizona got the Sport Pilot certificate lately and became the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet.



Jessica Cox of Tucson was born without arms, but that has only stopped her from doing one thing: using the word "can't."

Her latest flight into the seemingly impossible is becoming the first pilot licensed to fly using only her feet.With one foot manning the controls and the other delicately guiding the steering column, Cox, 25, soared to achieve a Sport Pilot certificate. Her certificate qualifies her to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet.

"She's a good pilot. She's rock solid," said Parrish Traweek, 42, the flying instructor at San Manuel's Ray Blair Airport.

Parrish Traweek runs PC Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Services and has trained many pilots, some of whom didn't come close to Cox's abilities.

"When she came up here driving a car," Traweek recalled, "I knew she'd have no problem flying a plane."


Doctors never learned why she was born without arms, but she figured out early on that she didn't want to use prosthetic devices.

Jessica Cox, 25, earned a license to fly airplanes on October 10, 2008. Jessica also has two black belts in Tae Kwan-Do, a college degree in Psychology, and a thriving career as a motivational speaker.

What doesn't Jessica Cox have? Arms.A bilateral congenital limb deficiency doesn't stop Ms. Cox from achieving and surpassing her goals. From birth on, her feet became her hands. She can drive a car, type 25 words per minute, and fly an airplane using her feet, without any special adaptations. She is the first woman without arms to earn a license to fly.

"I highly encourage people with disabilities to consider flying," Cox said. "It helps reverse the stereotype that people with disabilities are powerless into the belief that they are powerful and capable of setting high goals and achieving them."

Jessica earned her Sport Pilot certificate after training with Able Flight, a North Carolina flight training company that specializes in helping people with disabilities learn to fly. Ms. Cox won an Able Flight scholarship and was able to train with instructor Parrish Traweek free of charge.

Related:
http://www.rightfooted.com/
http://ypwr.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/22/jessica-cox/

7 Signs Your Child is Gifted

7 Signs Your Child is Gifted
by Rachel Nunez

There are many ways to define giftedness, though gifted children have one common factor: they can show extraordinary performance in many ways. As parents, we should understand that a child is gifted in his own way. They can be exceptional in different areas such as music and arts. Every child has their own skills and talents, though it needs to be nurtured starting at toddler. Many parents provide educational toys to enhance their child's skills. Parents can tell if their child is gifted by observing them play.




Here are signs that your child is gifted:

1. Child shows excellent abilities in terms of academic fields, whether it is mathematics, languages, science and even at performing arts. Usually, the child receives an award for academic performance, or as an outstanding student of the class. Learning is fast for him. He can read, write, recite without mom's help. The child also shows resourcefulness by improvising things. Mostly good in written and oral skills. He can answer questions and solve problems too. When you found out that your child possess this abilities, be happy - your child is gifted. Provide your child educational toys to cultivate their knowledge. Chunky board books, ABCs, pop-up books are some of the educational toys your child will surely love to have.

2. Child loves to listen to music and enjoys singing a lot. He has a good voice and can follow rhythms well, knows how to read notes and put them into tones. More over, the child expresses himself through music.

3. Child tends to be a dramatist. He can act out characters on his favorite toy characters and voice out what he reads at a book.

4. Child shows appreciation in performing and visual arts. Likely, he would ask you to buy art materials and then, you would find him making a few sketch, drawing or painting. The child is usually focused on his drawings and he is too good on color combinations. He loves to carry his sketch pad and shows it to his playmates. What you should provide him are educational toys for arts, such as coloring pads, color pens, crayons and washable books.

5. Child's psychomotor activity and coordination of body, hands and feet is good. The child loves adventure, physical games and outdoor activities. Energetic but knows how to choose what kind of games he will play. When your child has this skill, he may be an athlete. He is good in motor skills and has strong stamina.

6. Child loves to express himself through writing. You can find this child in the depth of his writing. The child usually writes stories about his dreams, favorite places and trips. Pen and paper is his top most favorite things. He can write a good essay in a short moment. Observe your little one, if he loves to read and then, most likely he has a passion for writing. Provide your child with educational toys that enables him to nurture his knowledge.

7. Child shows leadership. When he plays with other kids, he is the one who gives instructions to the rest. The child organizes the play and resolve quarrelling playmates. His playmates often ask ideas and directions from him. The child has a lot of ideas, shares them to others and decides. He is a good decision maker.

Of course, there are a lot more signs that your child is gifted and parents should be aware of it. Your child may or may not have the given signs but they can be exceptional in other ways. If you see the signs that your child is gifted, make a generous effort to nourish it. Provide your child educational toys that can help them stimulate and cultivate their skills even at playtime.

About the Author

For more tips and information about educational toys, check out http://www.thekidstoystore.com/science-kits.html.