Pertussis Vaccines Protect Teens, Other Community Members

June 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In 2010 a pertussis epidemic (otherwise known as ‘whooping cough’) swept through California and left at least 10 infants dead and made thousands ill. It was a tragic and preventable epidemic because whooping cough is a bacterial disease for which effective vaccinations have been available for several decades. Although infected teens and adults are generally able to recover from this illness after suffering its painful symptoms that leave victims coughing so hard that they gasp for air, very young babies are more susceptible to its effects.

 

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The California epidemic spurred new legislation in several states that now requires children in grades 6-12 to get pertussis booster shots. So why get your child vaccinated? Well, not only is it required, but you can protect your kids from prolonged illness and you can maintain the ‘herd immunity,’ or the protection that a group of people have because they are all vaccinated, which protects the infants below 2 months old who cannot yet receive the vaccination from potentially fatal illness.

 

Whooping cough has made a resurgence after nearly being wiped out because some parents are electing not to vaccinate their children because they have concerns, which have been extensively discredited, that vaccinations can cause autism. The Centers for Disease Control has a very strong publication for parents who want to learn more about childhood vaccines, how they work, and recommended intervals of receipt.

Be sure to consult your doctor with any questions about the pertussis vaccination and your child. This is a very important protective action for any parent to take, and has become the law in many places.

Filed Under: Discipline, General Tagged With: , ,

How to Survive Your Child’s Driving

June 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Perhaps your darling child has just turned 16, and he is begging for their driver’s learning permit. In much of the United States it is not possible to have any degree of independence or mobility without a driver’s license, so you will likely consent to letting him  learn to drive. Like many parents, you may have concerns about your child’s maturity. All of us learn to drive well through experience, though, and we have to start somewhere. But how do you maintain a cool head and help your child safely acquire their driving credentials?

 

Driving Licences

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If you have a local driver’s ed or driver’s safety course, get your child to enroll. Your car insurance rates will go up once your child starts to drive, and you will be held liable for any incidents for which your teen is responsible. It is important that your child has a clear understanding of the need to learn all auto safety recommendations and take their driving responsibility seriously.

 

It is also important for them to have some basic knowledge of car care. If the car breaks down while your child is the only person present, he will be able to keep a cool head if he has some idea about what might be causing the problem. Consider subscribing to the American Automobile Association or other emergency roadside service if you don’t already.

Lay clear ground rules about the use of the car. If your child shows poor judgment at the age of 16, you may want to continue practicing with her for another year or even two while she gains necessary experience.

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Help Your Teen Save for College

May 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When it comes to paying for college, many parents feel overwhelmed at the prospect of saving enough to help their teen pay for tuition, books, and housing. Instead of putting all the pressure on yourself to save, be sure your teen is part of the process.

Finding an After School Job

While still in high school, encourage your teenager to save money by getting a job. This will teach your child responsibility as well as encouraging him to invest in the future. If you were to save all the money for your teen then it’s more likely that she would goof off in college because she didn’t have to work for it. Make a deal where you’ll match whatever he/she saves and put this into their college fund giving your teen a reason to work hard and save.

Using the Money Wisely

The next step in the process is teaching your teen to use the money saved wisely. One way to teach this is with a prepaid card. Instead of having a line of credit that can be abused, the teen will only be able to spend what is put on the card. This will help your teen to learn how to budget that money so it can go further and will prevent her from getting into major debt. By practicing while still in high school, she will be able to do better when she gets to college.

So many college students get into major debt between credit cards and student loans. By working hard to save and then being financially smart, she’s sure to graduate college with as little debt as possible.

 

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: , ,

Parenting Through the Tough Years

May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Things have definitely changed – your children have become teens. And, whereas you were once considered the smartest person on the planet, you now find that you are an absolute idiot. Just ask your kids!

But if you think that having a teen in the family is tough, realize that actually being a teen is a lot tougher.

Besides all the hormonal changes that appear at this age, there is also the fear and doubts that come with growing up. Teens are susceptible to negative influences, not to mention drugs, alcohol, and all the rebellion that comes from trying to look mature while also trying to be cool.

One area that garners respect from a teen is to practice listening and not necessarily talking. Many parents come off as preaching when their child just needs a good ear without judgment.

Another is to keep up with what is hip to the rising generation. If you can win your teen’s trust in this area, you can have a good influence in how they present themselves to others as well as how they feel about themselves.

One sensitive area – ALWAYS- is wardrobe. Teens need to feel accepted; they need to feel cool. A line of urban fashion that is not only hip but highly tasteful is Rocawear clothing. This is stylish urban wear at its best. Rocawear clothing is the classy side of the urban look.

Another interesting thing about Rocawear is that the company was originally conceived by the famous rapper, Jay-Z. Jay-Z has openly talked and written about his troubled youth and how he rose above it to become a multi-millionare and successful artist.

Now that’s a positive influence.

Filed Under: Education, Families, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Finding Medical Coverage for Your Teen

May 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As your child grows into early adulthood, it is tempting to lapse on their regular pediatrician visits. You know that you need to go to the doctor for pre-natal and early childhood care, but everything changes when you reach the teen years.

 

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Perhaps he seems to be in vigorously good health or she is self-conscious about her changing body, and it seems like too much trouble to keep going to the doctor. It is nonetheless important to continue getting that preventative care. It will also offer your child the opportunity to talk to an impartial third party about personal concerns that they may not be willing to talk about with you for fear of disciplinary reprisal, such as drug use among their peers, abusive relationship, and sexual activity.

 

The challenge is to be sure that you have health coverage for your teen-aged child. If you cannot purchase health insurance for your child through your employer, there are other low- or no-cost options available. The Affordable Health Care for Americans Act, which stipulates that all Americans should have health insurance coverage in a few years, is expected to provide subsidies for low-income Americans who cannot afford existing premiums. In the meantime, many states have programs for their residents will provides a stopgap until this measure takes place. For example, the California Healthy Families Act provides care for children up to their 19th birthday who qualify by income and do not benefit from MediCal, another insurance program which is for the very low-income residents of the state. Go online to find out if your state has a good program to help your family.

Filed Under: General, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Teaching Your Teen Financial Responsibility

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The teenage years are a critical time. Teens are most susceptible to the powers of persuasion, and it is during these years that they absorb a lot of information that they will base the rest of their lives on. During this time they need to learn how to handle money responsibly, because soon they will be on their own. Educating your teen on how to control their finances ensures that they will be able to resist going into debt and hopefully have a better lifestyle.
The most important lessons teens can learn about managing their money is how to save, when to spend, and what to avoid. Saving money is an act that teenagers struggle with because they don’t experience the same consequences that independent adults do when their bank account is empty. Investing and saving money throughout one’s life is vital, and therefore must be emphasized when advising teenagers on money management. Knowing when and where it is appropriate to spend a large sum of money is just as significant. This discussion should include information about college, cars, and home loans, and how to stay out of debt. It is important to talk to teens about car refinance loans as a way to save money on their first car.
Teenagers appreciate straightforward information, so telling them what exactly they should say “no” to will probably be what they remember the most. Warn them about spending money frequently in small amounts—a danger that is often overlooked—as well as pyramid schemes and bad investments. Recommend that they maintain a log of some sort to track spending habits. Responsible money management is about balance.

Filed Under: Education, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Who Food Recalls Affect

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Many types of food can be recalled, such as eggs, meats, nuts and vegetables. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is responsible for food recalls. More often, though, the supplier of the food source contacts the FDA first. It is much better for the food producer to spot a defect. From there the FDA determines if a recall is necessary.

Food can be recalled due to unsanitary conditions where it is produced. It may also be recalled due to a disease. Animals may be diseased and pass that onto the food they are producing for the public. There may a problem with vegetables in the area they are being grown that may cause contamination.

Effects to Consumers:

 

  • May cost the consumer money in the form of medical bills if they have to be treated due to an illness as a result of a food recall.
  • Time can be lost to return the food and, if appropriate, to contact an attorney.
  • In the most serious of cases, the consumer’s good health may be affected or even taken away completely.

If you feel you have had serious repercussions due to a food recall it is always a good idea to consult an attorney. A class action attorney in Los Angeles and other cities will consult with you.

How Manufacturers are affected:

  • Cost of the food that has to be recalled being destroyed.
  • Cost of refunds to consumers and suppliers.
  • Cost of their reputation.

Food recalls need to be taken very seriously. Check your food and be sure it’s not subject to a recall. If it is take action.

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Maintaining Teen’s Education – Specify Minimum Standards And Stick To Them

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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It is very important to follow the policy of the carrot and the stick when dealing with your teenaged child. You cannot expect threats to work all the time. At the same time, you cannot expect enticements to work permanently as well. Instead, you should focus on a mixture of both aspects, especially when you are focusing on the educational results of your child.

You must establish minimum parameters that must be met by the child at all times. Mentally, you should be prepared to hit the panic button the moment your child goes below the minimum level. Then, you should pad up the minimum quantitative results and provide an enhanced version to your teenaged child. Teenagers are notorious for being lazy and irreverent.

If you insist on a specific grade at all times, they will do their level best to just barely get that minimum grade and nothing more. They are not bothered about their future performance. They are not bothered about what they will get after many years. Rather, they are focused on the benefits that they will enjoy in the next one hour.

Hence, opening your cards and explaining the minimum requirements that you expect is only going to create problems. Instead, you should pad it up so that you have some leave. If your teenager follows your words to the last letter, he or she will end up with very good grades. If they fail, you will still have certain space to play even as you criticize your teenager for failing your expectations. This may not be the most honest approach around but it certainly will work well with teenagers.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Families, Teens Tagged With: , ,

Health Problems In Teenagers – Do Not Expect Them To Seek You Out Immediately

May 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Many parents are stunned to discover that their teenaged child is facing a certain medical problem that they are not aware of. Kids often treat their parents as the first persons to seek when they fall down, suffer an injury or otherwise need medical attention. This is a natural and instinctive reflex and takes place without a lot of thought. Over the years, parents get used to the idea that their kids will seek them if they need assistance.

However, as a child becomes a teenager, he or she becomes a secretive and prefers confessing problems, including health problems, to friends who know as little as they do. They feel vulnerable and are not comfortable talking about their flaws to already overbearing and demanding parents.

You may have been strict with your child in the past but that does not mean you do not love him or her. In any event, you will not hold any past grudges when it comes to the health of the child. Expecting a teenager to understand this immediately is not possible. He must be prepared to work towards this goal. One way to ensure that you are informed of any health problem is to have a word with your teenaged child.

You should make it very clear that any and every health related problem should be brought to your attention immediately. This rule must be enforced on withstanding any past fights or disagreements that you may have had with your teenaged child. Secondly, you should be proactive and talk about certain ailments and conditions on your own so that your child is mentally prepared for the same.

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Families, General, Relationships Tagged With: , ,

Consider a Pet to Teach Your Teen Responsibility

May 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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As the parent of a teenager, teaching your son or daughter a sense of responsibility may be of great concern. You want to prepare your teen for the demands of life. One of the best ways to do that is through pet ownership. Buying your teen a dog to feed, walk and take to the vet is a natural and enjoyable way to teach a sense of responsibility and accountability. Fun activities also accompany dog ownership, such as dressing the dog in pet costumes or hiking through the woods with a willing four-legged companion.

Teaching Selflessness

When a teenager takes care of a pet, it is an opportunity to learn selflessness. Your teenager learns to prioritize the needs of his or her pet. For example, if the dog needs to be walked, your teen learns to delay the text messages and phone calls to friends to take care of the dog instead. It isn’t always hard work, though. The joy of dressing a dog in pet costumes or teaching him to catch a Frisbee in midair restores balance for all sacrifices endured.

Taking Care of a Sick Pet

Owning a pet becomes a true test of responsibility when a pet illness strikes and a visit to the vet is necessary. Whether due to injury, aging or a sudden illness, a pet’s health problems are an opportunity to exercise compassion. Teenagers in these situations learn to take on the responsibility of nurturing pets back to health.

Pet ownership has its highs and lows, making it a perfect way to teach your teen how to cope with life’s inevitable challenges.

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