Managing the Holidays

As Christmas looms closer, your children may be bouncing off the walls in anticipation of holiday preparations, parties and the gifts they hope to receive. Even though they are exhibiting happy energy it can get out of hand. An over-eager child might break ornaments while helping decorate the tree. They might drop the plate of cookies you baked for the neighbors or give away secrets about what's in the packages.

Here are some suggestions for how to get things under control without curbing your child's excitement.

* Even with all the extra events, keep your child's routine as consistent as possible. This includes making sure your child gets enough sleep.

* Write down special events on the family calendar. This eliminates your child continually asking when events will occur.

* Enlist your child to help with gift wrapping, making place cards for the family dinner or even helping clean the house in preparation for guests.

* Suggest they play a board game or other quiet activity. Play a holiday CD. This will have a calming effect and bring their excitement level down a notch.

By helping your child find ways to channel all of their holiday excitement, things in your house will be much more manageable.

National Family Week, November 22-28, 2009

The Alliance for Children and Families has directed National Family Week efforts for more than 30 years. The Alliance is a nonprofit membership association representing child- and family-serving organizations in the United States and Canada. Member agencies provide an array of programs and services to all generations and serve close to 8 million people in more than 6,700 communities.

National Family Week premise Children do better when their families are strong and families do better when they live in communities that help them succeed.

To learn more go HERE

Why I Offer a Free Consultation

When a parent contacts me concerning my counseling or consulting services one of the first questions they ask me is, "How much do you charge?" When they hear I offer a free initial consultation they are often surprised. Once they hear why it's free they're usually interested in scheduling an appointment as they have nothing to lose but something to gain.

It's a courageous parent who consults with a therapist. The parent-therapist relationship is the foundation for effective child therapy and parents deserve an opportunity to meet me, ask questions and learn more about my approach to working with children and families. Spending an hour with me will give them a chance to decide if I am someone they would feel comfortable working with.

I use the consultation as an opportunity to support the parents in whatever challenges their family is currently facing. I emphasize setting goals and working with me collaboratively to achieve them. I want parents to leave the consultation feeling empowered to move forward positively with me as a part of their team. If at the end of the consultation I sense that therapy may not be what your family currently needs I can refer you to the appropriate community resources.

If you're a parent who is feeling stressed or overwhelmed you may benefit from a consultation. I have a flexible schedule to accommodate your busy life. Call me at 314-681-8272 to schedule a free consultation. I look forward to meeting you.

October 8th is National Depression Screening Day

Find a screening event in your area by clicking HERE.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the "Day of Unity" in October 1981 conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline.

Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

If you are in danger, please call 911, your local hotline, or (in the U.S.) the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

For more information go HERE

All Behavior Has a Purpose

Most of the time children either get something or they avoid something by engaging in a particular behavior. Think of a problem behavior your child is currently displaying. What do you think your child is getting or avoiding by engaging in that behavior?

If your child uses a behavior to get something, try and identify what he is hoping to gain. It could be attention, something tangible, a preferred activity or control.

If the behavior is to avoid something ask yourself if your child is trying to avoid attention, difficult tasks, demands or activities.

Now take a closer look at what triggers the behavior. What happens right before, or what sets off the problem behavior. Also note any factors or events that set up the behavior This could be factors related to home or family, social or environmental conditions, biological or medical conditions.

Once you've established the above, ask yourself the following questions:

When is my child most successful?

When is the problem behavior least likely to occur?

Use the answers to these two questions to map out a plan to redirect the problem behavior. You may be able to eliminate the trigger(s). Make your child a part of the solution by enlisting his help in coming up with a way to change the behavior.

What To Learn More About Parenting A Child With ADHD?

I will be speaking at the October 3rd support group meeting of the Gateway Satellite CHADD. I will be addressing some of the common behaviors that ADHD children engage in and how to deal with them.

Details on time and place are HERE.