Teen Drug Abuse

This is a scary thought. I hope your kids aren't involved with some of these dangerous drugs. I hope I find a way to make sure my kids don't make this mistake. I think a lot of times the parents don't find out until it's too late. Teenagers are really good at keeping secrets. Heck, my four-year-old is already good at fibbing.

FROM NBC: Kids are drinking and doing drugs more often -- and at younger ages, according to a new survey from the Partnership at Drugfree.org. In the last three years -- Ecstasy use has risen 67-percent among teens, while marijuana has also gained more popularity -- jumping 22-percent. A quarter of teen drinkers had tasted their first sip of alcohol by age 12. by age 15 -- that number jumped to 62-percent. And by the time they graduated high school, 71-percent of teens had at least one alcoholic beverage.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Skin Dimensions SB products, exclusive to Soderstrom Skin Institute, are manufactured with Pharmaceutical-Grade ingredients. In addition to being "Feel Good Products," they contain unique and innovative ingredients in concentrations that can assist you in the achievement of your own personal skin care objectives. This product line contains higher percentages of Glycolic, Vitamin A, C, E, Co-Q10, green tea, than what you can purchase over the counter.

Unexpected Pregnancy

This story was sent down on NBC today. The fact that the woman didn't know she was pregnant and the doctors didn't figure it out is amazing enough. However, I looked at the video and the hospital let the television crew in to get video of the woman and her baby. The baby is on a regular size hospital bed with blankets all around him-in another room by himself. If you have ever had a baby in the U.S, you know none of this would ever happen. I can't imagine a hospital being in a situation where a lawsuit will likely be filed and letting a television crew in the building. And who was watching the baby? Thankfully the baby seems to be fine. What a blessing after thinking you had a tumor or something else seriously wrong with you!

FROM NBC: A 41-year-old Romanian woman was diagnosed with an abdominal tumor, and when that proved untrue, was diagnosed with kidney stones. But as she waited at the hospital, she discovered neither diagnosis was close.

After an ultrasound, doctors said she had kidney stones and she was waiting for the next step when she collapsed and gave birth to a 12-pound baby. The newborn baby boy has three brothers at home. the baby is in stable condition.

Doctors said they had no idea she was in labor, and the tests did not reveal the pregnancy. The hospital is investigating how they could have gone so wrong with the diagnosis.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Skin Dimensions SB products, exclusive to Soderstrom Skin Institute, are manufactured with Pharmaceutical-Grade ingredients. In addition to being "Feel Good Products," they contain unique and innovative ingredients in concentrations that can assist you in the achievement of your own personal skin care objectives. This product line contains higher percentages of Glycolic, Vitamin A, C, E, Co-Q10, green tea, than what you can purchase over the counter.

When Temper Tantrums become a problem

Have you ever thought, I know I should not give in to my screaming, frustrated child, but I have got to get him settled down so I am not late? ?I can't jeopardize my job or my obligations because I need to spend 20 minutes disciplining. What are parents supposed to do? It can be a real challenge. I try to give incentives for good behavior. That seems to work best. And I never give in to a request when it includes wining or crying. I can't stand that. I make them ask me in a nice way. So, when my four-year-old throws a fit when I say he is done playing the Wii for the day, he often catches himself and fixes his behavior. He'll say, "Mom, can I please play one more game? Please? I will be so good and I am talking nicely." Geez! I want to reward him for being so polite, but I don't want him to play the Wii anymore. I try to come up with another reward for him, but that never seems to work. It is so hard being a parent.

FROM NBC: Many parents lose patience when their kids erupt into anger. But when is a temper tantrum more than a meltdown, and a sign of a serious problem? Child psychologist Dr. Alan Hilfer says children throw tantrums because they are either frustrated or want something they know they can't have. Dr. Alan Hilfer, Child Psychologist: "You have to be able to tell them unless you can get yourself under control and tell me what it is that you need, I'm not going to be able to help you and then kind of walk away without reinforcing it."

Which is easier said than done, says Helen Kuenstler. Her son Jack is almost three years old and can be quite vocal when he's not happy. "No! I wanna sit with you." That was his reaction to us setting up our interview, but Helen says that doesn't even come close to a real tantrum. Helen Kuenstler, Mother: "When he gets out of control, I ignore him. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Or sometimes I just give into whatever he wants cause it's easier."

Which is exactly what Dr. Hilfer says not to do. Alan Hilfer, Child Psychologist: "Giving into tantrums usually reinforces that if they make enough fuss they get what they want, they do it more often." "And experts say tantrums are a normal part of the growing process, but if they continue as the child grows older that can lead to behavioral and social problems as adults."

Dr. Alan Hilfer, Child Psychologist: "Kids shouldn't be having tantrums in adolescence. They should have the ability to negotiate and express what they want certainly in their tween years." Since Jack is a long way from his tween years, Helen's willing to let him be and hope that in a more structured environment like school, he'll throw less tantrums. Helen Kuenstler, Mother: "I'm not really as concerned because he's a good kid so I know it's a phase. Hopefully he'll grow out of it."

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Skin Dimensions SB products, exclusive to Soderstrom Skin Institute, are manufactured with Pharmaceutical-Grade ingredients. In addition to being "Feel Good Products," they contain unique and innovative ingredients in concentrations that can assist you in the achievement of your own personal skin care objectives. This product line contains higher percentages of Glycolic, Vitamin A, C, E, Co-Q10, green tea, than what you can purchase over the counter.

5 Things you should NOT say

I have definitely said two of these things recently. Oops! Here are some great tips on what you should NOT say to your kids: I have unfortunately said #1 and #2. The second one I say to my four-year-old who still sometimes refused to use the bathroom. It drives me crazy. I don't say it mean, but I guess I am shaming him and it doesn't even work! I think I need a new plan! I thought you would enjoy these tips and helpful reminders!

This article is from Empowering Parents:

1. “Because I said so!” Just ask yourself the following: How does saying this build your relationship? Having a relationship means being real — and being relational. I think it’s important to be mature as parents and walk through issues with our kids – we’ll only earn trust and create safety for them by doing it. You have nothing to lose.

2. “Act your age!” or “You’re 10 years old, so act like it!” Consider this: don’t you think if kids could act their age, they would? They are clueless on how they ought to be acting, so it’s our job to not only tell them, but to show them, and to be a role model that inspires them. They will learn from us and by what we have to offer to help them through life.

3. “Shame on you!” This is a personal pet peeve. Creating shame for a child is devastating. It will block safety and trust. They have got to know that no matter what they do that you love them and are there for them. They need a space where they can be open with us, and share. Shaming is condemning, and it’s extremely unhealthy on so many levels.

4. “Shut up!” There are a million different words in our English vocabulary that we can use to get this point across. ‘Nough said.

5. “You should know better!” I get how this one might seem confusing, because a lot of times kids might in fact know better. But again, ask yourself, ”How will this build our relationship?” We know that they are going to do things that they know they shouldn’t. But they don’t always really know the reason not to do it. We know why it’s not good for them, but they don’t. So instead of saying the obvious, why not take it as an opportunity to ask them why they did it, and share with them why it wasn’t the best choice. Again, it’s all about being relational: relating to and with our kids.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Skin Dimensions SB products, exclusive to Soderstrom Skin Institute, are manufactured with Pharmaceutical-Grade ingredients. In addition to being "Feel Good Products," they contain unique and innovative ingredients in concentrations that can assist you in the achievement of your own personal skin care objectives. This product line contains higher percentages of Glycolic, Vitamin A, C, E, Co-Q10, green tea, than what you can purchase over the counter.

Multiple Fathers

A new study shows a third of mothers have children by more than one man. I am not surprised by this. Isn't the divorce rate 50% or more? It makes sense. It's probably not a good thing, but it seems to be a fact of life. I am sure it's better for a lot of kids than if their mom had stayed with their dad. What do you think?

FROM NBC: A new study shows a third of mothers have children by more than one man. The study, out of the University of Michigan, looked at data collected from four thousand women who were surveyed several times over two decades. They found twenty-eight percent of women with more than two kids had their children with more than one man. African American and Hispanic women were more likely to have multiple fathers -- however -- they found multiple partner fertility was common at all levels of income and education. They say having more than one father is often linked with marriage and divorce rather than single parenthood.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Skin Dimensions SB products, exclusive to Soderstrom Skin Institute, are manufactured with Pharmaceutical-Grade ingredients. In addition to being "Feel Good Products," they contain unique and innovative ingredients in concentrations that can assist you in the achievement of your own personal skin care objectives. This product line contains higher percentages of Glycolic, Vitamin A, C, E, Co-Q10, green tea, than what you can purchase over the counter.