It’s sooo easy to focus on the negative behaviors of our children. When behavior needs correcting, we feel we can’t let it go or else the problem will get worse. When our children are doing things right in our eyes, however, it can feel more optional as to whether or not we acknowledge it. After…
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Keeping unused and expired prescription pain relievers in our homes imposes a serious health risk for our teens and children. In fact, adolescents who misused prescription pain relievers got them from a friend or a relative. We are responsible for safeguarding our medications to prevent access and other harmful exposures to our children. One way…
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“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words” Roy T. Bennett Our loved ones will only communicate with us…
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Did you know that if you care for a young child or you are an early childhood teacher, you can help build the brain architecture of a young child?! All of the things you do with children, before they can even talk, may not seem like a big deal to some, but the work you…
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Did you know that not all thoughts are true? We have many thoughts and feelings during the day. While we should pay attention to all of them as important information, we get to decide what we believe and what we pay attention to…just like the driver of a bus chooses which information is useful and…
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Here is a great breathing exercise for any age. We should all consider deep breathing everyday because it is a simple and free coping mechanism that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and improve a range of emotional issues! You can work it into a daily routine or think of a situation that occurs a lot…
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How do we get rid of the negative thoughts we sometimes tell ourselves? Try the 3 Rs exercise!
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Teens whose parents talk with them regularly about drugs and alcohol are 42% less likely to use substances than those whose parents don’t. Tell your teens that you expect them not to use alcohol or other drugs at parties. If you are hosting a teen party… Plan in Advance. Go over party plans with your teen. Encourage your…
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The most common ways youth report getting alcohol are: From someone they know who is 21 years or older At home WITH a parent’s permission (Source: Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey 2018) Many parents believe that youth are going to drink anyway, so therefore they can better protect the child by at least making sure…
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According to the 2018 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment, about two-thirds of children reported that they have not talked with their parents about the dangers of drug use and they do not perceive drug use to be risky. This makes them more likely to begin using alcohol and other drugs at a later time. It is…
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