"Almost 90 percent of the teens who use drugs also do other things that put them or those around them at risk for serious harm, including drinking heavily, fighting, carrying weapons, and having unsafe sex." (Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center) During my 22 years counseling children and families, I experienced a similar snapshot with troubled teens and their families. . Parenting at the speed of life just didn't work.
Parents, don't cringe at this news. Instilling values from toddler to teens is easier than you think. Let's find out how from an expert.
Recently, I spoke with my good friend, Dr. Carol Eikleberry of CreativeCareers.com. Dr. Carol is a school psychologist. I asked her, "What can parents do to instill the right values in their kids?" Here is her advice.
"To be a successful parent means taking the time to pay attention to your children." That's it in a nutshell. Slow down and pay attention to your children. It's the best way to help your kids choose the right values.
Case in point, everyday Dr. Carol tests and evaluates the children of parents who abuse drugs, alcohol, their kids, and become violent at home. She sees the toll on their kids and on their kids' teachers and classmates when parents chase the wrong values.
Wrong values for parents:
Seeking solutions in drugs and alcohol
Seeking solutions in self-absorption and affairs
Seeking solutions with yelling, hurting, and violent tantrums
Dr. Carol's tips for parenting with the right values:
Help your children deal with their emotions..
Guide your children in their social relationships.
Support your children academically.
Challenge your children to be better people.
Pay attention to your children's needs and talents.
In short, she wants parents to recognize that their kids exist. "The school cannot do what the parents need to do," she says. How can you stop parenting at the speed of life?
Decide to slow down.
Pay attention to your kids.
Practice Dr. Carol's parenting tips.
When you do, you'll be teaching your kids to choose the right values. Your kids will be glad you did because you'll be choosing the right values too.
Reading Help For Kids
When Ed Paul founded the Alpine Challenge out of taking Landmark Education's Self-Expression and Leadership Program back in 2001, his initial goal was to raise money for the Kiwanis Club of Alpine to be able to send at-risk high school teens to college. Each year funds from the event were provided to fund two students funds for two years of college apiece. The plan is for the challenge to eventually raise enough money to establish a fund that can send to of these kids to school each year in perpetuity.
This year, the money raised from the challenge, which took place on April 16th, is being split?Half the funds will go towards sending two more youths to college, while the other half of the money will go the Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. In total, the Challenge has raised about $150,000 over the last eight years. A greater proportion of that money has been raised recently. The first event hosted about 70 riders; the number this year is over 600.
When Paul took the Self-Expression and Leadership Program, part of the course called for each person to design a project that benefitted their community. Paul's choice of a bike-riding event to raise money was a natural fit for him, as he has been a riding enthusiast for a long time. The Alpine Challenge isn't called a challenge without reason. Starting in downtown Alpine, California, a town set in rural foothills 30 miles to the east of San Diego, the course ascended swiftly and steeply into those nearby hills. Riders had a choice of course lengths. They could attempt the longer 62-mile or 72-mile ride, which featured an elevation gain of over 7,000 feet, or they could take one of the shorter courses, a 20 or 30 mile round trip. None of the courses were easy; even the shortest featured an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet before returning to the town.
The Alpine Challenge typically attracts cycling enthusiasts from all over the country, but this year's event featured a special rider. Veteran pro Andy Hampsten, a former Tour de France participant who won the Alpe d'Huez stage of the race in 1992, and the only American winner of the Giro d'Italia (in 1988), agreed to ride in the challenge after speaking to Paul. Afterwards, Hampsten stuck around and signed autographs for the crowd.
In addition to Hampsten, a local celebrity also took part in the event?Gordy Shields of nearby El Cajon rode the 20-mile course, and has the notoriety of being the oldest participant at 90 years of age. Shields, who has ridden competitively for over 40 years, recently broke the 20-kilometre time trial national record for the 90 years and up age group. According to Paul, Shields, who has been a regular participant in the event the last several years, has been ?adopted? by the local community and is always an inspiration to all the other riders.
Both Jean Tracy & Tony585 Tony585 are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jean Tracy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Self Improvement and Motivation and Parenting. Jean Tracy, MSS, "Granny Jean" publishes "Tips and Tools for Character Builders, her Free top-rated Parenting Newsletter. Subscribe at her web site
