Learning More About MySpace

Electronic communication has merged into every aspect of our lives today. Social networking for your teenagers and tweens is now taking place on the MySpace web site. It has become the main hub for people to meet each other. The MySpace can be used for many positive things such as connecting with peers to discuss homework and projects. It can help introverted individuals be more interactive and creative with their communication. Also your teen can find support for their interests and strengths.

The negative side is that your child's personal information is out there for the world to see. MySpace does not protect your child from internet predators. One way to intercede is to create your own MySpace site and spend a few hours browsing to learn what the excitement is all about.

If your child is under 14 years of age you might want to explore Facebook, Xanga and Imbee as an alternative. The more you understand and know what your child is involved in, the safer your child will be.

Have fun learning with your child.
Gina

Coping with a Serious Illness

When a family member or a close friend is diagnosed with a serious illness the most important thing you can do is make sure they feel truly cared about. The illness should not be a secret and all family members and children should be told. If children are not told of the illness they will sense a change in the family and become very anxious, thinking that they may be the cause of the problem. Children are also very nurturing and can bring joy and laughter to a very stressful situation. As family and friends ask how they can help and support you during this time, be specific with your needs. It may be helping with your carpool, taking the person to doctor appointments, fixing meals or just running errands. It will be important that you learn as much about the illness as possible, so everyone can be prepared for the potential outcome. As you are supporting others during this time of illness, it will also be important that you take care of yourself. It is very difficult to meet the needs of others, if you haven't replenished your own.

Take care,
Gina

A Resolution Check-up

After the first thirty days of making your New Year's resolutions you may have discovered that you are already back to your old self-destructive habits. This is a good time to do a self-check and determine if you are still taking baby steps toward your goals.

Teresa Fassihi, PhD from Menniger Clinic has five steps to take toward being successful with your personal goals.

• Clarify your values.
• Set priorities.
• Set a challenging but achieveable goal.
• Develop an action plan and set a deadline - a goal without an action plan is only a wish.
• Build in small rewards to keep you motivated.

When individuals are not successful with their New Year's resolutions it is usually because they have unrealistic goals or goals that they are not committed to. Create a plan that is realistic to your lifestyle and break your goal into small steps so that you can be successful. You are in control of you. The choice is yours. Love yourself enough to make the needed changes in your life.

Take care,

Gina