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The recent findings on a study about children and snacking "suggest a possible increase in the severity of the national childhood obesity epidemic.   "Our kids didn't do this to themselves," said Michelle Obama.  Parents, educators and policymakers all hold responsibility for this; Michelle Obama told the School Nutrition Association conference in Washington on Monday."   Read the full article at
Snacks mean U.S. kids moving toward constant eating to learn more.

Parents, you're responsible for the well being of your family.  Does your family have a history of obesity or being overweight?  If they do, make a decision today and do something about it.  It's not too late to make healthy choices that will benefit you and your teens in the long run.

Many parents work one or more jobs and rely on fast food and easy meals.  This is why the fast food drive-thru is usually jammed pack.  Instead of eating fast food, cook healthy meals ahead of time and freeze them.  This is something that could be done on the weekend.  In fact, you could get your teens involved and make it a family event!

Tips to curbing the appetite of teens

1.  Buy healthy foods such as lean meat, fruit, and vegetables.
2.  Pickup nutritious snacks such as granola, nuts, peanut butter, trail mix, dried fruit, and other healthy snacks.
3.  Make sure your teens eat a well-balanced breakfast before they leave for school.
4.  Encourage your teens to drink water instead of soda.  Cut down on the amount of soda you purchase.  Watch out for fruit juices because they're full of sugar and can be worse for your kids than soda.
5.  Don't go to fast food all of the time.  If you do visit fast food restaurants, make healthy choices.  Opt for sauces and salad dressing on the side and check the nutritional content before you make your purchase by visiting your favorite fast food restaurant's website.  Subway is a good choice!

Parents you can help curb the appetite of teens.  If you love your teen, you'll throw out the junk food today and replace it with healthy foods.  Splurging once in awhile is all right.  When you do it every day that becomes a problem.  Step up to the plate and incorporate dietary changes today, tomorrow you and your family will receive a "clean bill of health" from your primary care physician.

 
 

Parents, how do you know if your teen may be contemplating suicide?  Would you recognize the signs?  Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among teenagers and adults.  It's estimated that 1 Million people commit suicide each year.  Furthermore, there are an estimate 10 to 20 million non-fatal suicide attempts each year.  Hopefully, your teen will not be a statistic.

Teens are under a lot of pressures these days.  They grow up super fast unlike generations of the past.  Bullying can lead to suicide.  Telling your teen to "ignore" a bully or to "suck-it-up" IS NOT the answer.  No one has the right to bully another.  It would be a good idea to speak with your teen if he or she is being bullied.  Get them help on how to deal with it in an appropriate manner.  Suicide is not the way to go.

Warning Signs

1.  Talk about or interested in death.
2.  Teen is very quiet or seems withdrawn -- behavior changes over time.
3.  Change in sleep patterns.
4.  Eating habits change -- either increase or decrease in appetite.
5.  Teen feels hopeless.
6.  Attitude changes.  Teen may have adopt an "I don't care attitude or the "whatever" attitude.
7.  Isolation from family and friends.
8.  Teen may give away things to siblings or friends.
9.  Grades drop.

If you suspect that your teen may depressed, get him help.  Signs of teen depression include loss of appetite, sleeping a lot (no energy) no motivation, loss of social interest, poor self-esteem and guilt, weight loss or gain, and other signs.  As a parent it's your job to ensure the well being of your teen.  If notice any of these signs, reach out to your teen.  If she resists, keep at it -- but not the point of being a nag!  A teen will not respond if you're constantly "harping" on them.  In fact, I would not respond if someone kept nagging or harping on me!  Let your teen know that you're there for her and that you'll always have open lines of communication no matter what.  Reassurance can go a long way.

Talk to your teen about what is going on in her life.  Don't stop until you get an answer.  If you need help, contact the school or find someone in your area that can help you and your teen.  Take the time and invest time in your teen.  She is, after all, the future of the USA and the world.  Isn't she worth the time and effort? 


 

    Welcome to the Parents Blog!

    This blog is intended to help parents become better parents.  Aren't your kids worth it?  After all, if you can't be a role model, then who will?  Do you want your kids looking up to Hollywood Starlets that constantly get into trouble?

    Within this blog you'll find parenting tips and tricks such as how to teach your teens how to "stick up" for themselves against bullies,  how to help your teens to develop self-esteem and self-confidence, help your kids with weight issues, divorce, single parenting, controlling your anger and temper, how to become a better parent, and much more!

    Take your power back as a parent and get control over your life.  Perhaps you didn't have a great childhood.  It's time to take responsibility for your life for the sake of your teens.

    Teens are the future of America and the world.  The sooner we get them on the right track, the better off for the rest of us.

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