Talking to Kids about Tough Topics: Leading Parenting Expert Shares Advice on How to Talk To Your Children about the Hurricane
(ContentDesk) September 6, 2005 -- As each day unfolds, the news from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast seems to get more and more grim.
As adults, we are all too familiar with unanswered questions about unspeakable tragedies in uncertain times: why? what if?
But for many, the toughest questions come from children. Should you talk to your child about this tragedy or should you try to shelter them?Leading parenting expert Dr. Michael Popkin says that it is imperative that parents do begin a dialogue with their children when a tragedy occurs. According to Dr.
Popkin, "All too often, young children sometimes believe that mysterious events like tornadoes and hurricanes are punishments for having been bad. It is imperative that parents gently correct them and explain that nature ? or God, if you prefer ? has a way of operating that we do not always understand."Dr. Popkin adds that the most important thing is to talk to your children and try, no matter how difficult, to answer their questions. "Particularly in times of tragedy, it is important that you reassure your children as much as possible that we have the strength and ability to protect them from harm. Keeping as normal a routine as possible is also important.
Focus on the positives ? acts of heroism, patriotism, and leadership ? that come out of these situations. These can provide lessons that are invaluable. Take time to talk with your kids about values and courage."Dr. Popkin also suggests that parents form a type of informal support group with other parents. Talk to other parents about their fears, concerns and how to establish reasonable rules.Should your children be allowed to watch the news?
According to Dr.
Popkin, "Because young children are particularly sensitive to images, try to avoid letting kids under the age of six see media reports of violent tragedies like the twin tower collapse on 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina.
If they do see something, be sure to talk with them about what happened in language that lets them know that they are safe and that people are being helped.
With older children, it is positive for them to watch and discuss what happened.
It gives you a chance to strengthen your own values in them." One guideline Dr. Popkin offers is to be aware of what your child is watching.
Keep computers, televisions and other media in a public part of the house so you can see what your child is watching.Finally, Dr. Popkin also suggests that parents talk to children about safety, not just in times of crisis, and be aware of how cautious their children naturally are:
"Some kids have a natural cautiousness about them, while others blindly rush in where angels fear to tread. Watch for your child's tendencies, knowing that with more adventurous children, you will have to do more talking and be eternally vigilant. However, even with cautious children, they do not have the experience to known where danger may be lurking or how to handle it once confronted. The challenge is to teach your children to be reasonably cautious without scaring them into an unhealthy fear of people or new places."Dr.
Michael Popkin has appeared on over 200 television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Montel Williams, and as a regular parenting expert on CNN. Dr. Popkin is best known as a pioneer in the field of video-based parent education. With the introduction of the Active Parenting Discussion Program in 1983, Dr. Popkin became an innovator in parent education.
Since then he has authored and produced over thirty books and videos, such as Active Parenting Now and Active Parenting of Teens that have been used around the world to teach millions of parents how to raise happy and successful children. Dr. Popkin's most recent book, Doc Pop's 52 Weeks of Active Parenting, is a 2005 releaseDr. Michael Popkin is available for interview. To arrange an interview with Dr.
Popkin, please contact Maryglenn McCombs by phone ? (615) 297-9875..
Reno Hotel Poker Jackpot Now Over $85,000
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For more information call the Peppermill's Poker Room at 775-689-7275.Poker is the hottest game going and the Reno Peppermill's smoke-free Poker Room is playing host to some the game's top players this February 26 ? March 6, 2005 for the prestigious Peppermill Reno Spring Poker Tournament.
A field of 1,500 players is expected to take part in the nine days of heated poker action. Each day will feature two new tournaments, one at...
Reno Hotel Poker Jackpot Now Over $85,000
Televisions > Reno Hotel Poker Jackpot Now Over $85,000
How To Choose Your TV Satellite Dish Service
What is the best way to figure out which TV satellite dish to go with? We are constantly bombarded with the advertisements from every TV satellite dish company imaginable, which can make figuring out which one you want difficult. It is true that a dish can improve your home many ways. It will help you get better television reception and increase the number of televisions to which you have access. You and I both know, though, that it can certainly be expensive. The best way to figure out which is the best deal is to compare satellite companies and systems.
The best place to make your comparisons is online.
You probably use the internet to price compare a lot anyway. You probably check out prices on books, CD's, appliances, and even cars via the internet. So why wouldn't you do the same thing when trying to figure out who can give you the best deal on a TV satellite dish and programming? Take the time to sit down and make the comparisons to make sure that you are getting...
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YOURS, MINE AND OURS. How To Blend Two Households And Stay Sane In The Process
YOURS, MINE AND OURSHow To Blend Two Households And Stay Sane In The ProcessHow exciting, to be getting married! How joyous the occasion! How much extra ?stuff? you?ll now have! Gone are the days when a girl had a hope chest where she saved the things she?d eventually need for marriage. These days, people are getting married later in life, which means they often come into the marriage with a full house. Suddenly, you?re the proud owner of two of everything and not sure what to do.Here are a few tips to help make blending your lives easier and help others in the process:1. Go through each house together, and identify which items are duplicates. Talk about each item honestly.
This is the time to decide whose wine rack you?ll keep, whose kitchen table you?ll keep, and so on. If you can legitimately use two of something in your new life, such as televisions or stereos, go ahead and keep both. Try not to be too attached to something simply because it?s yours and realize that the more...
YOURS, MINE AND OURS. How To Blend Two Households And Stay Sane In The Process
Televisions > YOURS, MINE AND OURS. How To Blend Two Households And Stay Sane In The Process
Portable Generators
Portable generators are used in homes and in places where there is no power or the need for power is minimum. Portable generators are generally smaller and are designed to use for a few. A portable generator of 5KW has enough power to keep lights, refrigerators, computers and televisions running for 7 to 8 hours. Portable generators are normally powered by gasoline, diesel, propane or natural gas. They are the most popular of all portable generators.
Gasoline generators are relatively less expensive but require frequent maintenance and have a shorter life span. Gasoline has a short shelf life and cannot be stored for a long time unless treated with stabilizers.
Diesel generators, on the other hand, are fuel-efficient, consume less fuel per kilowatt of power produced, have longer life and require less maintenance. Diesel can be stored for longer periods of time. However, they are harder to start in cold weather and noisy. Portable generators powered by natural gas...
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