HaltonParents

Why you need to TALK about suicide with your kids

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

Suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15-24 year olds, and in Halton region alone, Regional police receive, on average, one suicide-related call per day. Think about that: a suicide-related call EVERY DAY from someone in distress.

As much as it’s uncomfortable to face, teens and young adults die by suicide. It’s a fact. We need to talk about suicide with our kids. If we are afraid to, then how do we expect them to ask for and get help? And we know the fear of opening up and talking to someone is the number one barrier to getting help. Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Keeping Your Child/Tween Safe, Keeping Your Teen Safe, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens | Tagged Mental Health, resources, suicide, talk | 1 Comment

Sticks and stones are nothin’: Words are the real killers

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Paula D'Orazio

“Love and peace…and also disturbance and destruction begin at home”

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” Many of us, at least those of us who grew up in North America, are familiar with this childhood verse. Simple enough concept: a kid, feeling hurt by another kid’s words, chants this song as a coping strategy in an attempt to convince the other kids that the “names” and taunts they are spewing are having no impact. The teased and belittled child continues to sing this little ditty in hopes that the unkind words will stop and that the episode will end. Done deal, right? Wrong. Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Parenting Your Toddler & Preschooler, Teens, Toddlers & Preschoolers | Tagged bucket filler, bucket filling, Bullying, empathy, friendship, grandparents, kind words, kindness, mean words, Mental Health, Mother Teresa, Peace begins at home, role model, school, special needs, sticks and stones, understanding, words hurt | 3 Comments

How do teens feel about starting high school? Hear their voice…

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Cynthia Lindsay RN

A wise person recently told me that “our very own high school experiences will affect how our kids are feeling about starting high school… and that we should try and allow them to have their own experiences”. These words really hit home with me; I had never really thought much about this before. But it makes total sense.

So I fade away in thought, reminiscing about how I felt the summer before starting high school, and I remember being so excited. I literally bounced around my house with nervous energy… you see, I went to a very, VERY small elementary school with only one class per grade. I had known the same kids my whole life and now I was going to be entering a big new world of possibilities and friendships. I was beyond ready to spread my wings and fly.

How do young teens feel about starting high school? Hear one student’s thoughts… Continue reading →

Posted in Children & Tweens, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Child/Tween, Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health for Your Teen, Parenting, Parenting Your Child/Tween, Parenting Your Teen, Teens, Transition to High School | Tagged acceptance, changes in school, high school, Mental Health, Physical Health, resiliency, school, starting high school | 1 Comment

Will my kids eat healthy at university or college?

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Halton Guest Blogger

It seems like yesterday when I was leaving home for university. I was so excited to be free from rules and parents – and be in charge of my own life. The thought of a meal plan while I was in residence, however, was a little worrisome for me. How was I supposed to eat healthy when I had no say in my meals? As a parent, are you worried now that you’ve lost a little bit of your oversight in your kid’s food choices, about how your kid will fare?

Here are some tips that got me through my first year living away from home, which you can pass along to your new seeker of higher education. Healthy eating can be easy and fun – just wait and see. Continue reading →

Posted in Healthy Eating for your Teen, Teens | Tagged college, eat, Food, healthy, Physical Health, residence, university, weight | 1 Comment

No nuts back to school… honestly, it’s life and death

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Paula D'Orazio

Food allergies. Unless you, your child, or someone else you love has them, perhaps you don’t think about them all that much. Or perhaps you do. With the first day of school fast-approaching, it’s time to start thinking about the nut-free lunches and snacks we might pack for our kids who have grown accustomed to peanut butter and hazelnut chocolate spread over the lazy summer months. Some of us may even be feeling a tad annoyed about the nut restrictions or may even lack a true understanding of why such school policies are in place. Well…let me tell you a story. Continue reading →