Making a tough decision during holiday times

When it comes to sending your child to residential therapy it is probably one of the hardest decisions a parent can make.  It just doesn't seem normal to send your teenager to a behavioral modification program.  Let's face it - we all know that sending them to college is part of the circle of life, but no one prepares us for the potholes that some families face - residential treatment centers.

As the holidays approach a teenager's behavior can sometimes escalate and this can leave a parent with a decision that they don't want to make.  How can they send their child into a teen help program during this time of the year?

As a Parent Advocate and Parent Consultant, I share with parents that you have many years ahead of you to have many wonderful holidays together - however in some cases, it can mean saving your child's life by removing them from not-so-safe situations - especially if they are involved in drug use or hanging out with unsavory groups of what they consider friends.  With the extra time off from school -it sometimes can add up to more time for trouble.

Are you struggling with your teenager?  Confused about what school or program is best for their needs?  I founded Parent's Universal Resource Experts, Inc over a decade ago for parents that are at their wit's end - after I was duped and my daughter abused at a program that mislead us.  Our experiences are only to help educate parents - there are more good programs than there are not so good one.  It is up to you to do your due diligence.

Remember, family is a priority - your child's welfare comes first.  There will always be more holidays - let's be sure your child's safety and security are first and foremost. 

Papersalt Black Friday thru Cyber-Monday Sale - Don't Miss It!

Papersalt books are the most unique books you will find!  They are not boring, they are not your typical book - they are books all ages can enjoy and all ages will love!

There is a book that is perfect for everyone!  And what a great time of the year to check them out!

Papersalt offers family books, inspirational books, educational books as well as books that are simply good for the brain!

Are you struggling to figure out what to buy that person that has everything?  You have to check out this website and you will find a unique book that will probably be perfect for them.

During this Black Friday weekend.... The deal is 40% for all orders of $50.00 or more, plus free USPS shipping within the US and this deal runs from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

Hurry up - the clock is ticking!

Visit www.papersalt.com and check out all their books and products!

Happy holidays!!! 

Letting Go with Love and Confidence: Raising Responsible, Resilient, Self-Sufficient Teens in the 21st Century

By Kenneth Ginsberg MD and Susan Fitzgerald

A parenting guide to adolescence - a sensible and considerate resource for navigating your teen to adulthood, transforming a traditional time of strife into an opportunity for positive growth for both you and your child.

For parents, nurturing their teens to become healthy, well-adjusted adults seems more challenging now than ever before. There are many pressures for kids to grow up faster than they should. Here, renowned adolescent medicine specialist Kenneth Ginsburg, M.D., and award-winning journalist Susan FitzGerald offer parents a practical, thoughtful strategy for guiding children through all the turning points on the way to adulthood - the "whens" and "hows" of adolescence. 

Order on Amazon today!

Ginsburg says the trick is to know when to give your teen a little bit of rope and when to tighten it.

He suggests the following steps for parents:

1. Consider your teen’s temperament and unique developmental needs.
2. Listen respectfully to what your adolescent thinks she can handle and ask what guidance or support she seeks.
3. Invite her to develop a plan with you.
4. Generate a map of each step that needs to be mastered to gain the skills and confidence that will prepare her to meet the overall challenge.
5. Help her understand that she will continue to gain more independence and privileges as long as she continues to demonstrate responsibility. When she knows that your goal is to help her achieve her goal, she’ll be much less likely to complain that you are monitoring the process.

For more information and practical strategies for teens and parents, check out Ginsburg’s Web site, www.fosteringresilience.com.

College Apps: Selecting, Applying to, and Paying for the Right College for You

By Trish Portnoy

Today's high school students are in new territory when it comes to making college and career decisions. College costs, the current economy, and the wide variety of educational options available mean that students and their parents are, more than ever, in need of careful, clear guidance and advice.

A roadmap for millennials and their parents, COLLEGE APPS: SELECTING, APPLYING TO, AND PAYING FOR THE RIGHT COLLEGE FOR YOU leads readers through the transition from high school to college. Based on Trish Portnoy's popular course, College Freshman Seminar, the book is a comprehensive guide covering personality and career analysis, college research and selection, college applications with supplemental materials, decision making, campus safety, and more.

Trish's inspirational approach, developed over years of teaching teens, speaks to students in a straightforward, engaging voice and helps parents toward their ultimate goal: seeing their children living happy and successful lives. Fast-paced, step-by-step, and task oriented, COLLEGE APPS encourages a cooperative approach, creating a space for students and parents to develop and implement a shared strategy and, ultimately, achieve success.

Order now on Amazon.

Community Empowerment Series (CES)

Education is knowledge and power that help us to keep our kids safe.

St. Johns County, Duval, Clay, Putnam, Nassau and Flagler all welcome three renown experts to World Golf Village.

Presented by St. Johns County Education Foundation and Communities in Schools, The Community Empowerment Series will cover topics that parents, educators and everyone that are involved in today's youth are concerned about.

• Sexual predators, and how to talk to your kids about private parts and stranger danger.
• The social jungle that kids are facing today. From peer pressure to bullying and cyberbullying.
• Importance of digital safety and the critical topic of teaching our kids and especially teens today about how to protect themselves from identity theft.

For these three topics we have brought in the country's leading experts. You may have seen them on your TV and also read their books!

Session one: Stacey Honowitz, who has served twenty years in the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit of the State Attorney’s Office, will be speaking about sex crimes in Florida and the sentences that they carry. She will also be addressing how to talk to your young kids about private parts.
Session two: Dr. Michele Borba is one of the most popular parenting experts in our country and the bullying prevention expert. She will have a workshop on the Social Jungle our kids are dealing with today, from peer pressure to bullying. Her speaking topics will include friends, cliques, relational aggression, cyberbullies, bullies and peer pressure. Watch the video.
Session three: Theresa Payton will discuss the importance of digital safety, identity theft with kids, and technology in today’s world as it concerns our children. There will also be deep discussion on how to create, maintain and protect a healthy digital identity for all family members, adults and children alike.

All three of these speakers are nationally recognized in their field and have been on many media outlets. We are honored they are coming to our community to help empower us with knowledge to keep our kids safe and our families educated in a society that is ever changing.

Tickets are limited. They are reasonably priced.
If you are a business or individual that would like to sponsor or be a vendor at these events, please visit our "Getting Involved" page. There are opportunities for everyone!

Don't miss these exciting educational and fun events! 

Visit www.communityempowermentseries.com for more information on the dates, times and all the details!

Pass this on to your friends, family, and neighbors!

The Essential 6 R's of Bullying Prevention

By Dr. Michele Borba

Michele offers proven ways to stop peer cruelty. Her proposal to End School Violence (SB1667) was passed into California law. She has worked with hundreds of schools to reduce bullying and create compassionate, just learning climates.

Free 32 page download of Dr. Borba's training manual 6 R's of Effective Bullying Prevention, and be sure to watch the companion video below:
(click to download)  

 Watch Dr. Michele Borba's 20 minute Keynote speech on the 6 R's of Bullying Prevention.

Visit www.micheleborba.com and follow her on Twitter.