You ARE Loved

History of You ARE Loved

Lisa Elifritz lost her 20 year old daughter Amy Rae Elifritz to  tampon related Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) on June 13, 2010.  From that time on, Lisa has been committed to doing everything possible to raise awareness.  In 2011, she founded the non-profit organization You ARE Loved.  As of June 2011, the organization has already reached tens of thousands of people through face-to-face educational programs and online awareness initiatives.

Toxic Shock Syndrome Basic Facts:

Toxic Shock Syndrome develops when the common bacteria, Staphylococcus Aureus, produce a toxin which is absorbed into the bloodstream. The toxin rapidly overwhelms the immune system and attacks the major organs, leading to kidney failure, collapse of the lungs and in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Alarmingly, half of all known cases of Toxic Shock are women using TAMPONS.

Symptoms of TSS

• Sore throat
• Aching muscles
• High temperature; over 102 degrees F
• Vomiting
• Watery diarrhea
• Red rash
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Very low blood pressure

Only one or two symptoms may occur. They do not necessarily occur all at once and may not persist.

Learn more and please pass this information on to others.

Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation

The Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation improves the lives of families raising children and teens living with bipolar disorder and related conditions.

Public Health Goals

1. Increased funding for research on the causes, nature, and best treatment for early-onset bipolar disorder.
2. Public service announcements to inform the public about mood disorders in the young.
3. Access to appropriate evaluation and treatment for all children and adolescents with mood disorders.
4. Epidemiological studies on mood disorders in children and adolescents.
5. Education for school children about brain disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder, and screening for emerging brain disorders in children.
6. Non-discriminatory insurance coverage for bipolar and other brain disorders equal to coverage for other medical conditions.
7. Mandatory reporting by hospital and public safety personnel of anonymous statistical data on suicide attempts by children and adolescents.
8. Adherence by researchers to the highest ethical standards for drug trials of psychiatric medications in children and adolescents

Public Awareness Facts

1. Bipolar disorder can and does occur in childhood and adolescence.
2. Bipolar disorder resembles, or often co-occurs with, ADHD and other neurobiological conditions.
3. Qualified professionals can identify children at risk for early-onset bipolar disorder and diagnose bipolar disorder in children and adolescents.
4. Symptoms of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents can be reduced or managed with appropriate treatment.
5. Early diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder in children and adolescents may prevent a worsening course of illness, school avoidance, substance abuse, and impulsive acts of aggression against loved ones, self, and others.
6. Medications commonly used to treat bipolar disorder in adults, such as lithium and other mood stabilizers, may be effective in many children, but more research on effective treatments is needed.
7. Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder often need, and are entitled to, flexible accommodations at school (including Individual Educational Plans) to meet their unique educational needs.
8. Children with bipolar disorder respond best to parenting and educational methods that take account of their neurobiological condition.

Follow them on Twitter @BPKids.

Teen Rage and Anger: Explosive Behavior

Child Rage: Explosive Anger in Kids and Teens

By Janet Lehman, MSW

Screaming fights. Destructive behavior. Volatile moods. Do your child’s anger and rage make you feel exhausted and out of control? In a recent Empowering Parents poll, Angie S. commented, “I walk on eggshells around my 15-year-old son. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’m afraid of his explosive temper.” In that same poll, more than 50 percent of respondents said that they end up “losing control and screaming back” when their child’s anger reaches the boiling point. But matching your child’s rage with your own angry response is not the answer. Janet Lehman, MSW, explains why—and tells you how to form a plan to help you handle their behavior.

By getting you to tiptoe around him, your child is teaching you to behave differently—he’s training you to anticipate his angry outbursts.

 

As a parent, one of the most difficult things you will ever have to do is manage your child’s behavior when they are in an angry, volatile mood. Whether you refer to it as a temper tantrum or extreme rage, I believe the most important thing you can do is create a “Rage Plan” to help you handle your child’s behavior. The following 5 steps are the basis of this plan:

1. Make sure the area around your child is safe. Make sure that the area your child is in is safe and that no one can be hurt if and when he lashes out. Remove yourself and any siblings from the area. Reduce any stimulation in his vicinity. Turn off the TV, lower the lights. The idea is to let your child wear himself out. (This step applies to adolescents as well as to young children.)
2. Try to get calm: Even if emotions are running high, work to calm yourself down. Talk to your child in an even tone of voice. Tell him that his behavior is unacceptable and that you’ll speak with him when he’s calmed down. Model good behavior for your child. Remember, kids learn from their parents, which is another reason you want to remain calm. You’re teaching him appropriate ways to manage stressful situations.
3. Don’t respond to name-calling or verbal abuse. If your child is screaming things at you, calling you names, or saying you’re “the worst parent in the world,” do not respond to it. Simply leave the room or send him to his bedroom. Don’t yell back at your child because it will bring you into his rage and make you the focal point of his anger.

Read the entire article from Empowering Parents - click here.

Order your FREE trial Total Transformation program today and help you help your children and teens

Overweight Teens - Wellspring Florida Summer Program

Over the past 20 years, clinical obesity among children and adolescents (defined as 95+ percentile body mass index on a growth chart) has skyrocketed from 6% to 15%. This makes overweight teens and teen obesity the most common chronic illness in pediatrics. To provide a sense of the magnitude of the opportunity, the prevalence of eating disorders is only 0.3%.

Although pediatric and adolescent obesity is most common in lower socio-economic groups, it is prevalent at all income levels, including in upper-income families. In 1995, 2.9% of households in the top 5% of income had obese children or adolescents. The number has certainly risen over the past 8 years.

The cause of this epidemic is entirely behavioral: high-calorie diets and insufficient exercise.

The direct effects of pediatric and adolescent obesity are clear and well established:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus (formerly adult onset diabetes)
• Hypertension and predisposition for cardiac disease
• Sleep apnea
• Asthma
• Gallbladder disease
• Kidney disease
• Pancreatitis
• Eye diseases
• Nerve damage
• Various gastrointestinal disorders
• Various skeletal and orthopedic problems
• 80% increase in incidence of obesity in adulthood
• Obesity in adulthood likely to be more severe with earlier onset of co-morbidities

Source:  Overweight Teen

Wellspring Florida is the first and only scientifically-based summer fitness and weight loss camp in St. Petersburg Florida, and one of the most effective weight loss programs in the world.

MTV's latest reality show

MTV just launched their new show, "I Used to Be Fat". The show will follow teens during the summer after high school as they work to lose weight and transform themselves before entering college.  As with many of today's reality shows, this is a topic that can be sensitive, difficult, however extremely necessary to talk about and address.

Be an educated parent, you will have healthier teens.


Watch the video to learn more about Wellspring summer for your overweight teens.

Read more.

Morning Squeeze Video Contest for the Entire Family

Many experts agree, a good start in the morning includes breakfast.  Especially for children and teens breakfast is a priority.

Today’s hectic schedules leave Americans with more to do in less time, which creates a balancing act for many families, particularly in the morning. 

According to a new survey, most parents identify with the role of personal assistant or traffic cop in the morning.In fact, more than one-third of those surveyed avoid morning disagreements by letting their children tune out to a TV, computer, cell phone or video game.   However, it is clear that parents want this pattern to change.  Two out of five respondents would go as far as to give up TV for an entire month or stay an hour later at work once a week in exchange for a year of peaceful mornings.

There’s no doubt American families continue to feel the morning squeeze.  While 75 percent of respondents agree mornings are an important part of the day to spend quality time with their children, few realize that it is really about making your interactions more meaningful – not spending more time.

The Morning Squeeze Video Contest:
To inspire families to make the most of their mornings, Florida orange juice has teamed up with celebrity mom and entertainment journalist Nancy O’Dell, who offers a glimpse into the situations her family faces through a series of behind-the-scenes videos on the Florida Orange Juice Facebook page. To show the importance of making daily connections with your family, Nancy is working with Florida orange juice to launch The Morning Squeeze video contest, which encourages parents to submit a video of their own morning challenges for a chance to win a family getaway to Florida.

“I understand how challenging it can be to find family time when faced with such hectic schedules,” said Nancy O’Dell.  “That’s why I am partnering with 100 percent Florida orange juice to show parents across the country how a meaningful interaction, no matter how brief, can make a huge impact on everyone’s day.”

To challenge your family to a more meaningful morning and learn more about The Morning Squeeze video contest, visit www.FloridaJuice.com/Morning_Squeeze.php or the Florida Orange Juice Facebook page.
Get involved as a family.  Chances are very good your teenager is familiar with video taping.  This is a great opportunity to create a project that everyone can take part in.

Learn more about the details of this contest here.

Read more.

Six Tips for a Safe and Healthy Holiday Season

Seriously, holiday season?

Yes, the holiday season is upon us and before you know it, or actually it is a reality, there are Christmas decorations in stores already - and your kids haven't even unwrapped one piece of Halloween candy yet!
It is never too early to discuss safety and health when it comes to your family.  Living healthy all year round should be a priority, but we all will let things slide at the holidays, it is just part of reality.  (Maybe there are a few of you that are good all year round, congrats to you!)  Especially for parents, it can be extremely difficult to get our teens eat healthy as well as learn the importance of being an offensive driver.

Many recognize that during the holidays there will be in increase in drunk driving accidents and deaths from these accidents.  Whether you are 16 years-old or 60 years-old - drive safely.  Put those cell phones away.

Here are six basic reminders for healthy living, especially during the holidays:

1. Wash your hands often.  There's lots of food being exchanged during the holidays.  Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important (and easy) steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.  Wash your hands vigorously with soap and water, or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
2. Get checkups and vaccinations. Don't let the holidays get in the way of important exams and screenings. If young children are scheduled to receive routine vaccinations, stay on schedule and don't put these off until after the holidays. Talk to your doctor about flu shots for you and your family.
3. Manage stress. Remember, it's the holidays, and they are supposed to be fun. Keep a check on over-committing yourself. Plan quality time just for you and your family. Try to avoid overspending, which can cause unneeded stress during and after the festivities. Need help? Don't be afraid to ask others to pitch in!
4. Eat healthy and be active. With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Select just one or two of your favorites from the host of tempting and not-so-healthy foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your favorite holiday music.
5. Travel safely. Don't drink and drive, and be sure to keep a watchful eye on guests to ensure they're not driving after drinking.  If you are out and have had too much to drink, call 1-800-AAA-HELP and AAA's Tow-to-Go service will provide you a free tow and ride home. (Nov. 24-Jan. 2)
6. Handle and prepare food safely. Avoid food-related illness by washing hands and work surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature and refrigerate promptly.

Source: Going Places AAA

In Broward County, AAA has a location in Pembroke Pines.  You can get your holiday attraction tickets and membership information there.  Especially if you have a teen driver in the house, getting them an AAA Membership is an excellent gift (probably more for you, but it is worth the sense of relief when they break down and need a tow).  A tow alone can sometimes cost up to $400.00.  With AAA, you get three free tows a year and much more.  Look into it today!

On a personal note, thankfully my son had his AAA card last weekend - when he lost his car keys!  Between the locksmith and the tow, it didn't cost me anything (thanks to our AAA Membership).

Be an educated parent, you will have safer and healthier teens!

Read more.

Good Girls Don't Get Fat: How Weight Obsession Is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It

By Robyn Silverman

Based on Dr. Robyn Silverman's groundbreaking research at Tufts University, and filled with searingly honest young voices, Good Girls Don't Get Fat:

– Decodes the ripple effects of actions that damage our girls—and provides tools to help stop them.
– Shines light on the positive influence of women who embrace body types of any size—and explains how to model the right behavior.
– Shows how girls, whatever their size, can own their strengths, trust their power and accomplish amazing things.

Order on Amazon today!  

Teen Smoking - Not On Tobacco - N.O.T.

Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) is a state of the art anti-tobacco program specifically designed for high school students who want to quit smoking. N-O-T helps teens to stop smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke by identifying why they smoke, pinpointing social influences that encourage them to smoke, combating social pressures, understanding immediate benefits of quitting, setting realistic and attainable goals for change, and developing life management skills.

Call 1-800-LUNGUSA to learn more about N-O-T in your area.

Read more.

KidsHealth for Teens - TeenHealth

KidsHealth.org and TeenHealth.org is a vast website full of excellent and educational resources, tips and more about raising today's kids and teens.

About TeenHealth:

We're a safe, private place for teens who need honest, accurate information and advice about health, emotions, and life. TeensHealth is accessible 24 hours a day so you can get the doctor-approved information you need to make educated decisions — or help a friend who needs advice. There's a lot of confusing, misleading, and just plain wrong health information on the Web. Our mission is to tell it to you straight.

TeensHealth is part of the KidsHealth family of websites. These sites, run by the nonprofit Nemours Center for Children's Health Media, provide accurate, up-to-date health information that's free of "doctor speak."
A team of pediatricians and other medical experts reviews all KidsHealth content regularly to ensure the information is as current as possible. That doesn't mean TeensHealth takes the place of an in-person visit with a doctor. Nothing beats a personal consultation with a physician who can get your health history, do a physical exam, and talk with you one-on-one. What TeensHealth can do is help you learn ways to keep your body and mind healthy.

Sue Scheff: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

About the Campaign

The April 2010 Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign focuses on preventing sexual violence on higher education campuses. College students experience disproportionately high rates of sexual violence – 1 in 5 college women will be a victim of sexual assault by the time she graduates. In addition to serving the many survivors on campus, there exists an opportunity for prevention and social change that will have a lasting effect on students throughout their lives. This year’s SAAM brings together resources and information across a variety of campus-related topics, with an emphasis on incorporating primary prevention efforts into the work. The campaign is built around the Spectrum of Prevention framework, developed by Larry Cohen of the Prevention Institute, that places public health problems, including sexual violence, within a larger context, beyond individual behaviors, to highlight the community and societal factors that influence the issue.

The document entitled “Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the Spectrum of Prevention” is the centerpiece of the 2010 campaign and includes information on how to use the Spectrum strategically in planning SAAM and prevention efforts on campus. We strongly encourage you to read through this document first. However, below you will also find level-specific information if you prefer to review the information that way. We have arranged all other new resources for 2010 according to level of the Spectrum, below.

If you would like a CD with all of the 2010 resources, or have additional questions, please contact the NSVRC at 1-877-739-3895, or resources@nsvrc.org

Sue Scheff: Choking Game -Games You Don't Want Your Teens Playing

CHOKINGGAME.NET  is an educational and informational website for parents and teachers as well as anyone that works with kids today.

Auto asphyxia and oxygen deprivation practices need to be addressed in the same manner as other current teen risky behaviors. Todays youth are taking risks. They are car surfing, abusing over the counter and prescription medication, inhaling and ingesting common household products. All in an attempt to achieve an altered consciousness, to complete a dare or just out of teen curiosity. Without the knowledge of exactly how dangerous these activities are and what the potential consequences could be, we will continue to lose valuable members of our society.

We work co operatively with Advocates nationwide who volunteer their time and expertise to provide Choking Game Education to all who request it. No group is too small or too large. Advocates have met with a handful of students after it was discovered they had been 'playing'. Other advocates have been the keynote speaker to audiences of 500 or more. Some venues wish to reproduce materials from The DB Foundation and cover the presentation themselves - this is perfectly acceptable, the material is FREE for download and print for this purpose.

Sue Scheff: Inside Out - Real Stories about the Inner Choices

Inside Out: Real Stories about the Inner Choices that Shape Our Lives

By Chandler DeWitt

Building character matters! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the decisions kids make during their middle and high school years have more impact on when and how they die than the decisions they will make at any other time in their lives. It’s during the teen years that lifelong patterns of behavior develop: the first independent decisions about tobacco, drugs, alcohol, sex, and even exercise and eating.


What are teens thinking? What impacts their choices? Here's a character education book written by a teen for teens – to get the conversation started at school and at home. Read real stories of everyday dilemmas and decisions that build or destroy character. Chapters are correlated to nationally-recognized character education words and include self-reflection questions and journaling activities. A stand-alone text or companion piece to Connect with Kids DVDs.

Sue Scheff: The Kid's Doctor

What a fantastic website for parents!

The Kid's Doctor offers a wide variety of valuable information for your child's health and wellness.

Everyone can use a little advice on the best ways to raise their kids, and there is only one radio show, website and newspaper column dedicated to the health and well-being of children and their families. The Kid's Doctor is an award-winning, trusted resource for all your parenting questions.

Follow The Kid's Doctor on Twitter @TheKidsDoctor

Sue Scheff: Michigan NUTRITION Network

Mission of the Michigan Nutrition Network

The Michigan Nutrition Network fosters multidisciplinary, community-based, public-private collaboration to build and strengthen alliances focused on nutrition and physical activity. MNN facilitates the development of effective, high quality nutrition and physical activity initiatives that reach Michigan consumers - with a special focus on reaching those with low income.

Visit http://www.mnn.fcs.msue.msu.edu/ for more valuable information.

You can follow Michigan Nutrition Network on Twitter @MiNutrition

Sue Scheff: Teenage Girls - Teen Body Image

What a fantastic website and resource for teenage girls!

Source: FitsMi.com

Fitsmi is a place for teen girls who want to make some healthy and lasting changes in their lives. Our approach is that healthy doesn’t have to be boring (right?).

The idea for Fitsmi came from a mom who struggled with her own weight as a teen. (Read her story here.) She realized that solutions like “eating less” and “exercising more” weren’t solutions at all. So, she met with the experts: doctors, clinicians, moms, and, most importantly, teens. Her conclusion? A teen is going to choose a healthy lifestyle when she’s ready. No threats or tough love from anyone make a difference. She has to want it for herself. And once she wants it, she’ll approach it in her own unique way.

This awesome truth formed the website you’re visiting today. (Welcome, by the way!) Currently, we’re in closed beta, which means that we’re only open to a select group of teenage girls. Testing will be happening throughout the site, so if you see some wonky things, feel free to let us know and we’ll try to fix it. Our non-beta subscription site will be coming soon!

Fitsmi offers an ever-growing menu of healthy choices so a girl can find what she likes. Maybe it’s a new style, recipe, routine, or different way of thinking. Whatever she chooses, Fitsmi has tools like personal trackers and expert blogs to help her embrace change and make a difference.
A major part of this experience is Fitsmi’s community of teens, mentors and experienced voices who are always there to cheer her on.

Over time, a teen will know what’s right for her. If she grows tired of the choices she’s made (and who doesn’t?) Fitsmi offers alternatives. New ones every day.

Best of all, Fitsmi is a celebration. No wagging fingers. No lines in the sand. No lectures. There’s a funny side to this, and that’s where you’ll find Fitsmi. After all, change doesn’t have to suck.
If you want to send us feedback on how to make Fitsmi better during our beta stage, you can email us!

Visit FitsMi at http://www.fitsmi.com/ and follow them at Twitter at @FitsMi

Sue Scheff: Stop Medicine Abuse

Welcome to the Five Moms: Stopping Cough Medicine Abuse Campaign
Learn about teen cough medicine abuse.Share information about abuse.
First launched in May 2007, the Five Moms Campaign has reached over 24 million parents with these basic messages to parents about preventing teen cough medicine abuse.

When the campaign launched, teen cough medicine abuse was on the increase. Now, nationwide statistics point to a slight decrease. That’s great news, but more work has to be done to eliminate this type of substance abuse behavior among teens.

CHPA brought together five moms—a pediatric nurse practitioner, an accountant, a D.A.R.E. officer, an educator, and an author—from different backgrounds and from all over the country to encourage parents to get involved in stopping cough medicine abuse. And now Five Moms is part of the StopMedicineAbuse.org effort.

Sue Scheff: Teens and Sleep Deprivation and Its Consequences

DEAD ON THEIR FEET

Teen Sleep Deprivation and Its Consequences

by Joan Esherick

Do you ever feel exhausted and drowsy, like you need more sleep? If you do, you're not alone. A recent study by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) found that 60 percent of people under the age of eighteen complained of daytime tiredness. Fifteen percent (one out of every seven) said they were so tired they fell asleep in school.You may think that not getting sufficient sleep is no big deal, but think again. According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation can put you at high risk for unintentional injury and death; low grades and poor school performance; negative moods; and increased likelihood of stimulant use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration views driving drowsy as actually more dangerous, and more deadly, than driving drunk!What is sleep? Why do we need it? What causes sleep deprivation and how can it be avoided? What are its tragic results? This book answers these and other questions by using a readable blend of real-life accounts, easy-to-understand statistics, scientific data, and practical suggestions.

Order today or find out more: http://www.masoncrest.com/book_view.php?bookID=98

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminstration

Every day in our schools and communities, children are teased, threatened, or tormented by bullies. To help care for our youth, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) developed webpages and resources (print and online) that serve can as useful tools to parents, educators, and everyone with today’s children, teens and tweens.

• About Bullying http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/15plus/aboutbullying.asp
• Systems of Care http://www.systemsofcare.samhsa.gov/
• National Strategy for Suicide Prevention http://nmhicstore.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/pubs.aspx
• National Suicide Prevention Initiative http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/cmhs/nspi/

These sites offer parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals a great opportunity to know the facts, recognize signs and symptoms, and access easy to read tips on how to talk to children about mental health. These resources can help caregivers build healthier, safer environments and support anti-bullying initiatives.

For additional information on this topic and more, or to order resources at no cost, please call the SAMHSA hotline at 1-877-SAMHSA-7 or visit http://www.samhsa.gov/shin/.

Sue Scheff: Parent and Teen Book

THE SECRETS TO SURVIVING AND THRIVING IN YOUR TEENS, by Lori Hanson

Award-Winning Author of “It Started with Pop-Tarts (R)”, Lori Hanson, wrote an amazing very quick and easy read parent and teen book. What I loved about this book is it was written in a fashion that addresses some serious issues that teens face today, however in a condensed and easy to understand format.

I literally finished it in less than 2 hours (with many interruptions) and was very impressed how Lori both talked to teens and parents - almost at the same time - and you could feel that Lori is connecting.

I recommend any parents of teens today purchase this book and share it with their teen. What a great way to start communications - since today many parents have lost that connection with many teens.

You can purchase this book here. Don’ miss it! Get it before it hits the book stores!

Sue Scheff: Teen Stress Book

Balancing Act: A Teen's Guide to Managing Stress

By Joan Esherick

Is your teen anxious? Irritable? Feeling depressed? Having trouble sleeping? Feeling tired all the time?

If these symptoms describe your teen, they may have too much stress in their life! Stress is a fact of life. We all live with it. We all experience its effects.

The exhilarated rider on a roller coaster experiences one kind of stress. The terrified victim of assault experiences another.

Too many teens, however, deal with a potentially harmful, even deadly form of stress: chronic stress.This book offers teens a primer on stress:

What is it? From where does it come? How does it help us? How can it cause harm? How do we know if we're under too much stress? What unhealthy ways of handling stress should we avoid? What healthy ways of stress management can we embrace? What tips or strategies might help us better handle the sources of stress in our lives?

If you want to know how to manage stress better, sidebars, easy-to-understand statistics, and real-life case studies make this book an informative, interesting read.

For more information on this book and the series of helping teens today visit: http://www.masoncrest.com/book_view.php?bookID=106