I had an opportunity recently to present the workshop “Working With Birth Parents” to a welcoming group of foster parents affiliated with the Children’s Aid Society of Brant. I extend thanks to Carrie Davidson and Keri Brook for their efforts in arranging and organizing this training event. The legal responsibility of the CAS is to provide care for children who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to live with their birth family. The preferred […]
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I will be presenting a workshop open to the public on October 22, 6:30-9:30 at the Woodstock campus of Fanshawe College. The title of the workshop is “A Parent’s Guide to the Teenage Brain” A teenager’s brain is not just an adult brain with fewer kilometres on it. It is a brain that is not fully developed. It is a work in progress and has stymied parents for centuries. Modern science is now explaining biological […]
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DO’S & DON’TS WITH A SUICIDE THREAT DO: 1. stay calm 2. talk to him – listen – don’t try to “talk” him out of how he is feeling – don’t try to cheer him up – show concern – reassure person you know how to get help – ascertain how well thought out the plans are (fleeting thoughts of suicide are […]
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THE NIGHTMARE of SUICIDE Journal entry “ I’m surprised I haven’t done it yet because I feel really terrible all the time. I just don’t have any courage but anyone else in my position would have already committed suicide.” Rachel age 15 – the peak age for suicide attempts is 16 – 19% of teens seriously consider suicide – 6% actually attempt it – only car accidents claim more teen lives […]
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HELPING A SUSCEPTIBLE KID THROUGH A HORRIBLE EVENT Example – September 11 – limit TV – constant bombarding of images reinforces anxiety – message should be clear: – this is horrible – it’s frightening – but we are not helpless or hopeless – there are things being done – the situation will improve – the government is taking steps – we can help […]
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