How to Tell Your Children You’re Separating
Dr Fran Vertue
Having counselled a number of couples through the separation process, it has become clear to me that there is one step that isn’t well covered in the publicly available materials on separation and divorce. That is: How do you tell your children that you’re separating?
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Transition to parenthood
The transition to parenthood for the first time is unsettling, exciting, and profound
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Adolescents and Facebook
Dr Fran Vertue
Up to 90% of adolescents use one or more of the social networking sites – Bebo, My Space or Facebook are examples – and that’s a lot of young people socialising with a computer screen
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Step-parenting
Prue Fanselow-Brown
However well it goes, there are times when step-parenting presents a significant challenge, especially in the early years.
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Depression: Post-natal
There is a myth that motherhood is always wonderful, and that all other mothers cope magnificently. Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to not coping, and mothers are reluctant to say when things are not going well.
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ADHD
Children with attention deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are constantly distractible, impulsive and unusually active. They may also have other serious behavioural, emotional and learning problems which can get them into an awful lot of trouble if ADHD is not recognised and treated.
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Children who are Different
Dr Fran Vertue
9-year old James says homework’s too hard. However, his teachers say that he’s very intelligent, so how can it be too hard? James picks through his food and takes longer than others. He seems “hyped up”, unable to settle down, and it’s late before he finishes his evening routines and goes to sleep. His parents worry that “he’s not achieving his potential”, “he doesn’t have many friends, or can’t maintain his friendships”, “he just doesn’t listen”, and there are arguments and temper outbursts.
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Anxiety: Afraid or Angry?
Dr Fran Vertue
When human beings think they’re in danger, they react with either ‘fight’ or ‘flight’. These reactions are hard-wired in us, but we all respond differently. A child’s behavior when he is anxious or worried may be in the ‘fight’ mode, with disruptive, oppositional, explosive, angry, or a melt-down – trying to overcome the source of the fear by force.
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The attachment relationship between child and parent
(Adapted from www.attachmentexperts.com)
What is Attachment?
Attachment is the deep and enduring connection established between a child and caregiver in the first several years of life. It profoundly influences every component of the human condition – mind, body, emotions, relationships and values.
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Effects of your own childhood on your parenting
“My 6-year old is disrespectful, cheeky and demanding”, “My 12-year old is ungrateful for all the support I give him”, “My 9-year old has terrible rages that I can’t control”, “My 10-year old becomes very wound up about little things”, “My teenager won’t do anything I ask and rejects me
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