Small Mean Alot

by Adair Lara
July 24, 2009

Sometimes, it’s the quiet moments that make the best memories.
I enrolled my 6-year-old granddaughter, Ryan, in the Monday afternoon “Seahorses” swim class at the local Jewish Community Center. I even offered to take her to each class myself. I’d always been skeptical of the amount of time and effort it takes for city parents to shepherd one kid to one 30-minute lesson once a week. There’s the scheduling, the driving, and the debating over who picks up the kids when and where. And then when you see the actual class, where the kids all hang onto the edge of the pool kicking their feet, you think: All this, for that?

 

This was no different. Idiotically I had, on the day of Ryan’s first lesson, scheduled a new writing class at my home for Mondays at 6pm. So taking her to kick her feet for a while in the pool meant leaving my house at 3:30 to pick up Ryan and her sister, Maggie, 4, who would watch the swim class with me, at school; racing across San Francisco to get to the center on time; delivering Ryan to her class and, 40 minutes later, plucking her, dripping, from the pool; getting her dressed; flinging her and Maggie back into the car; dropping them at their mother’s house across town after insisting that she actually BE THERE; and, finally, racing home to open the door for my writing students.

It was only later that I noticed some other things about these swimming lessons: how much fun the girls and I had discussing my parking problems, learning to use the bathing-suit drying machine together, chasing each other through the palms in the lobby, and riding the elevator to gawk at the gymnastics lesson on the third floor.

I was reminded that when my own kids were teens and I took them skiing, it was never really about the skiing. It was about talking in the car as we sped across the state at dawn, ducking under apple orchards, and wearing our jammies to breakfast. It was about all of them bonding in mutual exasperation at my slow skiing as they stood together at the bottom of the hill with their snowboards, waiting.

I was reminded that life is never really about the great events, but the little ones on the edges, those in-between moments that go almost unnoticed at the time — the long drive, the cleanup after the party with the music still blasting, or the rare ten minutes of downtime spent contentedly potting plants together.

During one recent weekend, the girls, their father, Trevor, and I did nothing. No parties. No expeditions to the beach or the museum. We walked for coffee. I stopped at a garage sale, gave Ryan $3 and let her negotiate on her own how many stuffed animals it would buy, and bought Trevor a straw hat and fake cigar, which he wore and “puffed” all the way home. Ryan threw the rubber snake she got at the garage sale on me 15 times, and 15 times I shrieked and ran. At home, there was more time-wasting: My husband, Bill, cleaned the canary cage while the girls supervised. He and Ryan made a chain out of beads. Maggie played with the dog.

Yet as we went to bed that Sunday night, Bill and I said to each other, “That was a really nice weekend.”

Source: Grandparents

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Car Seat Safety Tip

By Michael K. Davis, MD
July 23, 2009

This 2004 photograph shows an infant who has been properly positioned, and buckled into a rear-facing car seat. For example, notice the harnesses are snug; the plastic harness clip is positioned at armpit level in order to hold the shoulder straps in place; the straps are lying flat; the baby is dressed in clothes that allow the strap to go between the legs; and the child is not slouching down, or to the side.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age, and weigh at least 20 pounds. Never place rear-facing seats in the front seat of a vehicle that has an airbag. The different types of acceptable rear-facing seats include infant-only, and convertible seats. Convertible seats are bigger than infant-only seats, and can be used as forward-facing seats for cases involving larger children. The AAP advises that choosing seats with additional harness slots will allow you to accommodate how you secure your child as he/she grows within the limits of the same seat, thereby, allowing it to be used longer.

CDC/ American Academy of Pediatrics.  Annemarie Poyo. 2004. Used with permission.

Source: Dr. Tummy

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

US Military Kids Hit Home Run

By Sharon Foster
American Forces Press Service
July 24, 2009 

 

WASHINGTON, Military children and their families were honored here yesterday by a troop-support group and others when the Washington Nationals took on the New York Mets.

The Nationals beat the Mets 4-0, but the kids were the winners, as well, at the Nationals’ annual Tribute to Our Troops event. Our Military Kids, a Virginia-based troop-support group, along with WTOP Radio and Careerbuilder.com’s Mission Get Hired participated in the event, which included 1,500 free tickets distributed to Washington, D.C.-area military families through the Our Military Kids office, Walter Reed Army Medical Center and WJLA, a local television station.

“We are thrilled that Careerbuilder.com selected Our Military Kids as their charity of choice, said Gail C. Kruzel, co-founder of Our Military Kids. We are always looking for ways to create awareness about our program.”

This was the first time Our Military Kids participated in the event, in which 10,000 fans received free T-shirts, courtesy of Mission Get Hired.

“Our mission is to be a great resource for U.S. veterans to find employers and educators that value their military background,” said Inga Salavage, of Careerbuilder.com. “Our Web site provides pertinent information and tools for veterans to be successful in their new career search.”

A series of promotional Mission Get Hired ads ran in the Washington area leading up to yesterday’s game.

During the pre-game festivities, WJLA meteorologist Doug Hill and WTOP’s Jeffery Wolinsky presented a $5,000 check to Our Military Kids on behalf of the sponsors and Mission Get Hired.

“This money will be used by Our Military Kids to provide grants that cover sports, fine arts and tutoring programs for the children of our deployed reserve and National Guard forces and to the children of our severely injured military members,” Kruzel said.

At the start of the game, 14-year-old Riley Anderson of Ashburn, Va., an Our Military Kids grant recipient, threw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch. Anderson, whose father is deployed, received a grant to cover fees to participate on his local baseball team this summer.

“I am excited to be here,” Riley said. “I am also excited about my grant award. I think events like this help kids enjoy family time.”

 Editor’s Note: Photo Left to right, Riley Anderson, his sister, Olivia, and his brother, Adrian, participate in Tribute to Our Troops, July 21, 2009. Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals, Careerbuilder.com’s “Mission Get Hired” program and troop-support group Our Military Kids joined together for the event at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

As part of this event, 1,500 tickets were given to military families to enjoy an evening of baseball. Riley Anderson threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Nationals’ game with the New York Mets. DoD Photo by Sharon Foster.

We would like to know what you think? dan@youndchronicle.com

Source: Our Military

Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady

by Phoebe Assenza
July 23, 2009

Readers of nearly all ages who are curious about our President-elect’s other half will be inspired by Michelle Obama’s biography.

The concise, easy-to-read for teens, Michelle Obama: Meet the First Lady tells the story of a young woman from the South Side of Chicago, and the hard work and determination that took her to Princeton, Harvard, and the White House, becoming what some would call a living example of the American Dream.

 

Age:	9-12	Retail Price: $11.55
Available at: amazon.com

Source: Grandparents

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think if you read this book? dan@youngchronicle.com

Kids Make Good Money Choices

By MvParents
July 23, 2009

 
In order to survive—and thrive—in our American culture, we need money. We need money to pay for the necessities of life. We need money to save so we can plan our futures. We need money to give so we can help make our world a better place.

Yet, how do we teach our children and teenagers how to earn well, save well, give well, and spend well when we’re bombarded with conflicting messages of how to use our money well as adults? Fortunately, we can help our kids make good money choices by teaching them key financial skills, talking about the values that guide our money decisions, and giving them opportunities that not only help them manage money well now—but also in the future.

Focusing on kids’ financial literacy is important for people from all income levels. It’s not about how much money you have (or don’t have), it’s about teaching kids the skills to manage money well so that they thrive. The National Endowment for Financial Education says that as little as 10 hours of personal financial education affects young people’s spending and savings habits in a positive way. With only 7 percent of parents from the same study saying their kids understand financial matters well, it’s time for all kids to learn the skills they need to make lifelong, positive money choices.

 
Facts from Search Institute
 
While 46 percent of adults say it’s important for adults to give financial guidance to children and teenagers, only 35 percent of adults actually do so.
Young people are more likely to save money when they have more Developmental Assets. While only 27 percent of young people with 10 assets or fewer save money, 70 percent of young people with 31 or more assets save money.

Young people are less likely to gamble when they have more Developmental Assets. While 30 percent of young people with 10 assets or fewer gamble, only 4 percent of young people with 31 or more assets gamble.

                                
The Asset Advantage

Many of the Developmental Assets are core skills and values that are foundational to making smart money choices. These Developmental Assets include positive family communication, service to others, adult role models, planning and decision making, responsibility, honesty, restraint, family boundaries, positive peer influence, personal power, and positive view of the future. Having more Developmental Assets contributes to making smarter money decisions and avoiding high-risk money behaviors, such as gambling.

 
Ideas You Can Use Every Day

Talking about Money

Kids often complain that they never have any money. Help them see where their money comes from by asking how often they receive money from these sources: allowances, gifts (birthdays, holidays), extra jobs around the house, part-time jobs, things they make and sell to friends, or running a small business (such as repairing bikes or mowing lawns).

Talk about how your values affect your money choices. For example, how does your caring for others impact how you save, spend, and give money away? Why do you sometimes wait to make certain purchases? What does it mean to you to be responsible with your money?

Every parent needs to (and should!) say no to some requests for money and purchases. When you do say no, focus on values and responsible decision making. Instead of saying, we don’t have money for that, say, “We use our money in other ways” or “This isn’t in our budget” or “We need to save money for a while to buy this.”

When you’re struggling financially, be honest with your kids about your situation. You don’t need to worry them with all the details, but it is helpful for them to learn that money isn’t magical. It doesn’t appear when you want it to. Invite them to be creative and join you in making decisions that are within your means.

 
Learning More about Money Management

Financial management can be overwhelming. There are so many aspects to it, and it’s easy to feel inept about money matters. Focus on what you know and build on that. Research money advice via the Internet or a good book at the library, such as Raising Money-Smart Kids. by Janet Bodnar.

 

Explain that making good money choices involves always learning more. Tell your kids what you knew about money when you were their age and why you’ve needed to learn more about money as you’ve gotten older.

Periodically read about money news in the newspaper, a newsmagazine, or the Internet. Today, a lot of news stories about the economy are making headlines. What can you learn from these stories? What issues do these stories raise to talk about with your kids?

                                
Practicing Money Skills

When you give your child an allowance, have your child set aside a portion of the earnings for saving, for giving, and for spending. By doing this up front, you’re more likely to manage money beyond just spending it.

Although it’s helpful to teach kids that they cannot spend more than they have, it’s also helpful once in a while for your kids to borrow money from you and then pay it back on a regular basis. For example, if your child wants to buy a bicycle, a video game, or an mp3 player, have your child save up a certain amount for a down deposit and then figure out a payment plan (and stick to that plan every step of the way) until it is completely paid off.

Open up a savings account in your child’s name. Take your child to the bank at least three to four times a year to make deposits. Show how your child earns money by saving money.

 Help your child discover a passion for a cause, such as saving the rainforest or helping endangered animals. Research good causes at charitynavigator.org.

Source: MvParents

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Meet the Asian Elephants

by Marie Galloway
Elephant Manager
July 23, 2009

Three Asian elephants live at the National Zoo, but plans call for growing the herd to form a social group like those found in the wild. We are designing a new, bigger, state-of-the-art home to house males—essential to accomodate Kandula in the future—as well as a multi-generation herd. The current Elephant House isn’t suited to house an adult male elephant.

 

 

Kandula, a male, was born on November 25, 2001. He weighed 324 pounds at birth. His mother is Shanthi, and he is the Zoo’s smallest elephant. How does this young elephant like to have fun? Find out..

Kandula (KAN-dula) is named for the most famous elephant in Sri Lanka’s history. The original Kandula was known for his courage, strength, and loyalty. He was a gift to an infant prince 2,150 years ago, and the future king and his elephant grew up together.

 

 

 

Shanthi, a female Asian elephant, was born about 1975. Shanthi came from Sri Lanka, where she was rehabilitated at the Pinnewela Elephant Orphanage. She was given to the National Zoo as a gift from the children of Sri Lanka in 1976. Shanthi means “peace” in Sinhalese. (Shanthi is sometimes also translated as “blessing.” As in any language, a particular word may have several meanings and these may vary regionally.)

She weighs at least 9,000 pounds. Shanthi is the Zoo’s largest Asian elephant, and has a large pink patch on the underside of her trunk. She has the least amount of pink on the upper side of her trunk.

Kandula is her second calf; a female born in 1993 died of a then-unknown virus in 1995.

  

 

 

Ambika is a female Asian elephant who was born around 1948 and weighs about 7,600 pounds. Ambika was captured in the Coorg forest in India when she was about eight years of age and placed in a work, or logging, camp. In 1961 Ambika was given to the National Zoo as a gift from the children of India.

Ambika is a medium-sized Asian elephant, has a small amount of pink coloration around the trunk and ears, and the tops of her ears fold over.

 

 Source: National Zoo

 Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? And what was your favorite animal when you went to the zoo? dan@youngchronicle.com

Find Good Child Care

By: Erin Brownfield
Families and
Work Institute
July 22, 2009

 

“Stay rested.” That’s wonderful advice for your nine-month journey, but it’s easier said than done for some women. A growing belly, an active baby, and hormonal changes can make it tough to fall asleep and stay there. Here are some common pregnancy sleep disruptions and techniques for dealing with them.

 

Tossing and Turning

One of the most common sleep complaints during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester, is finding a comfortable position to sleep in. Try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees for lower-back support. You can also buy a body pillow, which can be molded along the length of your body, offering support where you need it most. Some women find relief by sleeping in a slightly reclined position with lots of pillows behind and around them.

Frequent Urination

The farther you get into your pregnancy, the more often you will have to urinate, and nighttime probably will be no exception. The need to urinate increases as your growing uterus compresses your bladder. You don’t want to cut back on fluids during the day, but you might try to limit drinking just before bedtime. 

In most cases, frequent urination is just a symptom of being pregnant. But you should be aware that urinary tract infections (UTIs) also have this effect. Frequency isn’t the only symptom of a UTI: You may feel that you must urinate right away (called “urgency”) and feel pain or burning during the process. If you experience symptoms other than frequency, contact your health care provider. He will probably test your urine to see if you have a bacterial infection.

Your Baby’s Activity

Some women are awakened by the baby’s movements during the night. There’s not really anything you can do about this, nor would you want to: A moving baby is usually a healthy baby. When babies stop moving or slow down, we become concerned about their health. So while this may be frustrating for you, it is actually a sign of your little one’s good health! If your baby is keeping you awake at night, you can try to get some sleep during the day. Even a short nap can help you feel refreshed.

Sleep-Easy Tips

Here are some other ways to get a good night’s sleep:

• Cut out all caffeine in your diet.
• Get some exercise each day. Studies show that regular exercise promotes better sleep. Walking is a great choice for pregnant women. For more information on exercising during pregnancy, see Get Moving!.
• Try drinking a glass of warm milk just before bedtime.
• Finally, do not take any over-the-counter medications or herbal preparations to help you sleep. Always check with your doctor before treating a symptom on your own.

Source: Pampers

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Activism with Children

By Kelly Palmatier
Compassionate Kids
July 22, 2009

 

Activism is a logical outlet for our children’s ever-increasing sense of compassion and desire to make a difference in the world. Activism, by definition, simply means taking action – standing up for our beliefs and helping to spread the word.

And there are many different ways to spread the word:

• Writing letters to targeted decision makers
• Entering compassionate messages in art and essay contests
• Setting up information tables
• Making displays for library bulletin boards or store windows
• Putting on compassion-themed shows
• Giving speeches or making presentations

So what about protests and demonstrations? Are they safe to take children to?

Yes, fortunately, most protests are peaceful, uneventful gatherings with people holding signs and handing out literature. They are typically intended to initiate enough negative publicity and fear of a boycott that corporate decision makers or politicians are pressured into making more compassionate choices. Of course, peaceful events don’t get as much news coverage as controversial ones, so be sure to talk to the event organizer first about what to expect and whether it’s appropriate for children to attend. The most important thing to consider is our children’s safety, so only attend protests and demonstrations that will be peaceful and law-abiding.

I have personally taking my children to lots of protests, starting when they were ages 3 and 7. Without exception, these events have been peaceful and law-abiding as well as fun and educational.

There are a few tips to keep in mind that will make your participation in a protest the most successful and enjoyable:

• Park legally – You cannot park at the business you are protesting against. Their entire parking lot is private property. Plan to arrive early enough to find a legal parking space and walk to the location of the protest.

 

• Protest legally – Stay on the sidewalk or designated public property area only. (If a sidewalk is attached to the building, it may be private property.) Keep in mind some counties or towns will have special ordinances about protesting. For example, they may require a permit that your event coordinator should have already filed and picked up, or they may require you to keep moving on the sidewalk rather than stand still. In no case will it be legal for you to block entrances or exits from buildings.

 

 

• Be courteous and peaceful – If people don’t agree with your message, just keep your tone of voice and actions pleasant. Just hand them the literature (if they want it) and politely say you’re just trying to do what you believe in. If a situation becomes angry or unstable, just remove yourself.

 

 

• Be prepared – Adults don’t mind being a little uncomfortable, but when you bring children along to a protest, it really helps to be organized. Protests will usually be at least an hour long, and may require a good deal of walking or standing, so remember to wear comfortable shoes. Be sure to bring your charged cell phone, camera, water and snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, rain gear, jacket, hats, gloves, scarves, and keep a towel and set of warm, dry clothes in the car. Carry your items in a comfortable backpack or use luggage wheels.

 

 

• Remember safety – If you have small children, you need to take every precaution around the cars driving by. Very young children should not be trusted to stay on the sidewalk far enough from traffic. They need to have constant supervision. With my youngest, we had a rule that he had to hold my hand during the entire protest unless he was sitting down. When he sat down next to me, I was never more than a couple feet away and kept a constant eye on him. Of course, always make your children’s welfare your highest priority and don’t let your discussions of the issues or other distractions let your guard slip on safety!

 

 

• Have fun – Although not mandatory, it’s a great idea to do something special for your kids for each protest. Here are a few ideas I have implemented:

  

• Create t-shirts related to the event or subject matter. T-shirts could be iron-on designs printed on your computer, handmade with markers or fabric paint, or even just stickers adhered to the shirt. 

 

• Let the children wear relevant costumes. This is especially fun when the protest is animal-related.

 

• Let the children bring dolls holding their own signs or stuffed animals wearing their message on their collars.

 

• Make small hand-held signs, large posters, or banners. Very young children can color cutouts that will be glued onto the sign or banner made by a grownup.

 

• Be flexible – Most protests are simple and fun, but there are some days when the weather just doesn’t cooperate, or someone missed naptime, etc. Don’t be so concerned about the protest that it makes anyone miserable. If things really start going badly, don’t worry about taking care of the children first. There have been plenty of times I’ve had to leave early or take a break and come back later. The children are still learning that activism is fun and educational, not torture!

 

Protests and other forms of activism can be immensely rewarding, and it is wonderful for children to know they can make a difference in the world.

Source: Compassionate Kids

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

Compassion Begins at Home

By Kelly L. Stone
M.S., L.P.C.
July 22, 2009

Children learn what they live, says the famous poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, and that includes compassion. Compassion is defined as having consideration for or showing kindness toward. Having the capacity to feel and show compassion is so important that the Search institute, a nonprofit organization that conducts research to advance the well-being of children, considers it a cornerstone for developing a sense of purpose in life. According to Dr. Peter C. Scales, a Senior Fellow at the Search Institute, having compassion for other life forms, be they human, animal, or plant, lays the foundation for growing children into well-adjusted adults who are contributing members of society.

But with so much of our children’s time spent away from the home these days, and with so much influence from factors that are beyond the scope of parental control, what can parents do to create a home environment that will nurture a budding compassion? The answers may be simpler than you think.

1) Help your child see that her life has a purpose. “In the elementary and middle school years,” says Dr. Scales, “children are developing a sense of what they can do and what their interests are. Parents can intentionally shape a sense of purpose by influencing the nature of their child’s activities.” Dr. Scales suggests creating opportunities for children to participate in religious or spiritual pursuits, volunteer work, and introducing them to people who are passionate about their work. “Parents should expose their children to as much as they can but ultimately it is the child’s own mix of interests, talents, and values that will guide their life.”

2) Third grade teacher Melanie Walrath says that the holidays are the perfect time to help teach children compassion. “Children can go through their toys and choose some they want to donate to Toys for Tots or a similar organization. Or have a garage sale for the items they choose– and I think children should choose what they want to sell for them to really learn compassion– and use the money they make to buy Christmas gifts or donate it to charity.”

3) Make decisions based on how it will effect the next seven generations, advises an old Native American saying. When selecting a Christmas tree, why not purchase something alive, and that will stay alive, instead of the usual dead tree that ends up in a landfill a month after the holidays? Purchase a live cypress tree and plant it in your yard after the holidays are over. Not only will you be contributing to the betterment of the earth’s environment, you will have growing trees in your yard that remind you of cherished memories for years to come.

4) Arrange for children to spend time volunteering for a cause they feel passionate about . But keep in mind that volunteering isn’t just about putting in the hours– the word passion isn’t in the word compassionate for no reason. Teens and pre-teens only feel the power of donating their life energy when they give of their time to causes they personally feel are important. When I volunteered with a local animal rescue group, there were 3 teen-agers who consistently showed up on Saturdays to help. These kids made sure the dogs had clean water, took them out of the crates for walks, and in general looked out for the dogs while the adult volunteers were busy with paperwork and interviews of potential adopters. These youngsters were passionate about helping end the senseless killing of homeless dogs and it showed- they were always there, on time, and happily and quietly went about their work with no instructions from the adults. The only reward they were looking for, and frequently got, was when a previously homeless dog walked off with a new family.

5) Put your money where your mouth is! Buy recycled toilet paper and other goods. Establish a compost heap in your yard and decompose as much kitchen waste as possible. Buy in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging you throw away. Teach children to recycle items from their school lunches, like plastic bags, milk cartons, and plastic utensils.

6) Look for alternatives to entertainment events that exploit wild animals. Sadly, there are many documented cases of abuse and neglect of circus animals. Attending a non-animal circus, such as Cirque du Soleil, teaches children how to put the values in their heart into real-life practice. Check out http://www.hsus.org/ace/13110 or http://www.circusofthekids.com for an animal free circus near you.

7) Talk to children about their values. What’s important to them? What do they see as the biggest problems with our world today? And what do they think they can do to help? Dr. Scales says that children need a sense of personal power along with compassion. “Personal Power is self-efficacy, the sense that I can make a difference,” he explains. Feeling effective at a young age establishes the ability to set and work toward goals later in life. “Parents build personal power from the youngest ages when they allow children to have a continuously growing sense of their emerging capacity to make decisions.”

Barbara Locasio, a licensed clinical social worker in Grayson, Georgia, advises, “Start listening deeply early on and asking questions about what you hear to help you learn more about how your child sees her world. Your child is a unique being, bringing to earth their individual gifts and wisdom. Nurturing and assisting in the blossoming of this essence, I believe, is a parent’s most important job.”

Albert Schweitzer is credited with saying, “the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” Teach your children that every action they take on behalf of another living entity works for a higher good, even if they can’t see the end result and no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time. As spiritual leaders have been telling us since the dawn of time, everything we do returns to us ten-fold. Teach your children to be compassionate for compassion’s sake, and watch their young hearts blossom.

Editor’s Note: Kelly L. Stone holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Florida State University. She is a Writer & Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with children and families for 20 years. Contact her through her website at www.kellylstone.com.

Source: Compassionate Kids

 

Signs Your Teenager May Be Depressed

By Jim Burns
July 20, 2009

The teenage years are an emotional rollercoaster – I mean, in all honesty, which of us parents would willingly go back and relive our junior or high school years all over again?

The happy times for a teenager can be utterly sensational . . . but the “down times” are very real as well. A recent national survey reported that many teens experience feelings of depression and sadness that often go untreated – and that 9 out of 10 adolescents have periods of depression that last at least two weeks.

So, what’s a parent to do? Well, a good place to start is identifying whether or not your child has a problem. And, to do that, it’s worth considering how many different types of depression there are.

There are actually four varieties of the illness:

 

Reactive Depression The most common form of mood problem in children and adolescents, it’s also the least serious. Reactive Depression is a depressed state brought on by difficulty adjusting to a disturbing circumstance. This could involve something as serious as the loss of a parent or as relatively inconsequential as a rejection or slight from a good friend. It usually lasts anywhere from a few hours to a couple of weeks, but it’s not considered to be a mental disorder.

 

Bipolar Disorder Also known as “manic depression,” this is characterized by unusual shifts in mood and energy. Though not as common in young people, the condition frequently begins with a depressive episode during adolescence.

 

Dysthymic Disorder A milder but more chronic depression also known as “dysthymia.” It is a low-level depression that is felt most of the day most days, and continues for years. In adolescents, the average duration is four years – meaning that they spend virtually their entire adolescence in a depressed state.

 

Major Depressive Disorder A serious depression that in adolescents lasts for seven to nine months on average. It has many similarities to adult depression – sadness, pessimism, sleep and appetite disturbance – but in other ways it is distinct. (For example – anxiety symptoms and irritability are more common in depressed teenagers than adults.)

Adolescents frequently have the “atypical” form of MDD. This is characterized by being overly sensitive to the environment and responding to perceived negative interactions, with symptoms opposite from the “classic” picture (e.g. overeating or sleeping too much, rather than too little).

NOTE:  Double Depression is a combination of Dysthymic Disorder and MDD – a depression that is both serious and chronic.

So . . . how can you tell if your teenager is depressed?

 

1.      Is he or she always sad or in an irritable mood?

2.      Has he or she lost interest in something he or she previously enjoyed?

3.      Have you noticed a significant change in his or her eating patterns? (Has your son seemed to “lose” his appetite – or has your “figure-conscious” daughter become a “chow hound?”)

4.      Is your former “early riser” now sleeping in considerably longer?

5.      Does he or she have trouble concentrating on projects that “never used to be a problem before?”

6.      Has your son or daughter recently begun expressing feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt?

7.      Do they fear death?

8.      Is your son or daughter experiencing excessive boredom?

9.      Is your son or daughter prone to sudden outbursts of shouting, complaining, unexplained irritability or crying?

10.  Has your son or daughter recently begun complaining about frequent vague, unspecific physical ailments?

If anything on the list applies to your child, he or she may be dealing with depression. Get help – and get it today!

Source: Home Word

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think? dan@youngchronicle.com

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