By Alice Seba

Summer camp is both exciting and a bit scary. While children look forward to new experiences, the social aspects of camp can be daunting. Will I make friends? Will anyone like me? Will I be safe?

If this is your childs first time away from home, ease them into it. Make a visit to the camp before the summer. Kids get to look around and parents get to ask questions of the camp counselors. If your child is familiar with the place they will be attending, they may be less likely to have jitters.

Letting your child help in the decision of which camp to attend gives them a sense of control. If they pick the camp, they may be more optimistic about the outcome of their time there. If their friends are attending the same camp, this increases the comfort level of your child.

The first night at camp is usually the hardest. Cuddling up with a favorite teddy bear or covering up with a childhood blanket works to soothe their anxiety. If your child has a CD player, make a recording of your voice wishing them good night and good luck at summer camp. Listening to it before bed may give them the strength to push on especially if they have had a bad day.

Camp counselors are used to dealing with children and homesickness. For most, the feeling passes as soon as they have their first big success at camp. Kids just need to get acclimated to their new environment.

If the situation is still ongoing after a few days, talk with a camp counselor. If your child is experiencing problems with another camper or an incident has occurred, see if they can resolve the conflict without bringing your child home. If they are to learn conflict resolution and overcoming anxiety, they need to be given a chance to do so.

Dont be afraid to withdraw your child from summer camp if the need should arise. There is no reason to assign blame. Reaffirming to your child that it is okay to come home will lift their self image and give them the courage to try again the next year.

All children are not ready for summer camp at the same time. For some, it takes longer to get adjusted to being away from home.

For more help raising happy and healthy kids, be sure to claim your free subscription of Kids Health & Fun tips.

By Alice Seba

Parents look forward to summer vacation. Most kids go away to summer camp for a period of time and parents get time to themselves. If your child is away for the first time, they may get homesick. Here are a few ways that parents can deal with a homesick camper.

Summer camp is both exciting and a bit scary. While children look forward to new experiences, the social aspects of camp can be daunting. Will I make friends? Will anyone like me? Will I be safe?

If this is your child's first time away from home, ease them into it. Make a visit to the camp before the summer. Kids get to look around and parents get to ask questions of the camp counselors. If your child is familiar with the place they will be attending, they may be less likely to have jitters.

Letting your child help in the decision of which camp to attend gives them a sense of control. If they pick the camp, they may be more optimistic about the outcome of their time there. If their friends are attending the same camp, this increases the comfort level of your child.

The first night at camp is usually the hardest. Cuddling up with a favorite teddy bear or covering up with a childhood blanket works to soothe their anxiety. If your child has a CD player, make a recording of your voice wishing them good night and good luck at summer camp. Listening to it before bed may give them the strength to push on especially if they have had a bad day.

Camp counselors are used to dealing with children and homesickness. For most, the feeling passes as soon as they have their first big success at camp. Kids just need to get acclimated to their new environment.

If the situation is still ongoing after a few days, talk with a camp counselor. If your child is experiencing problems with another camper or an incident has occurred, see if they can resolve the conflict without bringing your child home. If they are to learn conflict resolution and overcoming anxiety, they need to be given a chance to do so.

Don't be afraid to withdraw your child from summer camp if the need should arise. There is no reason to assign blame. Reaffirming to your child that it is okay to come home will lift their self image and give them the courage to try again the next year.

All children are not ready for summer camp at the same time. For some, it takes longer to get adjusted to being away from home.

For more help raising happy and healthy kids, be sure to claim your free subscription of Kid's Health %26 Fun tips.

By Aldene Fredenburg Are your kids going to camp this summer? Why not send them off with some colorful personalized stationery and a supply of stamps, and encourage them to write you and other family and friends regularly?
Well before it's time to head for camp, help each of your children choose a stationery design, and pack it away in a sturdy zip-lock bag with some matching envelopes, pens or pencils, and first-class postage stamps, You may also want to buy a coordinating address book with lots of space for entries, and help them fill it with the addresses of friends, family members, teachers, and other people they may want to communicate with while they're at camp. (Don't forget yourself!)
Once you arrive at camp, find the camp store and let your children choose a selection of post cards of the camp, along with postage for the cards; that way they'll be motivated to dash off a quick note to relatives and friends. Also encourage them to add the addresses and email addresses of their bunkmates and camp counselors to their address book, so they can keep in touch once they return home.
Encourage (don't force) your children to write to you daily while at camp and fill you in on the day's activities. There's a sneaky reason for this: You can keep the letters in a bundle or put them in a scrapbook and present them to your kids when they reach adulthood. If you also send your kids to camp with a collection of disposable cameras, you may find that you can match the photos they take with the letters they send, giving you lots of raw material for your scrapbooks.
Making it easy for your kids to communicate with family and friends while away at camp will help them maintain meaningful relationships while practicing important literacy skills. And if you keep the letters safe for your children until they reach adulthood, you will have helped them retain happy memories that will last them a lifetime.

Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living in southwestern New Hampshire and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics.

By Vincent Abrugar

A traditional kids summer camp is one that generally begins in June and continues through August. This type of recreation is a popular activity among children of all ages as it gives them the opportunity to experience new things, meet new people and embark on a journey of independence. With that being said, the following are 5 popular reasons to enroll your child in a traditional kids summer camp.

Independence. During their experience at a traditional kids summer camp, children will experience their first taste of independence. Being away from home for the first time can be scary, but new friends and fun activities will help to make the transition easier. This will also be an important step toward college preparation, which often requires that the child leave home for months at a time.

Responsibility. A traditional kids summer camp will teach children to be responsible in a variety of ways, including the organization of their personal items. While away, they will be personally responsible for maintaining their living quarters and personal items. In addition, they will be required to pack their belongings at the end of their stay and will have to learn the responsibility of organizing their items for the trip home.

Teamwork. One of the most important experiences at a traditional summer camp is that of learning to work together as a team. Whether it be during a sports event, a canoeing trip or other group activity, teamwork is often required. Much like in adulthood where teamwork is essential to everyday life, children will learn the valuable lessons of working with their peers toward achieving a common goal.

Friendship. While at a traditional kids summer camp, new friends will be met and there is plenty of fun to be had. Learning to make friends and how to be a good friend is an important life lesson that is not only important at a traditional summer camp, but also in every day. Situations are always presented when individuals are placed with new faces in school, the workforce, families, etc. Therefore, it is important for children to learn the value of friendship and how it can make every day a little brighter.

Experiences. Traveling to new places, embarking on an exciting journey and exploring the wilderness are all a part of what makes a traditional kids summer camp so special. A nature hike, sailing on a blanket of calm water or sitting around the campfire with friends are just a few of the experiences that a child may encounter while enrolled in a traditional kids summer camp.

For more information about kids summer camp please visit http://www.kids-summer-camp.com

By Caitlina Fuller

All teens are different, even the troubled ones so when you are choosing a boot camp it is worthwhile to take the teen into account when considering military boarding schools or boot camps. Remember that different solutions and approaches to troubled teens are important depending on the situation at hand. So, when you are looking at boot camps for teens you need to keep the following factors in mind.

Factor #1 Length of Program
When you are considering a boarding school troubled youth program you want to keep in mind the amount of time the troubled teen will be at the boot camp. Some teens will respond well to a short period of time while other teens will need a longer stay. Consider the length of the program and how best it will affect your child before making a decision.

Factor #2 Tutoring
Some troubled teens will need academic tutoring while others may not. You want to determine if the boot camp you have in mind offers this service or not.

Factor #3 Cost
Boot camps frequently cost a lot of money and you should evaluate the cost of the program and how much you can afford. While your troubled teen is important and deserves the best boot camp you also need to consider the price. Ask about payment options as well. Many boot camp programs offer a variety of payment options to help you pay the fee so your child can attend.

Factor #4 Certification of Counselors
You want to send your troubled teen to the boot camp that has the most certified counselors to help your child. If the counselors aren't certified then you want to look for another. Counselors should be trained in dealing with troubled teens and have at least several years experience.

Factor #5 Focus
The focus of the boot camp is also important. Will they focus on your teen's defiant behavior or will they simply "babysit" him for the duration of the boot camp? You are probably sending your child to boot camp to get some results in behavior so ask this question before paying for the program.

After you have considered these factors make sure you also consider your troubled teens. Lots of troubled teens will benefit greatly from boot camp, but not all of them will. So, consider your other options as well and then make the decision that you believe will be in the best interest of your child.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer.

By Keith Allen If your teen has recently been expelled from school or is constantly running away, maybe it's time for you to look into sending him or her to a juvenile boot camp. While some people view juvenile boot camps as a form of child abuse, these camps have actually produced positive results in the lives of thousands of teens.
Here are some of the issues that are dealt with at juvenile boot camps:
* Oppositional Defiant Disorder
* ADD/ADHD
* Uncontrollable anger
* Sudden outbursts
* Running away
* Substance abuse
* Bad influences from friends
If you choose to send your teen to a camp, expect that they will be in a very strict, highly structured and disciplined setting. This isn't church camp! And it's not cheap. Prices for one month at a juvenile boot camp start at $2,000 and go up from there. But the cost can well be worth it if you have a teen who is defiant and out of control.
Most juvenile boot camps do not deal with kids who are on medication. If you plan to send your child to a camp, it is best, and sometimes mandatory that you wean them off of their medication before they go. In many situations, the camp will attempt to help a child deal with life medication-free.
While sending your teen off to one of the many juvenile boot camps may seem like a last ditch effort to save your child, keep in mind that sometimes it's not the best option. If your teen has exhibited any signs of suicidal tendencies, consider having them treated in a psychiatric hospital or a residential treatment center. You may also want to consider a therapeutic boarding school if your teen is severely depressed. If he or she is self-mutilating or has been diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, juvenile boot camps are not the answer.
Resources:
Teen Boot Camps

None

By Samantha Kay

The ever popular traditional summer camps are all time favorites. These include camps such as 4-H camp, Boy Scout Camp, and Girl Scout Camp. Generally those wishing to attend these camps must first be an active member of the corresponding group. Traditional camps generally offer a wide range of activities such as swimming, hiking, and arts and crafts. These camps are generally affordably priced. In some cases, children are allowed to do projects during the year that can count as credit toward their camp fees.

If your child is not into traditional camps, an adventure camp might be more his or her speed. In these adventure camps, your child can choose from a variety of destinations from local to foreign. For instance, choices include glacier hiking in Alaska, backpacking in Australia or working on a cattle ranch in Texas. These camps are great for a child who likes to try new things. Depending on the destination, however, these camps can be quite pricey.

If your child is more interested in arts that in sports, there are also summer youth camps that specialize in the arts. A search of the Internet will allow you to find camps that focus solely on music, painting, dance, voice, performing arts, or any other art related area that catches your childs interest. If your child is not already interested in arts, a week or two in a performing arts camp might spark an interest in a new hobby or talent.

While some summer youth camps are just about having fun, there are some that can actually allow your child to try out a possible future career or even earn college credit. Believe it or not, there are actually camps that will help your child improve his scores on college entrance exams. There are also camps that explore the possibilities of careers in finance, robotics, medicine and education.

Even if your child has special needs or is handicapped, there is no reason for them to miss out on the summer youth camp experience. There are a wide variety of camps specially geared toward special needs children. So whether your child is blind, deaf, suffers with asthma, or has any other type of mental or physical handicap, there is more than likely a camp that will fit his needs. These camps generally hire staff specially trained to deal with your childs handicap. Many have an onsite doctor or nurse who can handle any medical need that might arise. As you can see, there are a wide variety of summer youth camps available. With a little research, you and your child are sure to find one that fits them perfectly.

Still looking for the perfect summer camp? Try visiting http://www.aboutcamps.com - a website that specializes in providing camp advice, tips and resources including information on summer youth camp.

By Paul M. Jerard Jr.

A Martial Arts Summer Camp is a complete success enhancement program for your child, which will challenge his or her mind and body. Here are just ten of the many benefits you can expect your child to receive in just one summer.

Concentration: Your child will learn to increase his or her attention span. Focusing is major problem for children; especially for boys, but martial arts are completely filled with concentration drills.

Stress Management: Kids are taught how to constructively deal with stress. Just by getting some physical activity, behavior will improve when children come home. Without recess and physical education, children have a lot of 'bottled up' energy.

Self-Discipline: Your child is taught how to set priorities and get ahead. Children have to multi-task, but martial arts training will give them perseverance and the ability to prioritize their daily lives for success.

Respect: Your child will demonstrate courtesy and respect at home. How? Once he or she practices courtesy and respect all day - this habit will be carried home.

Anger Management: We provide a safe outlet for dealing with anger. Kicking and punching bags is very safe, if supervised by a qualified martial arts instructor. This allows kids to 'blow off some steam,' without hurting themselves.

Motivation: Your child will be inspired to achieve. Positive energy is rampant, within a martial arts setting, and this inspires children to excel in every aspect of their lives. As you already know, motivation is what turns dreamers into achievers.

Self-Defense: Every child will learn physical and non-physical self defense. As a by-product of attending a martial arts intensive, such as a kids summer camp, every child can adequately protect him or herself.

Total Fitness: Children receive a complete workout every day they attend a martial arts summer camp. It is not natural for children to sit in front of a television set all day. It is much healthier for them to run, kick, jump, and yell. This also helps them sleep better, too.

Time Management: Your child will learn many time saving drills that make your life easier. Children need to have structure and order gently reinforced, so that it can be ingrained within their consciousness.

Goal Setting: This is contagious in a Martial Arts atmosphere. When your child earns his or her first colored belt, he or she realizes goals by continually putting forth effort. This skill is also applied to an academic setting for maximum success.

These are ten of the many life skills your child, will gain from a Martial Arts Summer Camp.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. Hes a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches that along with fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who want to be a teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Paul M. Jerard Jr.

A Martial Arts Summer Camp is a complete success enhancement program for your child, which will challenge his or her mind and body. Here are just ten of the many benefits you can expect your child to receive in just one summer.

Concentration: Your child will learn to increase his or her attention span. Focusing is major problem for children; especially for boys, but martial arts are completely filled with concentration drills.

Stress Management: Kids are taught how to constructively deal with stress. Just by getting some physical activity, behavior will improve when children come home. Without recess and physical education, children have a lot of 'bottled up' energy.

Self-Discipline: Your child is taught how to set priorities and get ahead. Children have to multi-task, but martial arts training will give them perseverance and the ability to prioritize their daily lives for success.

Respect: Your child will demonstrate courtesy and respect at home. How? Once he or she practices courtesy and respect all day - this habit will be carried home.

Anger Management: We provide a safe outlet for dealing with anger. Kicking and punching bags is very safe, if supervised by a qualified martial arts instructor. This allows kids to 'blow off some steam,' without hurting themselves.

Motivation: Your child will be inspired to achieve. Positive energy is rampant, within a martial arts setting, and this inspires children to excel in every aspect of their lives. As you already know, motivation is what turns dreamers into achievers.

Self-Defense: Every child will learn physical and non-physical self defense. As a by-product of attending a martial arts intensive, such as a kids summer camp, every child can adequately protect him or herself.

Total Fitness: Children receive a complete workout every day they attend a martial arts summer camp. It is not natural for children to sit in front of a television set all day. It is much healthier for them to run, kick, jump, and yell. This also helps them sleep better, too.

Time Management: Your child will learn many time saving drills that make your life easier. Children need to have structure and order gently reinforced, so that it can be ingrained within their consciousness.

Goal Setting: This is contagious in a Martial Arts atmosphere. When your child earns his or her first colored belt, he or she realizes goals by continually putting forth effort. This skill is also applied to an academic setting for maximum success.

These are ten of the many life skills your child, will gain from a Martial Arts Summer Camp.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. Hes a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches that along with fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who want to be a teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Joanne Mackenzie

The idea behind boot camps is that if the child is yelled at and punished hard enough, they will eventually obey theyre orders. Although this theory works in the short term, the long lasting effects of it are questionable. By sending youre emotionally troubled teen away to a camp where they are getting yelled at, will only create more anger in youre child towards authority figures. This is also not helping youre child get along in the real world, where compromise, respect and cooperation are vital social skills in any society. By teaching them that the most callous, loud and angry person wins they are not going to realize the real consequences of their behavior.

If you have a child suffering from emotional or behavioral problems, sending them to a person who is going to break them down might be setting your child up for even larger issues when they reach adult hood. Before you send your teen away to boot camp, consider a more sensitive, therapeutic approach that will help your child solve their problems as well as teach them that compassion and tolerance are the real keys to living a happy successful life.

Joanne Mackenzie writes about various topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intacked, the bio remains in full and the rel='nofollow' tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you For information on how to join the army please visit http://www.join-the-army.info

By John David

We can help the troubled teens in many ways. Regulation during amenities such as behavior adaptation schools, boot camps, boarding schools, group homes, troubled youth programs and wilderness camps. Rehabilitation through analysis is an additional choice. These facilities offer numerous key mechanisms to help them contract with their issues and they comprise academics, reinforcement of suitable behavior, family involvement, and individual and touching development.

Boot Camps - an ineffective approach to rigorous behavior troubles. To take care of rigorous behavior problems, boot camp programs rely on destructive argument, harsh discipline, extreme bodily exertion, and strict respect to those with power. Although they do well in punishing, they succeed in little else. There is no consistent proof which supports the effectiveness of boot camp programs , although there is a substantial body of confirmation which shows such approaches to be unsuccessful and even injurious. Some adolescents come back from military boot camp completely rehabilitated.

These adolescents had a experience of tough love and well-read some things concerning life. Others come back from adolescent boot camp and make alteration for a few weeks before make a decision that they can't keep livelihood that lifestyle away from the boot camp. Others make completely no changes as a consequence of their period in adolescent boot camp.

Boot camps are acceptable programs for youth set up in a military-style atmosphere, lay emphasis on primarily authority and objective conditioning. They are usually constrained to peaceful or first time lawbreaker. These camps are set up as a substitute to longer terms of captivity in adolescent correctional facilities, and many are followed by a period of experimentation or aftercare following commencement from the program.

The efficiency of boot camps varies with the adolescent. Some youth enlarge best under the stress of hard-hitting love, but other needs just simple love. There are other alternative for troubled teens than sending them off to boot camp . Boot camps provide a structured environment. Adolescence that comes to the school has gain be in charge of over their parents and the well thought-out environment provided puts the parents back in charge. The effectiveness of the boot camp can show a discrepancy from adolescent to adolescent, and the outcome is dependent upon the attitude of the youth as well as the parents.

Some boot camp-oriented programs make use of humiliating confrontation, deficiency of basic needs, and a philosophy advocating that unwilling teens must be broken down before they can be helped. These programs only harm children and in advance make unfriendly them from their parents. Residential and outdoor behavioral healthcare providers who offer nurturing and caring environments with evidenced-based psychotherapy, drug and alcohol analysis, parent education, social-skills preparation, and other proven involvement. When outpatient treatment is ineffective, these programs can help make possible change, reinforce families, and even save life.

About Author: - John David is an expert author of http://www.troubledteensparents.com/ . John often writes for quality articles on {a href= http://www.troubledteensparents.com/} Troubled Teens Help . He has been quite attached with teens and regularly provides information about {a href= http://www.troubledteensparents.com/teens_programs/teen-boot-camps.html} Boot Camps for Troubled Teens and Military Schools.

By Lokesh Monga

What are Boot Camps for Troubled Teens?

Teen boot camps are correctional programs for delinquent youth in a military-style environment. These programs typically emphasize discipline and physical conditioning and were developed as a rigorous alternative to longer terms of confinement in juvenile correctional facilities. Many, but not all, of these programs are followed by a period of probation or some form of aftercare. Boot camps are generally restricted to non-violent or first-time offenders.

The idea of "shock incarceration" as a tough, low-cost alternative to more intensive programming brought about the establishment of military-style boot camps for troubled teens.

Are Boot Camps Effective? Experts agree that a confrontational approach is often inappropriate. Most correctional and military experts agree that a confrontational model, employing tactics of intimidation and humiliation, is counterproductive for most troubled teens. The use of this kind of model has led to disturbing incidents of abuse. For youth with emotional, behavioral, or learning problems, degrading tactics may be particularly inappropriate and potentially damaging. The bullying style and aggressive interactions that characterize the boot camp environment fail to model the pro-social behavior and development of empathy that these youth really need to learn.

Positive changes demonstrated while in the boot camp may not last when a youth returns to his community. Many juveniles report that the program is helpful to them and they feel more positive about their futures. It is unclear, however, whether these attitudes persist after youth leave the boot camp, or whether they are related to actual changes in behavior once a youth returns to his community. Without significant therapeutic intervention while in the program, as well as specialized aftercare following release, boot camp programs have been consistently unsuccessful in "changing" juveniles.

What are the alternatives? Youth who need some form of treatment care require an individualized approach that takes their strengths and needs into account. Programs and policies should be family-centered, including the family in all decision making about a child, as well as culturally and developmentally appropriate. Research has shown that small, family-centered programs are more effective than boot camps in the long term.

You have made the right choice in seeking help. The next step is to contact us. We have a great deal of experience in the treatment care industry. We have worked in the industry. We have lived in the industry. We have seen what works …… and what doesn't.

Does Your Child Need a Boot Camp for Troubled Teens?

Often when teens struggle with the numerous issues they face in today's society they become, frankly, quite unpleasant. Thousands of families throughout the country have felt that the best way to get youth back on track is to send them to boot camps for troubled teens. The idea is to both "straighten them out" and to legally punish them in the most painful way possible. However, unreported in both the media and from these programs is the fact that there is very little statistical evidence that boot camps for troubled teens have a long-term impact on the success of the child. In fact, there is mounting evidence that they are both ineffective and in many cases detrimental.

But there are other options to boot camps for troubled teens. InsightPros is here to help.

We will guide you. We will inform you. Take advantage of our knowledge and insight. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Michael Behunin is the author of this article. For more information on this article or Boot Camps for Troubled Teens, please feel free to visit our site http://www.insightpros.com/

By Kent Pinkerton

Parents looking for a quick fix usually choose troubled teen camps. There are two types of teen camps: boot camps and summer or wilderness camps. They usually last from one to six weeks, and while teens may shows signs of improvement for days or even weeks after coming home, they often revert back to old behaviors after the fear of authority disappears.

Boot camps are military-style facilities that use discipline, military exercises, rigorous physical training, and fear of authority to transform a troubled teen into a "good soldier" who follows rules. Unfortunately, most boot camps do not address underlying emotional or behavioral problems. Without therapy or behavior modification, long-term effectiveness is limited. If parents do chose to send their troubled teen to a boot camp, the best chance for long-term success is to follow it with a treatment program.

Wilderness camps are usually seen as an alternative to boot camps. Instead of the aggressive approach that boot camps tend to use, wilderness camps are more likely to be behavior modification programs with a component of the program held outdoors. They remove urban distractions so troubled teens can reconnect accept responsibility for their choices. Because these wilderness camps are generally held in summer, they may not include an academic component. There are a few that do, though, which is especially important for teens who have fallen behind during the school year.

The biggest benefit to wilderness camps as opposed to boot camps is that they often provide substance abuse treatment for troubled teens. Again, because wilderness camps usually only last for one to six weeks, the best chance for long-term success is to follow it with a treatment program. This will supplement and reinforce the treatment teens receive at camp.

Troubled Teens Info provides detailed information on schools, programs, camps, and homes for troubled teens. Troubled Teens Info is the sister site of Relationships Web.

By Michael Russell

Lets be honest, no matter how devoted you are as a parent and no matter how much you love you kid, eventually you reach a point, especially if youre a full time stay at home parent, where you need to get away for a while. And usually the best time to do this is in the summer when both parents might be off work.

This is actually quite common in families where one or both parents are school teachers and get the summers off. No sooner June 21 hits and theyre off to somewhere. But what do you do when you want to get away and have a small child, or even not so small child, that needs to be taken care of?

Well, option number one is you take the kid with you. But that kind of defeats the purpose of going on your much needed vacation.

That more or less leaves you with option number two. Leave the child with someone. The $64,000 question is, who?

Well, you have a number of choices here. The best one is probably to leave the child with a family member, like your parents for one. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to awkward situations. Maybe your parents really werent planning on taking care of your little brat for 2 months. Or maybe they had plans to go away themselves. Most likely brothers and sisters or distant relatives will politely tell you that they cant do it.

Your best bet is to simply go to a professional. If your child is old enough then youll probably want to send the kid off to summer camp. This is always a favorite with parents. The problem is, you want to make sure this camp is going to be one you dont regret sending your kid too. After all, this is still your child.

So these are the things you should look out for before sending your kid off to whatever summer camp you choose.

1. Find out what the camp has to offer and if it is accredited. You dont want to send your kid somewhere where hell be sitting around twiddling his thumbs all day in a place that has absolutely no accreditation. This will most likely turn out to be a disaster. Camps that have specific programs that will keep your child busy all day are your best bet.

2. Make sure though that there is a balance between active and quiet times in the schedule. If your kid is going non stop all day long by the time he gets home he is going to be bouncing off the walls and youll never get him down.

3. Make sure you keep in constant contact with the camp and your child. This doesnt mean you have to call 3 times a day everyday but you should at least keep in touch to find out whats going on a couple of times a week.

By following these simple tips and having a little faith, you and your child can both have a very enjoyable summer.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Child Care

By ElmerFizz

Of course theres not much that can be done about rejection but there are a few things you can do that may curtail the teasing or at least lessen the hurt caused by others…

Talk to their teacher, school principal, or camp director: Although there are a few children who are simply insensitive by nature, many just dont stop to think about the impact that their behavior may have on others. By making your concerns known and suggesting that they point out to the guilty children the tremendous pain thats being caused and the long-term effects of teasing; some of them may have a change of heart and a few may even befriend the disabled child.

Talk to the parents of the guilty child: They may not be aware that their child has been teasing your child and may be ashamed that theyve been acting this way. They probably havent raised their child to be a bully and will be eager to put a stop to it right away.

Build your childs self esteem: As the parent of a disabled child you may be prone to overprotect them. If so, try to stop. Allow them to do what theyre capable of on their own–even if they make mistakes–and only help out when its truly necessary.

Remind them often how much loved and wanted. Also of great importance: let them know that you LIKE them as a person and enjoy having them around!

If a child has a healthy view of him or herself in spite of being disabled, the teasing wont have near as much impact on them. Sure it will still be painful but it wont be devastating.

Help them find ways to keep busy: A disabled child may tend to get bored since they cant always do what other children can. Boredom leaves the mind open to replaying painful events so you want to help them avoid this as much as possible.

Occasionally introduce new activities for them to try. Of course a great many wont hold any interest for them but eventually theyll find something intriguing that might even become a passionate hobby!

For Information on Health related topics please visit: http://www.HealthyBodySupplements.com Click on Free Health Newsletter

By Cynthia Hammer, MSW, Director of ADD Resources

I belong to an online discussion group for ADHD professionals. A topic of interest lately has been, "Can ADHD ever be a positive in a person's life?" sparked by Dr. Hallowell's continued belief that ADHD can be a positive in a person's life if properly managed. Is there anything positive about having ADHD even when properly managed? Or does getting your ADHD "properly managed" just make your difficult life less difficult?

The positive attributes of ADHD that are often cited are energy, humor, creativity, empathy, and intelligence. Are these characteristics truly a part of ADHD the same way disorganization, procrastination, impulsivity and distractibility are. According to Sam Goldstein, Ph.D. there is no research demonstrating consistent positive traits in people with ADHD.

I am reminded of Louis Braille, blind from birth, who, when asked if he would like to be sighted, answered, "I would prefer to have more sensitive fingers." He had no idea what the other choice–sightedness–would be like. He only knew his life would be easier to navigate if he had more sensitive fingers. For those of us with ADHD, we will never know what life is like without ADHD. Perhaps, like Mr. Braille's sensitive fingers, our disability gives us some special abilities, but we will never know if these special abilities make up for what we are missing. So for me the question is not whether or not ADHD is a blessing or a curse. We can't change what we have been given. The question for me is "Are we making the most of what/who we are?"

~~Cynthia Hammer, MSW, Director
ADD Resources
www.addresources.org
Creators of the National ADHD Directory

For more information on ADD/ADHD visit our website at www. addresources.org

To view a complete listing of national ADD/ADHD events visit www. addresources.org/calendar_natl.php

By Denise Underwood

Montessori also found that children, from early in the first year of life, pass through a series of 'sensitive periods where they are absorbed' when they are absorbed in one element of their environment with an intense desire to explore that aspect, often repeating many times actions related to that interest until this leads into the next phase. Grasping the opportunities for development in each 'sensitive period' is most important.

Consequently, the Montessori classroom is devised as a total environment to aid the childs development into a fully integrated and independent individual, with areas which cater for all the 'sensitive periods' which appear in the age range of the classroom. This classroom is composed of three essential parts: the child, the prepared environment and the director/directress.

The child teaches himself/herself using especially designed Montessori equipment, which is attractive and self-correcting. In this classroom the teacher is known as a director/directress, as he/she acts as a guide and facilitator, demonstrating new activities and pieces of equipment to individual children or small groups. In a child-centred classroom, with each child working at their own pace, the director/directress also observes and monitors their progress to assist and encourage their activities and interests.

The Montessori classroom is non-competitive and, because a child may choose his/her own activities and do them at his/her own pace, the child has many opportunities for success and is able to build a positive self-image.

The pre-school programme is designed to cover an important three-year development span of the child. Between the age of three and six years this development is characterised by increasing abilities to explore the environment. During the first year the child is introduced primarily to the practical life and sensorial apparatus. These refine skills and help the child function in the classroom and at home. Further work in these areas helps prepare the child for concepts and co-ordination needed for maths and language work.

The third year is the culmination of the programme with the previous two years preparing the child for creative and meaningful exploration and progress in many areas. Often it appears to parents that the child develops greatly in the first year of the programme but outwardly shows little progress in the second year. Yet these first two years are laying the foundations. Many of the benefits of the Montessori approach are only truly seen in the third year when concepts and skills come to fruition and the love of learning becomes a real part of the child.

Socially, in the third year, the opportunity exists for the child to develop leadership qualities, self-confidence, caring attitudes towards others and a sense of responsibility as he/she interacts with the younger children and in his/her own social group of the older children.

Denise Underwood is the Directress for The Childrens House Montessori Pre-School situated in Sydney, Australia. You can find out more information on the Montessori method and about this pre-school by visiting http://www.thechildrenshousemontessori.com.au.

By Caitlina Fuller

Do you have a troubled teen? If so then you are probably at your wit's end wondering how you can help your child overcome his problems. Fortunately, there are quite a few treatment options when you don't know what to do with your out of control teen. The following are a few of the options you may want to consider for the troubled teens in your life.

Boarding Schools
Boarding schools for teens are a great way to help children overcome their troubled youth. Boarding schools are stricter and more rigid so they give troubled youth guidance. In addition to this they are given different responsibilities and punished for acting out. Boarding schools do a wonderful job of helping troubled teens focus and become untroubled teens!

Boot Camp
Boot camps for teens are focused on helping teens realize how good their lives are rather than focusing on how bad they are. Boot camps are what they sound like, boot camp! There is a lot of structure, hard work, and character building activities that will shape your child's character in no time.

Teen Treatment Center
A teen treatment center is a wonderful option to help troubled teens find their way. Too often teens have too much in their lives to deal with. Not only are they dealing with adolescence and its associated drama but they also have to deal with peer pressure, drugs and alcohol in school, sex, parental discord, and more. A teen treatment center will take your child and help them sort through their problems and in many cases overcome them.

These are just some of the treatment options available to your troubled teen. It is up to you as a parent, however, to review all of the options and make the best choice for you child. Every troubled teen is an individual and different methods will work for different kids. Consider your child before making a decision and even ask their opinion. Overcoming the troubling teenage years is important and it can certainly be a challenge as well. As long as you keep these treatment options in mind then you will be able to make the best choice for your troubled teen and before long your child will have overcome his problems. Patience is important and unfailing support of your child is also needed in order to see success.

Caitlina Fuller writes about parenting and health.

By Caitlina Fuller

With all that is going on in today's world it makes sense that many teens would be affected and impacted in a negative way. As a result, there are more troubled teens today than ever. The problem is that they can't function in traditional schools in a way that is fair to them and the rest of the students. So, what educational alternatives exist for troubled youth? There are actually a few that might be what you are looking for your troubled teen.

Military School
Military boarding schools are very strict and known for accepting one form of behavior and one form of behavior only. This behavior is simply complying with all the rules and regulations set forth by the military schools. Those kids who do not obey will have serious punishments and their privileges taken away. Many boarding school troubled youth find their way while they are attending military school. Not to mention boarding schools for teens place kids on their own, without family and friends around, to fend for themselves.

Boot Camp

Boot camps for troubled teens is yet another educational alternative for troubled youth. At boot camps your teen will be treated to a very strict schedule of early waking, cleaning, working out, studying, and basically fulfilling ever waking moment of the day with something constructive. There is no lying around playing video games or just being idle. Boot camp busts those teen butts into action and helps them realize how they should act on a regular basis.

Teen Treatment Center
A teen treatment center is another option for teens looking for educational alternatives. Most of the time these treatment centers are not quite as strict or as hard core as boot camps or military schools, but they are strict enough to turn a wayward teen around. Most of these centers offer tutoring to help kids catch up on their studies or learn whatever information they need to know.

These are the basic options when it comes to alternative educational opportunities for troubled teens. You may of course hire a private tutor but if you take this route it should be a very structured tutor who has the capabilities of keeping a troubled teen in line while teaching him as well. Evaluate all options before choosing one for your troubled teen and keep in mind that if one option doesn't work out you can always try another until you find something that helps your troubled teen academically.

Caitlina Fuller writes abour education and parenting.

By Margaret Tye

Are you trying to cope with a troubled teen? Most teenagers go through a difficult period, it's part of becoming independent, but when their behaviour becomes anti-social, their schooling is suffering or they seem unduly depressed, then you should think about taking action. If your troubled teen seems depressed and lacking self motivation, but is unwilling to talk to you, then they may need counselling.

An out of control teen also needs to be given the opportunity to discuss any issues they may have before more drastic measures are taken, such a school for troubled teens, a boot camp or a troubled teen program. As parents, none of us are perfect and you may have to examine how you are disciplining your teen, to see if it is consistent and appropriate. It is not an easy to remain calm and rational when dealing with a troubled teen whose behaviour seems totally irrational, but that is what you must do. All families need a set of rules and values that should be adhered to, if the rules are broken, the punishment must be consistent.

Firstly you need to look at your teen's behaviour and examine the form that it is taking. Are they out of control at home but performing well at school and not getting into trouble with the law? If that is the case, then you should be looking at the rules of behaviour you have set, to see whether you are being consistent in punishment when those rules are broken. Children of any age will push boundaries if they think they can get away with it. If they know you are soft but school is tough, they will act accordingly.

If your troubled teen is having problems at school, whether it is falling grades, truancy or getting expelled, obviously the first thing to do is try to find the cause and a possible solution before you need to resort to more drastic measures, such as a boarding school for troubled teens, a boot camp or a troubled teen program.

A depressed teen needs help urgently before the situation worsens. Even if your teen is willing to talk to you, they may not fully understand why they are feeling as they do. If you are unable to resolve the problem, speak to your physician. He or she may advise on a professional who knows how to find the root cause.

Most parents will tell you how awful the teen years are, but fortunately most troubled teens develop into well adjusted adults. If there is a real problem, the sooner you intervene with the right guiding hand, the better their chances.

Advice on health matters should always be confirmed with a doctor and no liability is accepted for any action taken.

Margaret Tye runs the FromTots2Teens website that offers information on supplies for children of all ages as well as advice on health and other child and teenage related problems. You are welcome to use this article as long as the author is acknowledged and the article is linked back to
From Tots 2 Teens