Each year Outreach Concern counselors get referred thousands of kids similar to these above. The reasons relate to various academic, behavioral and social/emotional issues. Some problems can be resolved with a helpful ear and a bit of direction. Grades improve, organization increases, homework is turned in, or a child learns how to develop more friends. Some need more help.

Advances in computer technology are not only making our children vulnerable to sex offenders, they are also making our children, especially teenagers, vulnerable to cyber bullies and often their own peers who torment and humiliate them on social medial such as Facebook, Twitter and a multitude of blogs. All too often, Cyber-Bullying ends in self-destructive behavior, depression and sometimes even death. What can you do to protect your children from sexual predators and bullying over the internet?

How many times does a kid chase a ball on a soccer field, come up to bat, field a ball, throw a pass, ride a skate board, catch their first wave or get a job. The important thing is that all the Jakes, Shirleys, Cathys and Bobs make the attempt and make it again and again and through these attempts find success and accomplishment, establishing a strong set of Personal Identity Core Constructs. Or simply put, feels good about themselves supporting a strong self-esteem, a heightened degree of self-confidence and the self-motivation to try again.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a "Parenting Tool Box" where no matter what issue, problem, or concern a child presents, you could reach into your tool box like a carpenter and come up with the perfect tool for the job or, what if every child were to be born with their own "How to Manual." Unfortunately, that app doesn't exist yet, but perhaps someone is working on it. Until then, I guess "Parenting is a Required Course," which means, with the growing needs of children and adolescents, the challenges they face and influences impacting their life, parents needs to do more than rely on the way they were parented, as the best tool for the job. That's not to say that mom or dad didn't do a good job for some of us, however, things have gotten a bit more hectic for parents in the last 20 or 30 years.

Each year Outreach Concern has attempted to provide parents information on how to raise healthy, successful children. This year is no exception however, we've asked our executive director Dr. Rick Capaldi to share his ideas on parenting, education and student performance. 

Research shows that there are particular issues during adolescence that girls struggle with more than boys.  In particular, girls who experience puberty early may be vulnerable to physical and emotional development challenges.  Depression, anxiety, excessive concerns about weight and appearance, sexual behavior and peer pressure, are some of the issues they have to deal with on a daily basis. These all put adolescent girls at higher risk for negative and risky behaviors.

All children misbehave at some time; it's part of finding out what appropriate behavior is and where the limits are.  Children may throw tantrums, test the rules, start fights, refuse to cooperate with family routines, use bad language - the list goes on.  As parents teach children appropriate behavior, what the expected rules and boundaries are all about, it's important to remember the goals of discipline. Discipline means helping a child develop self-control and a sense of limits, experience the consequences of his/her behavior, and learn from his/her mistakes.  

Adolescence brings major emotional, physical, and psychological changes in teens. In addition, pressures around school, dating and friendships become more important as well.  All these changes powerfully affect your role as a parent.  Additionally, teens are now exposed to so much more in popular culture about drugs, drinking, sex and other adult issues and yet they are still just teens. It seems they are growing up faster than ever before, with a greater need for parental guidance and love. 

Adolescence brings major emotional, physical, and psychological changes in teens. In addition, pressures around school, dating and friendships become more important as well.  All these changes powerfully affect your role as a parent.  Additionally, teens are now exposed to so much more in popular culture about drugs, drinking, sex and other adult issues and yet they are still just teens.  It seems they are growing up faster than ever before, with a greater need for parental guidance and love. 

Once again the holiday season is upon us.  Although this "tis the season to be jolly," it is easy to become consumed with trying to make our version of the perfect holiday and spending too much time and energy buying the perfect gifts.  We tend to lose the spirit and the meaning of the season and often forget to sit back and enjoy the time with our family and loved ones. 

Adolescence is the bridge between childhood and entry into the adult world.  It's a time when teens are struggling to find their own identity and as the influence of peers becomes more and more important, they begin to pull away from their parents and families. The process of venturing away from the family is a normal part of development. As their cognitive processes mature, they begin to consider possibilities, recognize choices they have to make, and begin to focus on the future.  

All children misbehave at some time; it's part of finding out what appropriate behavior is and where the limits are.  Children may throw tantrums, test the rules, start fights, refuse to cooperate with family routines, use bad language - the list goes on.  As parents teach children appropriate behavior, what the expected rules and boundaries are all about, it's important to remember the goals of discipline. Discipline means helping a child develop self-control and a sense of limits, experience the consequences of his/her behavior, and learn from his/her mistakes.  

For teens, applying to college gives rise to natural anxieties: the process itself is long and involved, with a whirlwind of tasks, details, and deadlines, throughout which the teen feels pressured by others' evaluations and feels fierce competition. Moreover, "success" - in this case, acceptance to a school - is something of a double-edge sword in that it symbolizes the beginning of the end: of high school, familiar settings and friends, life in the family home, even adolescence itself.

Going to school is often a time of apprehension for a child or teen with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Students with ADHD face many challenges at school both academically and socially. Yet, as this diagnosis becomes more prevalent there is more and more information available as to how parents and teachers can help ADHD students succeed in school.

The one thing that all children and adolescents look forward to all year is here once again... SUMMER VACATION. Summer usually is a time of more freedom for children and adolescents with less supervision than they have during the school year.  Yet for parents who are working, summer freedom often means added worry, especially about safety and the choices your sons and daughters are faced with.  

Whether in television shows, video games, movies, or our own homes and neighbor-hoods, teen violence is a concern to families and schools in every community. Our job as parents and caring adults is to empower our teens with the information and guidance they need to make life-affirming, non-violent choices. We have a responsibility to discuss anger and violence with our children and teens. 

Child development researchers, who have studied patterns of parenting for years, have categorized four basic styles of parenting and their effects on children. 

It's within the family that a girl first develops a sense of who she is and who she wants to become. Parents armed with this knowledge can create a climate that will enable girls to achieve their full potential. The goal is to help your daughters avoid developing negative feelings about themselves and grow into strong, confident women. 

You don't have to be a grown-up to feel stress.  Many children/adolescents today have to cope with family conflict, divorce, changes in school, peer pressure, and sometimes violence in their homes and communities. 

Few parents want to hear their child may need outside help or medication. However, it's never as difficult as the behavior a child exhibits when their parents don't follow through, manipulate their medication, stop treatment, or just don't respond to their child's needs.