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News, Advice, and Tips for Parenting Teenagers

The By Parents For Parents Blog is regularly updated with the latest news and information on topics that relate to parenting teenagers. We'll post parenting advice and tips from trusted online news sources and expert parenting columns.

We invite you to add your comments. Please let us know if you would like some specific topics covered, want to share your experience as a parent dealing with teens, or just have general feedback on the By Parents For Parents Blog.

Friday, July 03, 2009

Study Says Fathers Provide Sense of Security

Another Father's Day has come and gone -- but that doesn't mean we should stop reflecting upon the ways in which fathers impact the lives of their children. Though some people downplay the role fathers play in the lives of their children, research has shown that this mindset is misguided:

"Statistics show that children who grow up in homes without a strong male role model have higher rates of teen pregnancy, drug abuse and alcoholism," Camilla Olive wrote in a June 28 editorial on the PennLive website. "These at-risk kids also will raise the bar on high school dropout rates, criminal activity and divorce."

Even when parents divorce, it's important for a father to maintain close, healthy relationships with his kids, Olive wrote -- regardless of the quality of the father's relationship with the children's mother.

Labels: divorce, drug abuse prevention, fathers

posted by ByParents-forParents at 6:38 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Seizure, Anxiety Drug Being Recalled in Canada

Pms-Phenobarbital, a prescription drug used to treat seizures, anxiety, and sleep disorders, is being recalled by Canadian distributor Pharmascience.

The Chronicle Herald reports that the recall was prompted by the discovery that some pills contain too much Phenobarbital, which increased the risk of overdose:

Symptoms of overdose may include uncontrolled eye movements, lack of muscle co-ordination, impaired speech, extreme drowsiness, and decreased breathing and heart rate.

The symptoms may begin within one or two hours after taking a Phenobarbital overdose.

Anyone who is using pms-Phenobarbital 60-milligram tablets is being asked to return the pills to their pharmacist for a replacement.

Labels: anxiety, prescription_drugs, recall

posted by ByParents-forParents at 7:35 AM 0 comments

Monday, June 29, 2009

Study Evalautes Benefits, Risks of Youth Internet Use

Providing access to a virtually endless supply of games, information, videos, and opportunities for interaction with other young people, the Internet can be quite enticing for adolescent and teen computer users of all ages.

Some young people use computers to improve their academic performance and make news friends, while others devolve into obsessive game playing or other forms of Internet addiction -- problems that have caused some parents to wonder if allowing their children to use the Internet is such a good idea at all.

According to a study by Shu-Sha Angie Guan; Kaveri Subrahmanyam (published June 25 on the Medscape Today website), Internet access can be both beneficial and detrimental to young users:

For youth, the Internet presents a number of risks along with a multitude of opportunities. The research reviewed suggests that some of the online risks facing youth are addiction, exposure to inappropriate material, cyber-bullying and sexual solicitation. ...

Research also suggests that some youth may be more likely to be victims of online harassment and sexual solicitation, suggesting that intervention efforts should target high-risk youth as well as risky online behaviors.

"Despite these risks, the research also suggests that the Internet can be beneficial for youth," the researchers reported. "It provides a vehicle to promote cognitive, social, and physical development."

Labels: internet

posted by ByParents-forParents at 7:37 AM 0 comments

Friday, June 26, 2009

FDA Encourages Parents Amid ADHD Drug Scare

The FDA has reiterated its position of urging parents not to take their kids off ADHD medications like Ritalin and Adderall. The statement comes in the wake of a government-backed study which found that the stimulants can increase the risk of sudden death.

"The FDA said it is collecting data for a larger, more in-depth study of the drugs," the Associated Press reported. "'We're not sure this study tells us something we didn’t know,' [Dr. Robert] Temple said. 'We didn’t think it gave an unequivocal answer to whether there is such a risk.'"

Researchers said they hope to complete their in-depth study by the fall, the AP reported. Until then, the FDA is asking parents to discuss their safety concerns with their doctors.

Labels: adderall, adhd, fda, ritalin

posted by ByParents-forParents at 7:34 AM 0 comments

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