Parenting Archives

A dad’s rights in matters concerning their children or in a divorce may differ depending on the state in which they reside. In some states, a father may have limited rights if they have a child out of wedlock, as the mother of the child may have more of a say in the child’s life than the father.

If the child was born in wedlock, the father may receive rights he may not have had if he had not been married to the baby’s mother. These issues and many others can be the focal point of many divorce or custody cases. Parties hiring attorneys may end up doing much better than those who try to tackle the system alone.

Custody agreements may be very misleading to some people. When they hear their former spouse awarded sole physical custody, they may think that they are not allowed to see their child at all.

In fact, this only means that the child will live with one parent while the other will have visitation rights as determined by the former couple and a judge. In joint physical custody, the child will live with both parents for an extended period of time.  The specifics are often hammered out in court.

When a man with children is going through a divorce, he is often very interested in learning more about a dad’s rights in divorce. The best resource is an experienced family law attorney who has dealt with these cases before.

Determining physical custody, legal custody, child support and spousal support are often tricky subjects. It is often helpful to speak with an experienced family law attorney to discuss these matters in detail. The division of the couple’s assets and property is another legal matter that may be of importance during a divorce.

For more information it is advisable to get in touch with an experienced and professional Dad’s Rights Attorney for a no obligation consultation with a Divorce Lawyer visit the offices
of Diefer Law Group

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/a-dads-rights-and-legal-concerns-during-a-divorce-1615350.html

Keeping kids safe today is harder than ever

When I was a kid, and I’m really still pretty young, the most my parents had to really worry about was who I was with, where I was going, and if v was back when they expected me. I didn’t have a computer, there was no internet, and we certainly didn’t have cell phones. With new technology, we are afforded several conveniences and have m ore resources for emergencies. Cell phones, for instance, help us avoid finding the nearest pay phone or knocking on a stranger’s door to use their phone in cases of accidents and emergencies. Remember those days? Now we can’t seem to go anywhere without a cell phone. And like an ad I recently saw, our cell phones are the one of the only things in our lives that are within 3 feet of us at all times. Weird.

But, with new technology, there are also threats we don’t think about until after the fact. A course I took in college brought this to my attention. A government class entitle “Science and Technology Policy” made it clear that our policies are reactive rather that proactive. How true is that when it comes to cell phones and the internet? Only AFTER the technology has been launched and imbedded in our society do we realize the need for restraint and regulators.

 We have all seen the media hype about the various DANGERS of cell phone and computer use for our children” cyber sex, pornography, sexting. Online predators, children sending nude photos of themselves online and on their cell phone. The list goes on. Who would have thought of these problems upfront, ahead of time? Not me. But, like many things we are being reactive and talking about the problems. Where are the solutions?

 I feel for parents today. Parents are inundated with a plethora of horror stories almost daily. It’s difficult enough to be a parent and raves our kids these days. But, not being able to watch our children all the time and with new technology on cyberspace and with cell phones that even many parents don’t understand, makes parenting all the more daunting. 

 Luckily, there are some wonderful non-profit organizations out there focused on cyber bullying, online predators, and any other potential dangers our children may face. Education and awareness, as always, does seem to be the key. Still, there are some things parents can do:

 

  • Inform children that it is wrong for adults to touch them inappropriately and to engage children in sexual activity with them.
  • Encourage your children to feel comfortable telling you anything, especially if it involves another adult. If your child does not feel comfortable being completely honest with you, then encourage them find another trusted adult they can talk to in confidence.
  • Learn about the people with whom your child is spending time.
  • Know where each of your children is all times. Know your children’s friends and be clear with your children about the places and homes they may visit. Make it a rule for your children to check in with you when they arrive at or depart from a particular location and when there is a change in plans. You should also let them know when YOU are running late or if your plans have changed so that they can see the rule is for their safety and not being used just to “check up” on them.
  • Never leave children unattended in an automobile, whether it is running or not. Children should never be left unsupervised or allowed to spend time alone, or with others, in automobiles. Remind children NEVER to hitchhike, approach a car or engage in a conversation with anyone in a car who they do not know or trust, or go anywhere with anyone without getting your permission first.
  • Be an active participant with your children’s activities, you will have a better opportunity to observe how the adults in charge interact with your children. If you are concerned about anyone’s behavior, take it up with the sponsoring organization. 
  • Notice when someone shows one or all of your children a great deal of attention or begins giving them gifts. Take time to talk to your children, find out why the person is acting in this way.
  • Teach your kids that they have the right to say NO to any unwelcome, uncomfortable, or confusing touch or actions by others. Teach them to tell you immediately if this happens. Reassure them that you are there to help and it is okay to tell you anything.
  • Screen baby sitters and care givers. Many states now have public registries that allow parents to screen individuals for prior criminal records and sex offenses. Check references with other families who have used the care giver or baby sitter. Once you have chosen the care giver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing. Ask your children how the experience with the care giver was, and listen carefully to their responses.
  • Practice basic safety skills with your children. Make an outing to a mall or a park a “teachable” experience in which your children can practice checking with you, using pay phones, going to the restroom with a friend, and locating the adults who can help if they need assistance. Remember that allowing your children to wear clothing or carry items in public on which their name is displayed can bring about unwelcome attention from inappropriate people who may be looking for a way to start a conversation with your children.
  • Remember that there is no substitute for your attention and supervision. Being available and taking time to really know and listen to your children helps build feelings of safety and security.
  • Keep track of their cell phone and computer use. Keep computer use limited and in a common room like a living room Pay attention if they seem to be spending a lot of time online or with their phones. Be sensitive to any behavioral changes that may coincide
  • When you can’t supervise, look at computer and cell safety software that not only blocks dangerous activities, but also alerts you to potential threats. There are several out there that do this so you are in the know. Some even have GPS tracking so you know where they are, can block texting and driving and/or in designated place like school.

Overall, it’s up to you to keep your kids safe and give them the tools so they can help you help them. Parenting is no easy task and does seem harder today then it used to be. Technology has helped our children act older faster than ever. It’s important we take proactive steps to help protect their innocence and keep them safe.

Todd is a financial planner, speaker and writer who is passionate about family and child safety. His most recent cause about web and cell safety can be found at www.mywebsafety.com/keepyourkidssafe
He also can be 602-696-6704

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/keeping-kids-safe-today-is-harder-than-ever-1609809.html

If you think that your teen or adolescent may have a child behavior problem, you may be wondering what you can do to help him get back on track. When is behavior a problem and when is it just a phase that a child is going through?  In this article, you’ll learn how to tell the difference between the two and restore a sense of harmony to your home without resorting to harsh punishment.

Parents of today seem confused about behavior problems that they see in their kids. Warned by experts that being harsh and punitive may permanently damage their children’s self-esteem, they don’t know how to get their kids to be respectful, do their schoolwork and act appropriately at home and out in the world. When kids are chronically disrespectful, parents may make demands for them to stop, but notice that the behavior shows itself whenever kids are not getting what they want.

Today’s kids may seem manipulative and sophisticated, especially when compared with how we were when we were growing up. So the question is how do you know when you have a serious child behavior problem on your hands that warrants swift action? The answer to that question lies in the behavior itself. Ask yourself: is it chronic? In other words, does it happen with some frequency? Is it a behavior that you have tried to resolve numerous ways that your child just refuses to change? Is it behavior that is hurtful or demeaning to others? This is behavior that requires your attention.

Although it’s normal for kids to start to question their parents and other authorities during adolescence because this is the time when they start to form their own identities, it is not okay for them to be chronically disrespectful or  defiant, especially when what you are asking them to do is in their best interests, for instance, getting good grades in school. When you have a chronic  child behavior problem on your hand, most parents will punish their kids, but for defiant kids, this often makes things worse.

The problem is that a lot of parents don’t know how to enforce the limits without being harsh or punitive. And if you don’t get the message across that your child needs to live up to certain expectations and respect other people’s boundaries, then your child may develop behavior problems that get the attention of school authorities or worse yet, even the police.  It’s important to understand that chronic bad behavior does not get better on its own. This is not just a phase that your child is going through: it is a character style that must be addressed before it gets much worse.

One way to do this is with therapy. The therapeutic model can be quite successful with troubled kids, but this takes time and of course, there are no guarantees. Obviously, you need to find a qualified therapist who has a successful track record with adolescents and who can work well with your kid. You should know going in that therapy can be expensive and that your insurance will probably not cover all the costs.

Another way to deal with behavioral issues is to learn how to handle them yourself. This will require some parent education, but there are many programs that you can purchase and use at home that will teach you some simple, yet effective ways to resolve behavior problems. The benefit of this is that you, not a therapist, will learn what works with your child. This means that you will learn strategies for putting a stop to problem behaviors before they get out of control and before the younger children in your home start copying them. If you already feel like things are out of hand, then you’ll learn step by step exactly what to do.

Best of all, as your child starts to make measurable changes in his behavior, he will start to feel good about himself and how he’s doing and have greater respect for you since you were the one who took the time and cared enough to help him turn things around. The more your child’s good choices and positive behaviors are reinforced, the more he will want to continue them.

It’s not your fault if you don’t know how to deal with the problem behaviors and sophisticated manipulations of kids today, especially when you cannot in good conscience use the tools of blame and shame that your parents used because you’re aware of the psychological damage that this can cause. Of course, you won’t have to resort to this if you take the time to learn the simple skills that therapists use in their practice that can motivate even troubled kids to turn their lives around.

Laura Ramirez is an advocate of helping kids get their lives back on track with an at-home behavioral program like Total Transformation which was developed by a therapist who was once a troubled child himself.

She is also the award-winning author of the parenting book, Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting which teaches parents how to raise kids to develop their strengths and lead fulfilling, productive lives.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/behavior-problems-how-to-get-your-child-or-teen-back-on-track-1610040.html

According to Solomon who wrote a love poem that is included in the bible, there are several things that he calls mousses that would still the love between him and his fiancée.

In today’s world, there are various challenge that face marriages that demand that one takes precaution so as to keep the love burning. It is proving to be a difficult challenge to overcome and no wonder there are more people asking the question on how to save my marriage.

Here are some tips on how to save your marriage:

Keep the communications flowing: Most marriages break because of the lack of communication between both partners! If you have been married a few months or years, then you know that communication often drop to syllables. This is where you have to be able to pick out the things that steal the communication lines.

Learn to say sorry: this is the most important tool that can help those who are asking how to ‘save my marriage’. A large percentage of the marriages have been saved by simple five letter word. By saying sorry, it does not in any way show that the spouse is weaker. This is often a problem for men who have ego to protect. Yet it is a strong man who actually tells the wife that he is sorry. It is a sign of respect for your spouse when you say sorry. It also helps you to be conscious on the behavior or event that makes your spouse unhappy.

Learn the love language of your spouse: Experts in relationships have identified what they call love language. Love language simply means that your spouse has specific actions that would make him or she feel loved. The love languages include quality time, gifts, and words of affirmation. When a love language when well used will lead to filling in the love tanks. A filled love tank will enable a spouse to be happy and love back.

Get over the past: the worst thing that your spouse would not want to hear every time is the reminder of the mess that they caused the other day. Once the phrase sorry has been used, then it should be done with. There should be no reminder of the past errors.

With these tips and many more, any one with the question of “how to save my marriage” can surely move on with a ray of hope.

If you are in the process of wondering “how I can save my marriage”, simply visit this website: www.hkmaxman.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/parenting-articles/tips-to-help-you-in-your-quest-of-how-to-save-my-marriage-1610226.html

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