When our kids were in elementary school it was obvious what we had to do to get them ready for the new school year.  Registration.  Check.  Meet the teacher night.  Check.  School supply shopping.  Check.  Pictures on the first day.  Check.  You know the drill!  If you’re like me, by the time your kids reached middle school you had the whole routine down to a science. 

Then they hit junior high.  And high school.  And things changed.  Those same kids that needed us to help them get back to school when they were little overnight became, dare I say, INDEPENDENT.

It’s at this point that parents like us have a decision to make.  How are we going to approach our teen’s new found independence?  In my experience, parents typically choose one of three paths to follow as our teens mature to young adults. 

With the first we allow our kids all the independence they want.  Letting them make their own decisions and essentially letting them spread their wings and fly.  While we continue to support them financially and offer guidance when asked, we begin treating them much more like adults.

Parents along the second path stay heavily involved in all aspects of their teen’s life and try to manage all of their decisions despite their teen’s likely resistance. 

And the third?  It’s the path in the middle.  Somewhere between allowing your teen full independence and you keeping total control.  With this path, you slowly give up your control as your teen moves towards their eventual independence.

Personally and professionally, I like the path in the middle.  Teenagers are still children who need nurturing and guidance from their parents.  But they are also at a time in their development where they need to express their individuality and learn to make decisions on their own.As they return to school, try some of these tips to foster your teen’s independence and continue a healthy level of parental involvement:

• Registration.  Most high schools have a day in the summer to pick up schedules, get parking permits, and receive locker assignments.  Ask your teen if they want to go with friends or if they want you to accompany them.  If they want to go without you, let them!  Of course make sure they have any money or information they need to take with them and then ask questions about what they did when they get home.  But allow them the chance to participate independently if that’s what they prefer.

• Meet the teacher night.  Events like these still happen in high school and are just as important for parents to attend as they were when our kids were in elementary school.  My kids know that my presence at meet the teacher night is non-negotiable.  In junior high and high school these events are designed specifically for parents to learn about what’s going on with their teen’s education.  It serves as a springboard for parent-teen conversations about classes and activities throughout the school year. 

• School supplies.  This is a perfect time to let your teen experience shopping from a list with a budget.   Have them make a list of what they need, give them a certain amount of money to make their purchases, and send them on their way.  When they get back talk with them about the process, including what they liked and didn’t like.  Now for big purchases, like graphing calculators, I’d recommend getting a little more involved.  Do some research with your teen and find a calculator that meets their needs for school and for college entrance exams.  Then teach them about price comparison shopping, as you can find items like these for a wide variety of prices in stores, online, or even secondhand.    

What tips do you have for helping your teen get back to school more independently while still staying involved?  I’d love to hear from you!  Oh, and just in case you’re curious, those first day of school pictures…also non-negotiable with this mom. 

When our kids get older, it becomes harder and harder to connect with them.  But as parents, it’s especially important for us to continue to put in the extra effort it takes to cultivate relationships with our tweens and teens.  Check out my top ten ideas for engaging your teen in activities you’ll both enjoy:

Learn a new skill as a team.  Decide together what you’d like to learn and go for it.  Cooking, photography, music, and art classes are regular offerings in most communities.  Or learn how to kayak, play golf, or tennis.  Really feeling adventurous?  Learn a foreign language together!   

Play a game.  Sure traditional board games are great, but teens are hooked on their electronics and there are lots of fun games that you can enjoy with them.  For instance, play a game of ‘Words With Friends’ on your smart phones.  Start a two player game on a tablet.  Even see what those video games of theirs are all about.  I promise, it will be fun!   

Complete a project.  If you’re like me, then you probably have a lot of projects around your house that need completing!  Whether you wash the cars, paint a room, or work in the yard together, there’s a lot of satisfaction (and bonding) that comes from finishing a project together.  Or pick a DIY Pinterest inspired activity or craft and work with your teen to get it completed.

Share your hobbies.  Think about the things you like to do.  Now share those interests with your kids.  It could be taking them to your painting class, letting them make a scrapbook with you, or bringing them along to set up your fantasy football team. 

Learn about their hobbies too.  Have them play some of their favorite music for you and tell you about why they like it.  Watch a movie they love together.  Then let them tell you about their other interests and see where you can find common ground. 

Have them teach you.  Are you lost when it comes to social media?  When someone asks you to upload or download something do you even know what they are talking about?  Well, guess what?  You teen knows all these things.  Have them give you some tutorials.  You’ll know more and be impressed with how technologically savvy they are!

Plan a trip.  Get your teens help planning your next family vacation or a day trip for just the two of you.  They can get involved with finding a hotel room, getting directions, scheduling activities, and learning about the place you’ll be visiting. 

Schedule a date.  Get their opinion on what they’d like to do and schedule some time together to make it happen.  And don’t worry, your date doesn’t have to cost a lot!  Get creative and look at what’s being offered in your community that you can both enjoy.  Or take your hammocks to the park and just relax.  

Get moving.  A great way to connect with your teen is to exercise together.  You can go for a walk, run, or bike ride or work out together at the gym.  Participating in an organized race will also be an experience you will both enjoy, such as a 5K, color (see picture!) run, or mud run. 

Volunteer.  Last but not least, volunteer your time together.  From mission trips to a morning at the local food pantry, there are ample opportunities for you and your teen to help others.  Look at the options in your community and decide together where you’d like to help.

What do you and your teen like to do together?   For more tips on this topic, check out my post Quality Time With Teens.

When my kids were younger, it seemed like they always wanted my attention.  We could do just about anything together, and they would call it their ‘best day ever.’  Remember those days?  Me too! 

But now that they’re teenagers, it’s me who has to make the effort to spend time with them.  In the blink of an eye it’s gone from them begging for my attention to me begging for theirs. 

If you’re like me and want to stay active and engaged in your teen’s life, don’t despair.  Try these tips and you’ll see an improvement in your quality time before you know it: 

Step away from the screen.  Smart phones.  E-Readers.  Computers.  TVs.  Tablets.  You name it and in this day and age we’ve got a screen that will distract us.  No matter what your vice (mine is my iPhone), it’s important to put it away while you’re interacting with your teen.  If you’re trying to spend quality time with your child, then turn off your favorite tv show, walk away from Facebook, put down the Kindle, and leave your phone on silent.  

Now, this doesn’t mean that the two of you can’t share some screen time by watching television together or enjoying a game of Words With Friends on your smart phones.  What it means is that when you are sharing time with your child, don’t let your personal screen use get in the way.  I know your kids might be texting or tweeting while you hang out with them, but set a good example and show your teens that you prioritize time with them over time with a screen.

Use your social skills.  When we interact with other adults, we typically use good manners.  Right?  We look them in the eye when we’re having a conversation, we listen attentively, we smile, and we don’t interrupt.  Why then, do we think it’s okay to abandon our social skills when spending time with our teens?  For instance, when I’m doing housework and my child walks in the room and speaks to me sometimes I don’t even look up.  I just answer them and continue doing my chores.  It’s as if all I know about etiquette doesn’t apply to my interactions with my own kids.  And quite frankly that’s sad. 

Imagine if you didn’t look your boss in the eye during a conversation at work or smile at your friend who stopped by for a chat.  We’d never do that, so it’s important for us to show the same courtesy to our children and use good conversational manners with them too.  In addition to showing our teens that we care, using good social skills provides them with a valuable example of how to behave in their personal and professional interactions with others.

Be a willing learner.   Your teen knows a lot.  A whole lot.  Let them take on the role of teacher, and I promise the two of you will grow closer.  Think of something you want to know more about and have them show you how it’s done.  For example, have you always wanted to put some of your music onto your iPhone, but are completely lost on how to do it?  Want to make a digital scrapbook from your pictures of your last family vacation but can’t figure out how?  Need to make a Power Point for a meeting but don’t have a clue as to what that even is?  Well, guess what?  Even though you might not know what to do, your teen knows how to do all these things. 

Have your child give you some tutorials and remember, you’re the student and they are the teacher.  Listen attentively, ask thoughtful questions, and follow their advice.  Then be grateful for their help, just like you would be thankful to a colleague, friend, or professor.  I’ve learned through the years that this is a guaranteed way to spend time with your teen, improve their self-confidence, and learn a new skill all at the same time.  Everyone wins.

With these three tips you’ll be on your way to improved interactions with your teen in no time.  Have some ideas that you’d like to share?  Feel free to comment below or share your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter.  When it comes to spending quality time with our teens, we all need all the help we can get!  For more tips, check out my post Bonding Activities With Your Teens.

]]> https://childpsychmom.com/quality-time-with-teens/feed/ 1 https://childpsychmom.com/social-media-etiquette-for-parents/ https://childpsychmom.com/social-media-etiquette-for-parents/#comments Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:52:34 +0000 http://childpsychmom.com/?p=2868 Instagram.  Pinterest.  Twitter.  Facebook.  Snapchat.  These days it seems that as soon as you learn the ins and outs of one social media site another one gets introduced as the latest and greatest way for your teens to stay connected with their friends.  As overwhelming as it seems, parents of teenagers need to be involved in social media.  Just as we stay up to speed on our kids grades, friends, curfews, and driving habits, our teens need our supervision online too.  But to be an effective parent online, it’s important to behave in a way that won’t send your teen running off to set up a fake account that you don’t even know exists!  Try these teen approved tips for staying active with your kids on social media:

Be a stalker.  Not too long ago, my teenage daughter asked her dad if he was stalking her on Instagram.  Truth be told, he probably was.  But in this day and age, that’s not stalking, that’s called parenting!  In our house, if our kids have a social media account, then both parents are going to follow and friend them.  And it’s not so we can interact with them there.  We can (and should) be doing that at home.  Instead, it’s to help monitor their safety and teach them proper online social skills.  To avoid any misunderstandings, let them know your purpose up front.

Don’t comment on their wall, status updates, or pictures unless they ask you to.  Just because you’re their friend or follower, don’t think that you need to comment on everything (or anything) that they do!  Instead, be a quiet passive observer.  I’ll admit this is sounding pretty stalker-ish, but the goal is to be aware of what your kids are doing on social media sites without smothering them or drawing attention to your presence.  If they ask you to be more involved, by all means go ahead.  But otherwise just try to blend in with all of their other followers.

Don’t post embarrassing pictures of them on your social media account or tag them in your pictures without their approval.   Ever been tagged in a not so flattering picture on Facebook?  Posed for a few re-takes to get a shot Facebook worthy?  If so, then you’ll understand why your teenagers don’t want you tagging them in your pictures.  Be courteous to your children and let them approve their pictures before you post them.  Save those naked baby bath pictures for their actual baby book (which hopefully resides on your bookshelf, not on the world wide web).

Act your age.  If you’re going to be monitoring your teen’s online presence, take a good look at your own.  Are you tagged in inappropriate pictures?  Is your language G-rated?  Does your online activity reflect your actual character?  Would your online posts be suitable to show your boss, your grandmother, or your child?  Take some time and review your own accounts.  Delete any pictures or posts that seem questionable and think twice about what you share online in the future.

Talk often about social media etiquette.  Have frequent and open conversations with your kids about how to behave online.  For example, in the real world you wouldn’t want  them to use bad language or participate in bullying.  The same rules apply online.  Keep the conversations real, reminding them (with examples) that how they behave online can stay with them for the rest of their lives.  That’s especially true as they head off to college and eventually the job market.

Do you have any tips for staying connected with your teens online?  I’d love to hear from you!

First things first.  What is Instagram?  It’s a free application that allows users take pictures and share them with other Instagram users.  Fun effects can be applied to the pictures that you share and users are encouraged to interact with other users by “liking” and commenting on photos.  The Instagram app is available on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, as well as Android camera phones.  Currently Instagram boasts over 100 million users, including a whole lot of kids.  That’s where you come in Mom and Dad.

Here are 3 things you need to know if your child is an Instagram user:

Age Requirements.  I have heard some parents say “My child isn’t old enough for Facebook, so they are on Instagram instead.”  Well, guess what?  You have to be 13 years old for both Facebook and Instagram.  Why?  Because just like Facebook, Instagram is a social media application designed for adults.  It is not policed or monitored, other than prohibiting the posting of nude, partially nude, or sexually suggestive photographs.

Privacy Settings.  If you’re an Instagram user, particularly if you’re a kid, there’s one feature that you need to activate.  The privacy setting.  The default is set to public sharing, which means that your pictures are public to all Instagram users.  To change the default to private, go to the “Options” menu and click “ON” for “Photos Are Private.”  This means that only your followers can see your pictures.  They are private to anyone else.  If there’s one thing  you take from this post, I hope it’s to know how to keep your photos (and those of your children) private!

Followers.  My kids know that if they are on a social media site then I’m going to be there with them.  I’ll be their “friend” on Facebook and “follow” them on Instagram.  It’s amazing the stuff you learn about your kids through their social media presence.  You’ll have to make your own account, but I promise it’s painless and will be worth it in the long run.  Another social media rule I recommend is that you only allow people to follow you that you actually know.  Strangers shouldn’t be following you or your children around town, so they certainly shouldn’t be following you online either!

Do you have any advice to offer on keeping your child safe on Instagram or social media in general?  Let us hear from you!  For more tips, check out my Top Ten Ways To Keep Your Kids Safe Online.

1. Melted Crayon Art
2. Candles Made From Oranges
3. Legos (or Barbie Shoes) Liquid Soap
4. Knockoff Elastic Headbands
5. Friendship Bracelet Earbuds
6. Make Your Own Bubble Gum Machine
7. Watermelon Slushy
8. Tutu Bed Skirt
9. Chocolate Balloon
10. Crayon Valentines
11. Finger Knitting
12. Paint Chip Bookmarks
13. Jewelry Displays

Happy 13^th birthday LRD.  I love you so much and am so proud to be your mom.  You amaze me each and every day!

My baby boy turned 15 this month, and he has been reading series ever since he started that Harry Potter book so many years ago.  He’ll read books that aren’t a part of a series, but he much prefers to follow characters and story lines across multiple books.  He is truly ‘Serious 4 Series.’  So much so that when he gets in trouble the only punishment that really has an impact is not letting him read!  Lucky for him I just can’t get on board with grounding him from reading.  Video games, yes.  Television, yes.  Cell phone, yes.  Reading, not for this mom!

Moms of boys (and his teachers, school librarians, etc.) are always asking me what he’s reading and how they can get their guys more passionate about books.  So, in honor of his birthday we made a list of his 15 favorite book series out of all the ones he’s ever read.  And let me tell you, he had a hard time narrowing it down to 15!

Some of these books girls would like too, but mostly they are geared for boys.  In our list you’ll find out the title of the series, the author, how many books are included, and if the series is finished or ongoing.  Like the movies (his other passion), he gave each series a completely unofficial PG or PG-13 rating.  If you click on the link provided it’ll take you to the first book in each series.

Drum roll please………

1.  Harry Potter.  Of course!  Written by J.K. Roling,  there are 7 books in this series and it is, as you all know, complete.  My son gave the series a PG rating, but the later books in the series are definitely moving into PG-13 territory.  And if you’re really a fan you can watch all 8 of the movies and visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal in Orlando!

2.  Gone.  Michael Grant writes this series with 5 books so far and more to come.  This series is for sure PG-13, with every person 15 and older vanishing in a California town.  Too scary for younger readers, but a great series for teens!

3. 39 Clues.  There are 11 books in this PG rated series written by a collaboration of authors and published by Scholastic.  They are written at a 3rd grade + reading level.  These books are short, making them a perfect introduction to series reading for kids who are turned off by long books.  Although the original 39 Clues series is now complete, it continues in a second series entitled Cahills vs. Vespers.  There are 4 books so far in the second series, with more on the way.  There is also a web based interactive game, trading cards, and a movie by Steven Spielberg to be released in 2014.

4. Artemis Fowl.  This PG series is written by Irish author Eoin Colfer.  There are currently seven books in the series, with the eighth and final book set to be released this summer.  This science fantasy novel is a must read for boys!

5.  Percy Jackson and the Olympians.  Another favorite is this PG series written by Rick Riordin.  There are five books in the series and it is complete.  But it was so popular that it has continued on with a second series, The Heroes of Olympus.  With two books already, there are three more to go in this follow-up series.  And if you’re a true fan, there’s even a movie!

6.  Keys to the Kingdom.  There are seven books in this PG series by Garth Nix and it is complete.  It is a fantasy adventure that your boy will love.  Much to my son’s irritation I am constantly confusing this series with Disney’s Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson.  If you’re a Disney fan like me, you’ll want your kids reading that PG series too.  There are five books currently, with two more on the way and an online game.  Although it didn’t make his list, it would have been on mine!

7.  Cryptid Hunters.  So far there are only two books in this PG series by Roland Smith about twins sent to live with their archeologist uncle.  According to the author’s blog, there are more books to come in this series.  If you like his work, he has authored many other series books geared towards guys.

8.  Michael Vey.  There is one book in this series, with a second to be released later this summer.  But this PG book by Richard Paul Evans has already achieved great success and a large following.  It’s about a 14 year old boy who has Tourette’s syndrome AND special electric powers.  Looking forward to book two!

9.  The Hunger Games.  This PG-13 trilogy by Suzanne Collins needs no introduction.  I’ve read this one, and the post-apocolyptic scenario of children killing other children for sport was a bit much for me.  Nevertheless, the series and movie are wildly popular and deserving of earning a spot on my son’s top fifteen.

10.  I Am Number Four.  Written by two authors under the pseudonym of Pittacus Lore, this PG-13 series currently has two books, with another set to be released this summer.  These books are a great combination of teen action and science fiction.  For diehard fans, there was also a movie released in 2011.

11.  The Mysterious Benedict Society.  There are three books in this amazing PG series written by Trenton Lee Stewart, plus a prequel about the “boy who started it all.”  My son has loved these books and they are perfect for boys eight and up.  Readers get to solve puzzles and clues right along with the characters in this mind bending series.

12.  BZRK.  No that’s not a typo, the actual name of this PG-13 book is BZRK!  I think it must be pronounced like the word berserk, but that’s just a guess on my part.  There is only one book so far in this series by Michael Grant (also author of the Gone series, which is #2 on our list) about the battle for control over the human mind, but it’s a good one!

13.  Quantum Prophecy.  This three book PG series by Irish author Michael Carroll is written for kids age 10 and up.  Boys will love the plot, filled with more superheroes and supervillans than they could ever dream of.

14.  Ender’s Game.  There are two books in this science fiction series by Orson Scott Card.  But after the two primary books, there are multiple other offshoots of novels and short stories if you really want to delve in.  Although written for ages 10 and up, my son said it was more of a PG-13 to him.  Go figure.

15.  Lonesome Dove.  Last but certainly not least is this classic four book series about two Texas Rangers and the Wild West.  Although written by Larry McMurtry for adults, this PG-13 series can also be enjoyed by teens.  Lonesome Dove is still my brother’s all-time favorite book, and I’m glad he introduced it to my son too.

Well, there you have it.  15 book series that will keep your sons interested and engaged in reading well beyond their teen years.  In the comments section below, please feel free to share some of your favorite series for guys or girls.  We’re always looking for something good to read . . .

Happy 15th birthday BWD.  I love you more than you could ever know and am so proud to be your mom (even though your driving scares me half to death! JK!).  Keep reading and always stay true to who you are.

Recently I answered this question online as a JustAsk Expert at Education.com.  Having gone through this with clients and my own kids, I thought I’d share my response with my readers here as well.

The Question:  How do I save myself from this?  I get bullied constantly.  Other kids call me names and threaten me if I don’t do their homework.  What can I do?

The Answer:  Bullying is a very common problem, and I am so sorry that you are being hurt in this way by your peers.  Bullies can make you feel helpless and alone, but you are NOT alone.

It’s hard to stop bullying on your own, you need the support of an adult who knows what to do.  Whatever you do, don’t try to solve this problem on your own.  There are people all around you who can and WILL help you, so tell an adult that you trust about the name calling, threats, and bullying.

Your parents, a teacher, your principal, or a school counselor are there to help you. Tell them about everything that you have written here so that they can best keep you safe from threats and stop this bullying immediately.

I’m attaching several websites all about what to do when you are being victimized and threatened by a bully.  I hope you look at them to get support for what to do to deal with this, encouragement to talk to a trusted adult in your life, and realization that you are not alone!

If you feel like you need to talk to someone on the phone about what is going on, you can call Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453.  They have counselors available to talk to you 24 hours a day 7 days a week to help you figure out how to stop an abusive situation.

You have done the right thing by reaching out online for help.  Keep that going and tell a trusted adult in your life so that they can help you stay safe and end this terrible situation.

Resources:

StopBullying.gov – How Do I Get Help?

ReachOut.com – What To Do If You Are Being Bullied

Education.com – Bullying At School And Online

Bullying can increase your risk for suicide.  For help you can call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or contact a psychologist in your community.

Facebook is the most utilized social networking site world wide with more than 845 million users. The magic age for kids to be considered Facebook legal is 13. But of Facebook’s current users, an estimated 7.5 million are actually under the age of 13. Now more than ever parents need to arm themselves with information about how to keep their children safe on social media sites like Facebook that were designed for adults but are being used by kids. If your child (of any age) has a Facebook account, here are some tips to help keep them as safe as possible:

Talk openly about internet safety rules. Keeping the lines of communication open is one of the best ways parents can teach their children about staying safe online. Some basic guidelines include never giving your personal information online, never meeting someone in real life that you know only from the internet, and always telling your parents if something you have seen online makes you uncomfortable.

Know your child’s Facebook password. I know some of you might argue that this is like making your child give you the key to their diary. But their diary is hidden away in their bedroom. It is personal and only for them to read. What they say or do online can have a lasting impact on their reputation and their safety. Something they post or a picture they are tagged in could haunt them for the rest of their lives. It’s that simple. Let them keep the key to their diary, but if they’re on Facebook then as a parent you need to know their password.

Be their Facebook friend. Okay, so you’re their parent not their friend. I understand. But as a parent you need to know what’s going on in their lives. You need to monitor their online activity in the same way you’d keep an eye on what they do in real life. There’s no better way to do that than to be their friend on Facebook. You don’t need to comment on their status updates or pictures if they don’t want you to, but you can quietly observe their activities from your Facebook profile to help keep them safe.

Monitor their friend list. Instruct your kids that they are only allowed to be friends with people they actually know in real life. Then periodically monitor their friend list and make sure they haven’t befriended a total stranger.

Manage their privacy settings carefully. The goal of Facebook is to help people connect. To do that, Facebook prefers users to be as open as possible to make sharing easier. But kids need to be much more restrictive in their sharing than adults. To restrict their settings, log in as your child and go to Privacy Settings and then How You Connect. Choose options like “Friends Only” or “Friends of Friends” to minimize their exposure to complete strangers.

Facebook safety for kids (and parents) can be overwhelming. Believe me, I know! But parents today have to be diligent about it. Our kids are there, we’ve got to be, too.

I wanted to include it here also in case any of you needed more information on how to get help for cutting, for yourself or someone you know.  Unfortunately  cutting is on the rise with 1 in every 200 teen girl having cut themselves.  But cutters aren’t only teens, sometimes younger children or adults cut to relieve their emotional pain.  If you or someone you know has problems with cutting, follow up with the resources below or reach out to a psychologist in your area for help.

The Question:  I need somebody to talk to.  My brain is reeling and the only way I can cope with the thoughts of those bad memories, all of them, that’s all I think about, is by letting them out of my arm. That is the reason for the cuts, for the scars, for everything.  All the pain has caused me to cut myself over and over, leaving the oh so infamous scars.  I’m afraid. My cutting is getting worse.  If I told them my teachers and my “friends” would try to help, but I know there is no going back after that.  They would bring me to more counseling.  I couldn’t take anymore, they would see the scars.  I’m on the verge of suicide, and I have no one to talk to.  Please help me.

My Answer:  Let me start by saying that you have taken the first and hardest step in getting better, asking for help.  You are so brave to have reached out to the online community.  And you have so much insight already about your feelings.  There are so many people that care about you, both people you know and people you don’t even know like me!  And you’re right, talking with someone about what’s going on in your life is the perfect place to start.

Even though it may seem hard, it’s so important that you talk to a trusted adult in your life about your cutting.  Some examples include your parents, a teacher, the school counselor or nurse, a doctor, or a grown up that you feel comfortable sharing with.  Let them know that you have been cutting and want to get help.  If the first person that you tell doesn’t take you seriously or doesn’t help, then try talking to someone else.  Just don’t give up!

Once you tell an adult, they should help you get to a psychologist or a counselor.  Even though you said you had tried that before, it’s worth it to try again.  Maybe you didn’t get along with your first counselor or the two of you just weren’t a good fit.  If that’s the case, you can find a different therapist so that you can start fresh and get the help you need to feel better now.  There is help for you to feel better and to learn to resist cutting.  A trained therapist can teach you the skills you need and be available for you so that you can talk about your feelings.

In addition to telling an adult and seeing a therapist, there are also telephone hotlines available that you can call 24 hours a day to talk to someone about what you’re feeling.  If you’re thinking of hurting yourself, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).  If you are being abused or are in danger from being hurt by someone else you can call Child Help 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).  Even kids or teenagers can call these numbers!  No matter what though, if you are ever in danger of being hurt (either by yourself or someone else), you need to get help.  If it is an emergency, call 911.

I am attaching some links for more information about how to help your cutting and about the hotlines you can call.  Keep up the good work of reaching out to education.com and now reach out to an adult in your life who can get you the help you need to get better.  You are so very worth it!  Thank you so much for writing to education.com and for sharing your feelings with us.  I for one am cheering you on (along with the whole education.com community)!