Saturday, September 27, 2008

Does Spanking Work?


Parents and psychotherapists are both faced with the question of what is the best way to discipline a child most effectively. Parents have many options, from following the familiar discipline style that they themselves endured as children, to choosing from a variety of parenting training models. Psychotherapists on the other hand are faced with the dilemma of how to serve the families they see in therapy and put their own beliefs aside, therefore serving both child and parents objectively.

One issue that often comes into question, especially in the South, is the use of corporal punishment as a discipline method. There are numerous schools throughout Georgia that continue to use the paddle as a way of “putting a youngster in check.” Numerous research findings report that children that undergo corporal punishment may exhibit behavioral acting out, low self esteem, poor socialization, and poor academic performance. Yet parents and school personnel continue to employ such practices as a way to discipline a child.

Children that undergo physical punishment may experience shame, guilt, physical and emotional pain to name a few. Perhaps physical punishment is viewed as an affective discipline tool by many; but is it effective and psychologically safe in the long run? Children learn through examples and modeling. Wouldn’t it be better if adults teach and discipline children through non-violent means? Some parents believe that “a spanking” solves a problem by halting the child’s undesirable behavior. Are children learning internal locus of control because of some therapeutic effect of corporal punishment or are their behaviors driven by fear?

Another dilemma psychotherapist and other mental health professional are faced with involves the parameters of what is culturally acceptable and unacceptable behavior when it comes to disciplining children. With the influx of immigrants from different cultural backgrounds, the helping professionals are left with the task of not only acting as therapists but also as educators. It may be helpful for those working with children and parents to familiarize themselves with the existing body of research regarding the effects of corporal punishment and to advocate for children’s welfare both physical and psychological.

Relationships?


I love pets. We try to adopt them and all of my little furry family is made up of adopted pets. One ex homeless cat, one adopted muti-mix (I hate the word mutt) and one older adopted baby (got him when he was 8) Now you wonder why I start this blog with information about unlucky become the luckiest of pets? Because I think that human relationships are more or less like that. My little adopted 8year baby (now 13) was given away by his former family once they had a baby because he the doggie bites at times. Well, I think how this was kind of sad having to take in a pet for such a long time and then once they've got a baby to just give him up. But I love that little guy. There is nothing he could do to make me ever give him up. I think sometimes people stay in abusive relationships because they find something that they love in the other person. I am not promoting abusive relationships. All deduce is that there must be a reason for a person not to leave wheater it is out of fear, dependance, lack of resources or whatever the reason(s)

Friday, September 26, 2008

PMS

Ok, I too get cranky because of PMS. Wheather it is due to hormonal changes, astrological allignments, the weather, your partner's innatentiveness and lack of sensitivity, stress, tiredness, you name it, I am going to stick with old fashion natural remedies - chocolate, chamomile, warm baths, lavender scented candles and insense, carbs (in moderation) massage, rest and all other women's R&R and TLC options. Nows thinking of chocolate I absolutely must have Nutella, Milka and Kinder Eggs (my favourite ones) You can dip pretzels in the Nutella ohhhh so delicious.

Cramps relief naturally

Consider taking supplements such as Chaste Berry, Vitamin E, Bulgarian Tribulis, Maca, Evening Primrose oil, Raspberry Leaf capsules or tea.

You may want to avoid herbs which promote the production of estrogen such as Black Cohosh, Dong Quai and Soy products.