Preschool Drop-Off
Separation Anxiety in a child is almost never exclusive. Parents have an emotional reaction and it's usually strong. Most parents react with a flood of their own anxiety. I define anxiety as fear. The child fears being alone separate from Mommy, and Mommy fears whether child can make it on his own without her. It's an anxious circle. Some parents react with frustration and anger toward the child. The parent, in this case, has a resistance to dependency needs usually rooted in poor handling of the Separation Process during their own toddlerhood.
-Is there anything wrong with constantly checking up on your child? Yes, you risk the reciprocity of your child "checking" on you constantly. No child is ready to be left at preschool without Mommy present until at least the age of 2 years and 9 months. After that, age is no longer the issue. The key issue is how Mommy and the teachers deal with the Separation Process. Moms should NEVER be ripped away abruptly from their child. It can take up to 10 weeks for a child to fully be ready to be left at school without her mother.The best way to handle the Separation Process is to begin by Mommy going to school with her child and sitting next to him. She should not interact with him in games and toys, but rather be there available as a safety net in the event that he needs company. Mom should work hard to develop a warm relationship between her child and the teacher. This is crucial so that the child learns to reach out to the teacher when Mommy is not there. Then after at least a week, as the child appears to be comfortably engaged with activities Mommy should sit in a chair against the wall of the classroom so the child can come and go to her, as needed. This period can take weeks until the child feels secure enough to let Mommy leave. The next step is to try having Mommy leave the classroom to go to the bathroom and return immediately. Always, go to your child and tell her in advance you are leaving to go the bathroom. Then, return within a few short minutes to demonstrate that you deliver on your word. This enhances your child's ability to trust you. As she becomes comfortable with this phase, Mommy can try leaving to get a couple of coffee down the street and then returning in 45 minutes. It is extremely helpful for moms to develop a team approach with their child's teacher. This way the teacher can give cues and directions to Mom while Mommy can feel safe and confident that her child will be well cared for when she is not there.The exceptions to the above plan are children who suffered a traumatic event in their young lives including a death in the family, hospitalization or surgery.The way parents handle their child's separation and first preschool experience lays the bricks and mortar foundation for the child dealing with all life separations to come. -Why is it important for parents not to give up on bringing the child to preschool if she or he is always upset? If your child is under 2 years and 9 months do not even try to leave her alone without Mommy or Daddy. After 2.9 years, hand in and follow my suggestions in Answer #2. This will bolster your child with coping skills to deal with future frustrations, disappointments, and separations. Every time you allow your child struggle just a bit it empowers them with better coping skills to deal the next time around.-Is it damaging to a child to be left crying at preschool?It is damaging to a child to be left crying at preschool without a warm, nurturing teacher or supportive adult available to be a source of comfort to the child. Usually, the company of a kind, loving preschool can direct a child to engage in fun activities, narrate the child's feelings, and facilitate interactive play with other children. This helps the child separate from Mommy and find her place in the preschool classroom. If the child is left alone crying at preschool, which I have sadly observed on rare occasion, this can damage and scar the child for many years to come.In general, it is best to not leave your child(ren) crying under 2.9 years unless he or she is with a well-attached warm, nurturing person the child knows and has a relationship with (ie: Grandma, Nanny, Auntie, or Uncle). The reason is that it takes months to years of the child practicing back and forth rhythmic movement between attachment and separation from Mommy before the child internalizes the security of knowing that when Mommy goes away she always comes back. It is a belief system that is required in all human-beings and can only be established with consistent responses by the primary caregiving person - usually Mommy.That said, one singular time or event of leaving your child crying will likely not damage him. But, more than once become a real interruption in the continuity that children require.
Sexting and Anthony Weiner
As an experienced psychotherapist, I now have seen enough evidence to confidently declare that Anthony Weiner has serious personality and character problems that are indelibly in him. No amount of therapy can fix a person who refuses to take responsibility and be accountable for their actions. There are many different ways to say "I'm sorry" but the only way that counts is that in which the person really means it. That said, people want to understand why Mr. Weiner's wife stays with him. There are a few ways to begin to bring meaning to her decision. Some women need the "family" to stay together. Family carries a strong value and weight perhaps because there was divorce, chaos, and turbulence in their families of origin. They can't bear to lose the other parent, the foundation of the family. Other women may be in denial wishing and hoping that "this time" my man will get it together and walk the straight and narrow. Whatever the personal reasons are for Huma Abedin, it is important for us to remain open-minded and non-judgmental. No one really knows what goes on in their personal lives except for those two people living in their home.A person who can't get enough of sexting has a complicated personality. First, he is a Narcissist in that his pleasure comes first; he lacks the component in his personality that can imagine the impact of his own behavior on others; and his grandiose belief that he can and will get away with the secrecy. Sexting counts as cheating because the wife feels betrayed and violated. If you discover your partner is sexting other women online confront him. If he lies, denies, or blames you for invading his privacy you can be sure there is more trouble ahead. If he owns up to his misgivings and shows genuine remorse, regret, and begs to get help then you've got a shot for a future. Women, try to be painfully honest with yourselves whether this is a one-time failing or if this is a pattern. I am currently treating a couple in which the man is a serial sexting/cheater. His lady is hurt and angry each time she catches him. But, she continues to go back and give him another chance. It has become vicious cycle. This cycle will be very difficult to break since both partners are rigidly invested in keeping things status quo.
On Sibling Bullying and a Cheating Husband, Father
Q. Dear Dr. Fran, my wife and I have five children–ages 5 to 13 years-old. Our oldest boy is extremely aggressive and seems to be taking his anger out on his 5-year-old brother. My wife thinks it’s no big deal just normal brotherly roughhousing. I am concerned. The 5-year-old is small and cannot defend himself. I work full time and my wife is a part-time teacher. Do you think I am over-reacting or do we have a real problem with our oldest and youngest boys? Simon U.A. Dear Simon: a new study out this week in the Journal Of Pediatrics addresses the findings from a national survey of children and their caregivers. It found that, just like bullying by peers, bullying by siblings causes significant mental distress and worsens the victims’ emotional health.Bottom line: The authors concluded that parents, pediatricians and the public should treat sibling aggression as potentially harmful, and not dismiss it as normal, minor, or even beneficial, and this message should be included in parenting education.Simon, you need to take your gut intuition seriously. There is a power differential between a 5-year-old and a 13- year-old. If you allow the little one to get pummeled he is likely to either become depressed or go to school and find a smaller child to displace his anger on.Talk to your wife and get a consultation from a qualified family therapist. Below are some of the warning signs of sibling bullying and steps parents can take to deal with it.• Child has expressed fear of being alone with sibling.• Parent has seen bruises and marks on the child (victim).• Powerful jealousy and hostilities have been repeatedly verbalized by the aggressor.• Aggressor has a fascination with fire or hurting animals. This is a precursor to developing a more serious personality disorder called sociopath.Steps Parents Can Take To Address It:1) Have an open family discussion about equal love for each of your children and establish zero-tolerance for hurting each other with our hands or our words.2) Define acceptable and unacceptable behavior in your family.3) Set clear firm rules and consequences for unacceptable behavior.4) Establish special time with each child individually to build upon trust and bonding. This also helps diminish sibling jealousy and rivalry. Q. Dear Dr. Fran, I think my husband of eight years is cheating on me. We have three children who are 8 and 4 years, and a six-month old baby. I feel like I’m losing my mind. I am not worried about money. I am scared to be a single mom and am angry, hurt, sad and feel deeply betrayed. I don’t know what to do or where to start. Please help me! Janet L.A. Dear Janet: this is a really rough one. You need to confront your husband and let him know you are onto his shenanigans. His reaction and response will be your first indicator of how this scenario will play out.What you want is for him to admit his mistake, feel/show genuine remorse, give you his word he will stop cheating for good immediately, and do his best to make it up to you.If, on the other hand, you bump into his defensive denial and resistance to be accountable, then you have an even greater problem because he is likely to repeat the offense.This is too big for you to deal with on your own. You need the support and guidance of a caring, skilled therapist as you move through this terribly painful experience.If your husband refuses to attend therapy and take responsibility for his actions then I strongly recommend you get a consultation from an experienced family law attorney to understand your financial and custodial rights in the event of dissolution of your marriage.
Psychotherapist DR. FRAN WALFISH weighs in on Paris Jackson on WENN
A CHILD psychotherapist and author fears the fourth anniversary of Michael Jackson's death later this month may have prompted his teenage daughter's apparent attempt to take her own life.
Paris Jackson, 15, was hospitalised following a medical emergency at her Calabasas, California home on Wednesday and emergency services officials have confirmed they responded to an emergency call regarding "a possible overdose".Now Dr Fran Walfish, the author of The Self-Aware Parent, tells WENN the youngster's apparent suicide attempt raises several issues.She says: "This month marks the fourth anniversary of her beloved father, Michael's, death. Anniversaries like this are particularly vulnerable times for surviving close family members. Paris's mother, Debbie Rowe has said Paris has 'a lot going on'. Certainly, we can all guess the possible reasons for her desperate actions."Here's the bottom line: No person attempts to end their life unless they feel there is no one available who truly understands and connects with them emotionally... Often, children's individual needs are missed. The takeaway here is that Paris will likely need good psychotherapy to develop a trust-based longterm relationship with someone who gets her."Dr Walfish, who has never had any dealings with Paris, urges the teen's family members to make plans for when she comes home from hospital."The family will need to provide 24/7 supervision and companionship so as to not risk another suicide attempt."Everyone must now set aside their personal battles and self-centred objectives and make Paris and her emotional health front and centre priority number one."People who feel no one understands them are vulnerable to wanting to join a beloved deceased parent or family member. Given Paris' personal circumstances and the anniversary of her father's death she was a high-risk candidate for suicide."
Challenges Parents Face
Here are my top eight most difficult milestones every parent must face. Each one is critical. You will likely transition through each one by holding your spouse/partner's hand and using trial and error.If you bump up against a wall in one of these areas please reach out to a child development specialist or psychologist for guidance. Fasten your seat belts and away you go.The Eight Most Challenging Things Parents Face:1) Teaching their infant to self-soothe and sleep through the night.2) Responding to their toddler’s declaration of separation and autonomy with compassion and empathy. This declaration includes the toddler saying “no;” temper tantrums; and defiant behaviors.3) Equipping their child with coping skills to deal with disappointments.4) Tolerating being the target of their child’s anger and rage.5) Dealing with their child pitting Daddy against Mommy for things the child wants-demands.6) Being on the same page as their spouse regarding discipline and follow-through with consequences.7) Letting go of their teenage children by rewarding responsible behavior with more independence and freedom.8) Not intruding on their adult child’s life. Respecting separation and boundaries.
Five Reasons Why Cuddling Is Good For Couples
Q. Dear Dr. Fran, my husband stiffens and freezes every time I initiate hugging. The only time he is willing to snuggle is if it is foreplay that leads to sexual intercourse. I can’t help but feel rejected. What should I do to fix this? Marilyn H. A. Dear Marilyn, I can understand you feeling rejected. Your husband has difficulty with intimacy. This is not a sexual problem. It is one of closeness and attachment that probably stems from the kind of attachment he had to his mother and father.Each one of us has a comfort zone regarding closeness to other people. That includes a spouse and even children.Have a dialogue with your husband. Sometimes, bringing the issue out into the open can clear a pathway toward warmer closeness and intimacy.Here are five reasons why cuddling is good for couples. If after talking with your husband things don’t improve, reach out to a qualified couples therapist to determine if individual or couples therapy is indicated.• Reason 1: It Feels GoodCuddling releases oxytocin, which is also known as the feel-good hormone. It increases overall happy feeling.Cuddling can also release endorphins, which is the chemical released after a good workout or when you eat chocolate which contributes to that great feeling.• Reason 2: It Makes You Feel SexyThe most obvious benefit to cuddling is getting close to your partner in the physical sense. There is also the release of dopamine, which is an excitatory hormone that increases sexual desire.• Reason 3: It Reduces Stress and Blood PressureHugging, kissing, or more physical acts of touch increases oxytocin levels, which is a “bonding”’ hormone—this chemical reaction can help reduce blood pressure, which in turn reduces the risk of heart disease, but it can also help to reduce stress and anxiety.• Reason 4: It Bonds Women with Babies and PartnersCuddling is healthy for people because of the obvious factor of emotional attachment.Oxytocin is a neuropeptide that is closely linked to childbirth and breastfeeding, and a recent study shows it has a biological role in bonding between mother and baby.The study, led by Lane Strathearn, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, shows that women raised with insecure attachment themselves are more likely to have difficulty forming secure attachments with their children (and partners).”It’s healthy to want to be close. Too little or too much is not good. Observe and explore your own personal comfort zone. You will be a better communicator with your partner on how much feels good and when it gets too close for comfort. Your goal is to find a balance between your comfort zone and needs along with your partner’s.• Reason 5: It Helps You Communicate BetterMost people want to feel understood, and communication is the vehicle by which they transmit understanding and empathy. Non-verbal communication can be a powerful way to say to your partner, “I get you.” Cuddling is a way of saying, “I know how you feel.” It allows us to feel known by our partner in ways that words can’t convey.The Beverly Hills Courier, May 10, 2013
"Top 7 Things Never To Say To A Grandmother"
• “You do so much for them, they must want to be with you all the time.”This is hurtful because no child wants to be with their grandparents all the time.• “If you really want a relationship with your grandchildren go to their Facebook page.”This comment can render a grandparent helpless since many do not know how to use Facebook.• “How can you let him talk disrespectfully to you…you’re his grandmother.”Behavioral management of children lies primarily in the hands of parents, not grandparents. Every child is on a learning curve. Some kids are still learning to inhibit disrespectful impulses. It’s not grandma’s fault.• “Your grandkids are so wild, don’t their parents teach them how to behave?”This type of comment is a direct criticism about your children’s parenting skills. It’s an insult to grandma, too.• “You’re go good to your grandchildren. Enjoy them while you can because you know how teenagers only want to be with their friends.”This is a particularly hurtful statement because it triggers unnecessary separation anxiety in grandma. Enjoy today…why worry about tomorrow.• “Do you go to all their basketball games?…they may not always want a big cheering section.”Many grandparents reap pleasure from watching their grandchildren compete in sports. It’s mean to imply the kids may not always want grandma there. It’s also none of their bee’s wax.• “Mother’s Day is coming…they better honor you as you deserve.”This may be insensitive because it implies you give to your kids and grandkids with an expectation of something in return.Also, many young families mark Mother’s Day by making mommy feel special and honored. Grandmothers often take a backseat to mothers. If they don’t make a big deal over grandma this comment may rub it in.Happy early Mother’s Day, moms and grandmas!
Ask A Private School Admissions Expert: Dr. Fran Walfish
What is the typical timeline for private school admissions? For example, outline a sample timetable of applications, interviews, decisions, etc.
Dr. Fran: There are 1,533 private schools in the Los Angeles County. In California, applications for private schools are in October and November. Acceptance/rejection/wait-list letters go out the second week of March. Interviews are held at various times in between. Parents experience a great deal of anxiety going through the process. In turn, they put their children through high levels of stress preparing, studying, taking classes and sample exams, getting ready for the Day of Judgment.What is the typical process admissions officers go through to evaluate applications? Dr. Fran: There is no typical process. Each admissions officer has their own way of evaluating applications. This is partly why parents’ anxiety goes through the roof. They ultimately have little to no control over how the process and outcome will go. Most schools look at whether there are one or two working parents, ethnicity (to include diversity), income, how many kids are in the family, references from previous preschool teachers/directors, and the child's medical and psychological (if applicable) history.What are the most important things children need to have represented on their applications? Dr. Fran: Flexibility is the most important thing a child should represent, both on their applications and in the personal interview. Flexibility includes how easily the child separates from parents, how well the child manages transitions/change, and how the child wrestles with conflict. Naturally, schools are looking at basic intelligence. Some schools place IQ higher on the priority list than others. Basically, schools want happy, healthy, energetic, motivated, well-behaved, wholesome children.What are common mistakes parents and/or their children make when applying to these programs? Dr. Fran: One of the common mistakes parents make is neglecting to evaluate the parent population in the school. You are not only evaluating the children as potential friends but moms and dads are also signing up for the next six years. Be sure there are other parents at the school you can relate and connect with. Too many times, children go to a school in which their parents feel on the outs with other families. Evaluate your happiness – as well as your child's. How should parents go about determining the culture of a private school, and whether it would be a good fit for their children? Dr. Fran: Parents should observe the school at a number of different times during various activities. Parents should also inquire with other parents whose children currently attend the school. Ask, ask, ask! How important are standardized test scores when admissions decisions are being made? Dr. Fran: Standardized test scores vary in importance from school to school. Scores must be reasonably high, but many schools understand and factor in test-anxiety. Some good schools evaluate the total child, meaning they look at test scores along with community service, sports endowment, and athleticism, math and writing skills.What tips do you have in regards to ISEE prep, SSAT prep, and preparation for other standardized assessments that private schools might require?Dr. Fran: Tip #1: Take the prep classes. Prep tutors are extremely helpful, too. Don't think just because your child is naturally smart he or she will ace the exams. These tests are very specific. It helps to be prepared for the type of questions and to practice speed. Encourage your child to eat well, exercise, and get plenty of rest during the preparation and actual testing process. Offer relaxation techniques including visualization and breathing exercises. These help your child relax and do his or her best. What are the most important things parents need to have well represented about themselves when meeting with admissions officers? Dr. Fran: It is very important to represent that both parents are on the same parenting page and united. Admissions officers are well practiced at observing non-verbal cues that communicate whether parents are together or not. Also, moms and dads should listen respectfully without interruptions during the meeting. Everyone's nerves are high when there is only so much time to get your ideas across. Both parents should position themselves as searching for the best fit for their child. Finally, the parents should declare that "this" school is their first choice. If the school thinks you are shopping for a backup acceptance and are likely to take another offer, they would prefer to avoid dealing with you. It is too much trouble for the school to wait-list another family and then when you accept an offer elsewhere they must reach out to the waiting family as a second choice.How does networking and having in-school connections affect one's chances of admission?Dr. Fran: Networking and having in-school connections can have a positive effect if the in-school family is wealthy, powerful, and has given generous contributions to the school. It is very sad but real. Rich families carry more weight in private schools. Fact.How can a student best prepare for admissions interviews? Dr. Fran: Parents should enlist the help of a kind, benign, adult who can role-play the interview process with your child. I have done this with many children and families in my private practice office. The reason it's best to not be the parent is because the results usually mean too much to parents. We do not want any child to feel they failed or disappointed their parents. Parents can, however, play the "What if's" game. This means to stimulate your child to think about unexpected situations. Ask questions like, "What will you do/say if you have to use the bathroom during the interview?"; "What will you do/say if you don't know the answer to a question?"; and so on. See what your child comes up with. Offer that there's nothing wrong with saying, "I don't know." Administrators respect a person who can admit not knowing.
How do I get my overachieving nine-year-old to relax?
My daughter remembered that she forgot to do her homework while brushing her teeth for bed. I said not to worry and that she could do it then. She starting crying and saying that she does everything wrong (her automatic response when anything goes wrong). Two days ago she got an 88 on a math quiz and started crying because she thought she was a failure, even though I told her I was still proud. I have never EVER put any emphasis on her grades, nor have I EVER expected perfection from her. Help!
Dear Mom, You sound like a warm, flexible, and very loving mother. First, let's be sure it is perfectionism that your nine-year-old is dealing with. Could it be that she fears her teacher's disapproval and anger? Does her father react when she fails with frustration or disappointment? Is there peer pressure within her class when other kids ask, "What did you get on the test?" If the answer to these questions is no then she may be a self-imposed perfectionist.Are there other areas in her life in which she supremely organizes (or attempts to) her environment? For instance, is her artwork filled with repeated patterns of colors, shapes, and figures? Does she line things up in categories of color, size, or height? Does she dress herself neat as a pin, or "without a hair out of place"?The bottom line is your daughter needs empathic narrative from you. The key is your vocal tone and body language when you say the following. Be sure to have genuine compassion in your voice. Say, "You know, Sweetie, I think sometimes it's hard to be you. You're so hard on yourself. You don't even give yourself a chance to misstep." Then, say nothing more. Watch her to see if your message seeps in. You should see her relax a bit and take a deep breath which is her way of letting go of some of the anxiety that keeps her wound up tight. The easier she can be on herself, the more she will be able to tolerate imperfection in others.We can't prevent life's inevitable letdowns and disappointments. The best we can do is equip our children with coping skills to deal with disappointments. Each time you let her wrestle with her own self-disapointment you give her an opportunity to grow. Remind her that no one is perfect. We all make mistakes. And, we all need to accept ourselves -- flaws and all!
Parenting Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
1. How do you deal with separation anxiety?Dr. Fran: Separation anxiety comes from two root causes. One, either the parent (usually Mom) is over attached and does not nurture the separation process. Or two, mom or dad is “there” but isn’t accessible (detached or distracted) to the child so he or she feels emptiness. Mom needs to know she is okay without her baby and the child needs to know he or she is okay without mom.2. How do you learn to pick your battles when it comes to food?Dr. Fran: Never fight with your kids about what goes into their bodies or what comes out. I cannot tell you how many parents get stuck in two developmentally crucial areas – eating and pooping. (That’s why) girls get stuck with eating disorders and the boys get stuck in the pooping disorders. They are both anxiety based but quickly become control issues where the kid feels over controlled by the parent and, in the end, those are two body function control areas that the parent cannot win.3. How do you manage your own fatigue?Dr. Fran: Be sure to nourish and fortify yourself with individual time. Take a walk, listen to music, sit with your feet up and read a magazine. Do whatever makes you feel good and nourishes you. Get enough sleep, eat well, and have a confidant to talk to who will listen empathically without judgment. You need a person to talk to also.4. How do you strike a balance between your child’s personality and your own expectations?Dr. Fran: Every child is an individual and unique and parents need to adjust their expectations to each child’s capacity. For instance, if you have a kid with learning disabilities and fine motor weakness, your expectation of him doing handwriting work may be different from one of the kids who may not have the same weakness. You’ve got to adjust. Don’t expect your kid to do the adjusting, it’s the parent who needs to do the adjusting first and then your child will come to you to meet you in the middle.5. Being a parent is, perhaps, the most difficult job in the world. Why do we do this?Dr. Fran: In the unconscious mind there’s probably some thought about survival of the species. I really think, though, most people want to turn the clock around and “do it right this time.” They are trying to correct the wrongs that were done to them by their parents. Sadly, they either unconsciously repeat it without having walked that self-examination path or – the mistakes that were done to them they fix – but they make new ones that they regret. The answer to doing it right is a lot of work on one’s self. The better we know ourselves the better we can impart clearer messages to children.
How To Be A Good Parent
1. What do you do if you find that you sometimes don’t like your child?FW: Find some areas where you can empathize and identify with your child. Every child wants to feel understood. Sometimes parents see things in their children that remind them of themselves. You have to recognize this and accept your children, flaws and all.2. How do you make sure both parents are on the same page?FW: It’s common for moms and dads not to be on the same page. That old saying “opposites attract” applies to parenting too. Mom and dad might have different temperaments so you’ll need to find ways to have open and honest communication with your spouse. You need to talk about your shared values such as, “What do you value in people and in our families.” Talk about what you want to teach your kids. The likelihood is that you’ll have shared values like treating each other with kindness, and don’t hurt each other with our hands or our words. When you begin with shared values you can springboard to create mutually comfortable strategies for how to teach the children.3. How do you teach your children boundaries?FW: Each parent needs to balance two things at the same time. First, love and nurture. Second, setting and holding boundaries. Most of the parents I know are good at the first one and fall down somewhere in the boundaries. Where they fall down on boundaries is the follow through on taking action. Sometimes what you need to do is to take action that will trigger a temper tantrum (like turning off the TV) then empathically say, “I know it’s hard to stop doing something that’s fun” and then put your arms around your child to show empathy and help them settle down from the tantrum that just erupted while maintaining the boundaries.4. How do you teach your child to self-soothe?FW: Self-soothing begins at birth. What I suggest to moms, especially those who are breast feeding, is when you put the baby down to sleep, gently arouse the baby until they make eye contact and let the baby wrestle with the tossing and turning until they find that comfortable spot to go to sleep. The baby will find her thumb, a soft blanket or something that will help in the self-soothing process.5. How do you determine what’s appropriate autonomy and when?FW: It’s healthy for parents to develop their children’s autonomy and independence. Parents should reward every increment in your child’s autonomy and self-reliance with increments of more freedom and independence. Your child may, for example, want to go to the mall with his or her friends. Your child must demonstrate that they have the discipline to go to the mall responsibly by doing other things such as their homework, chores, always telling the parents the truth, and those behaviors get rewarded with allowing him or her the chance to go to the mall.AsianParent.com Malaysia edition.
Aging Parents: Family Feuds Over Care: Where's the brother-sister love?
Remember the old family feuds over who got the bigger piece of cake or who got to play with the Legos? Ah, brother-sister love.The stakes are higher when it comes to disagreements over caring for aging parents.
Can John boss Jane around and demand she spend a week with mom after her knee surgery? Can he tell her she should cancel a trip with her own kids because he wants her to hang out with their sick dad instead?Only one in 10 caregivers say family members share responsibility equally and without conflict, according to a study by the AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving.How can you and your siblings do better?Put a parent's wishes first. Unless mom suffers from dementia, let her decide, says Nashua, N.H., psychologist Carl Hindy, co-author of If This Is Love, Why Do I Feel So Insecure? "It's not a democracy where they all get a vote. It's up to her! If the parent is competent, the parent's wishes should be paramount."Compromise and try to get along with your brothers and sisters. Otherwise, your parent pays the price. "Not only is she trying to face her own medical issues, but now she has to take care of her kids, too," says Hindy. "She has to worry about whether she seems to be siding with one or the other, or coming between them. For most parents that's the last thing they'd want. They want their children to be close and support one another."Don't be bossy. "Suggest rather than direct," says Beverly Hills, Calif., psychotherapist Fran Walfish, author of The Self-Aware Parent. "How would this feel to you? Would that work?' Use questions to give the person a sense they have a voice." Be flexible, she says. "Can we work this out where I really want to give a week, but that week won't work so well for me?"Make other siblings feel a plan is their idea. "It has to be presented with a question," says Walfish. "'What's your thought about what would work for you?' "They have to feel you're accommodating them – their schedule and their needs."Come up with a backup plan. "You cannot always depend on the siblings," says Walfish. For ideas on hiring help, visit sites such as Eldercare Locator.Don't pre-judge a sibling. "Things can quickly go in familiar old directions," says Hindy. "One is expected to be 'controlling,' another 'selfish,' another 'doesn't listen,' etc."Communicate as a group. Use technology to talk about important issues, especially if a parent is no longer mentally competent. "Most cell phones can add additional parties to a call, and people can Skype together, or interact in real time with text messaging or Facebook private messages," says Hindy. "So let's try to do that, rather than play the old game of 'telephone' where messages get distorted. And they're even more prone to distortion when there's a lot of emotional involved."Plan regular meetings. Hindy suggests three agenda items: medical status, the parent's needs and wishes, and the family's needs and wishes. "Let's all acknowledge that each of these categories is legitimate and important — but they're not the same," he says. "If we at least categorize our discussions in these three compartments, and I understand that this is neater in the abstract than in reality, we can be more appropriately sensitive to everyone's needs and wishes. If we are acknowledging them as our needs and wishes, rather than interjecting it as a medical idea or 'for mother's good,' there will be more understanding — better communication, less tension and arguing."Do the right thing. That may mean you spend more than your fair share of time with your aging parent. Lucky you! "Everybody has to figure out what works for them and their own conscience," says Walfish. "Am I left with a feeling of regret, or did I do as much as I could?"What family feuds? Here's to brother-sister love. Family.lifegoesstrong.com
Is pulling down Mom's PJs a joke, or should it be taken more seriously?
My eight-year-old girl sometimes pulls down my pjs when I'm getting ready. The other day, she did it in the kitchen, where we have lots of windows! My husband scolded her, sent her to take a shower, and said "Mommy is not your friend, don't ever do that again." Then told me, "You're not her friend, act like her mother. Ask your mother or any other mother if they would allow this." She told me she was just trying to make me laugh. How do I handle this behavior and frankly, my husband?
Dear Mom, your 8 year-old daughter's behavior is not age-appropriate. Taking her at her word, let's assume she was just "trying to make you laugh." Pulling down Mom's pajamas is an immature way to strike humor. On the other hand, your husband scolding her and sending her to take a shower is harsh, shaming, and negatively impacts her developing self-esteem.
It is quite possible that your daughter is curious about bodies and nudity. Still, it is not good for her to take away a permissive message from you.
Bottom line, this is a boundary issue. Both you and your husband need to be on the same page. Clearly tell your eight-year-old that bodies are private. No one should touch or see hers, or yours. Tell her it is normal and natural to be curious about what bodies look like without clothes. She has already seen Mommy naked and knows what Mom looks like so she does not need to continue this immature behavior.
Offer her acceptable ways she can make you laugh. She can tell you a funny story or say, "Look at me, Mom", if she wants your attention. Firmly add, "No more pulling down pajamas."
Tell your husband that is enough. No need to send her to shower which risks her feeling dirty and ashamed of what is likely simply immature behavior.
Dr. Fran Walfish, Parents.com "Ask The Experts", 3/13/13.
Alec Baldwin to Be Old Dad, Perhaps a Better Parent
Hilaria Thomas, Alec Baldwin, and Ireland Baldwin attend the Group For The East End's 40th Anniversary Benefit And Auction at Wolffer Estate Vineyard, June 23, 2012, Sagaponack, N.Y. (Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)
Feb. 14, 2013
At 60, Arthur Schwartz sees many of his college friends talking about retirement and grandchildren, but he is energetically immersed in the busy lives of his two young daughters, aged 9 and 7."I hang out at school with parents in their 30s," he said. "It changes your perspective on life.This is round two for Schwartz, a New York City lawyer who has adult children from a first marriage and two more with a much younger wife.However, becoming a father in his 50s, he now enjoys the patience and perspective of maturity.See Photos of the Oldest Celebrity Dads"It was different, for sure," Schwartz said about raising his first family, a 25-year-old son and a 22-year-old daughter, when he was in his 30s."I didn't spend enough time with the older ones," he said. "I worked until 8 or 9 at night. ... I worked one day a weekend and sometimes two."It's also take two for comic actor Alec Baldwin. Just this week, at 54, the same age as Schwartz when he started a family anew, Baldwin announced to the TV show "Extra" that his 28-year-old wife, Hilaria Baldwin, is expecting their first child.Schwartz said his reaction to Baldwin's news was, "Good for him, but he better slow down and make time for [the baby] -- and don't run for [New York City] mayor."Baldwin has a 17-year-old daughter, Ireland, with his first wife, Kim Basinger.
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He once had a strained relationship with his daughter. In a 2007 voicemail, he famously called Ireland "a rude, thoughtless, little pig.""Alec Baldwin is getting second chance in life to do it right this time," said Fran Walfish, a Beverly Hills psychotherapist and author of "The Self-Aware Parent."Other celebrities, like 68-year-old Michael Douglas, have publicly said they made better fathers later in life. His 34-year-old son, Cameron, from a first marriage, has struggled with drug abuse. But today, Douglas reportedly enjoys a close relationship with his children with Catherine Zeta-Jones -- Dylan, 12, and Carys, 9.Men with younger children say it keeps them "feeling young, alive, and mortal," said Walfish. "It is a distorted belief that, unconsciously, is an antidote to fear of dying. Having a younger woman and kids keeps the lid on their anxiety about their demise."But on the positive side, older men in second marriages often make better parents.http://abcnews.go.com/Health/alec-baldwin-wife-pregnant-fatherhood-time/story?id=18494143
Dr. Fran's Top 10 Tips For Giving Your Child More Independence
1. Balance nurturing, setting limits, and holding boundaries. Kids can only become independent if they have been given structure and internal guidelines as foundation.2. Encourage healthy expression of anger. You will help your child develop excellent communication tools that include conflict resolution skills. Your child needs to know he is acknowledged, validated, and accepted flaws and all!3. Nurture and praise your child's incremental steps toward separation. To be a good parent you must prepare and equip your child to deal with life and then let them fly on their own.4. Encourage your child's unique and individual ideas, thoughts, and opinions.5. Built self-esteem by using words that support and motivate with empathic attunement, rather than criticize.6. Equip your child with coping skills to deal with disappointments. We cannot protect or prevent life's disappointments. The best we can do is equip our children with coping skills to deal with inevitable letdowns.7. Reward your child's demonstration of good judgment and good behavior with incremental amounts of increased independence and freedom.8. Do not allow yourself to be pressured by your child. What her friends are allowed or what her brother was allowed has nothing to do with her individual level of readiness for independence.9. Have individual one-on-one special time with each child. Begin when they are young and continue to implement this quality uninterrupted time with your son or daughter. This is your opportunity to build upon the first year of attachment. True independence can only come out of a healthy secure bond.10. Create a support system for yourselves, Moms and Dads. It's hard to let go of your child. The psychological goal of toddlerhood is for the youngster to claim himself as a separate being from Mommy and Daddy. The psychological goal of adolescence parallels that of toddlerhood. The teen's goal is to resolve the separation process. This means your adolescent must emerge into adulthood with his own ideas and opinions about relationships, religion, morals, ethics, sex, character, and values. There is life ahead for empty-nest parents. Good luck, Moms and Dads!!
Instant Gratification
Do you ever have one of those episodes with your children where you wonder, “When is he going to stop doing this?” Your child does something weird, aggravating, or just won’t grow out of a phase? Wish you had someone there to give you the help and advice you’re seeking? Well, your in luck. Breezy Mama is very excited to introduce our Question of the Day piece. A simple (ha!) parenting question with the answer you need. Even more exciting is who will be doing the answering. . . Dr. Fran Walfish, who is an Expert in Parents Magazine’s “Ask Our Experts” column, has agreed to become our “Question of the Day” expert! So send us your questions (alex@breezymama.com) and Dr. Walfish will answer it in a future Breezy post. Now on to today’s question. . .When do children understand that they can’t have “instant gratification”? For example, while in the car, my 4 year old daughter asked to have a snack. I replied that I didn’t have any food with me, yet she kept asking, over and over again, working herself up into a tantrum. What advice can you give for this?Children need to be introduced to the concept of “delayed gratification” in the early toddler phase which kickstarts at 18 months. They must practice wrestling with the experience of “delayed gratification” dozens and dozens of times before they understand they can’t have “instant gratification”. We do not expect a child to demonstrate and master “delayed gratification” until they are at least 4 years-old. The way to teach a child to wait for what they want is through empathic narration. If a child wants the red ball her preschool friend is playing with she might grab it. The best way to respond is with empathic narration which is talking out loud about what she wants and feels. You might say (in a genuinely empathic tone of voice), ”You want the red ball and right now Sally is holding it. It’s hard to wait for your turn. You get mad when you can’t have the red ball.” Watch your child’s intensity decrease. She may not calm immediately but you will see her come down a notch. Then, you can offer alternatives. For instance, you can say “Let’s go find the blue ball to play with while you wait for Sally to finish her turn and give you the red ball.”
Your question poses a bit of added factors – hunger and fatigue. When your child is hungry and asking for a snack it’s extra hard to wait. Hunger can lower blood sugar and make tired, as well. She repeated her demand for “instant gratification” of food over and over which was her way of telling you she couldn’t take no for an answer. Each time she demanded food it reminded her of what she was not getting. Her anger and frustration is what escalated into the tantrum. Once you have an out-of-control 4 year-old you must first help her settle down. Pull the car over and turn off the ignition for safety. Join her in the backseat of the car and hold her physically and supportively to contain her. This helps her keep a lid on her rage. Tell her you understand she is mad at Mommy for not having food and snacks in the car. Encourage her to tell you about her strong feelings. Let her know that next time you will be sure to keep a stash of snacks in the car.
Family Gatherings Can Be Challenging
Courier, The (Findlay, OH) - Monday, December 24, 2012
Author: LOU WILIN ; STAFF WRITER
With blessings at Christmas family gatherings will come challenges for many: the abrasive conversationalist, unwanted advice, old arguments, pressure to pick a side in a drama."Most families have some dysfunction. Nobody had perfect parents ... It helps to know you're not the only one. That's first," said Fran Walfish, Beverly Hills, Calif., family psychotherapist and author of "The Self-Aware Parent."But some families have deeper problems than others. When alcoholism or other addiction, divorce, suicide, abuse or other trauma or tragedy happens, everyone in the family gets hurt. And the hurt can reverberate for generations. Sacred family gatherings can get soiled as old hurts replay, often unconsciously."So often in these families ... there is so much disappointment because people get their hopes up high in fantasies that this time our family will get together and be a happy, loving, healthy family," Walfish said. "And we all come with our baggage and the tapestry of the history of our childhoods, and unfinished business."How to avoid getting entangled in snits and feuds, yet still be open to sharing Christmas love and joy? Walfish and other psychotherapists, counselors and conflict specialists suggest you develop a plan, with ready-made responses to nettlesome situations. It helps you refrain from taking bait that leads to trouble."¢ First, drive yourself to the gathering. Don't count on someone else to drive you home.Set reasonable arrival and departure times. Consider limiting your visit to two hours, if need be. A time limit helps you be more thoughtful and inhibits reflexive, reactive responses, Walfish said.Have a ready-made reason to leave, whether it is stating you have to work the next day or you have someone else to visit."Escape plans are really smart. Just have a Plan B and an escape plan, so that you have something you can say," said Rebecca Daniel-Burke, director of professional projects and career services for the American Counseling Association. "It might be viewed as an excuse, but that's OK. It gets you out.""¢ If someone raises a topic you are not comfortable discussing - be it personal, politics or gossip - just say so, Walfish said."What you say is, 'I'm not comfortable talking about that,'" she said.Walfish's other suggested replies: "I'm not comfortable walking that road or proceeding in that conversation."Keeping peaceful, boundary-setting phrases in your back pocket helps, Walfish said.It can be as simple as saying "I don't know" when asked what you think about a sensitive issue or what your position is on a controversy."It's not unusual for people to provoke old stuff at family gatherings. So it's OK to say, 'I don't know' for the sake of peace," Walfish said. "That's my feeling. You can say, 'Gee, I don't know. I'm going to give that some thought.' You don't have to answer it right away. You're not on the witness stand."Another response if put on the spot about a divisive topic: "You know, there are 10 people sitting here at our dinner table, and I'll bet there are 10 different tweaked points of view, and I think in our family we have to agree to respect differences, or we just have to agree to disagree," Walfish suggested.Whatever you say, it's important to keep your tone of voice good-natured and kind, she said."¢ Resist giving opinions or taking sides when asked about the latest family drama.Laurie Puhn, lawyer and author of "Fight Less, Love More," suggests saying something like: "It's a tough situation, but it's something you have to work out together. I don't have a place in that discussion."Don't be surprised if the other person persists, she said. Be ready to repeat yourself. If the person tries to back you into a corner by implying your silence signals agreement with something, Puhn suggests the answer: "I'm not agreeing. I just don't have a place in that discussion.""¢ Unwanted advice about your career, kids or weight can be peacefully deflected, Puhn said.Her suggested response: "Thanks for your opinion. I will think about it."This shows appreciation, and benefits you in another way."The person giving you their opinion doesn't feel the need to keep repeating themselves," Puhn said.Be confident, she said, and remember this visit too shall pass."You don't have to convince anyone else of your right to have the life that you want. When you walk out that door, your life is what you want it. You're only in that space a few hours," she said. "So the pressure you feel to defend yourself should be alleviated knowing how great your life is out the door.""¢ If we have felt disappointed about past Christmas gatherings, we may need to change our expectations."There's a collision that happens during the holidays and the collision is between fantasy and reality," Daniel-Burke said. "We have so many things that are feeding our fantasies around the holidays. When you turn on the TV, and you listen to Christmas carols, you get into kind of a reverie and you want to think of things as ideal."You can still hope for a wonderful time. But you also can avoid a letdown by accepting that you may not have a wonderful time, Daniel-Burke said."¢ Be what Walfish calls a "curious conversationalist." Instead of talking about yourself, ask family members about the things they are involved in."¢ If things get tense, cool down in another room, Walfish said. Excuse yourself for a bathroom break or take a walk."The key is to remove yourself ... All of us have automatic, knee-jerk reactions when we're immersed in our family dynamics," Walfish said. "And it's very easy to be blind to them, and when you're blind, you're in it and you're caught. So remove yourself and get unstuck before you're in the thick of it."Or in a tense situation, you can simply state you are feeling you are on overload and want to chill out and enjoy the turkey."And then you can get up and go to the kitchen and help clean up or serve," Walfish said. "Take an action that takes you away from the fighting. It's always helpful to take an action step and walk in the opposite direction of the line of fire.""¢ "Find some of the good moments in between the bad ones. Remember why you are there," Puhn said. "You're there for the good moments."Don't become so obsessed with setting boundaries that you miss being a witness or participant in a sweet moment. Accept that things will happen that you may not like. You are not at the gathering to change a relationship or establish your identity, Puhn said."The event is not about you. It's not about making you happy," Puhn said. "Keep your eye on the prize ... the five minutes you're in the kitchen preparing turkey with your mother and she shares a recipe that's special or you see a grandparent with a grandchild."
It's the Holidays. How to Handle the Inevitable Toddler - TIME magazine
TIME PARENTING
It’s the Holidays. How to Handle the Inevitable Toddler Tantrums
By Francine RussoDec. 21, 2012Add a Comment
There they all were from far and near— my kids and their partners in every room of my New York apartment. They were standing, lounging, chatting, drinking, passing my 6-month old grandson from lap to lap. Piercing the din was the insistent whine of my 4-year-old granddaughter for…something.I adore my granddaughter. She has loving and attentive parents. But right now her Dad was animatedly defending the Rams while her mom was laughing at her sister’s teasing about their childhood cupcake stand. Meanwhile, as I carried a stack of plates, my granddaughter pulled at my sleeve, shrilly demanding another rainbow cookie. Couldn’t she play on her own for ten seconds? Should I speak to her parents about this?(MORE: What Your Toddler’s Teacher Will Never Say to Your Face)Then the flashback hit. I am transported over the decades to our weeklong visit to Nana and Papa in California. My girls are sleep-deprived and stretched to the limit. They’re bored with crayons and Legos, they’re not allowed to touch anything, and the adults are ignoring them. My 7-year-old starts running in manic circles around the glass cocktail table while her younger sister emits blood-curdling shrieks. They’re at their worst. And Nana is giving me the look, soon to be a lesson on teaching my monsters manners.Tensions and joy! ‘Tis the season. Surely there’s got to be a better way. So I asked a bevy of experts about handling all that pent-up anxiety that comes with mixing the holidays, family and clashing parenting philosophies, and they all agreed on one point: Keep the kids’ routines as normal as possible. Good luck with that! Excellent advice, no doubt, but hard to do when everything you depend on is changed.(MORE: Behold the Adorable Face of Terror: Toddler Removed From JetBlue Flight)That’s Tension # 1: the struggle between normality and nothing-like-normal. Then Tension #2: your own wish to enjoy the reunions versus the need to constantly supervise your children. And finally, especially with your own parents: Tension # 3: the imperative of being your child’s parent versus that old pull toward being your parents’ child and needing their approval.Can this holiday be happy? Sure, if imperfectly. But it requires a lot of forethought and preparation. So here are some tips for navigating upcoming gatherings and keeping the season bright.Prepare Your KidsYoung children need to know what will happen in an unfamiliar setting away from home. Before you leave, suggests Fran Walfish, a child and family psychologist in Beverly Hills and author of The Self-Aware Parent, make a picture book together. Draw the airplane, Grandma’s house, the people, and the gifts, right through to “bye-bye,” the return plane and home. “Visually narrate what will happen,” Walfish says, “all the changes, including sleeping in a different bed.”Definitely take the little one’s “blankie” or other attachment objects as well as favorite toys and familiar foods. For older children, explain what will happen and the rules for Grandma’s house. Make sure they bring things they like to do, such as video games, and, if possible plan some time on the trip, however brief, that’s just for them.Prepare the GrandparentsBefore you go, talk candidly with Grandma. Explain the challenges the kids will face, how they’re likely to react, and ask whether or how much the grandparents want to take charge of them. Also ask if there are breakable things they’d be willing to put away or if there are rules about certain areas. If you have strong preferences about how sweets or gifts are handled, gently express your feelings, but don’t be surprised (and remain flexible) if Nana and Papa can’t hold themselves back.Above All, Prepare YourselfStrike a balance in your mind between the fun you hope to have— the food, catching up, laughs, and memories—and the reality that your first priority has to be parenting your kids. That’s an order: “If your 4-year-old is having a tantrum because she’s overwhelmed and overtired, “says Walfish, “you need to stop everything and settle your child.” If you’d really like to talk to people, make a plan ahead of time with your partner—or a willing aunt or uncle—to take turns supervising the kids.And if Grandma does criticize you or your kids? Have your response ready. “Agree with them,” says Vicki Panaccione, a child psychologist and founder of the Better Parenting Institute in Melbourne, FL, “Say, ‘You’re right, he is being really whiny today. I guess if I were four, I’d probably be that way too because there is so much going on that he’s not used to and he’s out of his routines.’”While you’re thereWhen over stimulation, exhaustion and changes in routine make your kids clingy, whiny, or otherwise impossible, suggests Panaccione, “Limit the overwhelm [sic] by coming to their rescue if they are inundated by people or gifts and explain to them why everyone wants to hold or kiss them.” Whatever their age, give them a breather and, if possible, some exercise. Read them a story in another room. Go for a walk, go to a store, change the scene. And cut your kids (and yourself) some slack. None of you are likely to be at your best.Most of all, try to relax and enjoy the good things rather than aiming for the impossible (news flash: your 3-year-old will not sit at the table long enough for you to savor a meal). “Focus on family togetherness,” says Walfish, “ Contrary to popular belief, what kids love most about Christmas and Hannukah is not the gifts. It’s the bonding and coming together of family.”Okay, so your family holidays won’t be like that Norman Rockwell picture. They never were. No one’s holiday was. But they’re your family—and your kids’ family. So laugh or cry or hug your child and live in this moment. And remember that it may be another year before it happens again—and never exactly like this.
When Your Child Pal Offends
THE PARENT'HOOD, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
When your child's pal offends
Your daughter's pal throws around the word 'retard' a lot. Is it OK to speak up?
 Your child's pal uses an offensive word (Eric Herchaft, Getty Images / December 6, 2012) |
By Heidi Stevens, Tribune NewspapersDecember 19, 2012
Parent adviceFrom our panel of staff contributorsNot just OK, but mandatory, especially in your earshot and/or under your roof; silence can be interpreted as tacit approval. Depending on the age, you might interject with "Whoa, that's really not a nice word; you can really hurt people's feelings that way." Ratchet up as the severity or frequency if the usage continues. If the pal is older, you can explain that there are people with developmental disabilities and that holding them up to ridicule, even indirectly, is cruel. You're not really just talking to your daughter's friend; you're also letting your daughter know where you draw the line.— Phil VettelEmphasize how hurtful and cruel it is to kids who, through no fault of their own, are different. A lot of kids just go along with their peers using words like "retard" without understanding what they really mean. It's a parent's job to explain that these words — especially popular among boys are crude expressions for homosexual — aren't just silly slang. And if she continues, continue to correct her.— Ellen WarrenHaving a zero-tolerance household for slurs and other bad behavior is a good idea. We're of the mind that all of our kids' friends are welcome in our house, but when they exhibit bad behavior, we don't hesitate to correct them with the same rules we impose on our kids. It falls under the "not in my house" rule. I take the kid aside to avoid embarrassment and say something like, "Can I talk to you for a sec? We don't use that word here because it hurts people, like a punch, and we don't let stuff like that happen in our house, OK?" Then release him back into the wild.— Michael ZajakowskiExpert adviceIt's both OK and important to speak up, says family therapist Fran Walfish, author of "The Self-Aware Parent" (Palgrave MacMillan).Equally important is your tone."Your job, as the adult in the situation, is not to blame or judge or be punitive or harsh," says Walfish. "You want to have an almost benign tone of voice."This will set the stage for the little offender — and your own child — to actually hear your message, rather than bury it in a pile of embarrassed defenses."What I would say is, in a very compassionate tone, 'I get it. That's how your friends talk. But in our house we have the rule that we don't hurt each other with hands or words. Those words can be hurtful to some people, and in our house we don't take that chance,' " Walfish suggests. "Then leave it at that. Only say, 'And you're only welcome in our house when you don't use that word' if she keeps using the word over and over."If your child's friend is directing derogatory words at your child, you can alter your approach a bit to help her see the impact of her language."You position yourself as a mediator," says Walfish. "Your first question is to your own child, 'Hey, how do you feel when your friend calls you that?' You want to empower the receiver of the hostility and encourage her to tell the other child how she feels. Then you explain to the friend that in your house, it's a rule that you don't hurt each other with hands or words."Tone remains critical in both cases."You can't be sarcastic," Walfish says. "You can't be mean or seem overprotective. You're just being clear: This is how it is. That language has to stop."Have a solution? Is it OK to sneak your kids' old toys away to charity when they're not looking? Find "The Parent 'Hood" page on Facebook, where you can post your parenting questions and offer tips and solutions for others to try.
Parenting Amid the Connecticut Tragedy
Words fail. How does a parent try to explain to a child what happened at the elementary school in Connecticut yesterday. The horrific massacre is every parent's worst nightmare - unthinkable.Unless your child has been exposed to this incident - by radio, TV, or internet, there is no reason to bring it up to him. The likelihood, however, is that he heard about it in school either in a classroom discussion or overheard other kids talking about it on the playground.Begin by asking him what he heard versus shoving too much upsetting information into him. Begin by asking, "Did anything happen at school today that you want to talk about?" This open-ended question leaves the door wide open for your child to bring up anything he has on his mind.If your child says, "Did you hear what happened at the school in Connecticut?" it's best to explore what he knows. Ask him what he heard, read, or saw. Then you can start the conversation based on what he knows, answering his questions honestly, minimally, and be able to tweak and correct any misinformation to the best of your ability. The idea is to be truthful, yet not unnecessarily raise his anxiety. Say as little as possible and state the bare facts.If he asks, "What happened?", say "Some grown-ups and children were killed at a school far away from where we live."If your child asks "Why did he do that?" say, "He had a serious problem with his brain and thinking and he did a terrible thing. Just like people sometimes have problems with their bodies, like a hearing loss or a hand that doesn't work, once in a long while someone has a severe problem with his brain. The guy who did the shooting had a big problem with his brain and he did a horrible, crazy thing. But, once in a rare while someone's mind doesn't let him know what's right and what's wrong. But, this is very, very rare." If your child is older, 10 years and up, depending on his maturity level, encourage the conversation. Ask him what he thinks might have been going with someone who does something so horrific. Share the same facts about mental illness, and the rarity of the act. Not only will he share the burden of his fears with you, thereby lessening the weight on his shoulders, and you will be able to reassure him of the randomness of the act and how remote the likelihood of it happening again is. You might also consider mentioning how the media and internet bring terrible news instantly and relentlessly. Having it thrown at you constantly makes it even bigger in a child's mind. Fears of all kinds may be generated in your child. Do not try to downplay his fears. Rather, acknowledge that you understand he is frightened. Reassure him over and over that you are all safe, that this was an unusual event. It takes people, including children, time to process events like the killings in Connecticut. Don't be surprised if he continues to ask questions over and over. He is only trying to make sense of the senseless the best he can.Be careful how you talk about the events when your child may be listening. Kids hear everything and they have laser-sharp radar that zones in on your affect.