West Ridge Academy says that having an eating disorder is bad enough but it can be even more terrifying when your child has it. An eating disorder can be mild but it can also be quite severe and even life threatening. Fortunately, there are places you can revive counselling and treatment for this condition such as West Ridge Academy. You should not let an eating disorder go on for too long. There are people out there that can help your child overcome this affliction

Why Eating Disorders Occur

An eating disorder occurs because in our world we put far too much emphasis on body image and not enough emphasis on the person that we are. Who we are inside has nothing to do with our body image. Our shell isn’t the most important part of us, it is our personality and our sprit. Young people, especially young teenagers are driven by what they see on television and in the media. Beauty, thinness and an obsession with body image is what drives our society and the images we see. This builds up expectations in a person that just can’t be met. If you suffer from an eating disorder, West Ridge Academy can help you break this cycle. These conditions can also be physiological in nature which requires treatment. It’s not entirely understood why they occur.

While many teenagers live perfectly normal lives and have a healthy body image, for others they take this to extreme and end up with an eating disorder because they have become so  obsessed with their weight and how they look to other people that they start to hate food or use it in a negative way. The child either doesn’t eat at all or develops anorexia, or they eat too much and develop Bulimia. West Ridge academy can help with both of these conditions.

Parents need to watch their children closely if they have strange feelings towards food or you notice any behavior patterns develop in your child. For example a child may skip food often or say they ate someplace else to avoid eating a family meal. This can be an early warning sign that something is wrong.

What Parents Can Do

Parents can be positive role models in the lives of their children and teach them about body image and proper nutrition. Sometimes this isn’t enough however and if an eating disorder is present then places like West Ridge Academy are better suited to dealing with the problem. It’s unlikely that a parent will be able to stop the eating disorder once it starts to develop and in most cases it will just get worse. These disorders are life threatening because the child isn’t getting the nutrition they need during this critical stage of their development.

A parent should call a place such as West Ridge Academy because these conditions can lead to:

Anorexia

• Drop in pulse, breathing rate, or blood pressure
• Fingernail breaks, or hair loss
• Loss of a period for a woman
• Lack of concentration
• Anemia can develop
• Joints become swollen
• Brittle bones

Bulimia

• Pain in the stomach
• Stomach or kidney damage
• Tooth decay from stomach acids
• Expansion of salivary glands from throwing up
• Low Potassium, can lead to heart problems

Parents don’t have to suffer and watch their child go through an eating disorder. There are professional such as those at West Ridge Academy that can help with these difficult issues and put the child back onto the road to recovery and teach them about proper body image along with eating habits. Don’t let the problem go on any longer, contact West Ridge Academy now.

Topic: West Ridge Academy’s Advice On How Parents Can Rescue Their Teens From Eating Disorder

West Ridge Academy recommends this very helpful and informative article about the importance of recognition towards encouraging a continuous positive attitude in your children and achieve a harmonious relationship in the family.

Your 7 year old clears the table, but leaves behind a bunch of crumbs. Your teenager mows the lawn, but misses a patch. You ask your husband to buy some mascara, and he gets the wrong kind. How do you react? Is your first instinct to criticize or correct them? Or do you praise the effort? Do you recognize the positive?

How many of you have heard a similar statement? “You never notice when I do something right!” I have—both from my family and students I work with at West Ridge Academy. When I’m not in a defensive mood, I must admit that they are right. I don’t tell my children, my wife, or the girls on my caseload that I notice the positive things they do often enough. I know I recognize the positive things and think about how well they are doing, but somehow I forget to tell them. In those moments of realization, I often recommit to do better and tell them more often.

Why is recognizing the positive so important to our relationships? Studies show that positive reinforcement for desired behaviors is a much more powerful tool than punishment and increases the likelihood that the desired behavior will re-occur. To put it simply, when we praise our kids for something they did, we will probably see them do it again.

Our children at West Ridge Academy need our praise even more because many harbor the belief that they will never amount to what we want them to, thus creating a cycle of failure. In fact, a recent study conducted at West Ridge Academy clearly showed that to have a successful program, we need positive reinforcement.

West Ridge Academy encourages you to read the entire article here: When You See It, Say It

West Ridge Academy endorses this very enlightening piece about the importance of music as a platform for teenagers to express themselves, and how a healthy boundary between parents and teens in respecting each other’s musical preferences can lead to a happier and stronger family unit.

Did your parents ever say to you? Have you said it to your kids (even though you probably swore you never would)? Your grandparents almost certainly said it to your parents. From My Chemical Romance and Drake to Nirvana and Public Enemy. From Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones to The Beatles and The Beach Boys. From Elvis and Buddy Holly to Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis. For decades, parents around the world have been telling their kids “that’s not music” and have often found themselves screaming, “Turn off that noise!”

West Ridge Academy wants teenagers to know that parents aren’t the only ones who struggle when listening to another generation’s music. If you ask any teen about music they’ll tell you how painful it is to be trapped in a car or other confined space with their parents listening to “their” music. “It’s boring.” “It’s cheesy.” “It’s not ‘classic’ it is just old.” And, just as you likely contested many years ago, they will argue that their parents just don’t get it when they hear the complaints about what they are listening to.

West Ridge Academy says that negotiating the many differences of opinion between parents and teens can feel like navigating a minefield. It’s not unusual for disagreements over music to exacerbate rifts in families. Understanding why teens like the music they do, and knowing what parents can do if they don’t approve of their child’s music choices, has the potential to bring families together. There’s no denying the powerful role that music plays in a teen’s life.

Topic: West Ridge Academy- The Important Balance Of Freedom And Choice In Music.

West Ridge Academy believes that “The Code of the West” adhered by cowboys offers a practical set of ideals and principles with which we can live our lives by. It is important that we are guided by a moral compass as we live through our daily lives.

When I’m not at West Ridge Academy, you can often find me playing cowboy at my ranch. A number of years ago, in what was the result of a midlife crisis or moment of weakness, I purchased a working cattle ranch. With that decision came unbelievable headaches: broken wheel lines, bulls getting into my neighbors’ fields, calving at 3 a.m. in -10 degree weather, mending fences, broken hydraulic lines on my tractor, numerous flat tires, picking up rocks, and then picking up more rocks. Despite all of the challenges, there have been some great rewards. One of those rewards is the opportunity to work with a number of true cowboys. These guys are the real deal—boots, hats, scarves, and mustaches. But it isn’t their attire that has impressed me most. It’s their character, their work ethic, and the code by which they conduct themselves. In a book by James Owen, he calls this unwritten law “The Code of the West.”  I think this has tremendous application to the kids at West Ridge Academy.

It is this law or code that makes cowboys stand out as a symbol of American culture and values. It is a tradition of hard work, resourcefulness, and perseverance. It is a life where a handshake is the law and where helping others takes priority over your own needs.

It is a belief that finishing what we have started is matched in importance only by making sure we help those around us finish what they have started. At West Ridge Academy, we are focused on instilling these ideals in our students and in ourselves.

West Ridge Academy recommends that you read the entire article: Learning from the Code of the West by West Ridge Academy Ken Allen.

West Ridge Academy highly recommends this very enlightening article about the importance of making that connection between parents and their children, whether they are still infants or teens.

Within the early stages of life, a crucial stage of development begins—the need to connect or bond with another person. At West Ridge Academy we call this the ‘attachment’ stage. As parents, we learn through experience that babies often cry when they’re hungry, tired or scared. Our response to these cues either strengthens or weakens the parent-child relationship.

West Ridge Academy shares that continuing to meet a child’s basic needs, such as feeding, caring or nurturing, strengthens bonds of trust and comfort, and allows the parent and child to feel more attached. In other words, attachment helps us feel safe and not alone.

Teenagers have a similar desire to feel attached. Although their needs can be harder to understand and decipher, there is still an underlying need to connect with their parents. While there are many ways for parents to communicate with their child to establish a connection, there are also many distractions, both for parents and teens. Finding a way for family members to stay connected with each other is a critical component of raising satisfied, successful and, ultimately, happy children.  There are 4 essential steps to guide parents in this process:

Step 1:  West Ridge Academy states that it is vital for families to stay connected. Parents won’t be able to influence their children if they don’t first have a healthy connection—a general attachment.  Start by checking-in with your child everyday. Sometimes it’s hard with competing schedules, but it’s important to make one-to-one contact everyday. For example, ask ‘How was your day? What’s going on? What did you learn at school?’  At times, their responses will be minimal, but they need to know you’re asking and that you care.

Step 2: West Ridge Academy says that is is crucial that families do things together. Participating in physical activities together is a good way to show our kids that we enjoy spending time together. Try participating in hands-on activities regularly. Hiking, basketball and putting puzzles together are fun, and inexpensive, activities to do together. Attend your children’s performances and activities. Be their number one fan; cheer them on and show them support, even if the timing is inconvenient. Plan for family dinner when everyone is together.  Occasionally, include dessert to allow family members to linger and talk.  Don’t forget to remove distractions such as cell phones, gaming devices and computers.  Remember, this is family bonding time.

West Ridge Academy recommends that you read through the entire article through this provided link: West Ridge Academy: The Vital Parent/Child Connection.

West Ridge Academy recommends this very helpful article about the hidden dangers that technology can pose for the family, especially in our relationship with our teenagers.

In our last podcast Jeff talked about a blog post that would be forthcoming that would focus on teens and technology. This is that blog post!

There is no question that the use of technology is on the rise in our culture. More and more people are connecting to the internet at higher speeds. Cell phones have become a necessity in our fast paced world. Ipods, Nintendo DSs, and PSP’s can keep us entertained anywhere we go. How is this increase in the use of technology affecting our families, especially the teenagers in our families?

Teens are wired. They have what seemingly unlimited options when it comes to technology they can use to stay connected and entertain themselves. Results from a survey conducted by West Ridge Academy shows that 87% of teens today are actually online, with more and more saying they have high speed connections. Of the 300 million people that use Facebook, 9% of them are teens.

West Ridge Academy shares that research cited in July 2008 stated that 83% of teens own a cell phone and the average teen generated 50 to 70 text messages per day. Cyber-communication is definitely being utilized by teens to maintain relationships. There are positives and negatives that come along with using technology to communicate.

New technology presents many benefits, both for teens and their parents. Having a cell phone on them makes contacting parents much easier. Whether they need a ride or are checking in throughout the evening, cell phones makes this type of communication simple. It is also easier for parents to contact their teen, especially through text messaging. Many cell phone companies now offer GPS services that allow parents to know the physical location of their children.

West Ridge Academy reiterates that social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace allow teens to keep connecting with friends through chat features. There is also tons of good information on sites such as YouTube. One of the greatest benefits to teens is that they can exhibit their creativity by becoming content creators through blogs and online video.

West Ridge Academy recommends that you read more of this article through this provided link: Teens, Technology, and Your Relationship by West Ridge Academy.

West Ridge Academy recommends this very informative article which discusses about how a problematic child affects the overall dynamic of the family and the different roles that each family member assumes when faced with such a situation.

West Ridge Academy says that when a sibling begins to severely act out and disrupt healthy home interactions, home dynamics change and the other children are left wondering where they fit in.

According to West Ridge Academy, the “Lost Child Syndrome” addresses the different roles the other children take on within a family when they have an acting-out brother or sister.  While these roles may be fleeting and subtle in nature, the family and remaining members are equally at risk, along with the acting-out child, who is demanding all the family’s focus, time and energy.

A parent’s tendency is to focus solely on the acting out child, consequently leaving little time for interaction with the remaining children who are equally in need of attention and care. The ‘good’ siblings quickly develop negative feelings toward the ‘bad’ one and may begin acting out to catch the attention of their parents. If these unhealthy and destructive roles are not addressed early, professional treatment may be required to restore family order.

Additionally, West Ridge Academy discloses that parents often have feelings of guilt as well, because they are angry toward the acting-out child.  Some parents may feel hurt, confused, angry, tired and resentful, while others may not know how to identify their feelings. It becomes easy to believe the whole family is unraveling.  These stresses can result in a variety of negative effects, such as strain on the marriage, parental withdrawal, and feelings of not being good enough parents.

West Ridge Academy emphasizes that as a family experiences daily challenges of dealing with a difficult child, often the other siblings will assume a different family role or position as the family desperately tries to maintain order amongst the stress, chaos and fragile environment within the home.

The following are some of the roles children may assume in the Lost Child Syndrome according to West Ridge Academy:

The Lost Child: This is usually assumed by the youngest child, although any child can also take an interest in assuming this particular role. “The Lost Child” deals with his problems by choosing to remain invisible. As these children turn to adulthood, they often remain on the peripheral of the world and have difficulty forming relationships. Socially, they seem to be very guarded, isolated and depressed.  They become more susceptible to forming addictions to alcohol, drugs, pornography, food and sexual activity. Some of them tend to get confused with their sexual identity. The “Lost Child” often feels that he is not important, alone and practically invisible in the eyes of other people. Because they have seen that the acting-out child was “rewarded” with their parents’ attention despite his bad behavior, they will subscribe to a crooked sense of belief that good behavior will likely be ignored or neglected.

The Scapegoat: This child receives the brunt of his family’s desire to relieve the conflicts and tension in the family.  Most often, this particular role is assigned to the acting-out child by default. Scapegoats usually appear tough, hostile, resistant and mad at the world, although deep inside they actually feel unloved, hurt and guilty. Scapegoats are often used as diversions from other pressing family issues such as marital problems, addiction problem of a family member, recurring grief or trauma, lingering illnesses, or any such problem which the family chooses not to address head on.

The Hero: Often assumed by the eldest child, this role takes on the parental responsibilities for the other children. Due to the fact that their self-worth is defined by their ability in becoming a perceived able caretaker, heroes usually bond with other individuals which need to be looked after. They are usually high achievers, but inwardly feel inadequate and alone.

The Mascot: This child provides the much needed comic relief amidst the family’s adversities which diverts their attention, albeit temporarily, from the depressing matters. They act as the relief valve in the pressure cooker situation which the family is undergoing because of all the pressing family concerns.  Mascots can present with symptoms of hyperactivity or learning disabilities.  Despite their appearance of being carefree from the outside, they actually feel a lot of fear inside.

West Ridge Academy states that during the times when the family is in chaos and family members voluntarily step into these roles, boundaries become blurred and communication lines become confusing. The family will keep on repeating a vicious cycle, oblivious to the symptoms of a rapidly degenerating and dysfunctional family, as each child plays out their own self-assumed roles within the family.  A fragile family atmosphere is thus created, as each family member tries to tackle issues within the roles that they have assumed or were given to them.

West Ridge Academy warns that if this is not resolved, ‘lost children’ will be exposed to substantial emotional harm, stunting their personal growth as well as their function towards the family.  Our next week’s article will provide parents needed resources to identify these negative and destructive roles, and in their stead, create positive family roles.

West Ridge Academy recommends that you read more of this article by following this link: The Lost Child Syndrome

West Ridge Academy asks: as a parent, how much time do you spend with your teen? Would you know the negative and positive things to be discussed with them? This article, “West Ridge Academy- How To Connect With Your Teenager In Times Of Trouble” is here to help.

West Ridge Academy is convinced that every parent should set aside some time to talk with their teen with regards to relevant things going on in their lives. Oftentimes, teens are just waiting for their parents to initiate that open communication line that they desperately need. Think for a minute about why you want to be close to your teenager. Try to remember the things that you used to rave about your teen, and whatever fun times that you had recently. Think about his or her longings and the things your teen is interested in.

West Ridge Academy suggests that you must volunteer to have that one-on-one time with your teen not only when there is a problem to be solved or because you have to, but more importantly because you want to build a better relationship for the both of you. Avoid touching on sore topics. It would also be better if you just focus on the good traits of your teen, rather than discussing about your worries or personal irritations. If you must bring up sore topics, try to keep it separate from the time that you want to reconnect with your teen; set it for another time altogether. Do not allow your worries or frustrations to spoil the moment; instead let your teen lead the direction of your discussion if it’s possible.

West Ridge Academy warns that there is a probability however that your teen may not be very enthusiastic about your attempt to reconnect. Your teen may look passive despite your efforts. That’s okay. It’s best that you allow them to take the initiative during these times.

In your heart and mind, you are making that commitment to give this process your whole undivided attention, and hopefully your efforts will bear fruit in the end. Just be there for your teen without necessarily pushing hard for the issues as he/she will ultimately appreciate your patience; earning his/her trust that he/she will eventually open up. It won’t be an easy or short path, but putting in the necessary time to spend with your teen without any obvious demands or expectations, is a step towards the right direction.

West Ridge Academy reiterates that the time that you set aside to spend with your teen can also provide them in a way to create times with you that they’ll remember all of their life, because they were able to be in charge, and to feel your support as they did what they loved, or tried something new. Spend as much time as possible with each other in discussing your individual issues; in this manner, you will be able to establish a much fuller connection with each other. True concern makes a lot of impact with teenagers. Whether they’re fighting caring or absorbing it, they need to feel their parents sending it.

Regardless if it’s announced or unannounced, spending valuable time is a key component in parents’ efforts to send those important messages to their teens. You must be patient however as not all the time that you set aside for talking with your kids may be productive enough to make a dent in your parent/child relationship. But it is a practice with great potential for improving relationships, and one that can be used to build love and respect in both good times and hard times.

Topic: West Ridge Academy- How To Connect With Your Teenager In Times Of Trouble

According to West Ridge Academy: as parents, we know for a fact that there are times when we cannot identify if our teen is in trouble or not. This article aims to help you identify the early signs so that you can help your teen as early as possible before any real trouble sets in. We have outlined four key methods for you to know if your teen is having trouble with drugs, sex, self-esteem, or school.

First – Drugs. There are numerous ways to let you know if your child is messing with drugs, according to West Ridge Academy. Your teen may begin to neglect their responsibilities at school, work, or home. Or your teen may suddenly become adventurous such as driving while intoxicated or engaging in unprotected casual sex. Your teen may also begin to get tangled with legal matters, such as being arrested for disorderly conduct, or lewd behavior, or stealing. Finally, your teen may begin to have trouble with his/her relationships, such as quarelling with their partners, or being confronted by their boss at work or their dean at school, or get into misunderstandings with his/her old friends.

Second – Sex. Do you ever wonder if your teen is sexually active? To find out, you need to observe if your teen is trying to be more secretive about his/her boyfriend or girlfriend, or if your teen is trying to hide some form of birth control somewhere. Some signs are more obvious than others. Particular signs that point to sexual activity are recurring urinary tract infections, pain in the lower abdomen, or frequent yeast infections.

West Ridge Academy advises parents not to be too quick in accusing their teen however, but they should make a through investigation to get to the root cause instead, and have a heart-to-heart talk with their teen about the possible consequences of a sexually active lifestyle especially for teens who are too young to take on any kind of responsibility.

Third – Self Esteem. West Ridge Academy warns that adolescence is a time of extreme change. Teens are experiencing simultaneous changes in their life such as mood swings and insecurities, together with bodily growth and hormonal changes. This may lead to self-esteem issues. According to West Ridge Academy, the changes that they experience during adolescence, coupled with their desire to be accepted, can lead teens to compare themselves with other people. They may compare themselves with people in their own circle or with celebrities in movies, TV, or the magazines. Hence, you should try to set a positive role model for your teen by emphasizing good qualities over appearance.

Fourth – School. Is your teen having trouble in school? There’s always a method to assist them with public school. It’s acceptable for parents to search for alternate school options if their son/daughter is not able to cut it in a “normal” high school environment. West Ridge Academy shares that there are special schools which are designed to cater to troubled teens who may be flunking in school due to conditions such as ADD, ADHD, bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and many other problems. Public school districts are required by law to offer alternative education to teens who struggle with succeeding in traditional schools. Alternative schools minimize the incidence of school drop-outs by concentrating on a smaller number of students per class, a more flexible curriculum, and better accommodation for behavioral problems.

Topic: West Ridge Academy’s Tips On How To Spot A Troubled Teen

Money is an absolute necessity in life, and according to West Ridge Academy, you cannot just disregard it as if you don’t need it because the truth is that all of us need it to function normally in our daily lives.

Actually, money can either work for you or work against  you, depending on how you treat it; whether you treat as a friend that you want to keep for a life time, or as an enemy which you cannot wait to separate from.

West Ridge Academy emphasizes that if you know where to invest it, money can definitely work for you or even grow by itself without you even lifting a finger. On the other hand, if you do not understand how it works then it will definitely come back to haunt you, run you into the ground and bury you with all sorts of debts and financial trouble if you are not careful.

In this regard, it’s very important that you must teach your children about financial literacy as early as possible if you want them to avoid financial ruins when they become adults. Below are some tips from West Ridge Academy on how to teach financial literacy to your kids.

• Provide a weekly allowance for your child which he should be accountable for. By giving your child a weekly allowance, you are subtly teaching him how to budget. According to West Ridge Academy, in order to determine his weekly allowance, you must compute his basic needs for one week. Inform him that his allowance should last him for the whole week otherwise you won’t be giving him any additional money if ever he will run short of funds, unless otherwise he can come up with a perfectly valid excuse why he came up short. Should he be able to save some money from his allowance, then he will have the option to do whatever he wishes to do with it.

• Encourage him to save some of his allowance in order to buy something that he really wants to have like a favorite toy or bike. This way he will learn a lot of financially relevant ideas, such as: the economic impact of choosing the lower-priced food or treats (but not necessarily lower in nutritional value) in order to save some of his allowance; or the fact that it’s not easy to accumulate money since it actually takes a certain amount of sacrifice to save for even just a small amount. According to West Ridge Academy, your child will learn to value his toys even more since he will realize that the money that was used to buy them did not just come out of thin air, but were actually worked hard for by his parents, in the same manner that he is sacrificing now just to have that toy or bike that he likes.

• Play board games that will teach your child some rudimentary financial skills. Games such as Monopoly, Life, or other games that have financial relevance, can be fun and at the same time very educational ways of teaching your child about some of the financial basics. He will definitely ask you a lot of questions during the game, so you better be ready with your answers because this is your opportunity to explain the general financial concepts to him in an educational but fun learning environment. You may want to use simple real-life examples that he can relate to, in order to teach the concepts to him.
  

According to West Ridge Academy, by the end of the game you will not only walk away from the game with a much more financially-savvy child, but more importantly, you will have a much stronger bond between parent and child.

Topic: West Ridge Academy’s Tips On How To Teach Your Child About Financial Literacy