Are Your Kid's Exams Causing You Stress?

Written by Carol Shepley


Continued from page 1

Use motivation by tying it in to something specific, something concrete that they can understand and feels real. Find something that they are interested in and see if you can link it to what they need to do. Sometimes you can then userepparttar concept of needing to do something you don't want now so that you can achieve this specific thing that you do want later.

  • Bribery/reward Some parents will resort to a form of bribery or reward as a motivator; I will give you a certain amount of money for each exam in which you achieve a specific grade or something similar.

    Unfortunately using a reward system in this way is often doomed to failure. The outcome is just too far away in time to be an effective motivator; teens need a more immediate way in which to receive a reward.

    Consequently it's much better to reward them forrepparttar 138632 working hard part, rather than justrepparttar 138633 outcome. Set up a system that rewards them forrepparttar 138634 amount of time they spend studying. Ensure you agree on howrepparttar 138635 system works or your teen will just refuse to take part.

    Ensure also that you have a way of checking that they are in fact studying and not just pretending. Let them know that this is part ofrepparttar 138636 agreement and then spend time asking them about what they've studied. You don't need to do this every time, just enough for them to realise that you will check.

  • Control Many parents attempt to force their teen to work by using a form of control; you will only go out when you've studied for 3 hours.

    Unfortunately this process rarely achieves anything positive, asrepparttar 138637 old saying goes 'you can force a horse to water but you can't make it drink'. Similarly you can force your teen to sit with their books but you can't force them to take inrepparttar 138638 knowledge.

    The main result of this process is a deteriation inrepparttar 138639 parent teen relationship and negative feelings in all concerned.

    A form of control can be used successfully, one whereby you and your teen form an agreement about how they are going to study. This can be set up similar torepparttar 138640 reward system above, but in this case you would also set up consequences if your teen fails to keep torepparttar 138641 agreement.

    Great care needs taking in using any of these methods. Understanding what's really stopping your teen from working is key torepparttar 138642 success or failure or your attempts.

    If atrepparttar 138643 heart ofrepparttar 138644 problem your teen rejectsrepparttar 138645 whole academic system then there is little that you can do to get your teen studying. And that means using a whole new approach entirely.

    Carol Shepley has been involved with teenagers for over 10 years and, as the parent of a teen herself, fully understands the pressures placed on parents and teens today. She now shares this knowledge and experience through her website www.GrowingUpMatters.com so that parents can help their teens become resilient, resourceful and responsible adults.


  • The 411 On Natural Baby Colic Remedies

    Written by Jacqueline Courtiol, M.A. Ed.


    Continued from page 1

    #4 Warm Aromatherapy Bath / Massage - Add a few drops of lavender to a warm bath and follow withrepparttar soothing touch of massage. Focus massage onrepparttar 138583 tummy area to relieve painful trapped gas. You can research baby massage techniques onrepparttar 138584 web or pick up a book onrepparttar 138585 subject. A good one to try is The Practical Art of Baby Massage by Peter Walker. You can buy lovely lavender, chamomile and fennel massage oils specifically designed for baby massage onrepparttar 138586 Web. There is also a popular baby massage tool called Snukkles which may work well for you.

    #5 Swaddling - Babies are often soothed when swaddled or held close to a parents chest and heartbeat since they are reminiscent ofrepparttar 138587 comfort and safety ofrepparttar 138588 womb. Newborn babies are soothed in nurseries with swaddling. Techniques on folding soft, stretchy blankets are easy to learn. Find instructions and diagrams online or pick up a book / magazine onrepparttar 138589 topic. A good ready-made wrap to try is SwaddleMe. It is easy to find onrepparttar 138590 Web.

    #6 Motion - Walking, rocking and movement are very comforting to most infants. The good old rocking chair may be all it takes. Some parents have been known to push stroller or drive around in car until baby falls asleep. Try putting baby in an infant chest carrier or sling so that your hands can be free. Walk with baby facing down across arm with hand under abdomen, applying gentle pressure. This position is often referred to asrepparttar 138591 colic hold. Many babies like to be outdoors. Almost all babies love swings. Try a combination ofrepparttar 138592 above to see what helps soothe babyrepparttar 138593 best.

    Jacqueline Courtiol is a veteran teacher and mother who has lived through the trials and tribulations of a colicky infant. She is the developer of Colic Calm Gripe Water. For more information visit http://www.coliccalm.com


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