Why kids cut and self abuse

Self-abuse is a touchy, uncomfortable subject. Kids cutting can be terrifying for parents. Cutting refers to a form of self abuse in which the skin, typically near the wrist, is sliced or pierced. It's scary for kids, too, particularly those who cut or know someone who does. Cutting behavior is dangerous--it spreads infection and causes scarring. Most upsetting of all is that such acts may stem from underlying depression and thoughts of suicide. From personal experience as a mom and childhood self-abuser, here are thoughts on cutting behavior.  Why kids cut and self abuse 

How to Parent an Obese Child

How This Mom Would Help an Obese Child Lose Weight and Be Healthy In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, an 8-year-old child was taken from his mother's home and placed in foster care. Why? He weighs over 200 pounds. Mom is being charged with medical neglect, for not making him diet. Despite having access to more community support networks than his mother, the foster family isn't finding it so easy to get his weight down either.

Obesity isn't a simple matter, as they are finding. It's not just nutrition and exercise that determine a child's weight. Some kids can live on junk food and never gain weight. Other children, no matter how well they are fed, will go through a pudgy stage. Genetic makeup, breastfed or bottle, family poverty, intellectual stimulation, puberty, depression and emotional issues, thyroid problems, Prader-Willi Syndrome all these factors and more can affect a child's weight. If I was a parent, these are the steps I would take to care for this obese child. I know what it's like to be the overweight kid. I also know what it's like to parent a child who struggles with weight problems and a child with an eating disorder. So many factors enter into the equation. The important thing is to address the emotional health issues, provide good nutrition and fitness opportunities and let puberty take its course. Read on...

SpongeBob Faulted for Being Gay, Impairing Children's Thinking Skills - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

SpongeBob Faulted for Being Gay, Impairing Children's Thinking Skills SpongeBob Squarepants is getting a lot of negative PR, lately. SpongeBob joins "Teletubbies" and Bert and Ernie of Sesame Street on the gay-bashing bandwagon. He's also said to have a global warming agenda. Now Pediatrics says kids who watch SpongeBob can't pay attention. Read more...