 A Teachable Moment
Saying Goodbye to Old Clothes
Here in the northeast it's just starting to warm up enough to venture out without a hat and gloves. To my 11- and 13-year old daughters this means it's time to try on summer clothes to see which ones still fit and which will need replacing. It makes them feel the warm weather will be here sooner!
|
 A Lesson to be Learned from Rihanna and Chris Brown
Even my nearly 8-year old nieces are talking about how upset they are that Rihanna is back with Chris Brown after he beat her up! "His music shouldn't be played on the radio...it should be 'girl-cotted' and he should be put in jail forever", declared Hannah and Chloe. I happen to agree with them! But what about Rihanna? Every kid I speak to--from seven through college-age, can't understand why she got back together with him.
If your child is aware of the Rihanna/Brown story, it is important to discuss it openly and to reinforce that abuse should NEVER be tolerated--even for love. Every single child and teen is a potential victim of relationship abuse--verbal or physical--and it can start in middle or high school with their first relationship.
Tell your child or teen the following:
- No matter how angry, it is never okay for someone to hurt you or for you to hurt them--with hands or words!
- It it not the victim's fault if someone hurts them (no matter how angry Rihanna may have made Chris, he is in charge of his own behavior).
- If you hear about a friend being hurt by another kid or someone she's dating, you should tell an adult, even if your friend asks you not to. AND if someone hurts you, tell someone--you will never get in trouble for telling--so don't be scared or embarrassed!
- Never stay with someone who hurts you, even if you think you love them and they say they love you. Remember that someone who loves you wouldn't hurt you!
|
|
Invite Dr. Susan to Speak!
|
