Ever since the killings at Columbine High School created a renewed focus on the problems of adolescent aggression, professionals in education, criminal justice, and social services have been seeking ways to curb its rising tide. This volume examines adolescent aggression from many perspectives--biological, psychological, and social--and analyzes some of the contributing factors to this growing problem. Written by internationally recognized experts in adolescent psychology, this book not only covers the causes of teen violence but, more important, offers solutions. McCarthy, Hutz, and their contributors reveal the precursors to violent behavior, and provide strategies for working with adolescents to prevent future violence. The symptoms and strategies are described clearly in a way that can be understood and adapted by parents, schools, social service agencies, and criminal justice institutions. Topics include: substance abuse; suicide and self-harm; sexual aggression; anger management and impulse control; gang violence; school violence; bullying; resilience; and increasing critical thinking skills. This book is a must-read for anyone who lives, works, or comes in contact with youth.

Foster parents need wisdom to guide foster children to enable them to have a meaningful experience. This book, written by a pediatrician, with the help of foster parents, provides guidance and suggestions to maximize the experience for foster families and assist them in the process. With the help of many foster parents, this book contains practical suggestions for those who care for foster children. It addresses many of the major and minor problems that may arise. This book contains easily understood discussions of those problems with practical suggestions for resolving them, including when to call in a professional. Although various trends in child welfare are discussed, it is important to note that this book does not aim at criticizing the system, but rather attempts to address the needs of the children going through the system. This book is intended as a resource for anyone involved with the foster care system and particularly families raising foster children.

In his book Daddyhood, Charles Blount, well-known author of Whatever Happened to Charlie Boy continues his journey to break the chain of abuse and neglect, which he vividly describes in the story about Charlie Boy. Mr. Blount poses the question, "What is a Daddy?" and presents in convincing argument that, though any man can become a father, it takes lots of work and something special to become a "Daddy." The author presents his argument through the personal experience of marriage, childbirth and divorce. He also argues that even the break-up of a marriage does not have to mark the end of a family, and for the sake of one's child, should not. In a series of simple rules, Mr. Blount shows the reader how to accomplish this for the good of your child and your own well being; good advice for anyone wanting the best for their family.

"Intense. Stunning. Needed. Jillian's words will help you discover beauty in the unexpected."--LESLIE MEANS, creator of Her View From Home "Thoughtful and honest, Jillian's story of transformation reminds us that God is present and pursuing us, even in the most unexpected moments of our lives. Read and be changed."--KAYLA CRAIG, author of To Light Their Way and creator of Liturgies for Parents What if the unexpected is the beginning of becoming your truest self? Jillian Benfield was living life in the spotlight as a TV journalist, but after receiving a life-altering diagnosis for her unborn son, she realized no camera-ready outfit could dress up her grief. Overcoming this unexpected circumstance wasn't an option. She would have to undergo it instead. In doing so, she discovered who she was and who God wanted her to become. In this riveting story filled with grit and grace, Jillian helps you break down the false constructs you've built around God and your identity. You won't avoid your pain, but you'll learn to feel it, in a healing way. And you'll discover how your internal transformation leads to external purpose. No matter what you're going through, you're invited to open this gift: The Gift of the Unexpected

This is not your average activity book because it's not only heaps of fun but it will also teach you some amazing life skills to help you take control of your worries Worries come in all shapes and sizes and can creep up on us when we least expect them. They are like little clouds that float above our heads that seem at once menacing and threatening, stopping us from doing the things we really want and spoiling our fun. The Worry Workbook is here to help by explaining what worry is, offering creative ways to calm and distract yourself when worry strikes. Make a worry camera that captures fears and shrinks them into a manageable size. Colour in a mood tracker that explores the rainbow of everyday emotions. Write on the magic mirror of compliments to help recognize your strengths. Create your very own list of anti-worry actions to fight fear and keep smiling. Parents, this is for you: This book has been peer reviewed by a child psychologist, and there are explainers throughout just in case your child has questions about the activities.

Fasten your seat belt as you take a journey with author Gayle Carson Lagman-Creswick, mother of four biological sons, two adopted daughters, and a grandson, as she meets head-on with the challenges put forth by daughter Mary, who unbeknownst to them, was born of a drug-addicted, biological mother. Gayle, a successful executive in the healthcare and retirement industry, becomes a single mom and is faced with the awesome task of dealing with normal child-rearing, plus the special needs of her two adopted daughters . all while pursuing a demanding career. Daughter Mary faces spoiling, sexual abuse, violence, hospitalization, and prison. This roller-coaster family comes face-to-face with stabbing, near explosions, and a point-blank gun event. This mother understands unconditional love, has a forgiving nature, and has a determination not to give up on this daughter, who is finally diagnosed and treated in her thirties for Bipolar Disorder.

Communicate with your baby--today! With Essential Baby Sign Language, you can feel closer to your baby than you ever thought possible! Featuring seventy-five of the most important signs babies need every day, this book helps you start signing now, without spending hours learning extensive philosophy and sifting through hundreds of valueless terms. These signs not only let you know what your child is trying to say, but also deepen your parent-child bond and stimulate his or her development. Complete with useful advice and clear illustrations, you'll be able to communicate with your baby in no time!

As the need for child care services in the United States continues to grow, so does the debate about how effective child care policies should be shaped. It is more important than ever for legislators, public officials, advocacy groups, and concerned parents and citizens to focus on that debate and on the need to change policies and attitudes--changes that must take place if children and families are to have sufficient, affordable, and quality child care services.

This volume provides a balanced and thorough assessment of the child care field and a thought-provoking guide to the difficult choices that lie ahead. The authors, experts in child and family policy, examine important facts about major demographic and social developments, describe the effects of the Reagan administration's emphasis on privatization and deregulation, and analyze the contributions and limitations of several local and state initiatives. An invaluable source for everyone concerned with child care issues, this volume makes solid recommendations for shaping a much-needed child care policy that is responsive to the circumstances and needs of families and their children.

Working with imaginative journeys and the mystery and magic of metaphor, the author has developed the art of therapeutic storytelling for children's challenging behaviour.

"Tyler's Pain" is the true story of racism-how, even though we have come a long way in this world, it is still a current and relevant problem. Janette Rusher's daughter, Tyler is now eighteen years old. When she was ten, she had to endure the taunts of children who insulted her because she was black-different from them. They had been taught that it was acceptable to treat others who are different in a disparaging manner.It is hard to imagine that a child of ten might be considering her own death in order to avoid the daily pain of being targeted just for being a different race. "Tyler's Pain" is the story of a mother's journey guiding her daughter through such events to insure that she survived. She wanted her daughter to understand that the world is good and that the actions of a few ignorant people should not change a happy life. Above all, Rusher wanted her to know how important it is to must stand tall and always fight for what you believe in. "Tyler's Pain" does not favor one race or another. The message that resonates through it is that, through patience, love, and faith, it is possible to make a difference in the life and perceptions of a child.

'Brown Baby is a beautifully intimate and soul-searching memoir. It speaks to the heart and the mind and bears witness to our turbulent times.' - Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, Other How do you find hope and even joy in a world that is prejudiced, sexist and facing climate crisis? How do you prepare your children for it, but also fill them with all the boundlessness and eccentricity that they deserve and that life has to offer? In Brown Baby, Nikesh Shukla, author of the bestselling The Good Immigrant, explores themes of sexism, feminism, parenting and our shifting ideas of home. This memoir, by turns heartwrenching, hilariously funny and intensely relatable, is dedicated to the author's two young daughters, and serves as an act of remembrance to the grandmother they never had a chance to meet. Through love, grief, food and fatherhood, Shukla shows how it's possible to believe in hope.

Hands-on strategies for teaching your disorganized child how to organize for school success!

The overstuffed backpack, the missing homework, the unused planner, the test he didn't know about. Sound familiar? When the disorganized child meets the departmentalized structure of middle school, everything can fall apart. Even the academically successful child will start to falter if she misses deadlines, loses textbooks, or can't get to class on time.

This practical book is full of hands-on strategies for helping parents identify and teach organizational skills. Educational consultant Donna Goldberg has developed these methods by working with hundreds of students and in this book she provides:

• Assessments to gather information about your child's learning style, study habits, and school requirements

• Guidelines for taming that overstuffed binder and keeping it under control

• PACK -- a four-step plan for purging and reassembling a backpack or locker

• Instructions for organizing an at-home work space for the child who studies at a desk or the child who studies all over the house

• Ways to help your child graduate from telling time to managing time

• Special tips for kids with learning disabilities and kids who have two homes...and more

"The Organized Student" is a must for any parent who has heard the words, "I can't find my homework!"