A teen wants to have a sense of belonging, a sense of self-worth, and a sense of pride. When this does not happen, a teenager turns to various vices like drugs, smoking, alcohol, etc. Teenagers usually start with a single cigarette or a can of beer, due to peer pressure, to prove themselves or to give the impression of being “cool". This however turns into a habit and soon the teen is addicted. We have to launch a teen campaign against vices to help them and stop them.
Teenagers usually prefer to listen to their peers than to adults. They are in that phase of life where they are gaining independence and rebelling against adults. They, therefore, go to their friends and people in their age group, rather than to adults for advice and companionship. Therefore, when teen campaigns against vices are organized and implemented by teenagers, the impact is much better.
Many teenagers have watched loved ones die from lung cancer. They have lived through the sufferings of their loved ones. Such teenagers are very strong campaigners against tobacco companies. Teenagers can be very effective campaigners as they are filled with vigor and enthusiasm. Teenagers, as part of their teen campaign against vices, can serve on community groups that seek tougher regulations against tobacco manufacturers.
They can discuss more stringent norms with the legislators. They can conduct surveys to find out why teenagers smoke. Most teenagers want to act like adults. They feel grown up with a cigarette in their mouth. Still, others do it as a sign of rebellion. The campaigners can channel this rebellion into positive action by roping such children into assisting with the campaign and rebelling against tobacco companies. Teen campaigns against vices should focus on the fact that kids too have the power and ability to fight against tobacco companies.
Teenagers with low self-esteem and those who find it hard to cope with the harsh realities of the world take to drugs. It is an escape route for them. Teenagers campaigning against drugs can highlight the horrifying aftereffects � of depression, panic attacks, irregular heartbeat, respiratory disorders, and even death.
Teenagers could have drug-related discussions, seminars, and conferences with their peers and point out the ill effects. The advantages of healthy life could be highlighted and drug addicts could be encouraged to take up a sport to keep them healthy, channel their energies, become more disciplined, and increase self-confidence levels. Campaigners could also use pamphlets, catchy slogans, stickers, etc to spread their message.
Another vice rampant among teenagers is teen sex. Teen campaigns against vices like teen sex should emphasize the horrors caused by AIDS and HIV which are ruining the lives of many teenagers. Delaying the first intercourse, promoting sexual abstinence among teenagers, avoiding early parenthood, responsible sexual behavior, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, etc could be topics covered in the teen campaign against vices. Teenagers must be taught to control their wants and be responsible people. Campaigners could use the media to promote their teen campaign against vices.
Underage drinking causes six times more deaths than all other illicit drugs. Teens fall prey to alcohol as it is easily available. Many studies show that adults whom teenagers know, like parents, friends, relatives, etc provide them with alcohol. The campaign against alcohol should stress the fact that underage drinking is illegal, irresponsible, and unsafe. Campaigners could use lapel pins, public service announcements, print, and audiovisual advertisements to promote their teen campaign against vices.
Child care is something that is carried out by mothers than by fathers. The few men who engage in infant childcare tend to avoid activities such as diaper changing because of the mess and the stress involved. On the other hand, changing a baby's diapers can be most exciting for some mothers. Baby or child care requires a great deal of focus and dedication.
If you must have your baby sleep on the same bed with you, make sure that you are not on any medication that may cause you to oversleep and roll over your baby. Most sudden infant death syndrome cases are caused by the suffocation of an infant by a mother who rolls over the baby in her sleep. Letting your child sleep in the same bed with you requires certain precautions especially if the child is still under the age of two.
Tying your baby's diaper too tightly can cause marks around his or her bottom. Sometimes, a tightly wrapped diaper can cause your baby so much discomfort that she or he will cry until it is loosened. The art of tying the perfect diaper for your child is learned over time.
Many people prefer to use disposable diapers for their babies because it saves them the stress of washing. Disposable diapers are easy to use hence their popularity. With disposable diapers, you don't have to worry about packing because they fit snuggly in your suitcase.
Most women give birth to their babies in hospitals because of the facilities that are available there to ease childbirth. Ninety-nine percent of women give birth in hospitals in America. You may be expected to stay for about two days in the hospital after your labor for supervision.
The response of many women to their newborn babies varies. Some women may feel tremendously close to their kids after their first glimpse of the kid. Some other women may not feel any love or closeness to their newborn child because of the trauma of childbirth but may develop the closeness in the months that follow.
Child care is an important aspect of parenting. Child care involves medical bills and educational choices. Most parents involved in child care find it easier when they put their heads together as opposed to when they work on opposite sides of the wall.
You should be careful about the kind of person that you hire to take care of your children, especially with the high child crimes around. Make sure that any nanny you hire for your child has the right qualifications. Always run a background check on any prospective nanny to ensure that your trust isn't misplaced. |
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As a dad, I enjoy doing things that other dads won't do. For instance, last year I started a new Bentley tradition by taking my daughter to nearby downtown Chicago for a daddy/daughter day out. My daughter had saved enough to get her dolly a new outfit and she asked me to take her to the American Girl Doll Place. The basement of the American Girl Doll Place has a museum-like setting where different depictions of American history are brought to life using the dolls and their accessories. Behind glass no less, you see recreations of what life would have been like for kids in the Great Depression, the 50s, 70s, and other eras. All of the dresses that American Girl offers were presented behind glass. You could either see the dress by itself or on a doll.
It turns out that while Hannah's dolls had several outfits, she felt there was something missing from their pajama collection. Since the basement had what we were looking for, that's where we headed.
Usually, we have Hannah's four-year-old brother Alan with us, but not this time. When we all go downtown and stop in at American Girl Doll we can only stay for 15 minutes as that's all that Al's patience will allow for. He does remarkably well considering that he's inside a place selling dolls! Nonetheless, today was our day and nothing would take away from it.
In the end, Hannah's choice was easy: a pair of warm, snuggly pajamas for the cold winter weather that we were having in Chicago.
As a surprise ending to such a great day, I decided to take Hannah and her doll to The Drake Hotel which is just a few blocks away from American Girl Doll across from beautiful Lake Michigan. What were we there for? Well, high tea no less!
Hannah and I sat in big, red velvet chairs seemingly meant for royalty while we waited for our tea, sandwiches, and pastries (Do you need any other food groups?) Right next to her were her dolly and the new pajamas. I asked her if she was going to put the pajamas on the doll but Hannah laughed. It isn't bedtime Daddy! I smiled, sipped my tea, and just enjoyed the moment.
My daughter can't wait to go again and not a week goes by when she doesn't ask when we'll be going back. It was a simple gesture but I made her feel special by taking some time just for her. I learned a lot from that and make sure that I spend exclusive time with my son also. My wife and I also make sure to have time to ourselves without the kids around. Anyone dedicated to making their relationships rock solid would do well to do the same.
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