Exploring your views on underage sex and teenage pregnancies; Pregnant teenage statistics are increasing the world over, so how do we deal with the pregnancy rates? How do we prevent pregnancy in our teens?

This particular post is mostly form the perception of parents of the son (perspective father)

So your son drops the bombshell!! What do you do? Who and Where do you turn to? How do you help your son? What are your responsibilities and those of your son?

No doubt you are feeling very upset and disappointed. What is often considered a joyful event is nearly impossible to be celebrated under these circumstances.

The uncertainty of what will happen next is likely at the forefront of your mind. How this will affect you and your family is a scary thought.

The decision of whether or not the pregnant teen chooses to maintain the pregnancy, keep the baby or place it for adoption is, in most cases, entirely up to the teen mother.

She does not need permission from her parents or the teen father to have an abortion or to choose to parent.

As the parent of this young man, he needs you now more than ever.

Keep communication between both families open and amicable is imperative; it is an essential requirement whilst the future of the pregnancy, baby and teens are being decided.

He may want something different with regards to the pregnancy than the teen mother or the parents. His friends are telling him one thing and his heart may be telling him another.

It is very important for you to set aside your own feelings and help him to talk it out and make better choices going forward.

Statutory rape is an issue if one party is older than 18. However, very few cases are brought to the attention of the District Attorney unless the adult involved has a criminal record or a date rape has occurred.

You, as his parent, are not financially responsible for the pregnancy or baby. Once your son is 18 years old, he will be legally responsible for paying child support.
Regardless of whether or not he wants the girl to keep the baby, he should take financial responsibility as soon as he is able.

If he chooses to avoid it, he could risk future visitation or custody since he did not show a financial commitment for his child early on. Of course, it is also the right thing to do – support the child.

Both families need to establish guidelines during the pregnancy (i.e. attending doctor’s appointments) and a reasonable visitation schedule that will enable your son and your family the opportunity to bond with his baby.

All in all try to be as rational and reasonable as possible for all parties.

Source: VillageNews

I hope this information was helpful to you.

Dawn Pugh expert therapist.

Mediation helps couples to take control of their situation and sort out practical matters in an open , safe and somewhat co-operative environment.

Mediation can help couples establish a settlement and could  alleviate costly legal expenditures. Most importantly it gives priority to children divorce.

Divorce Mediation New York – TABLE OF CONTENTS : Divorve Mediation

TABLE OF CONTENTSVoluntary Mediation in Divorce Disputes as a European Principle .. 178 4. European Union Viewpoints regarding Mediation in Divorce Disputes ..

NJ Divorce mediation

Free Mediation is often set down by a court , the finding of this service is normally directed by the court b.

Mediation Conversations: Taxes and Divorce | Equitable Mediation …

For those of you contemplating a divorce in New Jersey, you will want to learn more about the equitable distribution of marital assets and liabilities and how.

Divorce From a Different Angle – WomenEntrepreneur.com

Stewart made sure she had the training and experience she needed before she started Fairway Divorce. She became a certified divorce financial analyst and earned a designation as a financial mediator. “Over the course of a couple of …

NJ Family Law & Divorce Mediation: The Basis for Alimony

A common topic which arises during divorce mediation sessions and divorce support group meetings is the nature of alimony. Those individuals which are likely to be the payer don’t feel they deserve the obligation of continued support to …

Was this helpful? And whats with New Jersey?

Dawn Pugh. Therapy Expert

What impact can Sibling Rivalry have on us? Do you have a brother or sister that exhibits jealousy? or maybe you feel jealous toward them. Lets examine this rivalry.

sibling rivalry

It’s nice to see the kids having fun together. I noticed that the way they behave when they are together have changed abit. When Aidan is upset, Ashley will actually try to make Aidan happy by making funny faces at him until that cry of …

How to Handle Sibling Rivalry By Christina Taylor At Isnare.com …

Title: How to Handle Sibling Rivalry, Category: Parenting, Author: Christina Taylor, PubDate: 2009-07-08.

Walrus Magazine » Sibling Rivalry and Growing Up » by Georgie Binks

Canada’s best magazine, covering Politics, Environment, Arts, Culture, Sports & more… The Walrus Magazine (subscription, free trial) publishes the finest essays on Environmental Issues, Canadian politics, & more…

Women Living Well Blog: One Way to Resolve Sibling Rivalry

Since the beginning of time there has been sibling rivalry. In Genesis consider the first two brothers – Cain hated his brother so badly he killed Abel! Then there was Jacob and Esau – twins fighting over birth rights. …

Get Parenting Help Now Blog: Parenting Help for Sibling Rivalry

When I surveyed parents about what parenting challenges they’d like me to address in my upcoming parenting talk show the number one topic was sibling rivalry. There was never a doubt that I would try to interview Adele Faber and…

Let me know did this information affected you?

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

Discovering the Effects of Alcohol and It’s Consumption: I think by now we can all say that we have a better understanding of alcohol consumption. Whether you class your self as a party animal and often go on an alcohol drinking binge, or alternatively have a little tipple on special occasions or indeed  you may be a teetotal.

So what is Binge drinking?

Binge drinking used to mean drinking heavily over several days. Now, however, the term refers to the heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time.

Today the generally accepted definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men — or four or more drinks in a row by women — at least once in the previous 2 weeks. Heavy binge drinking includes three or more such episodes in 2 weeks.

Source: Teenshealth

Advantages:
Source of energy in the diet.
Can improve mood, increase relaxation and aid sleep.
Ethanol is used to treat methanol poisoning, by reducing the rate at which methanol is metabolised.

Disadvantages:
Source of energy in the diet but with no other nutrients (“empty calories”)
In high concentrations or with repeated use can be toxic and cause liver damage.
Can cause poor judgement, concentration, balance and coordination.
Driving with significant blood alcohol can lead to accidents, arrest and imprisonment.

Source: Wiki Answers.

Are You a Party Animal? Check out the amusing videos I have found for your entertainment…

Alcoholic Vervet Monkeys! – Weird Nature – BBC animals

Reason to drink alcohol fall into several categories:

1) Social, Ritualistic,

2) Dietary,

3) Altered state of consciousness,

4) Solve problems/escape (Anesthitize)

PARTY ANIMALS

Definition of Alcoholism
Extreme form of alcohol abuse defined as primary disease or condition of alcohol dependence with 4 typical features:

1) Alcohol tolerance,

2) Withdrawal symptoms during abstinence,

3) Loss of control over drinking,

4) Craving for alcohol.

Let us know your thought on this controversial matter…

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

What you didn’t know about Rhianna’s Disturbia Relationship: Recently Rihanna & Chris Brown were involved in a domestic violent incident.

According to reports Disturbed R&B singer Chris Brown, was arrested on suspicion of making threats against girlfriend Rihanna.

The incident which was reported to have happened on February 7 – States that Chris attacked Rihanna, leaving her with cuts and bruises to her forehead, lips and cheeks.

But insiders believe he’s not the only one with anger issues:

“Rihanna is temperamental, too,” says A. source.

“They’re both too hot-headed for their own good – It didn’t help that Rihanna grabbed the keys out of his rented Lamborghini and threw them down the street. She knew it would really infuriate Chris, and it worked.” Another Source

Chris allegedly has started attending anger management classes in Glendale, California.

According to a source, Brown opted to seek anger management counseling at the request of his public relations spin doctor.

“Chris doesn’t actually have to go by law,” a New York Daily News insider says, “but he believes it will make him look better to the public eye, and he wants to try to get in a few classes before March 5,” when he is due back in court”.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic abuse please offer them this contact National Domestic Violence Helpline

Well… Let me know what you think about this information…Submit all comments in the box below.

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

Addiction can cover a variety of addictions: “Counseling addiction”, “therapy addiction”, women and ”men addiction”. Religion, “christian addiction”, Some people can develop ”support group addiction”  and, I can guess we all know some that have, “chat addiction”, but do you know What Sex Addiction is?

Just exactly what is a sex addiction?

Well contrary to popular belief, it is not, always about an insatiable appetite, or compulsive sexual thoughts and acts, but rather, about the addicts relentless chase of the object of desire and once this desire has been ‘had’, the addict is no longer interested. It can also relate to the falling in love erratically with a desired one, then falling out of love, just as quickly.

A short while ago I did a post, with questions to ask your self about sex addiction, well here are some more, feel free to indulge your self and do some serious sole searching.

1. Do you feel ashamed about your body?

2. Do you fear that you have little or no sexual feelings?

3. Does each new relationship continue to have the same destructive patterns which motivated you to leave the previous relationship?

4. Do you need more sexually exciting activities to bring you to the same level of arousal and relief?

5. Have you ever been in danger or have you ever been arrested as a result of your need to satisfy your sexual urges?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions then maybe you will benefit from some psycho-sexual therapy or Addiction therapy.

Don’t worry you are not alone, there are lots of people who suffer some kind of addiction and you can learn to be free of your addiction, just like lots of others have too.

Let me know your concerns…I am interested…

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

Are you showing signs of addiction to texting: “How addiction” to texting can become a major problem; Phone addiction can in-fact evolve  into “addiction abuse”, texting mobile could result in suffering from a mental illness; Read on to find out if you are showing signs of addiction to texting:

“Texting is fast becoming the way we communicate. Young or old, we are all getting busy with our thumbs”.

Some psychiatrists are diagnosing obsessive texting as a mental illness. According to an article in the ‘American Journal of Psychiatry’, texting too much during the day could probably cause you to develop a texting addiction.

There are four signs of addiction to texting:

• Excessive use (neglect day to day activities)
• Withdrawal ( feeling depressed when not accessible)
• Tolerance (over texting)
• Negative repercussion ( social isolation)

Various market research companies also reckon that young people under the age of 25  will spend close to £3.5 billion on text messaging, this year alone.

“Something that was once convenient has now become an addiction”.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines ‘addiction’ as “The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.”

Texting addiction can be deemed as a sign of infidelity?

So… how do you STOP?

1.  “Quitting a long-standing habit is hard enough. So make sure you can get positive reinforcements from friends and family”. “Set yourself boundaries; limit the amount of time you spend texting.

2. “Animal trainers have long known that the way to train or retrain an animal to do something is by giving them a small reward when they have done well. This theory works well with humans as well. So give yourself frequent rewards”.

3.   “Substitute a bad habit for a healthy new one”.

4.   Self-motivation is vital to quitting a bad habit or an addiction. Do not start trying to quit a behavior or addiction because everyone else wants you to, “You must want to quit for YOURSELF”.

5.   “Reduce your stress levels, exercise more, practice yoga or meditation. These can all be learned via video/ DVD”.

If you would like to know more click on the link to my other post; “My addiction to the internet” which has some effective E-Book sites that will be of help to you.

“I am interested in knowing your experiences with texting addiction; what motivates you to text and how you tried to STOP or eventually managed to STOP”.

Dawn Pugh psychotherapist

Drug addiction and treatment substance abuse happens quite legally. Prescription medicines are very addictive drugs. I have put together some interesting videos for your perusal.

Oxycodone is a strong opioid analgesic (pain killer) drug with a high potential to cause physical and psychological dependence. Once the addictive problems of heroin and morphine became well known, it was decided not to make pain killers using morphine substitutes.

Source: Addictionsearch.com

OxyCodone Addiction: This video does contain strong language.

Xanax and  Niravam, is a short-acting drug of the benzodiazepine class used to treat moderate to severe anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and as an adjunctive treatment for anxiety associated with  major depression.

Source: Wikipedia

Xanax (anxiolytic addiction and withdrawal)

Alledgedly a Saguenay businessman, Chantal Audet, who worked under contract for Loto in Quebec, has developed a device that he says will effectively, stop compulsive gamblers from playing electronic gambling machines. In response ‘The province’s lottery corporation’ are not happy.

Chantal has worked on the device for two years and says it works by implanting a tiny computer chip into a person who has trouble with gambling addiction on Video lottery Terminals (VLT machines). A similar chip would then be installed on all of the province’s VLT machines, they stop working as the gambler approaches. The same technique could be used at the entrance of casinos to block access to someone at the turnstiles…

Source: Phil Couvrette,  Canwest News Service

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist

Body and Self image are extremley important to our culture today. Weight loss anorexia, anorexic women, anorexic girls, anorexic men. Anorexic research shows that anorexia affects everybody:

Addicted to Exercise

The film is called Beauty Mark and is being shown today at the University of Colorado as part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Israel is seeking a distributor to take the movie national. …

“Beauty Mark” is for anyone who has ever felt they didn’t conform to our culture’s impossible, unhealthy and abnormal beauty standards. Through the eyes of a psychotherapist and former triathlete Diane Israel. This film examines our culture’s toxic emphasis on weight. She tells her own story while interviewing others about their experiences relating to self image.

A deeply personal and funny film that probes some tough questions:

How do our families influence our relationships with our own bodies?

How do popular culture “standards” get inside of our hearts and heads?

In what ways can sports actually make us sicker instead of healthier?

Former champion athletes, including David Scott, Ellen Hart Pena and Brenda Maller share their stories while notable luminaries such as playwright Eve Ensler, author Paul Campos and cultural critic Naomi Wolf provide their insights.

Beauty.Mark

On Sunday, we watched Beauty.Mark, a must-see film by former elite triathlete Diane Israel. About ten years ago, I went to a cool body/mind/sport camp called Women’s Quest, where Diane was a coach. I remember her bringing up her body …

An elite runner and triathlete until age 28, Israel won the Pikes Peak Marathon and several other major races after settling in Colorado in the early 1980s. She retired from competition after collapsing from anorexia (sometimes called “athletic bulimia,” a disorder many athletes suffer from, but which few experts knew anything about at that time). Israel went back to school to become a psychotherapist and is now a professor of human development at Naropa University, a counselor and the co-owner of a women’s fitness center. She continues to run, but strives to live her life at a less frantic pace.

Diane Israel explores redefining beauty in tell-all documentary

Challenging the way society views beauty is to rewrite the deeply engraved ideologies of chiseled abs, curvy hips and puffy lips. With a new tell-all documentary called “Beauty Mark,” and a bag full of rocks, Diane Israel said she is up …

Dawn Pugh Psychotherapist