Parent Action For Healthy Kids

Sex Education: A Day-Long Conference Exclusively for Parents of Adolescents

KateDennis — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:46:39 +0000

Need help explaining the Boston explosions to your kids?

KateDennis — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:33:01 +0000

Parent Action for Healthy Kids is mourning the loss of those who were tragically killed during the Boston Marathon. Our thoughts and our prayers are with all those affected by this senseless tragedy.

It’s Time to Talk to Your Kids About Sex

KateDennis — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 17:06:04 +0000

by Barb Flis, Parent Action for Healthy Kids and Becky Griesse, National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD)

Michigan celebrates the Month of the Young Child: Make a different in the life of a child

KateDennis — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:50:25 +0000

Month of the Young Child® Focus Weeks

Children’s early years are the foundation for growth and development. Children are constantly developing and learning. What they are learning depends on their social-emotional health, physical health, relationships, and daily interactions and experiences. The MOYC® 2013 Focus Weeks highlight a different facet of development. Use this information to make a difference in the life of a young child!

Week 1 April 1-6 Physical Development

When it comes to sex, what are teens really thinking?

KateDennis — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 02:48:41 +0000

Teens often crave privacy, roll their eyes when told what to do and can be less than truthful. These common teenage behaviors can make parents feel powerless when it comes to being able to positively influence their teens.

A 2011 survey showed teens are engaging in risky behavior. Of the high school students surveyed, 47% of U.S. high school students have had sexual intercourse, 15.3% had sexual intercourse with four or more persons during their life and 22.1% of those students who were currently sexually active had drunk alcohol or used drugs before their last sexual intercourse. (1)

Parents Don’t Have to be Tech Savvy to Teach Kids Cyber Safety

KateDennis — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:37:29 +0000

Parents are often overwhelmed by the constant changes and advancements in technology. The truth is parents of teens and pre-teens don’t have to be tech savvy in order to help their kids be digitally responsible. Parenting in the digital age requires these four acts of L-O-V-E:

L is for Limits! Limit the amount of time online and on the phone. Have a check in station upon arrival home for all electronic equipment.

O is for Overemphasize! Overemphasize the seriousness and consequences of sending text messages or pictures over the internet or cell phone.

The Teen Brain is Under Construction: 5 Tips to Help Parents Get Their Teens Through Adolescence

KateDennis — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:07:40 +0000

The teen brain is mysterious. Parents often stand in disbelief as their teen’s behavior fluctuates from acting like a 22 year old one second to a 2 year old the next. Believe it or not, this is actually normal behavior. The teen brain is still under construction and differs greatly from an adult's in the way it makes decisions and solves problems.

Parent Action for Healthy Kids Announces the First Ever Sex Education Conference Exclusively for Parents

KateDennis — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 19:39:51 +0000

Parent Action for Healthy Kids, with support from the Michigan Department of Community Health and the Michigan Department of Education, is excited to announce the first ever sex education conference designed just for parents. Parents are the primary sexuality educators of their children and yet talking early and often about sex can be a real challenge for parents.

5 Tips for Parents to Make the Holidays a Perfect Time for “The Talk” About Sex

KateDennis — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:44:35 +0000

Holidays are a perfect time for parents to start the conversation with their kids about sex. Gathering and connecting with loved ones at this time of year has everything to do with the importance of relationships including love, respect, and honesty. With the extended vacation time, it is a golden opportunity to look for teachable moments. Parent Action for Healthy Kids suggests five tips to help parents have “The Talk” about sex with their kids during the holiday vacation:

In Response to the Recent News in Newtown Parent Action for Healthy Kids Offers 3 Tips for Parents to Challenge the Status Quo on Mental Health Services

KateDennis — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 02:37:41 +0000

Parents everywhere feel helpless and vulnerable and share the grief of the Newtown, Connecticut community. The conversations heard speak of how this could have been avoided.

"These tragedies are a direct result of a continued disregard for the mental health of our children and for this we are all culpable," said Barb Flis, Founder of Parent Action for Healthy Kids. "Additionally, all the attention given to academic achievement and little to none on health education has cost our children and our nation dearly."