From the monthly archives:

November 2009

Silk effect...
Image by CgDesign® ? via Flickr

The numbers are scary to say the least.  But what do they mirror for us as a society?  These questions are posed by a post that references a new study out of the UK on the increases in prescription drugs to meet the mental health needs of children.

“An article in the UK Telegraph yesterday takes a look at the increasing medication of children for “mental illnesses.” Titled “Child mental health fears prompt rise of ‘quick fix’ drugs“  it saw the tendency toward “Mc”Donaldisation” of childhood mental health, and that it is feeding on “peoples’ desire for instant satisfaction and a quick fix.” Parent Empowerment Blog

It all raises  questions of a different order.  Who can put a time limit on transformation?  Does the rhythm of the psyche follow the rhythms of our nine-minute news cycle?  Are some of the challenges at-risk teens face today a direct correlation to the pressures of society?

One of the values of the limiting of media for students at the Family Foundation School is that it creates an environment for the adolescent psyche to relax from the culturally imposed pressures.

Ripples

November 28, 2009

in Ripples

Water on the surface of a lotus leaf.
Image via Wikipedia

Providing an index of all the content emerging across our platforms, both relating to the Family Foundation School and our personal journeys.

A Teacher’s Thanksgiving Reflection

Other Thanksgiving Reflections here, here, here, and here.

Taking Responsibility

A Visit to the Corning Museum

The ‘N’ Word

Entering the Red Book

Off-axis view of the front entrance of Family ...
Image via Wikipedia

By Richard Reeve

The opportunity to work with the at-risk teens and the families we serve at the Family Foundation School is a privilege none of us takes for granted.  The challenges we encounter on a daily basis provide everyone involved, students, parents and staff, an opportunity for growth and development.

Likewise we are thankful for the challenges we face as an organization since they to are the vehicle of growth.  We have faced challenges on many fronts – the economy, our critics, the inner dynamic to evolve without loosing our core values, and although these are stressful and challenging, they have also caused us to refocus, come together, re-examine, redefine – and get stronger as a result.

As the turkey dinner gets set here at The Family Foundation School today, we remain mindful that one goal of our work is to restore family relationships which have been strained and broken, hoping for future holiday’s that will embody harmony within families that today are experiencing separation.

Each day we witness multiple miracles.  Sometimes they take the form of a student resolving a resentment; or a new found willingness to try a different manner of living.  Perhaps its a turning point that gains acceptance with self and others.  Central to these moments is always a change of heart.  May the Thanksgiving holiday bring with it for each of us a furthering of the change of heart that results in healthy-mindedness, sobriety…recovery.

(Throughout the day, posts of gratitude from our staff can be read here.)

Ripples

November 23, 2009

in Ripples

Ocean
Image by Fr Antunes via Flickr

A lot of content to share in a variety of places.  Enjoy

Why Teach? Some Birthday Reflections

Managing Systems

Acceptance and Absolutes

Chimney Bluffs, a closer look

Pauca Verba (a few words)

Growing in Acceptance

Learning to Trust

Family Foundation School, Senior Class Trip

Parental Monitoring of Risky Teen Behavior

November 22, 2009

Image via Wikipedia It’s never been clear if the ad campaigns encouraging parents to pay attention to their teens behavior concerning drug use had any data to back up the claims. Does parental monitoring have an effect on risky adolescent behavior? A new study looking into over 35,000 responses indicates that while not a sure [...]

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Ripples

November 19, 2009

Image by Jim Boud via Flickr A great many details are now unfolding through our web activity, like a patch of flowers blooming together.  Let’s just point out a few. Enjoy eBay, not for everyone Watkins Glen Alumni Return and Share Rejoicing in the Torah Challenges for Dairy Farmers Calm in a Crisis Secret Fears [...]

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Brain Development and Alcohol in Teens

November 15, 2009

Image by Brookhaven National Laboratory via Flickr The post Teen Binge Drinking Can Damage the Brain shares the results of new research that documents the effects of alcohol on the developing brains of rats. “Researchers studied the brains of adolescent rats that were allowed to binge on an alcohol gel for 20 days, and found [...]

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An Open Letter About Sex at the Family Foundation School

November 12, 2009

By Dr. Rita Argiros “It is not necessary to intervene in normal, healthy, safe behavior.  It is necessary, however, to intervene in any behaviors that are so excessive or compulsive that the behavior places the adolescent at risk for harm, or interferes with their healthy and normal functioning and development.“ Jeff Brain, MA, CTS, CEP [...]

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Interesting study

November 9, 2009

Image via Wikipedia Shrink Rap has shared an interesting study that asks the question “Is childhood sexual abuse linked to an inability to express emotions in adulthood?” “Alexithymia, a clinical condition typified by a reported inability to identify or describe one’s emotions, is associated with various forms of psychopathology, including depression. Highly alexithymic (HA) outpatients [...]

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Ripples

November 7, 2009

Image by Denis Collette…!!! via Flickr Interesting posts for your perusal: Resumes: Is yours focused on the job you want? A Visit to Shenandoa National Park Delaware River Recovery Search Extraneous Finding in Twitter Search A Few Words Artist’s in the making at the Family School

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