Mad River Behavioral Health

Excerpted from Ken's  Parenting Guide Problems and Concerns v. Health, Well-being, Interests, Activities, Hobbies, Skills, Attributes, and Characteristics. There is a common tendency to focus on the negative. Problems just seem to call to us, to demand our attention. Our parental anxieties fuel our focus on problems and concerns.  We imagine future disasters.  A sense of urgency grows -- must fix the problem now, this minute!   Pause for a moment.  Breathe.  Imagine a warm, sunny beach ... waves gently washing against the sand, a gentle breeze, .... Take a step back. Ask two key questions: 1) is anyone or anything on fire right now, 2) is blood gushing from a wound?  If you answer yes to either of these questions, stay calm and take immediate action. If the answer to both is no, stay calm take no immediate action.  We have time to think about the situation, formulate a coherent plan, and implement corrective actions steps. ...

The following is excerpted from Ken's Parenting Guide . One of the most important things that parents can do while raising children is to teach them the importance of having strong character traits (more on this later) and a strong value system.  A strong value system will guide children through the many challenges and difficulties they will likely encounter as they grow into adolescents and begin to move out into the world on their own.  Sometimes, family values become lost in the day-to-day grind and  parents  lose contact with the values that are so very important to them.  By staying in touch with our values, we can keep them in the forefront of our parenting efforts where they will guide us to do the most good and be gifted by example to our children. As an exercise, sit down and consider what your family value system is.  Make a list of the most important values, the top 5 for starters.  Then examine your family's rules as they are ex...

The Lighthouse The lighthouse stands on solid, stable ground.  It is a beacon of hope.  It warns of danger and guides to safety.  The waters around a lighthouse can be turbulent at times.  Parents are like the lighthouse.  Parents are strong and stable.  Parents are a beacon of hope, warning of danger and guiding children toward safety.  When children are emotionally unstable, when they are being tossed in the emotional turbulence of life, parents do not jump into the turbulence with their children.  Parent/s endeavor to remain stable and calm.  Parents invite children to come out of the turbulent waters.  When the parent/s become emotionally unstable, when they join their children in the turbulent waters … all is lost … until the parent/s can regain their composure, return to the safe, stable ground above the crashing waves. Parents invite children to come out of the turbulence, to come to safety, to join them on the ...

Washington Post: Study Finds Possible Link Between Childhood Deaths and Stimulants for ADHD - washingtonpost.com My response to the above headline is just below. Further down, I added some of the follow-up discussion from people who have struggled with ADHD. Children with ADHD are several times more likely to have accidental injuries requiring emergency room treatment and die from accidental causes; ADHD teens are more likely to have serious automobile accidents and are at a much higher risk of unwanted pregnancy. The negative impact of ADHD on academic performance, peer acceptance, and self-esteem can be enormous -- all contributing to negative adult outcomes. ADHD is a significant childhood difficulty with many significant risks. All of the pros and cons have to be weighed in making a decision on how to support ADHD children in achieving better outcomes. Best wishes, Ken See some of the follow-up comments posted in this Washington Post discussion: Greg Sleter at 9:34am...

Mr Little, I came upon your website after seeing a link on Facebook. I have been searching for information on Behavior Modification camps, programs, or specialists in my area all week as we have reached a breaking point with my 13 year old son. I think he definitely needs a behavior modification program that is aggressive and he needs it soon. The only camps I could find in the New England area are $6000 to $8900 per month for a residential program and this is not a possible option for my family financially. Can you make any recommendations for doctors and/or programs in Southern NH for that could benefit us? I live just outside of Manchester, NH. Any information you can share would be appreciated. Reply: Dear xxxxxx, I'm and very sorry for your struggles. I really can't wade in with an informed opinion as I do not know your son or situation. However, I do have some thoughts and suggestions that I can offer for your consideration. Suggestions: Find a Child ...