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 While changes in our economy continue to hit our wallets hard, these challenging times can also cause a major strain on our relationships. With layoffs, tighter budgets, volatile gas prices and an uncertain economy, it’s easy to forget the stress children bear during tough times. Dr. Kathleen Nickerson, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Coastal Counseling and Coaching in Irvine, sees this first-hand. “I have seen an increase in the couples requesting therapy,” she says. “I get about 14 calls per day, which is about 25 percent more than usual.” As stress levels rise, relationships often weaken. Nickerson says the best way to preserve the relationship is to work as a team and understand that by working together, couples can overcome obstacles. There is some good news: Even though the economy has impacted many families, the Orange County legal community has seen a decline in family law cases, according to Lisa Hughes, founding partner of Hughes and Sullivan Family Law in Tustin. “This is a remarkable trend, since financial crisis or turmoil is typically a breaking point for many relationships and a catalyst for divorce,” Hughes says. What about divorce’s impact on children? Divorce at any age is emotionally draining. It’s possible that children will act out in a number of ways, including aggression, stomach problems or headaches, and changes in sleeping patterns and eating and study habits. “Parents going through a divorce need to constantly keep their kids’ mental health a priority, working to minimize tension and aggression toward the other spouse, no matter what the circumstances are,” Hughes says. In every case, children need to know that both parents love them, that they will continue to be protected and cared for, and that they were not the cause of their parents’ split. Help your kids cope with divorce > Assure the children that they are not the cause of the divorce. > Don’t talk negatively about your spouse within earshot of the kids. > Be truthful and don’t encourage false hopes for a reconciliation. > Make sure children still get to spend time with their friends, attend practices and games and see their extended families.n Ashley Eliot is an editorial assistant for OC Family magazine. BE SAFE THIS SEASON By Erin Malone While toys and treats are sure to top your child’s wish list, no holiday list is complete without these safety precautions in place to ensure a safe, magical season for your family. Kitchen safety Keep baking ingredients such as extracts – as well as hard candies, mints, nuts and popcorn – out of the reach of children. Christmas decor Purchase a fresh Christmas tree and water it daily. Keep it away from fireplaces or other heating sources. Keep small ornaments, including those with small detachable parts or metal hooks, out of reach. Avoid ornaments that resemble food or candy. Once gifts are opened, remove all bags, gift wraps and bows from tree and fireplace areas. Lights and candles Inspect lights for exposed or frayed cords, and use only lights and cords approved by Underwriters’ Lab Inc. (look for the “UL” notation). Remember to turn off the tree lights before leaving the room. Keep candles, matches and lighters out of your child’s reach. Do not leave burning candles unattended, and never place them near anything that might easily catch fire. Poisons Keep alcoholic beverages out of reach. Watch for holly and mistletoe berries that could fall into your child’s path — they are poisonous. Poinsettias are not poisonous but may cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress. Toys Select age-appropriate toys. Avoid those with small removable parts that may pose a choking risk for young children. Toys with strings, straps or cords should also be avoided. When buying bicycles, skateboards or skates, always include helmets. Erin Malone is an injury prevention coordinator in the Community Education Department at CHOC. To learn more about the hospital’s services and programs, visit choc.org. TRAIN THE BRAIN TO MANAGE ADHD By Elisabeth Handley It almost sounds too good to be true: A treatment to train the brain to overcome problems with attention and concentration associated with ADHD. It has no side affects. It is permanent. It can eliminate the need for drug treatments. What is it? It’s called neurofeedback training, a process in which the brain is taught to correct the imbalance of chemicals that results in difficulties with attention, focus, concentration and problem-solving. “It’s like physical therapy for the brain,” says Dr. Stephen Ferrari of Orange County’s Alta Neuro-Imaging. “It adds the missing chemical, or neurotransmitter, to help the brain work at the right speed.” The noninvasive procedure involves attaching an EEG sensor to the scalp, which allows brain activity to be fed into a computer. The computer brings on audio and visual stimuli, sometimes through simple kid-friendly games, which reward the brain working in the proper balance. “The techniques we teach allow you to create the balance needed to bring on the light and sound rewards,” says Ferrari. “It’s playing a game where you control the computer just by thinking.” “For the first time in your life, you realize what it’s like to be ‘on’ and what its like to be ‘off,’” says Dr. Scott Kamback of Success Unlimited Center for Learning, in Fullerton and Yorba Linda. “Through a series of these sessions, you train yourself up into better attention.” The same results can be achieved through medications such as Ritalin and Adderall, so why choose neurofeedback? While 75 percent of children with ADHD respond positively to drug treatments, a large percentage don’t. Even those that do may have side-effects such as sleep problems, weight loss and impaired growth. But beyond side-effects, medications are short-term. “You take a pill in the morning, and it helps you in the school day,” says Kamback. “But it wears off, and you’re right back where you started. Parents want a long-term solution.” Ferrari agrees. “Medications never correct the underlying cause,” he says. “Neurofeedback permanently teaches the brain to correct the imbalance." Elisabeth Handley is a regular contributor. |
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