Q: I am a single mom of two girls with a 10-year age difference. I am overseas while they are living at home with my mom and extended family. My problem is the eldest, a teenager, is acting up and I am very concerned. I call her as often as possible and take care of her financially. I just feel like she is a time bomb waiting to explode. There's more, but I await your advice on the matter.
A: It is very important that you get counselling services for your child and your family with whom she lives. There are many agencies in Jamaica that are capable of helping your daughter and your family cope with the issues they are experiencing. Let us know where your daughter and family are located so we can refer you to counselling services close to you.
Q: Good morning Doc. My son is one year and six months of age and he cannot walk on his own. He holds on to things to walk around. He climbs a lot though. What should I do?
A: You need to take your child to a paediatrician so that he/she can check your child to see if he has any medical problems, If there are any problems, I am sure the paediatrician will refer you to a specialist who will be able to help you.
Q: I am concerned about my seven-year-old nephew who is in grade two at primary school. He is not reading as he should and cannot identify letters. He had a bout with epilepsy when he was two years old. Could that have anything to do with him not performing as he should? I look forward to your advice in this matter.
A: There is some research that state that some children with epilepsy (fits) have more reading difficulties than the normal child. However, what is important is that a psychological test be done to find out what types of reading problem(s) your nephew has, so that a reading specialist will know what types of activities to give him to make him learn to read well. Please contact the guidance counsellor at your nephew's school and ask him/her to refer you to a psychologist who will be able to test him.
Q: My stepson, who is 12 years old, is influenced negatively by his mother who speaks badly about his father in the child's presence. His grandmother also quarrels with the father in the child's presence, as they both believe that the father is not to scold the child. Can this have a bad impact on the father/son relationship? Will it have a bad impact on how I raise the child? Need your urgent reply.
A: Mother and grandmother must remember that a child should never be emotionally hurt because adults have different opinions on child rearing. The father has all rights to grow his child as he sees fit, once the child is not being abused. The father needs to ensure that he maintains a positive relationship with his child.
Q: My 11-year-old daughter is being resentful and is acting out. What do I do? Talking to her only works for a short while and it is back to square one. Would you recommend counselling? She is menstruating and her teacher suggested it (her disruptive behaviour) could be hormonal. Help!
A: If you have concerns that there may be a hormone problem, you need to immediately make an appointment with your paediatrician who will refer you to the required specialist if necessary. Children in the pre-teen years present with many behaviour concerns. If there are no hormonal problems, I recommend that you take her to see a psychologist/counsellor who will teach you skills that will help you and your daughter have a better relationship.
Having problems with your children? Write to:
Ask the Doc, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston, fax 922-6223 or email helpline@gleanerjm.com.
Dr Orlean Brown-Earle, child psychologist and family therapist, has the solutions in The Gleaner's Positive Parenting feature on Mondays.
POSITIVE Parenting
