Are You Raising One of the Next Generation of Hoodlums? ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER?

Dr. Joyce Teal by Dr. Joyce Willard Teal Allow me to take the liberty to remind readers once again as I did nearly a year ago at the beginning of a new school year that we are again at the end of another school year and the start of summer vacation for millions of children throughout the United States. Summer is a critical time for children because many of them are left without adequate supervision. For some unknown reason, many parents truly believe that if their children are thirteen or fourteen years old (and sometimes even younger), they can stay at home with no supervision, and even babysit younger siblings while parents are at work. But this simply is not true!  While the child may appear mature enough to handle this responsibility, it is important that parents understand that a thirteen or fourteen-year- old child is still a child, and as such should not be burdened with the responsibility that many mature adults have trouble handling satisfactorily. I appeal to parents once again. If you have not already done so, begin now investigating summer programs and activities that will engage your children in programs that will occupy them in positive...