Exercise and Mood

In Friday's blog I touched a bit on depression and Autism. Since my daughter, who has Asperger's, tends to suffer from depression from time to time I have found that if I can get her to have a workout it really helps her immensely. I have definitely noticed that when she has regular physical activity her mood tends to be more even. Knowing this I try to keep her involved in extra curricular activities such as soccer or badminton.

Interestingly enough I found this article that supports vigorous physical exercise for kids with autism or autism related conditions.

Happy Parenting

Monicka

Parenting Reflections Book, and Positive Affirmations for Kids CD

Hi everyone! We have two great prizes to give away on the http://www.kidsgoals.com/ website for the month of May.





Each of two lucky winners will receive:

1) The enchanting book "100 Daily Parenting Reflections" by Heather Forbes (and personally signed by the author!)

2) A REALLY special CD, currently available nowhere else, created specially for you by KidsGoals, and called "Loving Affirmations for Children". This CD is a soothing, unique audio program, specifically for children, which provides a thoroughly enjoyable way for your child to build his confidence and self-esteem. Our kids love listening to this CD at bedtime and we have seen them take leaps and bounds in confidence both at home and at school as a result.

Enter the competition at http://www.kidsgoals.com/parenting-reflections.shtml

Happy parenting from your KidsGoals editors, Cassie and Monicka.

P.S. Please forward to a friend if you know someone else who would like to enter the competition – thanks!

Children and Medication "Do the Research"

The updated Kidsgoals website has been around for over a year now and it always amazes me when we get emails with comments and suggestions from our readers. You mean people are actually reading what we write? We do not take your comments lightly and will do our best to take your suggestions under consideration. One email from a lady who is upset because her Dr. wanted to put her son on Ritalin after he was diagnosed with ADHD in children really hit home to me. She wanted to know if we had any information of alternative methods that she could try before she agreed to put her son on medication. I remember when my sons' Dr. suggested that I put him on anti depressants to help with his social anxiety. I was ready to try anything to help my son, but my son, who has Asperger's, would have no part of it. He said he would try it on his own for awhile and if things didn't improve he might give the pills a go. Interestingly enough he never did go on the medication.

I honestly do believe parents need to do the research before they agree to put their kids on any medication. We so want to believe that our Dr's have all the answers but experience has made me believe otherwise. We as parents are the ones who need to be advocates for our children and find out everything about the medication your Dr. may suggest as well as other alternative resources. If we don't look out for the best interest of our children who will?

Happy Parenting,
 KidsGoals