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Author Topic: Okay parents: Teens, self-abuse, the m-word...  (Read 4280 times)

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Änσnymσus

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Re: Okay parents: Teens, self-abuse, the m-word...
« Reply #15 on: July 11, 2024, 01:51:11 AM »
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  • Not meaning to nit-pic, and I realize that today's society and its schedule is often "off kilter" in many respects, but I find this a very strange metric, even in a single parent household.

    It is typical (in my experience and understanding) that there is at least one parent around in the morning to get the kids up, make sure they brush their teeth and are dressed, have breakfast and a lunch to pack, and are out the door to school before the parent goes to work.  The kids and parent(s) may indeed be separated for eight hours or more (out of the 24 hours have to include the commute time to and from work) on a work day, but most likely are together at least four hours (6 PM - 10 PM) on weekday evenings, with the opportunity to have supper together (whether or not they take advantage of that opportunity is another issue).  The "only spend 18 minutes a day with their parents" doesn't seem at all believable.

    These studies (there are lots of them that have been done; I read about one of them a while back) go a bit deeper, going minute by minute. 

    For example, the time in the shower or bathroom was obviously alone, with no parental interaction. Any time at their desk doing homework -- not time spent with parents. The point is that it IS possible to track, using recordings, videos, logs, etc. how the minutes spent at home are allocated. I think the big subtraction was time spent (alone) on the computer, screen(s), phone, etc. -- again, spending 1 hour on social media is an hour they has zero influence from their parents.
    Time spent picking clothes, doing laundry or other chores -- even if Mom or Dad is in the background, it's not exactly quality time that amounts to anything. Unless you were talking to parents during an activity -- in which case I'm sure the study instructed them to count it as "time spent with parent(s)".

    Matthew

    Offline jvk

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    Re: Okay parents: Teens, self-abuse, the m-word...
    « Reply #16 on: July 12, 2024, 06:35:54 AM »
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  • Mary Reed Newland has a very good book that addresses this topic in one of it's chapters.  I believe it's called "How to Raise Good Catholic Children".  

    Basically the premise is to start young--about 2 or so--in teaching them purity and modesty.  Little children start exploring their personal areas at that age, due to potty training.  I always tell them to say, "Jesus, help me be pure".  

    When they get older, about 5 or so, and I notice an upsurge in it again, we have a little chat about using our body parts respectfully, as God intended.  Then I tell them if they want to do something like that, come to me right away and we'll say a Hail Mary together.  I check in periodically with them--timing varies depending on the child--to see if they're still having trouble with purity. 

    Both my husband and I are available to them if they have any questions about the reproduction issue as they get older.  I tell my boys if they're having impure thoughts to say mentally, "I reject this thought"  or "St Joseph, Protector of Virgins, defend me", and then to start saying the mulitiplication tables, play mental alphabet games, etc for distraction.  If they still have trouble, they can come to either one of us and say, "I'm having trouble"; our code for impure thoughts/impulses so the siblings won't key in to what's going on, and I will come with them and we'll say some prayers in front of the crucifix (in their room or quiet area). 

    Also, Bishop Zendejas said that if you give up meat on Wednesday in honor of St. Joseph, he will help maintain purity.  So all my adolescents have voluntarily done so. 

    I think the key is to be charitable and kind, and not act embarrased.  If they come to you with this problem, being upset and harsh is the worst thing you can do.  You think they'll come back after you've yelled at them?  Or physically punished them?  Imposing some sort of discipline, say push-ups for boys, or washing the floor on their hand and knees for girls, is appropriate but I am never harsh or angry about it.  I want my children to come to me with their problems, not be afraid.  It's worked so far.  



    Offline SimpleMan

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    Re: Okay parents: Teens, self-abuse, the m-word...
    « Reply #17 on: July 12, 2024, 01:21:45 PM »
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  • I think the key is to be charitable and kind, and not act embarrased.  If they come to you with this problem, being upset and harsh is the worst thing you can do.  You think they'll come back after you've yelled at them?  Or physically punished them?  Imposing some sort of discipline, say push-ups for boys, or washing the floor on their hand and knees for girls, is appropriate but I am never harsh or angry about it.  I want my children to come to me with their problems, not be afraid.  It's worked so far. 

    I always told my son, if you have any questions or problems regarding that sphere of life, come directly to me, not to your mother (we are not together), not to your grandparents, and certainly not to the so-called "stepfather".  He has done precisely that.  

    He never sees his mother anymore, and both of my parents are gone, so it's now just him and me.

    Änσnymσus

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    Re: Okay parents: Teens, self-abuse, the m-word...
    « Reply #18 on: July 12, 2024, 01:42:45 PM »
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  • OP here,

    Are there any books on this?
    The Douay Rheims Bible.  I recently have been reading proverbs where a father gives advice to his son.  

    Änσnymσus

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    Re: Okay parents: Teens, self-abuse, the m-word...
    « Reply #19 on: July 12, 2024, 10:20:11 PM »
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  • Only the coward wins against sins of impurity.