Children’s issues

When Difficult Kids Turn Out Alright

by Bill Brenner March 9, 2012 Children's issues

Readers know by now that Erin and I have a big challenge — helping our second child manage ADHD. He’s often difficult. Fair enough. I was a difficult child, too. Duncan is actually tame compared to the 8-year-old me. He’s never filled up my gas tank with a garden hose. He’s never lit his plastic toys on fire, nearly burning down the house in the process. He’s never stolen money from his Dad’s wallet. He doesn’t bring home…  [Read More]

Recognizing Cries For Help In Your Friends’ Online Posts

by Bill Brenner February 29, 2012 Children's issues

For all the drama and groan-inducing crap we see on social media every day, there is a very redeeming quality in the social networking site. Mood music: It’s a good early-warning system for identifying friends in need. I’m not revealing anything you don’t know, but a New York Times article my wife sent me really drives the point home. Written by Times reporter Jan Hoffman, the article points out, among other things: For adolescents, Facebook and…  [Read More]

Anti-Authoritarianism As A Mental Illness

by Bill Brenner February 25, 2012 Children's issues

A friend sent me an interesting article by psychologist Bruce E. Levine that poses the question: Would we drug up Albert Einstein today for displaying traits outside the norms of an obedient society? Mood music: Let’s see what Levine says, then I’ll weigh in… In my career as a psychologist, I have talked with hundreds of people previously diagnosed by other professionals with oppositional defiant disorder, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, anxiety disorder and other psychiatric illnesses, and I…  [Read More]

Things Kids Say, February Vacation Edition

by Bill Brenner February 24, 2012 Children's issues

The children and their friends have been giving me an earful this week. Silly little buggers always forget that I take notes. Mood music: “I demand my rights as an American!” Duncan, after being told he can’t watch TV before school (in this case, the Friday before vacation) “Good luck. You’re gonna need it.” Sean, wishing one of Erin’s friends well in an important business venture “Who do you think I am, Rosa Parks?” Sean’s…  [Read More]

In Defense Of Wolfgang Van Halen

by Bill Brenner February 12, 2012 Children's issues

With a new Van Halen album out, everyone has an opinion. Fine by me, because I have mine. But one writer has taken his displeasure over bassist Wolfgang Van Halen to levels that earn him a smack to the back of the head. Mood music: When you question quality of the songwriting and musicianship, it’s all well and good. If you’re a music critic, that’s your job. But Martin Cizmar, former music critic at Phoenix New Times (he’s now…  [Read More]

It’s The Stinkin’ Truth, Kids

by Bill Brenner December 30, 2011 Children's issues

Taking The Different Kids Out With The Trash

by Bill Brenner December 21, 2011 Children's issues

Wherein the author laments the inability of educational institutions to embrace the different children. Mood music: http://youtu.be/4994186umUU As a problem kid in grades K-12, I’m all too aware of how good kids can get lost in an education system designed for only the so-called normal kids. I used to think this was just a Revere Public Schools thing. Now I see it for the universal scourge that it is. I’ve written at length about my…  [Read More]

You Win Some, You Lose Some

by Bill Brenner December 16, 2011 Children's issues

Yup.

When You’re A Kid, Little Incidents Are A Big Deal

by Bill Brenner December 15, 2011 Children's issues

A point my mother made regarding some of what I’ve written about the past: “I remember differently than you on most entries. Not because I am blind but because children are little and see things big.” Mood music: I don’t disagree with that. When you’re little you do see things big. In this case, my mother was referring to the stuff I’ve written about my childhood and whether things really happened as I remember it….  [Read More]

To The Child Who Thinks Obsessively

by Bill Brenner December 13, 2011 Children's issues

A few months back I wrote a letter to a girl named Addie, who has struggled with OCD. This is a similar letter for the child of a friend who is struggling with OCD and other mental disorders. Some of what follows was in Addie’s letter. But I’ve added to the previous thoughts because I’ve learned even more about myself and how to manage my own OCD since that was written. Mood music: Hey, there. My…  [Read More]

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