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Teresa Martinez

Teresa Martinez

Dealing with Underage DUI That Brings Desired Results

July 29, 2014 By Teresa Martinez

The one thing that can possibly be worse than underage drinking or taking drugs is underage DUI or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol drinking or taking prohibited drugs can be very damaging to young people and adults alike. The risks doubles if drinking or taking drugs and driving is combined. These drivers eventually end up hurting themselves or others and destroying properties in the process. Either way, they would need to get the services of an excellent DUI defense lawyer to get them through their troubles. It is either that or they straighten themselves up before they get themselves into real trouble.

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The Underage DUI Problem

Not a few parents  have had to deal with the problem of underage drinking or teenagers taking prohibited drugs right in their own homes. The problem is real not only because it affects the whole family but also other people who may be in harm’s way when a DUI teenager is holding the wheel. But it is never easy to bring up the subject with anyone, more so with a teenage kid who may interpret parents’ concern as a veiled way of establishing excessive control. Never the less, parents have the responsibility to talk with their children because no one else will care more to do so. The law will care but in an all-together different dimension than that of parents thus all efforts must be exerted to prevent or stop the practice early on.

What Happens to Underage Caught DUI

Any person under the age of 21 caught driving under the influence of alcohol or combination or alcohol and drugs will have their licenses suspended or revoked immediately. This should effectively prevent the driver from legally operating a motor vehicle until such revocation or suspension is set aside. The services of a good lawyer is necessary if there were properties destroyed , people hurt, or lost lives. Such morbid results can haunt a young driver for the rest of his life.

Dealing with Underage DUI

It is primarily up to the parents to make sure that their children will not reach this point. Here are some ways parents can effectively deal with underage drinking or drug-taking to prevent the deadly consequences of driving under the influence.

1. Talk with the concerned child. Do it using clear words so that the message is understood. Do it with empathy that shows that you understand what the teen is going through.

2. Explain the possible results of being caught under the influence. There is no need to exaggerate since the reality of accidents is real enough. Be upfront without resorting to scare tactics.

3. Guide your child. Know when to have your presence felt and when to step back. Be encouraging and never condescending.

 

5 Parenting Blogs I Actually Read

March 23, 2014 By Teresa Martinez

Parenting is probably one of the most exhausted topics tackled in blogs. It might be the natural course to take for many since if there is a 10:100 odds of several bloggers being engaged in the same profession, the odds that they may all be parents is about 80:100. It is much easier to talk, or more so to blog about something you have actual knowledge of. Experience tells us however that there are some blogs that make more sense than others. Some simply talk of things we can readily identify with, reaching out not only to our minds but to our hearts as well.

Here are 5 Parenting Blogs I actually read. Some have been recommended by friends while some I found through a blog portal.

Nature Moms Blog

This blog tackles health and wellness which are both natural concerns of every parent. What sets it apart from the rest is its dedication to the topic of sustainability. Articles are well-written and easy to understand.

Huffpost Parents

This blog offers a healthy selection of daily good reads. Aside from articles written by its regular writers, it also  accepts articles from contributors and partners. This ensures a varied collection of topics to choose from.

Ludwig Photography

Alright, I admit I don’t do much reading in this blog. The photos contained in this blog send a message of their own that each is worth their equivalent in words. Simply incredible, enough said.

On Parenting

This is like reading news while updating on information about child care and parenting, thereby satisfying my daily desire to have a daily dose of both. I particularly like its no-nonsense articles that are often imbued with just the right amount of personality from its multiple authors. The blog contents are very helpful in so many ways.

MomDot

 

how to promote a social media contest

I have not been reading this blog for very long but I find it entertaining, genuine, and useful. Her two kids figure a lot in her posts which is how it is in my personal blog. Truth be told, I can identify with most of her topics in spite of the cultural differences.

I read several other blogs as I believe a parent can never have enough of good resources. We just need to choose those blogs that resonate with us. I expect to be adding more to my list any time soon.

Help Your Child Cope With Your Divorce

March 15, 2014 By Teresa Martinez

It is very easy and common for estranged spouses to be so caught up with their own divorce woes and forget about their children’s feelings. In a very unfortunate family event like divorce, children will almost always have no say on the matter and yet they can be the most affected. Seeing two people they look up to going their separate ways and probably tearing each other apart can be one of the most traumatic experiences in their young lives. There is no question that a child would need help to cope with the realities of divorcing parents .

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Acknowledge the Pain

Difficult as it may be, the divorcing parents should be looking out for their children as well especially during the most trying times. If you are in the process of divorcing your spouse and you think you have been dealt the worst deal, think again. There is someone hurting more than you are and that is most probably your child.

Talk with you child in a way he or she can understand and acknowledge the pain. It may not be expressed as clearly as the child wants to but it is real. Crying is not the only manifestation of pain. Often times, it is the child’s silence which is more difficult to interpret.

Do Not Add Confusion to the Pain

Divorcing parents should resist every opportunity to badmouth each other most especially in front of the children. The personal issues of parents simultaneously sounded off to their children may just be too much to handle at a certain point. Parents should try to keep the divorce proceedings in a civil level.

Children however have to be protected adequately if they are at the risk of any harm from any parent. If there is reason to believe that children must be forewarned of any possible danger, then it needs to be done. Of course, there is no room for exaggeration and false accusations which can only further confuse an already emotionally hurting child.

Live Life

When all the legal proceedings have been done with, the only thing left to do is to live life. You have made your decision to divorce your spouse but life goes on for you, your estranged spouse, and your children. Presumably, you have come up with arrangements about custody, visiting rights, and all that stuff so everybody is expected to be moving within the parameters of these arrangements.

That takes care of the legal aspect but you still have the more personal challenge of living life on a daily basis after divorce. Your children will probably have many questions in their minds that will come out many days, months or years after. Remember this, you may no longer be a wife or husband to your spouse but you remain a parent to your child even after divorce, so be one.

About the Author:

Sara Angle is a professional blogger that shares tips and information about the divorce process. She writes for Widrig Law PLLC, a top divorce law firm in Nashville TN.

Parental Control in These Modern Times

January 26, 2014 By Teresa Martinez

The modern times have changed the parenting landscape to a large extent especially in the matter of controlling our children for their own protection. During the early times, the danger posed on children is often thought to be lurking outside the home. The computer age has completely changed that notion from the time that contact to the outside world was made possible through the Internet.

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Points of Contention

There are many points of contention between parents and children when it becomes to online activity. The two main issues however are the time and content elements. Children seem to be spending more and more time online, too much actually for their own good. They also tend to be very curious and thus will most probably be landing on websites which they shouldn’t be visiting at all. [Read more…] about Parental Control in These Modern Times

Is It Possible to be a Successful Writer and Mother at the Same Time?

January 21, 2014 By Teresa Martinez

Is it possible to be a successful writer and mother at the same time? For purposes of this article, let us refer to a home-based writing job since a writing  job that requires a mother to report to an office may not be a lot different from the other careers in relation to motherhood. Now that it has been made clear, let us look into the possibilities that await a mother who desires to be a successful writer as well.

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Multitasking and Dual Duties

A home-based writer/mother has more opportunities to multitask and perform her dual duties since they can both be done at home. Without concerns about commuting to and from work, there is more time left to write and attend to the needs of the children. Also, role shifting is easily done as the need arises. [Read more…] about Is It Possible to be a Successful Writer and Mother at the Same Time?

Tutoring Our Own Children and Why It Isn’t Always a Good Idea

January 7, 2014 By Teresa Martinez

When parents take the time and effort to tutor their kids, it is seen as something many would do to support their children. It is essentially a positive thing that can easily turn negative. Here are some reasons why tutoring our own children isn’t always a good idea.

[Read more…] about Tutoring Our Own Children and Why It Isn’t Always a Good Idea

Family New Year’s Resolutions: Being Better Together

January 1, 2014 By Teresa Martinez

Almost everybody has made at least one New Year’s resolution in his or her life. It is not common to hear about family New Year’s resolutions probably because it is hard enough to seek improvement for one’s self. Imagine the effort in doing it together with all the other members of the family. One way to look at it positively is the possibility that one family can function better as a group through individual and common efforts to actually get better together.

[Read more…] about Family New Year’s Resolutions: Being Better Together

Guiding Children to Develop Their Own Fashion Sense

December 27, 2013 By Teresa Martinez

Parents need not have modeling dreams for their children to care about guiding their children about fashion. Each child will develop his or her own fashion sense, sooner or later. Parents can lead them towards that by providing sensible guidance towards that development. This guidance of course will have to be tempered by respect for a child’s individuality.

[Read more…] about Guiding Children to Develop Their Own Fashion Sense

Do We Tell Our Kids the Truth About Santa?

December 24, 2013 By Teresa Martinez

For many parents who have allowed their children to believe in Santa Claus from the time they were able to conceive his connection with Christmas, concerns about the truth may arise as children grow up. Growing up kids are equivalent to unending questions that would tend to test the veracity of the existence of the jolly man in red. The truth about Santa is not much of a concern for children who did not grow up with the belief but rather those who have treasured memories of the man who leaves gifts for children on Christmas Eve.

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The Accepted Truth

In the adult world, Santa Claus come in the form of dads or any male figure bearing gifts primarily for the benefit of children. Although there appears to be some historical connections of how such a character came to be, the Santa that we now know is not exactly a precise manifestation. Never the less, many parents allow and encourage belief in Santa Claus to continue a tradition that has been started a long time ago.

This perpetuates a belief that not all are in agreement with. With respect to all kinds of belief with regards to the existence of Santa, we have to acknowledge that Santa and what he represents bring cheers to many people, children and adults alike. So many of us, including myself, chose the path towards Santa with our kids, in spite of knowing the “truth”.

Telling the Kids

Do we tell our kids the truth about Santa Claus? When do we do it? Why will we do it?

Personally, I don’t see any reason to rock the boat and declare one Christmas Day to our kids that there is no Santa Claus. In time, they will discover for themselves what the truth is. Like us who have gone before them, they will discover and will take it matter-of-factly so there is no pressing reason to destroy the belief right now.

Now, parents should know when their children are going overboard with the belief in Santa Claus and guide them along the way. Santa may not be real but the joy he brings to children is real enough and that is good enough for me. Will I tell my youngest kid the truth about Santa? Not just yet. Let her enjoy her Christmas as a child as I did mine.

 

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