- Talk to your kids about drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Don’t bury your head in the sand and pretend that these issues will go away.
- Adolescents will experiment with sex. If they want to behave like an adult, they have to be held accountable as an adult.
- You can’t talk down to your teenagers like you did when they were younger. Yes, they are still kids, but you have to talk to them at a more mature level.
- Set firm rules for your teenagers, and make sure they understand what those rules are. They must also understand that when they are punished, it is because THEY broke the rules. It is important that you follow through with punishments; otherwise, they will learn that they can get away with things.
- Don’t fight with your kids; remember, you are holding all the Aces. Don’t get dragged into a yell-match. Calmly enforce the rules. Actions speak louder than words.
- Give them some personal space (usually their room) in the house and respect that space; but let them know that their space is a privilege contingent upon them obeying the rules.
- Get your kids in the habit of wearing a seat belt even if it’s for a trip down the block. Most automobile accidents happen near home. One the leading causes of death for adolescents is car accidents.
- Privileges are only received when they are earned. If your teenager breaks the rules, gets poor grades or won’t work around the house, then you must restrict their privileges appropriately.
- If your teenagers are hanging out with the wrong crowd, you need to pick their friends. You need to remove them from the influence of that crowd.
Breast Self Exam
Following is a guide to performing a Breast Self Exam (BSE).
Just as your period ends (or at the same time each month if you do not have periods), check for any change in the normal look or feel of your breasts.
Report any changes to your doctor or nurse. Go for regular breast exams and
ask about a mammogram.
Step One: Lying Down
Feel for a hard lump, thickening or any change in your breast tissue.
▪ Lie down on your back with a pillow under your right shoulder
▪ Use the pads of the three middle fingers on your left hand to examine your right breast
▪ Press using light, medium and firm pressure in a circular motion
▪ Follow an up and down pattern
▪ Feel for changes in your breast, above and below your collarbone and in your armpit area
▪ Repeat on your left breast
The steps may be repeated while bathing or showering using soapy hands.
Step Two: In Front of the Mirror
Look for changes in the shape, size or appearance of your breasts. Look for dimpling, rash or puckering of the skin
or nipple, nipple discharge or any change from normal. Inspect your breasts in four steps:
▪ Holding arms at sides
▪ Holding arms overhead
▪ Pressing hands on hips to tighten chest muscles
▪ Bending forward with hands on hips