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You’ve Got the Job – Now What?

10/24/2019
new job
First of all, relax and prepare for the upcoming journey.  Career experts give the following tips:
  • The First Week – you are not expected to know everything about the position during the first week.  Familiarize yourself with the surroundings, policies and peers.  Try to introduce yourself to as many people as possible.  It shows eagerness toward the opportunity and interest in sharing the enthusiasm.  This may give rise to a chance to have lunch or coffee after befriending a coworker.  Getting their perspective knowledge of the environment can be advantageous to you.
  • The First Month: After settling into your new role it is a good time to begin organizing tasks and determining how to perform them efficiently.  Coworkers and managers have likely become more comfortable with you and may offer more constructive criticism than before.  Use this as a chance to grow rather than becoming offended.  Being humble and open-minded can help you transition into the new setting faster.
  • The First 90 Days: By now you should have a good grasp on the responsibilities surrounding your new position.  Be proactive in setting ambitious goals and create a strategy for reaching them.  Once you are comfortable with these goals, step up the level of difficulty to challenge yourself.  This is also a good time to establish boundaries.  As the new person on the block you may have felt obligated to take on more work.  But know that you know what you can handle, it’s alright to say no if it will impact your performance negatively.  Try to touch base with previous coworkers once settled into the new position.  Keeping your professional network intact is an important part of any career.

Source: Green Shoot Media, June, 2019

How and Why Parents Need to Support Nonallergic Siblings

10/20/2019
Parents of allergic children often devote all or most of their emotional energy to the allergic child.  They may not realize that siblings may fear the allergic sibling will die or that a young child can carry such a grown-up worry or feel it’s not fair that they can’t wear a medical bracelet or bring their own cupcake to birthday parties or call their sibling ‘lucky’ even though they have to carry their epinephrine injector everywhere.  So, how’s a parent to approach determining...
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Being Proactive about When No, Means No

10/15/2019
Consent is now a mandatory component of New Jersey middle and high school education.  New Jersey’s 21 county prosecutors will be hosting forums across the state on campus assault with the new curriculum going into effect in the 2019-2020 school year.  Sex education classes will be required to teach about consent.  Students will learn about their rights under the law and “the virtues of respecting the right of others to say no.”  Waiting until college to engage young people on this...
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Be Honest with Yourself

Planning a Career Change or Beginning a Journey in the Workforce

10/11/2019
jobs
Things to think about:
What are you passionate about?Don’t make a decision based on salary alongWould you feel excited and proud each workday to perform your best?Do you want to travel and be happier working in various locations?Would you be happier being out of the office (but not miles from home) navigating your local area?  Have you considered careers such as consultant, tour guide for local attractions or working remotely in a job that can be done from anywhere?While salary is a factor,...
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Anxiety Caused by Sounds

10/7/2019
You’ve probably never heard of it.  It’s not even officially listed as a diagnosis in any medical manual.  It’s called Misophonia – an inability to tolerate routine noises, can send its sufferers into fight or flight mode in a millisecond.

Misophonia is a chronic condition characterized by intense feelings of rage, fear, and especially anxiety so acute one feels like they may be having a heart attack.  According to experts, misophonia always begins in late childhood or early...
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Expert Tips for Lasting Changes in Behavior

9/24/2019
change-child-behavior
Many challenging behaviors are subconscious, involuntary, and occur when a child perceives a threat.  According to experts doling out rewards and punishment does not work.  The following are tips as to what does work:
Strengthen your relationship with your child before targeting behavioral change.  Lead with empathy by understanding the back story.  For example, a 12 -year- old boy was told his favorite teacher was transferred to a new school.  Ten minutes later he turned over his desk and...
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A Very Special Message to Readers

9/19/2019
where have all the flowers gone
Where have all the flowers gone?

In 1999 I formed an LLC because I felt I had an intuitive sense to help people figure out how to make the most of their talents but were lost in a very confusing world and a very confused educational system unable to find the right diagnosis(es), training, or path to be productive adults.  I optimistically thought those 20 years ago, I could help improve the quality of life, one person at a time.  I still believe that.  But now that mission has grown to...
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Back to School Night: Questions to ask your child’s teachers

9/16/2019
back-to-school-night chalk
In what ways will my child’s learning be connected to the real world?  School assignments must relate to a child’s life outside of school and how school activities relate to other activities they enjoy.  If they love singing, writing exercises can help them with composing lyrics.  If they love sports, math assignments can help them create interesting team statistics.How will my child be assessed? Numeric or letter grades only show a child’s ability to commit material to short-term...
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Five Tips to a Smooth Beginning of the School Year

9/12/2019
back-to-school-hacks
Update your calendars (electronic or paper): Put in dates for the entire school year – days off, parent/teacher conferences, vacation dates. This will save you significant time instead of constantly having to access the school’s website.  Note important school and other dates on your family’s shared calendar at least through the end of October so you don’t have to rush later to get it done.Stock up on lunch staples: buy chips, pretzels, juice boxes and fruit bars in bulk so you...
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Talking to Your Children about Social and Safety Issues before going Back to School

Tips from Experts for Every Age Group

9/5/2019
talking-to-kids
Preschool – the most important tip from experts is “less is more.”  Younger children do not process language as well as parents think.  Parents should keep sentences to five words or less and to show children what to expect.  If possible, it should include seeing their new classroom and meeting their teacher.  As the summer days wind down, parents need to shift sleeping and eating schedules to match that of the classroom and to start putting structure into the day.  New preschoolers...
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Freshman Hacks: 11 things you need to have on campus and 7 things to leave behind

9/3/2019
Freshman hacks
The first thing to do – forget the checklists of dorm room essentials and skip about 70% of things on the lists.  If you forget something important, you can order it online.  For some items this is a way to avoid the hassle of bringing them yourself.

Ready?  Here we go!

What not to bring or buy: freshman need two things – a good mattress topper and a laptop. 

Skip:
Luggage – hard to store; suggestion: collapsible blue Ikea storage bags with zippersTV – students can watch on laptops or TVs...
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Smoking Pot and Tragic Events: Precursor to Suicide?

8/30/2019
Claim #1: There is a link, but no evidence of causation between marijuana use and mental health problems.  

A new study, looking at previous marijuana research found that marijuana use in adolescence increases the risk of major depressive disorder and suicide in adulthood.  The research does not prove teenage marijuana use causes these mental health problems but does show an increased risk for them.  Even this second look left questions as to what comes first?  Is this depression because...
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Perfection: Teaching Our Daughters How to be Healthy, not Perfect

8/24/2019
Social media, advertising, and beauty pageants make us believe that a perfect body or appearance a necessary requirement for success.  As parents of daughters, we must help them develop and maintains a healthy body image and self-esteem. Adolescence is a time of major physical and emotional changes and it is difficult for girls to maintain a healthy body image due to:
Natural weight gain and other changes caused by pubertyPeer pressure to look a certain wayMedia images that promote the ideal...
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Part of Job Hunting is Still ‘Who You Know’

8/20/2019
who you know
Statistics from the recruiting software company Lever:
The chances of getting a job are .65 percent when applying cold for a position at a company without a referralA referral can bump the likelihood of you being hiring by up to 6.25 percentA resume submitted by an agency raises your chances by 4.54 percentNearly a quarter of employee hires happen though referrals

Why endorsements are important:
Candidates with referrals are attractive to companies due to higher retention rates and increased...
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Is Suicide Prediction Possible? The Hope to Prevent Teen Deaths

8/16/2019
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Americans ages 15 to 34.  But experts can only give an educated guess when asked who is most at risk.  An analysis of 50 years of research found medical professionals’ ability to predict suicidal behavior only slightly better than chance.  

It is hoped that a new predictive scoring tool being developed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh will change this.  In a recently published study, the tool correctly predicted suicidal...
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We Do Have A Choice

8/14/2019
conditional optimists
We can choose to be ‘conditional optimists’ rather than complacent optimists (conditional optimism is the belief that things are far from perfect, but they can get better if we do what we can to make them better.  It does not confuse small with insignificant.  It believes in incremental approaches and appreciates that no act of kindness or high-mindedness is ever wasted).

We can choose to accept that we can’t do everything about the problems in the world and closer to home, but we can...
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Procrastination: A New Animal for Today’s Children

8/7/2019
We are all familiar with the clinical diagnosis of ADHD and clinical levels of anxiety that prevent children from starting their homework because they lack the motivation and high levels of anxiety can be particularly difficult to work through.  Sometimes, executive functioning skills haven’t quite developed yet. But procrastination and lack of focus is a common problem even without a clinical diagnosis.  Sometimes the mere idea of starting something and not knowing how it...
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‘Nature Pill’ Reduces Cortisol Levels

8/4/2019
nature pill
Interested in a cure that is completely organic, easy to find, and costs zero?  Spend some time either sitting or walking in nature.  You can choose anywhere outside that makes you feel like you’ve interacted with nature.  Spend at least 10 minutes or more at least three times a week.  It must be in daylight, no aerobic exercise, and avoid social media, internet, phone calls, conversation and reading. 
 
Researchers recently conducted a study to determine the association between nature and...
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The Conundrums of a College Degree

7/31/2019
Becoming a college graduate meant higher pay, stronger job security, greater home ownership, and comparatively stable households.  These benefits have long been valued as worth the sacrifices required, from deferred income to student debt.  Yet today’s college graduates are less likely to feel they belong to the middle class.  Only 64% will say they feel they belong to the middle or upper class.  Supposedly, we are experiencing the longest economic expansion on record and an...
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College Board Creates first of its Kind National Scholarship Program

7/25/2019
Imagine following and completing six steps that can earn you up to $40,000 for a college education.  And imagine your chances are not based on an essay, application, or having a minimum GPA or SAT score.  Imagine, being rewarded for your efforts and actions on the way to college.  The more you do, the more chances you have to earn a college scholarship.

The College Board (creator of the SAT and AP) Opportunity Scholarships lay out six simple steps that serve as a simple college planning guide...
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Want to Yell Less at your Children? Read to Them.

7/20/2019
A study released in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics by researchers at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School found that parents who read regularly with their toddlers are less likely to engage in harsh parenting and their children are less likely to be hyperactive or disruptive. 
Programs across New Jersey at local libraries such as the National 1000 Books Before K initiative encourage parents to read a thousand book to their children by the start...
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Inclusive Sensory-Friendly Dining

7/16/2019
sensory-friendly
Imagine going out to dinner where the lights are lower, the music softer, and the menu features pictures.  Imagine a “sensory-friendly” dining experience for those with and without special needs where the atmosphere is more comfortable for diners and children with special needs, particularly those with sensory processing difficulties.  A new Star Trek episode perhaps?  No, you don’t have to wait for the future.  You can go right now.   Harper’s Table in Annandale...
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Keeping Your Kids from Saying “I’m bored!” This Summer

7/10/2019
Suggestions for avoiding wall-to-to wall screen time:

1.
Help your child find out what they like to do but haven’t had time for.  A child needs to discover their own interest and talents outside of the classroom.  A summer gig can be paid or volunteer.  Children will learn:
How to draw on their social network to find a jobBuild confidence and navigate lifeDevelop crucial communication and interpersonal skillsThe responsibility of reporting to a boss
As your child describes what they are...
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Preventing Childhood Obesity

7/8/2019
Childhood-Obesity
One in five school-aged children (ages 6 to 19) is obese.  They face physical, social, and emotional hurdles while growing up.  They are more likely to be teased or bullied and to suffer from low self-esteem, social isolation, and depression.  They are at high risk for chronic health problems that include asthma, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, and Type 2 diabetes.  They are more likely to be obese as adults with increased risk of heart disease and other serious medical condition.

Risk...
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Summer Checklist for High School Seniors for a Successful Freshman Year on Campus

7/3/2019
Sign up for your .edu email with the university and check it daily.  That’s how colleges communicate.Join the freshman class Facebook group.  Find your roommate through school-specific social media groups instead of being randomly assigned by your college.Check again for scholarships.  A student offered a scholarship may have decided not to attend freeing up that money.  “Reintroduce” yourself to the admissions/financial aid office.Visit campus again – or for the first time. ...
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What Parents Can Learn from Calvin and Hobbes

6/27/2019
Calvin and Hobbes
The power of imagination
To change your point of view
To listen
To hear what not just what a child says but also what he conveys through his actions

And most importantly – it’s delusional to think parents raise children – they are the ones raising us.

Fact: the violence Calvin inflicts on snowmen could earn it an R rating.
Fact: the books have intimidatingly advanced vocabulary and amorphous philosophical ideas

Not much to worry about with young readers.
Fact: children are able to clearly get...
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The Circle of Educational Life – coming into its own?

6/22/2019
Preschool a Must for Children from Disadvantaged Backgrounds   The expansion of preschool programs is the leading edge of education reform.  The need is urgent, especially for disadvantaged children.  Most of the achievement gap that continues to divide them from more affluent peers is there before they even enter kindergarten.    Babies spend the first few years of their lives soaking up words.  A television in the background does not compensate for talk time impeding...
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5 Things Parents Need to Know about Glasses

6/19/2019
kids eye exam
#1.  Children should be examined between the ages of 6 and 12 months.  If there are no concerns at that visit then the child should be reexamined at 3 years old and again before entering school.  Children should be checked for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, eye movement problems and eye health problems. #2.  Vision means more than seeing 20/20. If a child sees well but is struggling in school or has attention/behavioral problems there is a strong possibility...
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Identifying Labels – No longer a stigma

6/15/2019
Views about labels such as ADHD and autism have changed over the past five to ten years.  Parents are more willing to seek out these labels as they become more aware of what an official diagnosis can do for their child.  Early identification and yes, labeling, can change the outcome of a child’s life.  Studies have shown that no matter the level of severity, the earlier you start intervention the better the outcome will be.  The most obvious advantage is gaining access to...
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What You Can Learn by Traveling with your Children

Preparing Confident and Compassionate Travelers for the Future

6/10/2019
kids travel
Confidence comes from good preparation.  Involve your children in the travel planning and decision-making process from the earliest time they are able to.  Show them maps, books, websites, and pictures.  Encourage them to learn a few words or phrases of the language spoken in your intended destination.  Lesson learned: a little planning goes a long way toward having a successful adventure.  New found skills put to use in real time can make a big difference.   Focus on...
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First of Its Kind National Scholarship Program

6/9/2019
Simple college planning guide for all studentsWhat to do and when to do it

The College Board (creator of the SAT and Advanced Placement) has created the first of its kind scholarship program.  The College Board Opportunity Scholarships lay out six simple steps that all students can take to get into college.  Completing each step will earn a chance for a scholarship.  Completing all six steps will earn students a chance to win $40,000 for their college education.  These six steps help students...
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Your Child and New Recommendations for the Care of Concussions

6/3/2019
Your-Child-Has-a-Concussion
A review of all the research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has led to recommendations to help guide care for children who suffer a concussion:
Concussions are different for every child.Every injury is different.Children with prior concussions, learning disabilities, mental health problems, or neurological problems are more likely to have trouble.Children whose families are stressed for reasons such as poverty can take a longer time to recover.

Overview of...
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What do you know about ‘benzos’?

5/29/2019
Definition: Brand name pills that fall into the category of benzodiazepines, a scheduled IV controlled substance that includes Xanax, Valium, and Ativan.  These pills are prescribed for anxiety, depression, and in some cases suggested by doctors for use with opioids to treat chronic pain.  Combining them with alcohol can be fatal.    According to the Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey, about 13,000 high school students in New York City used the drug...
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Thinking about Life after Graduation – Paths to an Early Start

5/25/2019
on-the-job-training
Experiences and learning outside of the classroom help shape a child’s perspective when it comes to making decisions about what sort of work they might want to pursue.  The following are ideas to think about as a parent:While all children and young adults use technology in their daily lives, 69% of women who have not pursued careers in technology haven’t done so because of not knowing what opportunities are available to themPrograms such as “Take Our Daughters and Sons to...
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Selling Your Product – YOU

5/20/2019
Marketing Yourself
DO – Market YourselfRemember resumes and social profiles are the first impression people get of youKeep information up to dateBasic rules: all information should be easy to identify and written in a clear and concise mannerNo longer than one to two pagesSharpen your professional profile – show your knowledge and what you’re passionate aboutPublish short blogs posts to your professional profilePublish a few thoughts on a regular basis to keep your name at the forefront and...
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The Wrong Ways to Approach Teenage Drinking

5/15/2019
Current strategies being used by well-intentioned parents for “harm reduction” is actually helping to fuel an epidemic of teenage binge drinking.  Although many parents drank when they were young there are important differences between teen drinking then and now.  In 1991 about half of high school students reported the consumption of alcohol while today less than 18% of high school students drink.  However, today, those that do drink, choose to do so in excess and report...
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Fitting School and Studies with Work and Family Responsibilities

5/12/2019
Balancing-School-and-Work
Questions to consider before registering for your first class:Make sure the education you seek is the door that’s right for youConsider and plan how you’re going to get everything doneBe sure you can work out an arrangement with your workplace to accommodate your school scheduleMake sure you can enlist family help to get chores done Questions to consider when looking at a specific college program:Examine your goals and motivations and how going back to school fits in –...
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Being Ready Financially When Changing Jobs

5/5/2019
Deciding-What-to-Do-with-Your-401k-Plan-When-You-Change-Jobs-Eduscapes-NJ
In order to start a new job focused and ready, you need to assess your financial situation and make any necessary adjustments.  It is important to keep the following in mind:Don’t forget about money you already have as in keep track of your 401(k) if you had one at your previous job.  Simplify the financial picture by bringing together any orphan plans.  Make sure to take advantage of the new employer’s 401(k) match feature, if offered, and continue to increase your...
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Rates of Depressed Young People Rise as Percentages Remain Stable for Older People

5/2/2019
Statistics from the American Psychological Association based on the past 10 to 12 years:Major depression jumped 52 percent among 12 to 17 year olds63 percent jump for 18 to 25 year oldsSerious psychological distress and suicide-related thoughts or outcomes rose 71 percent in young adults   So what is driving the changes that are disproportionally affecting those who are young at this particular period in history?   The APA noted that “cultural trends in the last 10 years may...
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What does it really mean to find a “balance” between screen time & the real world?

4/29/2019
screen-time
On this corner – dire warnings about game addictions and developmental consequences of letting your children spend too much time on devices.  In the opposite corner – the powerful siren lure of phones, laptops, tablets, and video games and our children’s incessant demands for more time to play games, catching up with friends, or watching endless hours of YouTube. In the middle – parents who need to figure out the line between what is necessary (or acceptable) and what is...
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