Is There a Med For That?

Vicki and Duncan thought it would be good to talk about the psychological concept of "locus of control," and how this pretentious-sounding term can be useful in understanding why some people grow up blaming everyone else.  

Two questions today.  The first question is from a kid (a first for the show!) about how she should deal with her own mother's guilt about her daughter's mental health struggles.  The second question is from a parent who lives with his own parents who have quite different ideas about child rearing.  

Great question from a caller that raises the issues of the temptation to resort to threats (some of them outlandish) to make your child do things, or stop doing things.  Vicki and Dunc talk about why this response is so seductive, why it doesn't work, and what to do if you've caught yourself in the empty threat trap.  

Super-simple question that proves simple isn't easy when it comes to parenting.  Dunc and Vicki take turns roleplaying the parent confronted with a daughter returning from a high school dance after drinking.  

Money, gifts, support, essentials and non-essentials: how much should we be giving our children, and how much should we expect them to do for themselves?  Vicki and Dunc's thoughts as to how to navigate the waters between providing too much ("Sure, we'll buy you that BMW!") and too little ("You'd better start a little farm and grow your own food.").  

The controversial world of personality disorders as it pertains to teenagers.  Everyone is born with narcissistic personality disorder, and marches through many others on the way to adulthood.  Vicki and Duncan talk what happens when kids get stuck along the way.  

Dunc and Vicki talk natural consequences vs. punishment and why the first is a much more effective teacher, despite requiring a good degree of faith on the parent's part.  

Two guest callers today with questions!  The first question is about how to deal with the worry of your child's developing mental illness if you struggle with one yourself.  The second is about what other mental health services we would offer to parents if we could (say if we won the lottery).  

Duncan and Vicki's experience with and take on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.  Is it a "disorder"?  Where does it come from?  What's it look like?  Should we really be giving these meds to kids, and, if so, why?  

Being a parent is exhausting work, and it's hard not to become demoralized from time to time.  Vicki and Dunc talk about ways of approaching this problem and ideas as to how to keep parental negativity from ruining your day.