5 Reasons Your Child Should Have A Car

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Every parent cringes at the thought of their teen learning to drive and getting out on the road. They think about all the potential trouble they could get into and what they might be able to get away with that they couldn't before. They worry about their teen's driving ability as well as the ability of the other drivers on the road. In the end, though, most of these parents wind up teaching their teens to drive, or having them go to a driving school to learn the valuable life skill. Although it is natural for parents to fret about their child growing up, they may underestimate the personal growth and positive life lessons a teen learns by owning a car and relying on driving themselves as their primary method of transportation. The opportunities for self improvement that come along with this new and exciting transition are a stepping stone on the road to maturity. After this article you'll want to start looking into new car finance offers to prepare.

Convenience

 

Although it isn't a lesson, one reason why it is a good idea for your teen to have a car is the convenience it will add to your life. You won't have to tote them to school and back, drive them to practice, take them to friends' houses or any of those other chores parents so often get stuck with before their teen learns to drive. Along the same vein, teens will no longer have to worry about accepting a few extra hours at work or wondering if they can actually get a ride to play practice to participate.

Independence

 

When a teenager has a car of their own, they can learn to be an independent person. If they need to run to the store to get a book for school, a supply for a project or some other item that seemed to be utterly essential to obtain immediately when you were the one driving them around, they can do it themselves. Teens who might not otherwise have had the opportunity can start working at an after school job or participate in community activities.

Responsibility

 

Parents are often afraid that when teens are given a car, they will display the opposite of this trait. However, setting boundaries regarding curfew and having the teen pay for their gas money and car insurance or earn it by picking up younger siblings or running errands can turn this attitude around. A teen can quickly realise that their car is a tool, that it costs money and that responsibility is a must when using their vehicle.

Courtesy

 

We've all experienced lousy drivers on the road who cut people off, make rude gestures or speed away in anger. By teaching your teen to be a calm, polite driver, they will quickly learn that being courteous on the road can often lead to other drivers extending the same courtesy. This lesson can easily carry over into their social life.

Safety

 

Before your teen learns to drive, you may be concerned about how they're getting around. Public transportation full of strangers can be intimidating, walking alone can be unsafe and riding in a car full of other teens whose driving skills you don't know is downright terrifying. By teaching your teen to drive carefully and understand the rules of the road, you can be assured that their method of transportation is a safe one.


Mandy is a stay-at-home mum with 2 children in primary school, in her past time she loves to garden, travel, cook and write blogs for other stay at home mums and anyone with similar interests.

Is a Career in Forensic Psychology Really a Good Idea?

While the field of forensic psychology is attractive to a large number of people, it may not be the right field for you if you don’t have the right personality or skills. Therefore, before choosing to pursue a career in this field, you definitely want to do your research into what careers can be pursued with an education in forensic psychology, as well as what the jobs within this field really entail. Because forensic psychology is such a vast field, the great thing is that getting an education in this field will allow you to pursue a variety of job opportunities. However, like all other fields of study, you want to think about what type of work you would want to pursue in the first place, in case you need to take any specialized courses or you need to pursue a more specific degree instead.

Read on to learn more about forensic psychology in order to determine if you would really like this line of work or if you should instead pursue a different type of career.

Forensic Psychologists Need Years of Education

 

In order to work as a forensic psychologist, you need to go through many years of difficult schooling. You’ll need a doctorate level degree in psychology, and you should specifically get a doctorate in counseling psychology or clinical psychology to really be qualified for this line of work. However, if you’re lucky, you can find a school that offers a degree in the field of forensic psychology instead, further narrowing down your career choice.

After spending anywhere from five to seven years in school to get your degree and appropriate level of training while you’re a student, you graduate and can go on to the next step, which is finding a job and getting the appropriate number of years of experience that will qualify you to become board certified. If you choose to, you can become certified as a Diplomat of Forensic Psychology, opening up new doors to many more clients and a more respectable reputation in the field.

The Great Things About Working in Forensic Psychology

 

Many people who pursue a degree in forensic psychology and are able to get a job working in field find plenty to love about it. One of the great things about this degree is the ability to pursue a variety of careers, including those in government, education, consulting and the court system. These jobs are challenging but also highly rewarding, so they’re certainly worth the time and effort. But the best thing about forensic psychology is the ability to help others who are truly in need of assistance.

The Cons of Working in Forensic Psychology

 

Like any other career path, forensic psychology also comes with its own set of drawbacks. Many people who work in the field complain of a high level of stress. The jobs within forensic psychology can be very nerve-wracking and they can eventually lead to burnout. If you don’t deal with frustration well and don’t like high-pressure environments, this career path isn’t right for you after all.


About the Author: Lisa is a writer who enjoys writing about career opportunities to help students find their best path in life. She knows how important it is to really analyze the pros and cons of every career before pursuing it. If you’ve decided that you’re ready, click here for forensic psychology degree resources.

This Silent Epidemic Kills 5 Children Every Day

Child abuse is an ongoing problem in America which occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. Its effects are far-reaching, long-lasting, and absolutely devastating. It’s terrible to think that The United States has the worst record of any other industrialized nation when it comes to child abuse losing five children every day due to abuse-related deaths.

According to ChildHelp USA, a staggering 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made each year, and many experts estimate that only a third of child abuse incidents are ever reported at all. This means that the actual number of child abuse cases is more likely to be around 10 million every year.

Who Is Responsible?    

Sadly, the individuals who are most often responsible for child abuse-related fatalities are the parents and caregivers themselves. I’m sure that most parents can’t even imagine hurting their own children, let alone doing something to cause their death. Although it's difficult to fathom, child abuse fatalities happens fairly often.   Recent Cases Just earlier this month, a homeless mother of six let her 2-month-old son starve to death while the family was staying in a shelter. The saddest part is, the shelter offered access to food, and baby formula.

 

In December of 2012, thirty-four-year-old Brian Michael Miller was charged with first-degree child abuse resulting in death when he pushed his girlfriend’s two-year-old son down onto a hard floor. The child hit his head, and died from his injuries.

James D. Blanchard, 21, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after shaking his infant son so badly, that doctors say the child will never be able to walk or talk because of irreversible damage to his brain and spine.

Other Consequences Of Child Abuse  

According to Instant Checkmate’s blog, children who suffer from abuse and neglect are significantly more likely to struggle later in life as adults. These problems can range in severity from psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, to an increased risk for drug use and/or violent behavior later in life.   

Silent Victims    

While teaching children to speak up and tell an adult they trust if they’re being abused is helpful, this strategy can’t prevent the vast majority of child abuse cases because most victims can’t speak out. According to the website, DoSomething.org, most children become victims of abuse and neglect at 18 months or younger. Additionally, in almost 80% of child-abuse related deaths, the child was under the age of four. Sadly, this means that many infants and young children are suffering in silence, unable to ask for help.   

How To Spot And Prevent Child Abuse 
 

Signs of emotional abuse in a child can include: being excessively fearful, withdrawn, or anxious about doing something wrong, showing extremes in behavior, (the child can either be very compliant and cooperative, or very aggressive and demanding). The child acts overly adult (taking care of other children), or overly infantile (thumbsucking, rocking, throwing tantrums).

Signs of physical abuse in a child can include: frequent, unexplained injuries, shying away from being touched, or flinching at sudden movements, and always wearing longsleeves, even when it’s hot outside.

Recognizing child abuse and actually doing something about it are two different things. If you think a child might be suffering from abuse, REPORT IT! When reporting abuse, some key things to keep in mind are to remain calm and comforting, don’t ask intrusive questions, reassure the child they did nothing wrong, and that safety comes first. And of course, let professionals handle the serious stuff like getting the child removed from the home.

With child abuse and neglect responsible for the deaths of five innocent children every day, we can’t afford to tell ourselves “It’s not my business” or “Maybe it’s not that bad.” If you see something, DO something. It could easily save a child’s life.

Jessica Ruane is a blogger who is passionate about social justice and human rights.