Latest news with #school
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- General
- Irish Times
‘My 16-year-old son doesn't like the way he looks. He seems to be struggling with puberty'
Question My 16-year-old son doesn't like the way he looks. He won't have his hair cut as he is trying to cover his face with his hair. This is causing students in his class to make nasty comments about his appearance. On occasion he is refusing to go to school because he doesn't want anyone to see him. He is very anxious and avoids social situations. He doesn't socialise outside school, but talks to friends online. He has now said he doesn't like his friends and doesn't want to hang out with them at school any more or speak online. He won't say why. I have tried to explain that it doesn't matter what people look like and he shouldn't care what people think. Also, I have talked to him about building resilience. He seems to be struggling with puberty and how his body is changing and also his features. This is really impacting his life now and affecting his school work. I read online about 'body dysmorphia disorder' and wondered if this is what is affecting him. We are not sure how to help him and would appreciate your advice. READ MORE Answer Lots of teenagers worry about their appearance or are unhappy about certain parts of their body. When these feelings and thoughts become excessive so that they start negatively affecting their quality of life, then the teenager may have a condition called body dysmorphic disorder. This can start off mild and then become more serious as the negative thoughts become habitual, and the teenager can spend large amounts of time ruminating and obsessing about their appearance. This can lead to low self-esteem and avoiding going out to meet people socially. As you have discovered, simply reassuring your teenager that they look fine or that they should not worry about what other people think usually does not reduce their obsessions – they may know this rationally but are finding it too hard to control their negative thoughts. [ Body image: 'It's a total bombardment of social media' Opens in new window ] Listening to your son Try to encourage your son to talk about what is going on for him. Ask him to describe his thoughts and feelings in detail. For example, encourage him to talk about how he feels going out and how he thinks growing his hair might help him. As you listen try to communicate compassion and understanding: 'Lots of people ruminate about their appearance – it can be really hard to change this.' Initially you are not trying to 'judge' or 'challenge' what he is saying, you are simply trying to help him talk and vent his feelings – this will help him feel better and not alone. Helping your son talk Of course, lots of teenagers find it hard to open up about something as personal as their body image, and asking too many direct questions can feel like a pressure and make them close down. In this instance it can work to take a step back and communicate a message that you are there for them when they are ready to talk. You can also make sure to be available at the times your teen is more likely to talk (such as travelling one to one to activities or late at night when they are more open). You can also create daily 'opportunities for conversation' such as arranging a trip when you can be one to one and relaxed together. Naming what is going on Naming his condition as something external to him could be helpful. You can start this conversation by talking informally about BDD – 'it sounds like you might be suffering from body dysmorphia disorder; this can happen to lots of teenagers'. Then you can encourage him to seek a diagnosis and further help (see below). A diagnosis of BDD could help him view his condition more objectively and help him to realise that he is not alone – that lots of teenagers feel this way. It also means that you both can research the condition online. Check out together some of the reputable medical websites, which describe BDD and related conditions as well as treatments and support groups that he might be interested in attending. Getting help You can seek formal assessment and support by going to your GP to get a referral to your local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). The recommended treatments for BDD include: Supportive counselling to help him talk through his feelings Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help him change his negative thoughts and ruminations Family therapy to help you support him and medication, notably SSRIs, which are a type of antidepressant that have been shown to have a positive impact. Finally, overcoming BDD and body image concerns can take some time. It is important to help him live his life well despite his ruminations. Continue to support him to get involved in his passions and fun activities and to support him to reach out and make friendships whether online or face to face. John Sharry is clinical director of the Parents Plus Charity and an adjunct professor at the UCD School of Psychology. See
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
21 Hilarious Yet Humbling Things Kids Have Said To Their Parents
If there's one thing kids can do, it's keep their parents humble. You're a mom or dad just going about your day, feeling pretty good about yourself, and in comes your offspring to knock you down a peg or two. Granted, they're (probably) not calling you out to hurt your feelings — they just operate with a brutal kind of honesty that can be both harsh and endearing at the same time. We asked parents to share some of their funniest stories about the humbling comments they've gotten from their kids. Read them below. 1. 'My 3-year-old son told me out of the blue when we were playing the other day, 'Mommy, you so beautiful!' I said, 'Aww, thanks buddy!' And then he replied, 'You look like Olaf' (The snowman from 'Frozen').' — Mary A. 2. 'During COVID, when our school district was offering some in-person instruction, my kids were home three days a week and in-person two days a week. Our neighbor asked my then-5-year-old how his teacher was. He said, 'My school teacher is really good. My home teacher — not so much.' I was his home teacher.' — Sarah J. 3. 'After I put my pants on backwards I laughed at myself and said, 'Look how silly!' to my then-5-year-old, who responded in a quite exasperated tone: 'And you're in charge!?!' Listen, dude, I'm as surprised as you are most days, but here we are.' — My Life Is The Pitts Family on Facebook 4. 'I was sitting across the table from my daughter, just the two of us, when she said, 'I love Mom.' 'That's nice,' I said — apparently unconvincingly, because she reached across the table to grab my arm like someone consoling a friend over coffee. 'I like you, too!' she said, giving my arm a slight squeeze. 'It's just, I love Mom.' As a parent you don't want your kid to be a people-pleaser, especially at the sake of their own feelings, so I loved that she wanted to assure me while also clarifying where I stand.' — Kevin Laferriere of @thedumbdads on Instagram 5. 'Picked up my daughter, age 5, from preschool. She told me, 'I made something for you at school today. And I was right! You DO have grey hair!'' — Maddie D. 6. 'Son in college called to tell me he had met 'the one' — the girl of his dreams. He gushed about her for many minutes, then said, 'Actually, she reminds me a lot of you, but without the annoying parts.'' — Kathy D. 7. 'When my son was 3 and a half, I took him to a water park for the day, just me and him. It happened to be that time of the month for me, and I was trying to discreetly take care of things in the bathroom stall we were both not only noticed, but loudly and repeatedly asked me if I 'was bleeding because my penis broke off.' There was a lot of amused but compassionate laughter to be heard in that restroom!' — Heather B. 8. 'While I was changing clothes in my room (and thus, naked), my daughter started singing, 'Mommy has a big white butt!' Which, as you can imagine, was exactly what I wanted to hear in that moment. In these moments, I tried to respond with something positive or neutral (i.e., 'Oh, that's just how bodies are, everyone's body is different'), but inside I was thinking, 'Wow, darling, you sure know how to make a gal feel good about her appearance.'' That being said, I do love how these kinds of observations — when they come from kids — don't have any judgment behind them; they're just naming what they notice about our adult bodies when they look at them.' — Mary Catherine Starr of @momlife_comicson Instagram 9. 'I asked my son how old he thinks I am. He said 5,000. The grey hairs must be showing.' — Monique M. 10. 'I was sitting in my favorite chair in a quiet moment between chores when I saw my sweet daughter tapping away at a rectangular Lego piece, humming to herself. When I asked her what she was doing she simply stated, 'Being like you, mom: Texting, texting, texting!' Well, first it struck me as funny because, at my age, I hardly have any friends to text. But she was calling me out for being on my phone too much, and it bothered me! Of course she doesn't see or understand all of the things I take care of via my phone, like my side business, school emails, appointments, etc., but maybe none of that matters. The point is, she notices I'm more focused on the phone than her. It has caused me to be more cognizant of how much I pick it up in my children's presence, and hopefully my kids will think of me as someone who bakes and plays games, instead of the tech zombie she thought I was!' — CJ Kelsey 11. 'Being a working mum, preparing dinner is usually a mad rush. This results in what ends up on the plate being less-than-appealing. I had this reinforced by my 10-year-old last December when she *supportively* announced that her favorite gravy was my 'gravy with the lumps in.'' — Laura P. of Late To The Party Laura on Instagram 12. 'I got a new bag one time. It was secondhand and very boho chic. I asked my oldest daughter if she liked it. She said, 'I do. It's very you; old and worn out, but in a good way.''— Kristin C. 13. 'I was visiting friends at their place with my 5-year-old son Owen and they had served some snacks on the table. I picked up a cookie and Owen quickly said to me, 'Mummy, don't eat all the cookies, OK?' So I replied, 'This is only my first one.' Owen then said rather audibly for everyone to hear, 'At home you always eat all the cookies.' Everyone laughed, but I made sure not to finish all the cookies that day.' — Debbie Tung of @debbietungart 14. 'I'm a stay-at-home father of 4, one has special needs, and one is a toddler. So my time for reading is limited. From summer to December, my goal was to read three books, but I read four. I wasn't a reader growing up, so this was exciting for me, so I shared this with the family at dinner. My wife asked my 9-year-old daughter Micah, 'Well, Miss Smarty Pants, how many did you read?' Then I see this eager smirk from across the table and her eyes slicing into my soul, so excited to share something. I say, 'Is there anything you'd like to say?' She said, 'That's real cute, Dad.' I was so stunned that she said that to me. I thought to myself the most she read was maybe 10 to 15 books. She gets her iPad without saying a word and points at her total read books from mid-July to December that said 197. She looks at me with the most satisfying of smiles: 'If you wanted to challenge me, you should have read more books or had less kids.'' — John Marshall 15. 'How old were you when the Titanic sank, Mom?!?' — Buffy R. 16. 'I was explaining to my nephew, age 7, how I ask my kids to eat their protein and veggies first so they have balanced nutrition. My nephew says, 'I don't know what you are talking about,' and my son says, 'Don't worry, no one knows what she's talking about.'' — Drea Z. 17. 'I recently started exercising more and watching what I eat. I've lost a little weight and my wife said I was looking skinny. I was feeling great about myself for around five seconds, and then my 3-year-old daughter chimed in. 'Daddy, you still have a big, hairy tummy.' Honesty to keep me grounded!' — Aaron Martin of @stayathomedad on Instagram 18. 'A few years ago I decided to let my hair go gray and my high-school-aged son said to me one day, 'Mom, it's a good thing you stopped coloring your hair. It didn't match any more with your face, which is — no offense — somewhat slightly wrinkled now. It didn't match for you to have young hair.'' — Alexia W. 19. 'My son asked me if I had makeup on and when I said yes, he said, 'Well, you need more.'' — Lindsey B. 20. 'In a public bathroom: 'Mommy, why does your bottom cover the whole toilet seat but mine doesn't?' Dammit, child. Now I have to wait for everyone in this bathroom to leave.' — Jana A. 21. 'When I make my 5-year-old daughter's lunch before school, I like to ask what sounds good to her that day. She generally says either a bagel or a PB&J and some strawberries. A few days ago, I went and found her in the living room watching a cartoon before school. I bent down beside her, gave her a kiss on the cheek and asked, 'What sounds good for your lunch today, sweetheart?' Her reply: 'Ugh you smell disgusting, you smell like you haven't taken a shower in like three days. You really need to take a shower today because you smell disgusting.' She's really sweet but maybe not so much a morning person. I just laughed it off and headed back to the kitchen. Children do not have a filter and my wife and I are here for it. I couldn't wait to tell her so we could both have a good laugh about it. And no, it had not been three days! Maybe two.' — Evan Berger of @thedumbdads on Instagram 'Backwards Beach Days' Could Be A Game Changer For Your Summer Vacation 14 Embarrassing Things Little Kids Have Shouted In Public If You've Ever Wondered How High-Profile Moms 'Do It All,' Here's Your Answer.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Mom of missing girl Alisa shares heartbreak after discovering what she told 3 'pedophiles' before she vanished
The mother of a missing girl who ran away to meet an alleged pedophile has shared her devastation after discovering what her daughter told them before she vanished. Alisa Petrov, 15, has been missing since April 21 when she disappeared without a trace after being dropped off at school in Utah.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Max Verstappen Admits He Cheated to Win a Race in School and Fans Can't Believe It
Max Verstappen may be one of the most dominant drivers in Formula 1 history, but apparently, his competitive streak started long before he ever stepped into a race car. In a recent video exchange with fans, Verstappen stunned viewers with a cheeky confession about how he won a running race back in school. After a young fan proudly told him, 'I won a medal for running really fast. Have you won a medal?', the Red Bull Racing star didn't hold back. Advertisement 'I actually did win a medal back in the day when I was running very fast,' Verstappen said with a grin. 'Yeah, at school… but I did cheat a little bit.' Teammate Sergio Perez, sitting beside him, laughed and assumed the usual explanation: 'Ah, right, you jumped the start.' But Verstappen corrected him. 'No, I pushed the guy into the bush.' Max Verstappen talks to the media after 2025 Miami GP Sprint Casey-Imagn Images When Perez questioned: 'And they still gave you the medal?' The story only got funnier as Verstappen added, 'It was around the corner and they couldn't really see it.' Perez cracked up, clearly amused by the young Verstappen's stealthy tactics — and the fact that he still got the medal. Advertisement The light-hearted moment instantly resonated with fans online, sparking a wave of reactions. One fan joked, 'I mean a win is a win.' Another chimed in: 'Once a cheat…' 'Good to know he doesn't hide his OCD,' added a third, referencing Max's famously detail-driven personality. The Dutchman's candid admission is just another example of how his blunt honesty and mischievous sense of humor keep him one of the most entertaining drivers off the track as well as on it. Related: Fans Roast Max Verstappen After He Tried Hiding as 'Franz Hermann' During Ferrari Test at Nordschleife
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Teen charged after threatening message circulates online targeting high school
A teen is facing charges after police say a threatening message was posted online targeting an Orangeville high school last week. OPP officers flooded Orangeville District Secondary School Fri., May 23 to investigate the situation. Police say through the course of the investigation, they were able to identify the source of the post. A 16-year-old was taken into custody and now faces charges of false information, mischief, and breach of recognizance. The accused is scheduled to appear in court to answer to the charges. "The OPP take all public safety threats seriously and provide resources necessary to assess and respond to such threats," provincial police stated. Despite the nature of the threat, the school remained open throughout the day, with staff and students continuing their regular activities amid the heavy police presence.
