Parenting Guide - ActionNewsJax.com - Action News Jacksonville - Jacksonville News, Weather, Sports and Entertainment - Florida News, Georgia News, Jacksonville Jaguars

They're not being deprived of food, shelter and clothing. Nor are they being deprived of toys, computer games and television. Kids are being deprived of boundaries.

One of the joys of coming of age used to be pushing against the boundaries. The delight of inching toward adulthood was nudging your toe right up against the big black lines that bellowed, "No, not yet, wait just a few years longer." Now, for many, the lines have faded, and the boundaries have fallen.

Tidbits

	Peer pressure Who teens are 'hanging out' with, who their friends are, and the general attitudes of the communities in which they're is involved can have an enormous effect on the attitudes of young people, especially as they become adolescents.
	Eating disorders Eating disorders primarily affect young women between the ages of 12 and 25, mostly from middle- or upper-income families and rarely are found in developing countries.
	Lead poisoning Children under six are every susceptible to lead (led) poisoning. Lead can be found throughout the environment: from plumbing pipes or deteriorating paint in the soil, or in paint dust generated during a home or daycare center's renovation.
	Teen depression Recognizing that a teenager is depressed is just as important as knowing the child has a physical illness. Teenagers can become depressed for various reasons, and symptoms can range from feeling mildly 'blue' to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
	Water temperatures Tap water can reach temperatures high enough to scald and burn children. It's important for childcare facilities to clearly label faucet handles so even non-readers can distinguish between hot and cold.
	Babysitters When choosing a baby-sitter, consider the attributes of attitude, strength, and knowledge. An easy way to remember these qualities is 'a-s-k', or 'ask.
	Infant diaper rash Nearly every baby develops diaper rash at some time. Red patches on the infant's buttocks, genitals, or thighs are the most common symptom. They may become severely inflamed if the bacteria in the child's urine breaks down into ammonia.