First Eleven Spring Issue

HEALTH ADVICE
Agony Aunt
First Eleven’s Agony Aunt, Jackie Harland, director of the
London Children’s Practice, addresses the niggles which can
vex anxious parents and dominate dinner party conversation
CAN I DO ANYTHING TO
HELP MY DAUGHTER’S
POCKET MONEY – HOW MUCH?
ACNE?
Q
My daughter has had Q
Our seven year old management. Pocket money is that pocket money should
daughter is asking for can be given to children be given and not earned
lovely skin until now, pocket money and we don’t when they are old enough and withheld on behavioural
but aged 14 she has suddenly know how much to give her. to understand the concept, grounds. You can guide
developed bad acne. How can Should we advise her on how around ﬁve. I would suggest children on what to save for
I help her to get rid of it and to spend it and should we one to two pounds a week for but let them choose a toy that
what should I say to her? make her work for it? a six- to seven-year-old. My will only take a few weeks to
A
This is such a difficult
one for teenagers and A
P

ocket money is an nieces get this and manage to get. Older children can have
excellent way of helping save quickly enough for small the opportunity to earn extra
parents. I remember my father children to learn money toys or a book. My opinion money by doing jobs.
telling me I needed to see a
doctor and his recognition of
my skin problem devastated praising my son when his sister any friends at school and other I’M WORRIED MY
me. However, medical attention is struggling to do the same children don’t play with her. TEENAGE SON MIGHT
is very important and so I things. How can I improve her When I talk to the teachers BE TAKING DRUGS
would say something like ‘you self-conﬁdence? they say this isn’t true and she
are a really beautiful girl but if Q
Are there any signs that
I should look out for if I
you feel your skin is an issue A
Dyslexia is an interesting is always playing with someone
condition as although it and seems quite happy. suspect that my teenage son is
then let’s get some medical is categorised as a difficulty, taking illegal drugs?
help so that it is no longer most children with dyslexia A
A child’s perspective can
be very different from a
a problem for you’. Doctors have some areas of real teacher’s in this area. A good A
There are a number of
signs that you can look
can prescribe a range of strength such as creative indicator is whether your for but some of these are
different medications as well as thinking and heightened daughter is being invited to play normal teenage behaviour so
recommend healthy eating, lots sensory awareness. Many high dates and parties etc. If she is be careful not to misdiagnose.
of water and good cleansing achievers and creative people not, it may be a reﬂection on Look for signs such as change
products giving antibacterial have dyslexia. Your job is to the depth of her friendships. I of friendships and priorities,
effects and combating excess ﬁnd these strengths – which feel it is important for parents to weight loss or gain, money
oil production. Although may be in art, music or other actively look for suitable friends. difficulties, restlessness,
expensive, many have found creative skills – and ﬁnd outlets Ask the teacher who she likes disrupted sleep, confusion,
Dermalogica products excellent. where she can excel and to play with and invite them to isolation, furtiveness, mood
Dermalogica develop her conﬁdence. Give your home. When they come swings and the ‘munchies’.
www.dermalogica.com/uk her different projects from her make sure you’ve set up exciting Certain drugs will have their
brother so that her skills can be activities and keep an eye on own speciﬁc symptoms. There
PREVENTING emphasised and not compared. how things are progressing. are a number of agencies,
UNFAVOURABLE British Dyslexia Association Also encourage friend-making such as Drug Proof Your Kids,
COMPARISONS www.bdadyslexia.org.uk opportunities in after school that give free advice and
Q
I have 12 year old twins, clubs. If this is a signiﬁcant issue, training for parents in this
T
O
O
H
P
one bright boy and MY DAUGHTER SAYS SHE I recommend asking the teacher area and your GP should
K
C
T
O the other a girl with dyslexia IS LONELY AT SCHOOL about any buddy systems and have further details.
:

I
S
E who has self esteem issues. supported social activities that Drug Proof Your Kids
G
A
I
M
I feel awkward about always Q
My six-year-old daughter
says she doesn’t have they can put in place. www.dpyk.org.uk
60 FIRST ELEVEN SPRING 2010 WWW.FIRSTELEVENMAGAZINE.CO.UK
pp60FESPR10 Agony Aunt FINAL.indd 60 29/1/10 11:51:41
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