May 2017
Quick Links
Click to learn more about
 Health and Wellness
and
 Young Men's 
Health and Wellness

Summer Activity Forms

Camp? Sports? Travel?
Most require a form signed by your medical provider and an annual physical/sports physical within the last year.  

Call 972-733-6565 ext 1 to schedule an appointment.  
Please check out the 2017 GPS to learn more about the journeys we offer for   Brownie, Cadette and Senior girls!  Or, click here for more information about our Girl Scout journeys .
 
To schedule your journey, contact Sharlene in our program department at 972-733-6565 or at  programs@gtw-health.com.
* School Counselors * 
* NCL GLAs * 
* Progam Directors *
* Parents *
We design our programs to meet your specific needs. 
To schedule one of our speakers, please contact 
Miki Johnston, LCSW 
at 214-727-5092 or at 

Click  HERE to read more about our Speaker Bureau progam and topics.

#YOUWOULDNTUNDERSTAND
Bridging the Communication Gap: 
How to Speak So Your Child Will Hear
by Susan Sugerman, MD, MPH
Co-founder Girls to Women Health and Wellness/Young Men's Health and Wellness

We have had ample opportunity by the time our children reach adolescence to provide instructions and give advice.  By then, teens take over much of their teaching themselves.  This is when the brain "prunes" its neurons, making new connections and cutting back on unnecessary ones based on their own experiences. They learn in real time, reinforced by events and the emotions that go with them.  Think about it-our strongest memories stem from the lessons learned from our own mistakes (compared with "lectures" from our parents).  When children learn from their own actions, they gain wisdom that lasts a lifetime.

But wait! We have a lot to say.  We want them to hear us; we want to stay involved in shaping their development. How do we let them explore independently and yet continue to influence them as they grow?

Start by focusing on connections that foster productive conversation in the first place.  Reinforce healthy bonding by emphasizing non-judgmental-and often non-verbal-shared experiences.  Create pleasant, regular rituals, such as walking the dog together, watching a favorite TV series, or making cookies on rainy days.  When you do nothing other than share the same air, you establish "safe zones" for mutual interaction regardless of whether she is mad at you or whether he is grounded.  Maintaining connected relationships allows the possibility of meaningful conversations when it really counts later.

When your child does want to talk, slide shut the imaginary zipper over your mouth.  Be the sounding board, not the sound.  Our kids know exactly what we think; they can give our own lectures for us by the time they're ten years old.  What's new to them is their own thought process, using their own intellect to verbalize their experiences and develop their own judgments.  You can help by guiding them in a choreographed way with a few well-placed "Hmm's" and the occasional "So then what happened?" With a few gentle phrases, you can direct the conversation exactly where you want it to go.  Even when a consequence is warranted, you can use this type of "active listening" to help your child figure out on his own what went wrong and what to do next ("So now what do you think you should do?").

When you let your children do the talking-without feedback, opinion, or criticism-they are more likely to keep talking.  When they keep talking, they are more likely to connect the dots on their own.  When they link cause and effect in the context of their personal experiences, they learn to adapt those lessons to new situations in the future.  When we speak up, we interrupt that process.  We "short-circuit" the pathways that lead to learning new lessons and building new skills.  They don't need us to solve every problem for them.  Just like when they were toddlers, they need to learn how to do it themselves.

When we refrain from talking too much, we increase the likelihood our kids will come to us when they need us in the future. When they know we will listen instead of immediately reacting, when they know we will involve them in problem-solving, and when they do not have to fear our responses, we become a resource to trust instead of an authority to hide from (or lie to).
The less we say, the more they figure it out for themselves.  And those are the lessons that stick.  If we do it right, they will hear us even when we don't say a thing.

Originally published in March/April   goodLIFEmagazine.com

Poop Happens, Usually
By Pam Chin-Lai, MS, RD, LD, CEDRD

It's not the most comfortable subject however, almost everyone experiences constipation at some point. Being constipated means that you have bowel movements less than three times a week and eliminating is difficult. Stools tend to be pellet formed and hard. The causes are numerous.  Stress, changes in your eating habits, inactivity, resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, some medications particularly antidepressants and iron supplements are some reasons constipation occurs. 

There are some tricks for relief:
  • Drink adequate water. Try warm liquids, especially in the morning.
  • Increase intake of fruits and veggies. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stool and helps it pass through your intestines faster. Good sources are whole-grain breads and cereal. Soluble fiber dissolves in water. It's in beans, peas, pears and apples.
  • Choose prunes. Prunes are nature's laxatives!
  • Be active.
  • Sit properly on the toilet.  Try using a low footrest placed in front of the toilet and incline your upper body forward slightly. This position simulates squatting which helps the muscles relax.
If more help is needed, contact your medical provider.


Pam Chin-Lai, MS, RD, LD, CEDRD, is a registered dietitian with expertise in treating adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa and bulimia. She has a passion for gently guiding clients towards normalizing their eating, improving body image, and ultimately living a fuller life. Pam, who has multiple years of experience, received her BS in Nutrition from Louisiana State University, interned at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, and completed her MS from Texas Woman's University.
You Grow Girl: Summer Self-Esteem Summit
Groups for girls who want to THRIVE in school and in life

Make New Friends

Learn new ways to Problem Solve

Let go of Self-Doubt & Gain Confidence

Improve Social Skills & Resolve Conflicts

Learn Coping Skills & How to Deal with Drama

Build Leadership & Academic Organization Skills

Gain a Sisterhood & Know that they are not alone

 

Dates
Tuesday: High School Girls (rising 9th-12th grade) starting May 30
Thursdays: Middle School Girls (rising 6th-8th grade) starting June 1

Location
Girls to Women Health and Wellness
16980 Dallas Parkway, Suite 204, Dallas, TX 75248

Time/Fee
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. / 
$289

To view more information and to register, please visit
Questions? Email  Info@CoachKeisha.com
Keisha