Koy Roberts, Ph.D.

From 2000 to 2005 people reported spending on average 26 hours per month with their family. By 2008 this number had dropped 30% to only 18 hrs.  Technology, mobile phones, and social networking has fundamentally changed the way family members interact.  While its easier and more convenient for families to communicate instantly the quality and quantity of time spent together has deteriorated.  We have to remember that a Blackberry or iPhone may give us instant contact and convenience but it has eroded the time and attention we give our families.  I confess I am often a culprit of technology checking email or text messages while playing with my kids.  My Father’s Day resolution is to put down the iPhone.

85% of adults with ADD have no idea they struggle with the condition.  Only 15% are aware and receive treatment.  CNN recently ran an article on ADD & Women. It’s estimated that 5 million American women deal with this problem.

28% of Texans admit to driving while texting.  While I must confess I have been an occasional offender the alarming number for me is the number of teenagers who admit to it.  A whopping 58%!  And that’s just the ones who freely acknowledge it.  This is a dangerous and potentially deadly distraction.  The federal government estimates that 30% of all auto accidents involve some type of driver distraction.

A recent Time magazine article discusses the debate.  My take is that there are wide variations in effectiveness depending upon which study you read.  Depression and its treatment is a difficult illness to measure and analyze.  Working closely with a therapist and doctor is someone’s best bet.  I really cannot understand how one could expect to beat depression without counseling.   To expect to cure it without counseling as these studies attempt to do is naive and foolish.  No wonder the success rates of these medications are so low.  We’ve known for some time that counseling is critical and for serious depression the combination of meds and counseling is your best bet to beat it and prevent it from coming back.

Teenagers are not the only ones with social networking obsessions.

If you’ve never discussed the issue of ‘sexting’ with your teen – please do so.  20% of adolescents admit to doing it.

Wouldn’t it be something if a doctor could give you a pill to erase painful or traumatic memories, bad habits or addictions?

Today is “World Autism Awareness Day”.  These parents deserve our utmost support and praise. These pervasive developmental disorders are not all severe and debilitating.  Many kids have what is called Asperger’s Syndrome characterized by social difficulties, a narrow range of interests, and a lack of emotional and social reciprocity.  Social skill and emotional coping therapies have helped these children significantly so they lead successful lives.

Just in case we ever wonder how really important a Daddy is to his children.

One of my best friends, Nathan Berry, an ophthalmologist in Burleson, passed along this email to me….
YOU AND YOUR CHILD
BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION
President Ronald Reagan accurately stated, “The home is the bricks and mortar of America.” The ultimate thermostat of a home is the parent. The way you and I talk to our spouses, our kids and our friends sets the tone of our home. If I criticize, complain, condemn, and “worry out loud” I can be sure my kids will be troubled and unstable emotionally. My world, like yours, is a RODEO these days! What can a parent do to keep the atmosphere at home calm and respectful?
THE WORRY TREE
When my kids were small, I heard a dear mentor of mine named Dr. Howard Hendricks say that every parent needs a “worry tree” just outside the front door. When we come into the house for the evening we hang all our fears and worries from the office, newspapers, etc. on the tree. When we leave the home in the morning they’ll be out there patiently waiting for us! (Better still, burn the tree!) The worry tree outside my front door happens to be a “red bud” tree. That tree must have strong branches. I’ve hung a world of worry and stress on that tree through the years. Thank you Howard Hendricks!
While speaking in Atlanta the other day, I encountered one of my favorite Kamp dads who is a banker and father of three young campers. His entire system is riding on the precipice of uncertainty. Many of his colleagues across the country are out of work and their companies are in “Chapter 11.” His home is calm, his heart is calm, and his kids are cheerful and resolute. I asked him what it was like and how he did it. His answer was insightful, “My kids have to see in me that I’m not afraid. My kids and I talk openly about what I’m feeling. I remind them of all God has done for us and that God is in control. God is a promise maker and a promise keeper. What’s real is not how much we have or don’t have. What’s real is God. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not passive. I’m in a battle and I’ll work hard to be the best in my field I can possibly be. I’ll bring my best to the game everyday, but ultimately God’s in control, not me.” Then my friend said something that gave me even greater peace, “History is full of men and women who’ve gone through failure and come out stronger on the other side.”

-Author Unknown