My son has discovered the connection between diet/nutrition, depression and
self harm. Brilliant! More on this later!

Just couple more days before my Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course
in Birmingham.

My Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course is just one week away.
Finalizing a few logistical preparations. Watch out for our next Open
national event Spring 2011

Having a new broadband provider today - looking for an easy transition

God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the
courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to see and know the
difference.

Government benefit to work proposal likely to create great rifts within
families and break strained family ties and relationships

The key to success is NOT to do what others do and say; it is to KNOW you
can, believe you can and do what you can do to the best of your ability!! If
you know what to expect from yourself, you will always LIVE up to your
greatest expectation!

Not so much in favour of the vandalism but definitely in favour of students
protesting against excessive uni fees! Appalling! What are WE doing to our
young people! Their in debt before they even start out in the real world!
Super hiked up fees in two years time just as my youngest son leaves school.
Yipppeee! NOT!

Just sent off a very slight amendment to the proof for my 'self harm and
pregnancy' article with Midwives.

Just been told that my article on 'self harm and pregnancy' will be run as
the cover feature of 'Midwives' magazine later this month. Looking forward
to seeing it and will let you know when it is published! Feeling good!

Some parents on my Easy Tiger Parents Programme mistakenly think that
TEENAGERS don't want to be shown love! MISTAKE!! Who doesn't want to be
loved? Or shown love? We all do, don't we? How we receive it is what makes
the difference, isn't it? Yes our teens definitely want to be shown love.
Even just a physical connection from us such as pat on our teen's head,
knee, elbow etc is enough for them to know that we care. So go on - show
your teen some love!

A parent on one of my Easy Tiger Parents Programme asked me if I thought
decorating her home would help her to lift her spirits. I left that thought
with her and looking forward to hearing her answer tomorrow at the next
session. I took couple days off last week painting with my son and I feel
absolutely fantastic, energized and uplifted! Feel great looking at what
we've achieved together

Shame Radio show with Voice America didn't meet my expectations. Now looking
for the next opportunity. Next!

Just last few places left on The Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course,
26 November 2010, in Birmingham. See more info here
http://ping.fm/GWVwv

My editorial is in the Primary Care Today newspaper/journal this coming week
- entitled: 'Exposed.. NHS staff lack self harm training'. Will let you know
how you can get your copy or access it online

Had a great chilled out few days this week with my son! Feel refreshed and
ready for the new week ahead!

"Let's not confuse hasty decisions with strength or intelligence. It's
important to be decisive - after giving consideration that reflects the time
you have and what's at stake." Bill Blackman

When one door closes another one opens! About 3 weeks ago I gave notice to
my Aerobics instructor that I would not be returning to the classes. It was
a particular aerobics programme combined with weight loss (we are weighed
every week), which is just what I needed, however, due to my hypoglyceamic
condition, I have to eat often. As you can image, due to eating often I have
and continue to gain weight, hence leaving the aerobics programme because I
felt that I was setting myself up to fail. That said, the following week I
discovered that my local leisure centre was starting a circuit training
programme on the same evening that I used to do aerobics. I signed up
straight away! So I'm still keeping fit and healthy but without the stress
of and focus on whether I've lost weight or not. I have an upcoming hospital
appointment next month to find out the extent of my condition. This concept
of one door closing and another opening is just a simple example in my life
currently.

What do you need to let go of in order that you can move forward? An
argument? A relationship? A job? Certain friends? Change will only happen
when you create space for the new thing to come into your life. When is NOW
the right time for you to let go!? Have an inspirational filled week and
thoughts!

On one of my Easy Tiger Parents programmes, many of the parents are
extremely anxious for one reason or another. I normally do my own relaxation
or meditation as part of the programme, with this particular group I feel I
need a little extra help - one of my relaxation CDs. My intention is to
liberate them so that they leave the programme leaving calm, enabled, ready,
willing to take more risks, bonded with their children and generally
LIBERATED!

It's half term in Birmingham and the West Midlands this week. If you have
children, how are you spending your time together? My son and I did some
painting on Sunday and will spend another day tomorrow. I am very impressed
with his painting skills given that he's only ever painted his bedroom walls
before. He was as proud as punch and felt that he had a 'productive' day.
Brilliant!

Writing my proposal today for my Radio Show. If all goes well, we go live
this winter. Will keep you posted

Will look at spec for a new Radio Talk Show online that I have been
approached by Voice America to host. If the spec is right, then the show
will go live this winter. Will keep you posted

I had a really good circuit training session yesterday evening. Brilliant!
Feeling great. For people who are feeling down, depressed, lethargic -
exercise is a great medicine. Check it out! Fantastic medicine for people
who value their bodies

Leadership Quote: "A friendship founded on business is a good deal better
than a business founded on friendship."- John D. Rockefeller

I'm in the middle of re-drafting my editorial for Primary Care Today
publication. Surprising how much time writing articles and editorials can
take! However, persevering!

Awful news - mother commits suicide following her son's suicide. Read more
here: http://tinyurl.com/33cpt6b

Just 6 Places left on my Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course, 26
November 2010 in Birmingham. More info here:

http://ping.fm/bVi32

I've got some really anxious parents on one of my new Easy Tiger Parents'
Programmes! I normally do my own relaxing and meditation exercises as part
of the programme with parents, however with this particular group of
parents, I think some extra help is needed - one of relaxation CDs as well.
The calmer they are, the more they'll be able to absorb and make the most of
the tools and solutions from the programme. Looking forward to it!

Full of beans and energy these days, now that I am able to get back to my
exercises after my mini op. Feeling great! This is a great testimony for
anyone feeling low in energy or lethargic - start exercising and notice the
difference it makes in your energy levels and mindset.

'I know there is a power for good in the universe and I call up on that
power to perfect every condition in my life.' Iyanla Vanzant

Here what young people have to say about how our society is failing them
regarding mental health issues http://tinyurl.com/22w49ny

Places are filling up, however, we still have some places left on The
Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course, 26 November 2010. Secure your
place now to avoid disappointment
http://ping.fm/jMck4

Glad Cheryl brought back Treyc Cohen on the X Factor. Thought she did her a
real disservice last week not selecting as a finalist at judges house. I
agree with Simon Cowell that her vocals were the best of all the contestants
tonight

"Most people's lives are a direct reflection of the expectations of their
peer group." Tony Robbins. Basically, choose your environment and choose
your friends!

Another 2 delegates from London signed up today for The Psychology of Self
Harm & Behaviour Course, 26 November 2010. check it out here:

http://ping.fm/wpUrv

Just had my numbers confirmed for parents joining my new Easy Tiger Parents
Programme next week - 10 parents. Another 5/6 parents yet to confirm. I work
with a maximum of 12 parents so that they get their needs met.

I have just been invited for a radio interview on BBC 3 Counties radio
station, west midlands, to discuss Domestic Violence. "Would you ever
forgive a partner for hitting you?" is the focus of the show. Listen in if
you can http://ping.fm/hDqu5 or check
out the iPlayer link to listen after the show

Got one of my articles accepted for publication in a midwives magazine.
Another article just needs a slight amendment and tweaking before another
magazine accepts it

Oh well, start of another new Easy Tiger Parents Programme next week -
yeahhhhh :-)

Finished another great Easy Tiger Parents Programme yesterday. I always have
mixed feelings at the end of a programme. Happy that the parents have grown
so much; are in a different space and place emotionally; are different
parents; have risen to the challenges I have thrown at them; and leave the
programme walking 10ft tall. Add I'm sad to see them go!

"Sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character;
sow a character, and you reap a destiny."
George Dana Boardman

Final session of one of my Easy Tiger Parents Programmes tomorrow. Can't
wait to see how the parents have grown since last week! A brand new
programme starts next week too and looking forward to that!

"The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second
listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching
others." Solomon Ibn Gabriol

I am booked to attend a ONE DAY Marketing event with Jay Conrad Levinson,
father of Guerilla Marketing. I have heard him speak before and his
marketing techniques are simple yet profound. Absolutely brilliant! Get your
FREE TICKET to see him here:
http://ping.fm/jlKim

Even more breakthroughs today on my Easy Tiger Parents Programme with
parents letting go of fears which have held them captive for years. Parents
left the session walking 10ft tall. Love it when that happens!

Parents on my Easy Tiger Parents Programme now understand where their lack
of confidence comes from and are ready to nip the cycle in the bud so their
children get the best from them as parents and not repeat the same patterns.

Waiting for two Registration Forms from London today for The Psychology of
Self Harm & Behaviour Course, 26 November

Claim your place on The Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course, 26
November 2010
http://ping.fm/vwdCM

4 more delegates signed up today for The Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour
Course, 26 November 2010, Birmingham. Really pleased :-)

YES YOU CAN! 137 Inspirational Tips To Help You Take Control of Your Life.
Get this inspirational little ebook to lift your day
http://tinyurl.com/2eeacy9

Will be sorting out train and accommodation arrangements today for my self
harm training events in Kent end of the month

Focusing on my articles for Midwifery journals regarding self harm in
pregnancy or post birth

"Energy is the essence of life. Every day you decide how you're going to use
it by knowing what you want and what it takes to reach that goal, and by
maintaining focus" Oprah Winfrey

We also have GPs who are interested in attending this Self Harm Training
course
http://ping.fm/ZRPHm

The Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course taking place Friday 26
November 2010, Birmingham. Find out more here

http://ping.fm/aVRuz

"As long as you can find someone else to blame for anything that you are
doing, you cannot be held accountable or responsible for your growth or lack
of it." Sun Bear

Just had to watch Cher Lloyd's audition on X Factor again! she will be
successful, unless of course she messes up big time like some other
artists!

I'm about to launch my private Socialgo network for Parent Graduates who
have completed my Easy Tiger Parents Programmes

I'm all for the Pope lifting the ban on priests celibacy. If this will stop
more children being abused - then please lift the ban! What are your
thoughts?

What's the difference between self harm and suicide?
www.stepup-international.co.uk

"He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of
life." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream." C.S. Lewis

A new Trades Union Congress report suggests that it may take 14 years for
the private sector to create enough jobs to return employment levels to
those before the recession struck. Read more here
http://ping.fm/vISWw . So much reliance on the private
sector to sort out the economic mess made by others and yet the private
sector is left out on its own to fend for itself with banks not lending and
with increased government squeeze!

Start by working on your self worth, how you value yourself and your self
image. What is going on on the inside? This is where you need to begin to
make the necessary changes that are right for you.

"You may not know how to raise your self esteem, but you certainly know how
to stop lowering it!" Awo Osun Kunle

I'm increasingly being asked to attend child protection case conference
meetings or to provide reports for Social Workers because of the work I do
with parents as part of my Easy Tiger Parents SystemT. This is something
that I am not prepared to do as it jeopardizes my work with parents and my
ability to remain impartial and independent so that the parents get the best
of me and from my programmes. As a professional, I am obliged to report any
child protection issues that I may come across as part of my work. I
wouldn't hesitate to do that as ultimately I want the best for all children!
And parents are aware that this is standard practice; child protection case
conferences - NO!

Success with my car insurance! Remember I told you that I have sold my car
and currently haven�t yet replaced it? And the insurance company still
wanting me to pay for the insurance premium for the rest of the year? Well I
contacted Financial Services Authority (FSA) who regulates insurance and
finance industries � they told me how to put in a complaint and the contact
details for the relevant insurance company. I followed through and only have
to pay the cancellation fee, less than �40! I�m happy :-)

How Do You Stop or Deal With a Manipulative Parent? Some of you requested
for this blog post to be posted again. Here it is at
www.jennifermcleod.co.uk

How Do You Stop Or Deal With A Manipulative Parent?

Some parents get blinded by their own emotions and stuff going on in their lives that they fail to see the affects, hurt and damage caused by their actions. One of such examples is a parent who use and manipulate their children to get their own way against the other parent.

In my opinion, anyone who uses innocent children in that way is a coward.


So what do you do if you find yourself in the position of having your partner or your ex use and manipulate your children to get back at you or get their own way? How do you deal with the situation if they are the manipulative parent?


Well, first and foremost be clear and acknowledge that this has nothing to do with your child (children) and that it is you that your partner or ex is really attempting to get back at or hurt in some way. Also, be clear that your son/daughter is NOT responsible for being  used in this way, they are just children and it is all about your partner’s manipulative parenting!
 
For a more in-depth elaboration on this topic and solutions to move forward, Read More Here: http://snurl.com/20u2qw   

 © Jennifer McLeod

With Inspirational Blessings

Jennifer McLeod

Have you been LiBERATED yet?

New Easy Tiger Parents Programme starts today. Leaving in 25 minutes.
Opportunity to kick start some more parents on their journeys of achieving
the breakthroughs that they deserve

Manipulative Parenting

I'm getting quite a few comments on one of my blog posts that I had some
time ago about Manipulative Parents and manipulative parenting!


For a more in-depth elaboration on this topic and solutions to move forward, Read More Here: http://snurl.com/20u2qw

With Inspirational Blessings
Jennifer McLeod

"Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without
action." Benjamin Disraeli

Watched 'Bourne Ultimatum' (Jason Bourne) last night. Brilliant! I think
Matt is amazing

Regarding the subject of selling my car - I rang my car insurance company to
tell them the news and to cancel my policy given that I don't have a car at
the moment. They told me that I still had to pay the car insurance for the
rest of the year until the next renewal date!? Can anyone shed any light on
this? My understanding was that I only pay for the insurance/months that I
have used. Comments?

Sold my car privately yesterday for the first time by myself! Normally sell
my cars to car traders or part-exchange them. Hope the new owner is as happy
with it as I have been

Happy Friday everyone :-)

"How I wish I could pigeon-hole myself and neatly fix a label on! But
self-knowledge comes too late! By the time I've known myself I am no longer
what I was." Mabel Segun

And remember the Open National Psychology of Self Harm & Behaviour Course
for you 26 November 2010. More info here

http://ping.fm/pcdE0

Will be gearing up for my Self Harm programme shortly with Kent HMYOI end
September 2010

Got a new contract for Self Harm training for Officers with the Home Office
in London for December 2010

No one has power or control over you unless you allow them to. No one can
make you do anything unless you let them. Where do you stand today?

Self Injury awareness info
http://ping.fm/Uccqc

Our blogs/articles are helping students with their dissertation. Find out
more here: http://tinyurl.com/2fkzocr

Want to check out your intuition quickly, today? Go here
www.borntowin-book.com

Dissertation Writing Service is helping its customers - students - by the
value it is getting from our blogs. Read more here
http://tinyurl.com/2fkzocr

Let your Intuition become your best friend. Read how Intuition saved my son
from a school from hell http://tinyurl.com/5srs2m

The effects of bullying on self harm http://www.stepup-international.co.uk/

'Fewness of words, Greatness of deeds' Abdul Baha

Feeling really really chuffed with myself! Just created my first website
using wordpress thanks to Suzanne Barnett & co at K.I.S.S. Thanks KISS!

Get your 10% Discount on Step Up! To Your Confidence Course here:

http://stepupint-confidence2.eventbrite.com here's what one of our clients
thinks of our training "You are 'Anthony Robbins' of Birmingham. Excellent
seminar" Suki Gaddu. Book your place now whilst their available.

Are you watching BBC 3's 'Underage and Pregnant' programme? My 14 year old
son thinks that there are so many young girls pregnant. Teenage pregnancy
sadly is on the increase. What are your thoughts?

Anyone else watching BBC 3's programme 'Young, Dumb & Living off Mum'? I
think these youngsters make young people look so bad. Not all young people
are like them. What are your thoughts?

Step UP! To Your Confidence Course - 10 September 2010.

http://ping.fm/y7cz3 Make that change and difference
in your life now. Worried about your job? Need to be more confident at work?
Need to generally improve your own self confidence and self worth? Make a
start by clicking on this link

http://ping.fm/7eovb

"You are not always in control of what goes into your mind, but only you can
determine what stays there. If you allow negativity to pervade in your mind,
you will produce that negativity through your mouth" Iyanla Vanzant

"There are two things over which you have complete dominion, authority and
control - your mind and your mouth" Molefi Asante

Parenting skills are on the decline in Britain. Find out more
www.jennifermcleod.co.uk

Parenting Skills on the Decline in Britain

Labour MP Frank Field is lamenting the times when behaving respectably and with dignity were people's first priority. The customs, manners and behaviours of the Victorians are now far from being practised. Strong family structures and the existing influential network of civic institutions (such as church and trade union clubs and working men's clubs) which were widely utilised, helped towards the appropriate dignity and social manners. The reality now is that many urban areas are demonstrating drug and alcohol abuse as well as anti-social behaviour. Education seems to be on the constant decline, teenage pregnancy as well as abuse of social welfare on the rise. The support system, according to Field, has led to 'mass idleness and irresponsibility.' But who is to blame for that? Society on the whole? The government? Parents?

The lack of institutions cannot possibly have led to the decline of the social structure, neither the amount of educational institutions and services and support offered by the government. Yet, the number of single parents and the rate of unemployment have largely increased over the past five decades. Therefore, many wonder whether the government does too much which makes youngsters lose the incentive to work or whether parents have passed on wrong values to their children failing to raise them properly.

The values of family life seem to have collapsed as a majority of children are now born outside marriage. The divorce rates are constantly climbing leaving children in the liability and responsibility of a single mother whilst fathers 'refuse to acknowledge their child-rearing responsibilities and instead adopt a selfish, hedonistic approach in which they look no further than their own instant gratification.' Many seem to lack the ability to determine the outcomes of their spur-of-the-moment decisions, not realising that they influence not only their but also their offspring's future.

Field claims that today about 800,000 families in the UK are the immediate result of inadequate parenting skills. The traditional Victorian family that in similar forms has existed up to the 60s, has been replaced by a lose structure of "liberal" behaviour caused by the lack of proper parental guidance, support and upbringing. Instead of having simple values such as providing for oneself, a number of people nowadays rely on governmental support. The problem therein is that if parents are incapable of bringing across the right values, how will their children in turn be able to provide their own children with the necessary set of principles, morals and characteristics? This whole process is a vicious circle apparent not only in British society but in a number of societies across the globe including developed countries such as the USA, Germany, Canada, etc.

Children, however, are often genuinely interested in what involves being a good parent. Parenting skills should not be taken for granted as something that comes naturally once the baby is born. Field, therefore, suggests the inclusion of a parenting GCSE in order to help children who have not had the advantage of being endowed with a grasping set of skills by their own parents. In turn, they will be able to raise their own children in a better way than they have been brought up themselves. The aim of this GCSE shall show the teenagers how to build positive bonds with their offspring.  

It is left to the reader to determine whether a GCSE qualification in parenting will produce better parents. Clearly, something has to be done and this along with other measures might be the first step towards the improvement of society.

 

More and more parents struggle with their role as parents. Follow this blog for more information.

Info on how Gove has contradicted himself? Follow this link. 

Michael Gove's Academies Bill

Gove's plan to turn a large number of schools into academies has raised a lot of controversy. The privatisation of schools has many critics. Voices from outside the UK such as by the Swedish education minister Bertil Ostberg warn the local government to adopt the new academy school system. The system which has been implemented both in the USA and Sweden is said to decrease the quality of learning and, according to a report by the University of California, increase the stratification of students by race, class and even language.

Gove explains his latest actions to be the result of the countries continuous decline in the performance of the country's education over the past decade. Part of the reform includes a change in the rules on discipline in order to give teachers greater confidence. The academies shall ensure that all pupils are treated equally during the application process. Turning away from the restrictions of local authorities, the Academies Bill aims to give both schools and teachers more power and independence. The bill gives primary, secondary and special needs schools the chance to apply for academy status which will, as proposed by Gove, give the schools the freedom and flexibility they require to improve their standards.

The new school system, however, leaves parents completely out of the debate. The bill does not mention parents nor their rights at all. On the contrary: schools do not even have to consult parents before converting into academies meaning that parents who do not wish for their children to attend an academy will be forced to find a new school for their offspring. To date, more than 1,500 of the aforementioned schools have registered their interest in becoming academies opining that schools can opt out of the authority of local councils as early as September.

Instead of expanding what is possibly the most successful school model – the grammar school – Gove keeps praising the "free school" system in which not only local authorities but even parents themselves will be less actively engaged and involved in the decision-making of the academies. Therefore, many parents perceive the academy system to be a threat to local education. Once the schools have turned into academies, they become even less accountable to parents. As a matter of fact, academies are only required to have one parent governor, whereas maintained schools are required to have a minimum of three parent governors.

It is no wonder then that many parents are upset with the proposal of academies. Not only do they feel that "free schools" will deepen the split among social classes, but they also fear that their voices will remain unheard when it comes to parental involvement in school matters. Naturally wanting the best for their children, many parents are actively involved in decisions related to schools. The decrease in school governors will lead to a decrease in their authority and give the academies the incentive to act only on their own behalf and interest. Parents, therefore, fear that decrease in involvement will have a negative effect on their children's learning experience.