Thank you to all the moms and daughters that came to "Girl Talk " last night. We had a great turnout and lots of good questions about growing up. Our next session will happen in May. Tell your friends!

Next week we will be hosting a session for girls ages 9-12 and their moms called "Girl Talk".  We will talk about changing body, how/what happens during puberty, and how girls can deal with these changes.  We will host these talks quarterly.  Let us know if you are interested.

We are also thinking about having a session for older teens ages 14-18.  This session will be for teens only.  We will present factual information on those hard to discuss topics such as, risky behaviors, body art, safe dating practices, sexual activity, STDs, and general safety for teens.  Is this something that you would be interested in sending your teens to?  Please let us know, we need to hear from you.

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Dating

• Get to know someone well before going on a date.  Date people that you know and trust.  Go out in groups as much as possible and to public places.  If you want to spend some time alone with the person you're seeing, wait until you've had a few dates and have set ground rules for alone time.
• Talk with your parents.   Never go on a date without telling someone else. Even if it's a little annoying, let your mom, dad or another adult know when you’re going out. Be sure to tell your parents who you're going with, where you plan to go and what time you expect to return home, too.
• It's a good policy to bring your cell phone along, and to leave your date's phone number with your parents, just in case anything goes wrong. Be prepared for the unexpected: You might need a ride home or some extra cash.
• If you feel uncomfortable about a situation on a date, say "no" clearly and confidently. You're always allowed to change your mind about something, too. If someone likes and respects you, they'll back off. Don't worry: They will most likely ask you out again. If your date doesn't respect your decision, stay safe by leaving the situation.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol while on a date.  Drugs and alcohol compromise your ability to make smart decisions and to escape dangerous situations. They can make you take risks you wouldn't usually take with your body, your car and your safety in general. They also prevent you from getting to know what your date is really like and keep your date from getting to know the real you.

Cell Phone/Internet

• Do not give your cell phone number to people that you do not know.  Don't respond to text messages from numbers and people you don't know.
• Do not take any cell phone pictures or video that are sexual in nature. First off, if they involve

nudity or partial nudity, they are illegal and classified as child pornography ‐ a felony offense in most states.  The intent of the parties does not matter, nor does whether permission was granted. Secondly, they have the tendency to get into the hands of the wrong people. Think about your reputation.

• Do not send texts or capture pictures or video on your cell phone that you wouldn't feel comfortable sharing with your parents.  Ask yourself how you'd feel if the text you sent or the picture or video you captured were broadcast all across the school, and all across the Internet. Even if you personally don't send it around, others can and often do.
• Keep your cell phone keypad locked (and the PIN or password safe and private), so that others can't grab it, unlock it, and use it to get you into trouble when you're not looking.
• Be careful with on-line chat rooms/social media.  If you do not know someone, do not communicate with them online.

Car Safety

• Texting & Driving- It is dangerous!  Parents remember to set good example for your teen.  No text is worth losing your life over, or taking someone else's. If something is urgent, pull the vehicle over to a safe place before dealing with it.
• Always wear your seat belt. 
• Never get into a car with someone who has been drinking or taking drugs.  If you have been drinking or taking drugs, do not drive!  Call a responsible person to get a ride home.  Parents - It is always a good idea to have an agreement with your teen for a no questions asked ride home policy.  If they call and are asking for a ride home, go and get them, but skip the 3^rd degree.  Sit down with your teen a couple of days later and talk about it.

Weight obsession affects millions of teenagers today, especially girls. This obsession can lead to eating disorders. Eating disorders are more than just going on a diet to lose weight or trying to exercise every day. They're extremes in eating behavior — the diet that never ends and gradually gets more restrictive. Or the person who can't go out with friends because he or she thinks it's more important to go running to work off a snack eaten earlier.

Eating disorders are so common in America that 1 or 2 out of every 100 students will struggle with one. Each year, thousands of teens develop eating disorders, or problems with weight, eating, or body image. The most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia. But other food-related disorders, like binge eating, body image disorders, and food phobias, are becoming more and more common.

Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are psychological disorders that involve extreme disturbances in eating behavior. A teen with anorexia refuses to maintain a normal body weight. Someone with bulimia has repeated episodes of binge eating followed by compulsive behaviors such as vomiting or the use of laxatives to remove the food.

Symptoms of eating disorders may include the following:

Teens with eating disorders are often in denial that anything is wrong. They may be moody, anxious, depressed. They may withdraw from friends, and become overly sensitive to criticism. The problem arises when parents are not aware of these symptoms because the teen keeps them hidden -- just like the trauma, insecurities, depression, or low self-esteem that may help trigger the disorder.

For more information, visit www.kidsgrowth.org

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In pediatrics, we are seeing more and more teen girls who are on oral contraceptive pills (OPCs). OCPs are more than a birth control pill. Adolescent girls and young women are frequently prescribed the oral contraceptive pill just for its medical benefits. It is a very safe and effective treatment for many types of medical problems, including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) , irregular menstrual periods, menstrual cramps, acne, PMS, and endometriosis. Most young women who take the oral contraceptive pill have few or no problems, but there are some risks, such as an increased incidence of developing cardiovascular disease in girls who smoke and increased risk of developing blood clots in the legs.

If your daughter is taking OCPs and notices any of the following problems, call your health care provider right away.

Remember: ACHES

Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)

Chest pain (severe), cough, shortness of breath

Headache (severe), dizziness, weakness, or numbness

Eye problems (vision loss or blurring), speech problems

Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)