The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1049018
C-6 Wednesday, November 7, 2018 The Press-Dispatch HOME LIFE TO ADVERTISE: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: ads@pressdispatch.net Visit: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Deadline: 5 p.m. on Monday Youth First Today by Megan Lottes, MSW, LSW, Youth First, Inc. Social media affects young minds Katiedid vs... by Katiedid Langrock She's her EMPORIUM DOWNTOWN 50+ Open vendors daily 407 E. Fourth St, Huntingburg 812-683-0123 Thursday, Nov. 8 10am-7pm Friday, Nov. 9 10am-9pm Saturday, Nov. 10 10am-7pm Sunday, Nov. 11 Noon-5pm SPECIAL HOURS TIMES EST • Antiques • Collectibles • Furniture • Home Decor • Quilts • Pictures • and so much more Corner of 231 and Fourth St., Huntingburg • 812.683.2000 Greentree FURNITURE HOME DECOR DAZZLING APPAREL & ACCESSORIES HAND-CRAFTED JEWELRY by local, regional and international artists SOMETHING TO PLEASE EVERYONE ON YOUR SHOPPING LIST Christmas stroll hours: Friday, 10am-7pm • Saturday 10am-5pm • Sunday, Noon-5pm Refreshments Served! THUR., NOVEMBER 8 join greentree for Fun Girls Night Out • 5-8p m November 8 - 11 33rd Annual 32nd Annual !"" $ #$"$!! HUNTINGBURG Christmas Stroll PUZZLED ABOUT WHAT TO READ? ..and you will have your solution. subscribe to 812-354-8500 You don't have to look very far these days to find a preteen or teen glued to their phone texting and scrolling through so- cial media. Like many things, social media has ad- vantages and disad- vantages. It breaks down geographical barriers, allows us to stay connected to family and friends all over the globe, and facilitates communi- cation. Unfortunately, however, it has also taken a toll on today's youth. For most teens and preteens, it is difficult to remember living in a world without tech- nology. They cannot imagine a world with- out the internet, which allows them to use apps and social media. According to the website psycom. net, the average age that kids get their first cellphone is 10 years old, with nearly 40 percent of kids having a social media account by age eleven. Today's kids feel the need to con- stantly share everything they expe- rience. For them, responses to their online posts, such as "likes" and com- ments, are taken very seriously. As they scroll through various so- cial media apps, they see unrealistic standards of beauty and materialistic possessions. They start to compare their lives to others. Because of what is seen on social media, preteens and teens may alter their appearance, en- gage in negative behaviors, and accept risky social media challenges to gain attention in the form of "likes," com- ments, and number of followers. Research reported on childmind. org, as well as many other sources, shows that heavy social media use has been linked to increased depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem among kids. It prevents the development of some social skills and direct commu- nication skills. Preteens and teens spend more time connecting on social media instead of building social skills and having con- versations in person; therefore, they are not learning how to read body lan- guage, facial expressions or vocal in- fections. Social media may also become a major distraction and lead to lack of sleep and poor academic performance. If technology use is unmonitored, kids may stay up late without their parents realizing they are not asleep. Ultimate- ly, it is difficult for kids to unplug from technology at all times of the day. So what can parents or caregivers do to help? • Conduct some research. Wheth- er it is by talking to teachers, talking to other parents or doing your own re- search, find out what the most popular apps are and how they are used. • Establish technology-free zones in your home, such as the dinner table, and technology-free times such as be- fore bed. Collect phones, tablets, and computers before bedtime. • Don't always trust the pictures kids post. Just because your child posts a lot of smiling "selfies" might not mean that your child is truly happy. Social media tends to be a "highlight reel," displaying mostly the positive as- pects of kids' lives. Always check in with them to see how they are really doing. • Last but not least, encourage your kids to talk to you and let them know it's safe to talk to you. Let them know you love them and how proud you are of them – unfiltered and unedited. This column is written by Megan Lottes, LSW, school social worker for Youth First, Inc., a local nonprofit ded- icated to strengthening youth and fam- ilies. Youth First provides 54 Master's level social workers to 75 schools in 10 Indiana counties. Over 38,000 youth and families per year have access to Youth First's school social work and af- terschool programs that prevent sub- stance abuse, promote healthy behav- iors, and maximize student success. CHEESY HAM CHOWDER MEALS IN Monica's MINUTES Share your favorite recipe! www.facebook.com/mealsinminutes Monica's Meals in Minutes PO Box 68, Petersburg, IN 47567 mealsinminutes@pressdispatch.net FACEBOOK MAIL EMAIL By Monica Sinclair It's Thursday and it's cold and rainy out. There is nothing better when it is this dreary out than to have a nice pot of chow- der for supper. It's comforting and warms you right up. Luck- ily, I didn't have to look far to find a recipe that fit the bill. You could even quicken the prep and cooking time by using canned diced potatoes. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS • 10 bacon strips, diced • 1 large onion, chopped • 1 cup diced carrots • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 3 cups whole milk • 1-1/2 cups water • 2-1/2 cups cubed potatoes (or canned diced po- tatoes) • 1 can (15 -1/4 ounces) whole kernel corn, drained • 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules • Pepper to taste • 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese • 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham DIRECTIONS 1. In a Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. 2. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain. In the drippings, saute onion and carrots until tender. Stir in flour until blended. 3. Gradually add milk and water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. 4. Add the potatoes, corn, bouillon and pepper. Re- duce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. 5. Add cheese and ham; heat until cheese is melt- ed. Stir in bacon. Source: tasteof home.com I was scared of having a daughter. I didn't know how to raise a girl in this world of unlimited ands. She'd have to be this and that and definitely this. I don't know how to be a girl in this world; how could I possibly guide an- other? I prayed for a boy first. Surely, a boy must have fewer ands. Surely, my out- side perspective could shine a light on what to do and say and teach. Sure- ly, having been a mother first, I would then know what to say when my girl came. I was wrong. It's a common theme in my life, so there is comfort in that. I did get a boy first, but I've found that boys are not easier. Boys are fighting to keep their ands and grow them. My being an outsider doesn't ease this battle for my son. And being a moth- er has taught me nothing about what it means to be a girl in today's world. But my daughter has. I was terrified of having a daughter. Now I'm just ter- rified of my daughter. She came out scowling, not howling. Before she could even lift her own head, she would snarl if you asked her to smile. My dad came to visit when she was 10 days old. One of my favorite memories from this time comes from when we tried to take her photo when she turned 2 weeks old. Every time we tried to get her to look our direction and give us something that would pass for a baby smile, her brows furrowed. Her eyes shot daggers. We were roll- ing on the floor with laugh- ter. She was not impressed. If she herself could have rolled, she would have rolled right over and murdered us with arrows that shot out of her eye sockets. At night when I would breastfeed her and call her "my sweet baby," I swear she would whisper back, "Earn it." Before she could crawl, I knew I was in trouble. Her chubby cheeks, laven- der eyes and easy smile would lure in any passers-by. It was a trap. I watched See HER on page 9