TIP of the WEEK: Cold Weather Clothing

It is not uncommon for parents of kids with PWS to spend winter mornings wrestling, I mean gently persuading, their children out of shorts and short sleeve shirts even when the temperature dips below 20 degrees. Some may argue that if the child isn’t cold or uncomfortable then let them wear what they want however…

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TIP of the WEEK: Preparing for Adulthood

Preparing for adulthood should start very, very young. 1. Expect a lot. A child with PWS should have the same basic expectations that their siblings have. If chores, manners and speaking to adults with respect are household expectations in your home be sure that these rules apply to everyone. The details may need to be…

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TIP of the WEEK: Dealing with Bullying

Bullying can be a serious, life changing experience for any child. Children with PWS who are bullied can sometimes be unaware of what is happening to them and need the adults in their lives to step up even more. Our kids are so often extremely trusting of others and need to feel accepted by peers…

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TIP of the WEEK: Running Away

There is nothing more frightening than checking on your child who was just in bed, playing in the yard or sitting in the living room and discovering that they have wandered off or run away. Many parents deal with this very dangerous behavior frequently. Here are some things to do if your child likes to…

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TIP of the WEEK: Being Happy with Today

Intended or not we often give individuals with PWS, whether we work with them or if they are our children, the message that happiness and self-fulfillment will come with time if they work hard and stay focused on their goals. By doing this we are unintentionally saying to them that in order to be happy,…

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TIP of the WEEK: Healthy Skin

Maintaining skin integrity is an important part of overall health in PWS. Winter months bring dry, cracked skin causing increased picking and discomfort. 1. Stay hydrated. Good hydration is the best way to keep skin healthy. 2. Use lotion daily. Make skin lotion a part of the daily routine. Scented lotion is also a great…

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TIP of the WEEK: Police Involvement

Recently we have heard of several people with PWS being caught up in the legal system following incidents in the community. Here are some ways to help prevent this from happening to your child: 1. Educate your local law enforcement officers on PWS and how the syndrome effects your child. 2. Do not assume that…

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TIP of the WEEK: Keeping Your Sanity Through the Holidays

For many families living with PWS, these are the most difficult 4 weeks out of the year. Many of you wish we could just fast forward to January and skip the food, family, and change in routine. Since that is not likely to happen here are some ways to get through it with your sanity…

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TIP of the WEEK: Running Away

Here are some ways to prevent and/or lessen the danger of this behavior: 1. Use alarms on your doors. Be sure these are alarms that your child cannot disarm simply by pulling them or switching them off. 2. Alert local authorities. If your child commonly runs away or tries to, visit your local police department…

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TIP of the WEEK: When Things Get Bad

You will inevitably hit some rough patches along the way. Here are some things to keep in mind when your life with PWS takes a wrong turn: 1. It’s not intentional. Your child’s behavior is a result of feeling out of control, disappointed, physically ill, any number of reasons, but it is not an intentional…

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