Winter 2000 - IP; Practitioner's ImPRessions

PRACTICING WITH PRIDE
Practitioner’s ImPRessions/Kelly Cunningham

Honor Roll and Ads

**PRACTICING WITH PRIDE**
	Practitioner’s ImPRessions/Kelly Cunningham
	Honor Roll and Ads

By Kelly Cunningham
Principal, ImPRessions public relations Practitioner’s ImPRessions
It is time for me to report on the Division 42 media relations program, and I am pleased to say that the program is running smoothly. We continue to set up interviews for radio and newspaper reporters with local psychologists on topics that vary monthly. But you may ask, “So what does that mean? Are you having any impact?” I thought you might enjoy this story.

September 12 was National Grandparents Day. Our media materials for September were tied to Grandparents Day by highlighting how grandparents can help without intruding. A tip sheet was included with suggestions on adapting to differences in attitudes, cultures, values and behaviors; how to set limits and discipline grandchildren; and how to cope when parents divorce.

Last week I received a telephone call from a staff member at APA headquarters in Washington. He asked for a copy of the Division 42 ‘Tips for Grandparents’ saying some reporters had called the Division 42 toll-free number and the mailbox was full and so they were calling him.

I decided to check to see if there was a problem with our toll-free line. Jeannie Beeaff, who expertly manages the Central Office answered and explained jokingly saying, “I hate you.” She informed me that she had received well over 400 calls in response to newspaper articles and radio public service announcements offering Division 42 Tips for Grandparents!

It seems the voice mailbox was filling up three times a day. Jeannie noted that a few days of heavy call volume were typical but this had been going on for over two weeks. We quickly decided this was a good problem to have! Jeannie commented that call volume was particularly heavy from the southern part of the United States but she also noted that she had received requests for literature from at least half of the states in the country.

Thought you might enjoy this anecdotal story about the impact of our media relations effort…the Division 42 Board members and I did. And Jeannie promptly made arrangements to be able to handle heavier call volume in the future. Problem solved.

Tips for Grandparents

Offer your support to the parents, addressing their needs so they can address the needs of their child. Take your cues from the parent and respect that the parent is in charge. While you certainly can share your wisdom and experience, remember that your son or daughter will need to find his/her own way - just as you did when you were a new parent.
Stay open to new learning. Research is constantly expanding the base of knowledge about what is most effective. For example, recent research pokes holes in the old myth that you’ll spoil babies if you pick them up when they cry. And, despite the longstanding popularity of spanking, research shows that other types of guidance and discipline are far more effective.
Stay curious and join your kids in learning all that you can. Keep things light. Recall your own mistakes and vulnerabilities. There is probably nothing more reassuring to new parents than to hear about the mistakes others made and survived.
Perhaps most important of all, be one of the adults who is crazy about this child! There is nothing any child needs more than to know that he or she is the sparkle in someone’s eye.
Remember that the most powerful teaching anyone can do is by example. In a time when children are desperately in need of adults who will teach them virtue, let your life be that lesson.

When a child is diagnosed with a disability

Offer support but don’t hover. Unconditional love and support are very important for the parents. They are making very important decisions about many things in the early days and it helps a great deal to know that they have that unconditional support and love.
Ask how you can help in practical matters. If the grandparents don’t know how to help the family, say so. Ask what the family needs help with. Sometimes it is the very practical matters in which grandparents can assist, such as babysitting the siblings, providing some meals, etc.
Learn as much about the disability or diagnosis as possible. Being informed will show you want to be involved. Ask if there are any books or articles to read up on. Learning about it will reduce some of the fear you may experience.
Accept your grandchild as they are. First and foremost, he or she is a child who should be loved unconditionally. Don’t gloss over their difficulties but try to treat them just like all your grandchildren.

August 18, 1999

Dear Medical/Health Reporter:

Few things are as exciting as becoming a new grandparent, but it may also raise questions about how involved to be. How to help without intruding? In today’s high-pressure world, grandparents are more important than ever, both to grandchildren and to parents. Support can be the ingredient that tips the balance in favor of health and wellbeing for the whole family.

As the bundle of joy grows up, how to be a gracious grandparent? How to deal with cultural and value differences? How to cope when a child is diagnosed with a disability? How to discipline grandchildren to obey your rules? What to do when your children divorce?

September 12 is National Grandparents Day and as a service to your community, the American Psychological Association’s Division of Independent Practice would like to offer a psychologist in your area to speak with you on this topic. He/She would be able to discuss adapting to differences in attitudes, cultures, values and behaviors; how to set limits and discipline grandchildren; and how to cope when parents divorce.

Your readers can call toll-free 1-877-603-4000 for a list of tips for grandparents as well as for the name of a licensed psychologist in their area. Here are just a few:

Address the needs of the parents so they can address the needs of their child. Take your cues from the parent and respect that the parent is in charge. While you certainly can share your wisdom and experience, remember that your son or daughter will need to find his/her own way, just as you did when you were a new parent.
Stay open to new learning. Research is constantly expanding the base of knowledge about what is most effective. For example, recent research pokes holes in the old myth that you’ll spoil babies if you pick them up when they cry. And, despite the longstanding popularity of spanking, research shows that other types of guidance and discipline are far more effective.
Stay curious and join your kids in learning all that you can. Keep things light, recalling your own mistakes and vulnerabilities. There is probably nothing more reassuring to new parents than to hear about the missteps others made and survived.

I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Kelly Cunningham

(703)548-1291

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	By Kelly Cunningham Principal, ImPRessions public relations		Practitioner’s ImPRessions It is time for me to report on the Division 42 media relations program, and I am pleased to say that the program is running smoothly. We continue to set up interviews for radio and newspaper reporters with local psychologists on topics that vary monthly. But you may ask, “So what does that mean? Are you having any impact?” I thought you might enjoy this story. September 12 was National Grandparents Day. Our media materials for September were tied to Grandparents Day by highlighting how grandparents can help without intruding. A tip sheet was included with suggestions on adapting to differences in attitudes, cultures, values and behaviors; how to set limits and discipline grandchildren; and how to cope when parents divorce. Last week I received a telephone call from a staff member at APA headquarters in Washington. He asked for a copy of the Division 42 ‘Tips for Grandparents’ saying some reporters had called the Division 42 toll-free number and the mailbox was full and so they were calling him. I decided to check to see if there was a problem with our toll-free line. Jeannie Beeaff, who expertly manages the Central Office answered and explained jokingly saying, “I hate you.” She informed me that she had received well over 400 calls in response to newspaper articles and radio public service announcements offering Division 42 Tips for Grandparents! It seems the voice mailbox was filling up three times a day. Jeannie noted that a few days of heavy call volume were typical but this had been going on for over two weeks. We quickly decided this was a good problem to have! Jeannie commented that call volume was particularly heavy from the southern part of the United States but she also noted that she had received requests for literature from at least half of the states in the country. Thought you might enjoy this anecdotal story about the impact of our media relations effort…the Division 42 Board members and I did. And Jeannie promptly made arrangements to be able to handle heavier call volume in the future. Problem solved.
			Tips for Grandparents Offer your support to the parents, addressing their needs so they can address the needs of their child. Take your cues from the parent and respect that the parent is in charge. While you certainly can share your wisdom and experience, remember that your son or daughter will need to find his/her own way - just as you did when you were a new parent. Stay open to new learning. Research is constantly expanding the base of knowledge about what is most effective. For example, recent research pokes holes in the old myth that you’ll spoil babies if you pick them up when they cry. And, despite the longstanding popularity of spanking, research shows that other types of guidance and discipline are far more effective. Stay curious and join your kids in learning all that you can. Keep things light. Recall your own mistakes and vulnerabilities. There is probably nothing more reassuring to new parents than to hear about the mistakes others made and survived. Perhaps most important of all, be one of the adults who is crazy about this child! There is nothing any child needs more than to know that he or she is the sparkle in someone’s eye. Remember that the most powerful teaching anyone can do is by example. In a time when children are desperately in need of adults who will teach them virtue, let your life be that lesson. When a child is diagnosed with a disability Offer support but don’t hover. Unconditional love and support are very important for the parents. They are making very important decisions about many things in the early days and it helps a great deal to know that they have that unconditional support and love. Ask how you can help in practical matters. If the grandparents don’t know how to help the family, say so. Ask what the family needs help with. Sometimes it is the very practical matters in which grandparents can assist, such as babysitting the siblings, providing some meals, etc. Learn as much about the disability or diagnosis as possible. Being informed will show you want to be involved. Ask if there are any books or articles to read up on. Learning about it will reduce some of the fear you may experience. Accept your grandchild as they are. First and foremost, he or she is a child who should be loved unconditionally. Don’t gloss over their difficulties but try to treat them just like all your grandchildren.
			August 18, 1999 Dear Medical/Health Reporter: Few things are as exciting as becoming a new grandparent, but it may also raise questions about how involved to be. How to help without intruding? In today’s high-pressure world, grandparents are more important than ever, both to grandchildren and to parents. Support can be the ingredient that tips the balance in favor of health and wellbeing for the whole family. As the bundle of joy grows up, how to be a gracious grandparent? How to deal with cultural and value differences? How to cope when a child is diagnosed with a disability? How to discipline grandchildren to obey your rules? What to do when your children divorce? September 12 is National Grandparents Day and as a service to your community, the American Psychological Association’s Division of Independent Practice would like to offer a psychologist in your area to speak with you on this topic. He/She would be able to discuss adapting to differences in attitudes, cultures, values and behaviors; how to set limits and discipline grandchildren; and how to cope when parents divorce. Your readers can call toll-free 1-877-603-4000 for a list of tips for grandparents as well as for the name of a licensed psychologist in their area. Here are just a few: Address the needs of the parents so they can address the needs of their child. Take your cues from the parent and respect that the parent is in charge. While you certainly can share your wisdom and experience, remember that your son or daughter will need to find his/her own way, just as you did when you were a new parent. Stay open to new learning. Research is constantly expanding the base of knowledge about what is most effective. For example, recent research pokes holes in the old myth that you’ll spoil babies if you pick them up when they cry. And, despite the longstanding popularity of spanking, research shows that other types of guidance and discipline are far more effective. Stay curious and join your kids in learning all that you can. Keep things light, recalling your own mistakes and vulnerabilities. There is probably nothing more reassuring to new parents than to hear about the missteps others made and survived. I look forward to speaking with you. Sincerely, Kelly Cunningham (703)548-1291
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