About Parenting Teens: Cutting for Attention? Teen Engaging in Self-Harm

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Parenting Teens Parenting Teens Teens Today High School 101 Fall/Halloween From Denise Witmer, your Guide to Parenting Teens Cutting for Attention? Teen Engaging in Self-Harm A step-mom asks on our forum: My 12year old step daughter has been cutting herself. Not a huge amount, but we have seen her texts to friends saying that that is what she is doing. Shes definitely not hiding it. It seems to me like its attention seeking behavior. She is 12 but acts like 15. She wears low cut tops to show off her tits and plays her dad off against her mum. My partner falls for it most of the time as he can't say no to his kids. I see it as really just manipulating the situation. What should we do? Do we get hard or look to see if there is underlying issues? Everything I've read about cutting, the girls seem to be hiding it and ashamed to stuff, but with this one, the more attention the better. Any advice for me? Denise's thoughts: I would start by creating some rules more appropriate for a 12-year-old instead of allowing her to act like a 15-year-old. Letting her know that there are many other positive ways to get your attention rather then doing things that that hurt her. Do more to create a positive relationship with her, giving her the attention she needs. We have some articles on cutting and self harm from our Troubled Teens Contributing Writer, Kathy Rudlin, LCSW: Self-Injury Resources The article I recommend you start with is Why do Teens Hurt Themselves with Self-Harming Behaviors? If you find she is cutting more than you initially thought, you will want to ask her doctor for some help and resources. I hope it helps and please let us know how it is going. Asking our parenting community: Do you have a teen who has engaged in self-harm behaviors like cutting? How did your family handle it and where did you find help for your teen? Please share your advice and experiences in our comments area. Halloween Costume Ideas: Dead Prom Date Costume The Dead Prom Date costume for Halloween is a given for any teen couple and is very easy to make, find out how here! More: Possessed Picnic Food | Halloween Dinner Menus Parenting Quiz: Is Your Child a Bully? Research shows that bullying can be a sign of other serious antisocial and/or violent behavior. Children who frequently bully their peers are more likely than others to get into serious trouble. Check out the possibility that your child is a bully. Printable Halloween Party Invitations Use these Halloween party invitations that you can print out and add your own special note and party specifics. Teens love printing cards out and parents can enjoy the free price tag of the party invites. These printable Halloween party invitations are quarter folds and will fit in a standard 4 3/8" by 5 3/4" envelope. Parenting of Adolescents Ads Parenting Defiant Teen Troubled Teens Camps Unruly Teens Teen Party Ideas Featured Articles   More from About.com Is it a Cold or the Flu? Knowing whether you have a cold or the flu can help you treat your symptoms more effectively. More > Concerned About Your Drinking? This short quiz can help you identify whether or not you have a drinking problem. Take the quiz now > This newsletter is written by: Denise Witmer Parenting Teens Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Parenting Teens newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2010 About.com   Must Reads How to Get Your Teen into College Is your teen confident? Find out now! How to Raise a Drug-Free Teen Help Your Teen Handle Peer Pressure Learn to Talk to Your Teen in 5 Days Advertisement