To snoop or not to snoop in a child’s bedroom?

Sunday Patriot-News Front Page Story

December 19, 1999 (Harrisburg, PA)– Parents must weigh issues of trust, curiosity, concern before searching, experts say.

“Trust has everything to do with your child’s success and safety.” says Dr. Chris Petersen, a psychiatrist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Pennsylvania State University’s College of Medicine at the Hershey Medical Center.  “If you initiate damage of the trust by intruding into their life without reason, then that is a mistake.  If they’ve earned the trust and respect because of a level of responsibility, that should be respected, he says.

 

WARNING SIGNS

Dr. Chris Petersen, a psychiatrist at Hershey Medical Center, cites these symptoms of teen depression:

•Social withdrawal: A desire to remain isolated or restricted to a narrow peer group for weeks or months.

•Isolation from peer group: Diminishing time and interaction with a previously close group of friends.

•Symptoms of depression: ‘Irritability, anger and sadness, as well as boredom in situations they would not normally consider boring.

•Deteriorating grades and work habits.

•Frequent fighting, becoming abusive.

• Maintaining poor personal hygiene.

• Abusing alcohol or drugs.

•Changing sleep habits and appetite.

PARENTING ADVICE

•The National, Parenting Center at www.tnpc.com.

RECOMMENDED READING

From George Schmidt, psychologist with the East Pennsboro Area School District. Both are by Anthony Wolf:

•”Get Out of My Life … but first could you drive me and Cheryl to the Mall- Parent’s Guide to the Teenager.”

• “It’s Not fair, Jeremy Spencer’s Parents Let Him Stay Up All Night.”