FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hillary Angel
Phone: (909) 390-1239
E-mail: hangel@wilkinguge.com

TIPS FOR PARENTS: TEACHING CHILDREN TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS

San Diego, September 10, 2007-- Conflict is an issue that children often face on a regular basis, yet they tend to have little preparation on how to communicate effectively to handle a confrontation or argument with their siblings, friends, or school bullies. These rivalries can be harmful to children, whether mentally or physically, because they often lead to low self-esteem, violent behavior, and anger management issues.

It is important to establish and maintain a home environment where conflict is handled in a healthy manner, so children learn to use effective communication tools and develop self-control. To help children deal with frustrations, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) offers the following recommendations:

•Help children express themselves. Encourage them to express their feelings with words instead of actions.
•Teach children to share. Prioritize the importance of giving to others. This will promote collaboration.
•Practice what you preach. Be careful about how you resolve your own conflicts with children or in the presence of children.
•Refrain from resolving problems for children, when possible. This will prepare them to independently develop effective dispute resolution solutions.
•Show children how to apologize. The art of apologizing is an important concept in mitigating conflict.

Helping children with conflict resolution can be difficult. Consulting with a Marriage and Family Therapist can help in developing strategies and alternative ways to assist with challenging situations. Marriage and Family Therapists are mental health professionals who are trained to help individuals communicate within their families, relieve stress, and create a better family dynamic. To learn more about family therapy or to locate a therapist in your area, visit California’s online mental health resource, www.TherapistFinder.com.

About CAMFT
The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, with 27 chapters throughout the state, is an independent professional organization, representing the interests of licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. CAMFT provides www.TherapistFinder.com as a resource to the public looking for Marriage and Family Therapists located in California. For more information about CAMFT, please call (858) 292-2638 or visit www.camft.org.