INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Skin lumps are less likely to be sinister if they are slow growing, meaning they don't perceptibly change from one month to the next. Fast-growing lumps are called aggressive tumors. These often have the ability to spread to other parts of your cat's body. These types of lumps grow so quickly that you can often see a change from week to week. When you first find a lump, measure it with a ruler and record the measurement. Repeat the measuring process every week so that you can establish if the lump is changing or not. A lump that sits discretely on the surface of the skin, has a definite border, and is not infiltrating the surrounding tissues is more likely to be a wart, cyst, or harmless skin mass than skin cancer. Skin cancer more often is embedded in the skin and the mass of it can be felt under the skin. Black pigment in a pale skinned animal is a warning sign when it comes to skin cancer. Dark pigment is frequently associated with more serious cancers such as malignant melanoma, thus a dark-colored lump must never be ignored. Skin cancer can cause irritation, which means that your cat might scratch or chew on the lump to relieve that irritation. Some of the more serious cancers, such as mast cell cancer, contain histamine granules that can make the lump very itchy. Cancerous lumps tend to look inflamed, which means that the skin looks pinker than the surrounding tissue. When you first find a lump, look at the tissue surrounding it and see if that area is red or inflamed. In the early stages of squamous cell carcinoma, non-pigmented skin becomes inflamed and looks darker pink than the surrounding skin. The skin will take on a scaly appearance and it can be mistaken for ringworm. Ulceration means that the lump breaks open and becomes a wound. If you notice this, seek medical help for your cat. Cancerous lumps often take on irregular shapes. This means that they lack a round shape, as regular lumps are generally round. The lump instead infiltrates deeply into the skin, so that the skin appears "glued" down to the tissue beneath. With squamous cell carcinoma, if your cat continues to lie in the sun, the inflamed areas may take on an angry red color. There is also a chance that the skin will begin to erode; if this happens, ulcers will begin to form. If the cancer affects an ear, the edge of the ear may become irregular in shape, almost as if small bites have been taken out of it.

SUMMARY: Check the growth rate of a lump. Assess whether the lump is under the skin or above it. Look for dark pigment on the lump. Watch to see if your cat scratches or chews at the lump. Monitor for any inflammation or ulceration. Look for irregularly shaped lumps. See if the skin becomes darker in color.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It's ok to step away from a situation and give yourself time to cool off. Deferring punishment gives you time to contemplate reasonable disciplinary action, and time for your child to think about what they have done. Be clear that you need time to calm down, and that you will discuss the matter when you're ready. Resist the urge to be sarcastic, threaten, or criticize. This will just upset your child more, and could have lasting effects on their self-esteem. Watch for the warning signs of fight or flight mode, such as a racing heart, sweaty palms, and shakiness. This can happen when you are extremely angry, annoyed, or hurt. Practice different relaxation techniques and find what works for you. Deep breathing, long walks, meditation, and baths are good ways to calm down. Some people even find cleaning, exercising, or reading to be excellent ways to settle down. " Act as soon as you spot your child misbehaving and draw their attention to the behavior. It's important that you explain why their behavior isn't acceptable, and that your child understands why they are being reprimanded. This will teach him that their actions have consequences. Be firm, but don't yell. If you yell to communicate your emotions, your child will learn to do the same. Remain calm and act quickly, but not out of anger. Speak clearly and make eye contact. For a younger child or toddler, get down to their level when you speak to them. Provide an explanation if your child is old enough to understand. Keep it feeling based and focus on how their behavior affects and hurts other people. For a tween or teen, discuss the repercussions of their actions or decisions on a larger scale. If your child is acting out, getting angry or frustrated, or being disruptive, walk away from the situation with them. Provide them with a safe space to discuss their emotions and actions, and talk about how he can improve their conduct in the future. Remember that children don't always know how to properly express themselves, and punishment isn't always the best way to teach them. Be encouraging and reassure your child that you are there to support him. Tell your child you love him. Soothe him by saying you understand. A young child will respond best to cuddles and physical closeness at this time, which will make him or her feel safe and loved. An older child who is starting to push away might not want cuddles now, but reassure him that you are there to support him, and teach him ways he can sooth or calm himself. This includes deep breathing, counting, distracting himself, listening to calming music, and visualization techniques. Children will often be disobedient and refuse to listen if they think they can get away with it. Create a mantra that reminds the child that you are in charge. Repeat the slogan when he misbehaves. Stick to decisions that you make, otherwise your child will think he is in control. Remember that you are the parent and not a friend, and your job isn't to be liked, but to keep your child safe and healthy, and to teach him decency and responsibility. To establish control, try phrases like "I'm the parent," or "I'm in charge here." Don't back down, no matter what kind of tantrum he throws. Don't give in even if they try to manipulate you (like by holding their breath). An older child may try to challenge you on this. Encourage him to participate in discussions about decisions that affect their life, and explore how different options will impact him. Remember that ultimately, the final decision is yours, but be prepared to explain how you reached it so he can see the responsible decision making process.

SUMMARY:
Remain calm. Tell your child "no. Remove your child from the situation. Establish yourself as the boss.