INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your child may be unaware of their condition or afraid to come to you, so you need to be the one to start the conversation. Ask questions about your child's behavior in certain situations, and listen carefully. Remember that your child may open up to you only when they feel safe and secure. Try to approach your child in a non-intimidating manner, with a warm and understanding tone. For example, you may say, "John, I noticed that you've been washing your hands a lot of times during the day and that they're starting to get red from all of the washing. Would you mind explaining to me why you feel like you need to wash your hands so many times?" or "you've been spending a lot of time in your room arranging your toys. Can you tell me about how they're arranged? I'd like to know why they always need to be in that order." Because OCD usually develops in school-aged children, the observations of others will be a valuable source of information. Your child may face different situations when they are away from you and may have different obsessions and compulsions at school and other places. If after looking for these behaviors you believe your child might have OCD, you should see a doctor or therapist as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment. Don't wait for the situation to resolve itself it may get worse. A doctor can set you on the right path to helping your child. Discuss with your doctor or psychologist a treatment plan for your child. Also discuss plans for the family to make sure the whole family is being taken care of and supporting each other. Keep a log of your child's behavior before taking him to the doctor. Make a note of the behaviors, the length of time spent on behaviors, and anything else you think will help the doctor. This can help give a better diagnosis. There is no cure for OCD. However, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and medication can reduce the symptoms of OCD. Treating the disease can make it more manageable to live with. Medications for OCD in children includes SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, citalopram, and sertraline. Another medication that is prescribed for children over 10 is clomipramine, but this medication may have severe side effects for children. CBT includes helping the child become aware of the behaviors and thoughts. Then, they are helped to find alternate behaviors in those situations. This helps the child change the behavior and develop positive thinking patterns. School-based therapy may be available to help the child navigate school-related tasks, such as academic demands and social expectations. Helping a child with a serious mental illness can be quite challenging, and finding a group of people in similar situations can help you feel like you're not alone. It's important to participate in any available parent guidance sessions or family therapy to help parents manage the illness. These sessions also help with parenting skills for these situations, teach families how to deal with the complex feeling surrounding the disorder, and give suggestions on how to function as a family. Ask your child's mental health counselor about parent support groups or search online for "parent of a child with OCD support group" plus your area. Check the International OCD Foundation's information for parents and families.

SUMMARY: Talk openly with your child. Meet with your child's teachers, friends, and caregivers. Consult with a doctor or therapist. Learn about the available treatments. Find a support group for yourself.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If your boots are very dirty and have caked up mud or dirt on them, it's a good idea to remove this debris before cleaning the boots with soap. Use a soft-bristled boot brush to target problem areas and remove dirt. You can even use a plastic spoon if you're trying to remove thick layers of hardened dirt. To remove any thin layers of dirt or dust on your cowboy boots, dampen a sponge and use it to wipe the entire surface of the boot, focusing on any problem areas. If your boots are made of suede, they should not be exposed to water of any kind. Instead of using a damp sponge to clean, use a nylon brush to target dirt and dust. If your boots don't look completely clean after using a damp sponge, get the sponge completely wet and use gentle soap or soap designed for leather to wipe down the boot and develop a lather. Then gently rub over dirty areas with the sponge. Once the dirt is removed, use a damp cloth to wipe off the suds. If the boot is relatively clean but there is still some dirt in the nooks and crannies or around the seams of the boot, use a damp toothbrush to gently scrub these areas. Use a clean cloth to wipe the boots after you have finished cleaning them. Then set the boots aside and let them sit for about thirty minutes until they are dry to the touch.

SUMMARY:
Brush off mud or dirt. Use a damp sponge to remove dust. Use soap and water. Scrub seams with a toothbrush. Let the boots dry.