Take My Hand and Grow Young with Me: Calming Children's Anxiety
Posted by Debra Pierce | @easycda on Wednesday, 30 May 2018 in Early Childhood
Yes, I know what childhood should be… a carefree, joyful time of no worries and playful days. For the most part, that was my childhood and may have been for many of you, as well. So, it may be hard to consider the reality of a young child experiencing anxiety.
For sure, there have always been children living at risk, in marginal environments, or with domestic conflict or violence, or dealing with the repercussions of poverty. In the past, however, the stress or anxiety children suffered was the result of living and breathing it. Today, children who may have little actual risk in their family situation are getting it secondhand from the media and adult reaction to it.
Some children are more prone to anxiety than others. This happens for two reasons. First, due to genetics, they may react more strongly to stressful information or situations. And secondly, being young children, they don’t yet have the coping skills they need to roll back their strong feelings.
Last modified on Thursday, 31 May 2018
Tagged in: anxiety Debra Pierce early childhood emotional support supporting young children
Posted by Jon Harper / @Jonharper70bd on Sunday, 14 January 2018 in General
My wife and kids leave for school about an hour before I do. Which means I have a good chunk of time to spend how I choose. Sometimes I use it well and sometimes I waste it. Don't get me wrong, by wasting it I don't mean that I am lying on the couch throwing down bacon while watching SportsCenter. And by using it well I don't mean that I am editing the final draft of my magnum opus. Probably somewhere in between both scenarios lies the truth.
But one day last week I was feeling anxious. Jittery even. And it wasn't the coffee. It was nothing in particular. For those of you that have anxiety, like I do, you can probably relate. Those of you that don't are probably wondering WTH I am talking about. I mean why was I feeling anxious if I had nothing to be anxious about?
That's precisely the point.
Anxiety is often out of my control.
Last modified on Tuesday, 16 January 2018
Tagged in: anxiety Jennifer Gonzales Khalid Stress
The Parrot, A Thanksgiving Parable
Posted by Rita Wirtz | @RitaWirtz on Wednesday, 22 November 2017 in General
I hope you enjoy this story, perfect for your Thanksgiving festiivities. Traditionally my family has always shared stories, our thanks of course, made plenty of toasts, and I always wrote plays for the kids.
Once in awhile we found something really fun to share at the table; this one came to me a long time ago from our friend Katie. I cannot source it, maybe it's famiiar to you. Let me know. Anyway, here goes. Get your grin on, and maybe just maybe some life lesson may pop into your head.
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity.
John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.
Last modified on Wednesday, 22 November 2017
Tagged in: 2nd Chances aha moments anxiety Celebration empathy
The Masks We Wear
Posted by Jon Harper / @Jonharper70bd on Sunday, 19 November 2017 in General
When you look at this photo what do you see?
What if I were to tell you that at the moment this photo was taken my daughter had a terrible migraine and my son was as happy as could be? It may seem hard to believe, but it’s true.
We oftentimes make judgements based on what we see. And that can be dangerous. But sometimes that may be all we have to go on. So we do the best we can. Then later we find out that we were off. Way off.