Kids need help managing stress
Have you ever been stressed completely out? Before you read this article, revisit one of those times just for a few seconds and think about the sensations you felt.
Did you have difficulty shutting off your mind or have problems sleeping? Did your hands shake or did you sweat more? Were you “manic” or did you feel paralyzed? Were you anxious, irritable, and snappy with those around you? Did you eat more or eat less?
Now, take all those stressed out feelings and pretend you are 6, then 10, then a teen. Ouch.
Stress of course is a necessary part of our, and of our children’s, lives. There is good stress (e.g. studying for that test) and bad stress (e.g. a car accident). For everyday stress, the reactions we feel aren’t so bad and affect us very little. However, just like candy, too much stress can make us sick.
We don’t often think of children as experiencing stress or of the effect it has on them because, after all, they are children. Children have fun. Children bounce back. Some folks are surprised that children feel stress at all!
But if we think of things which cause stress in our own adult lives — succeeding at work, concern about what others think of us, completing tasks on time, meeting the needs of others, having successful relationships — we see that children face these same issues as well.
In fact, they are probably exposed to more stressful situations than you and I because there are all sorts of new things in their everyday lives. They must go to school, learn new subjects every day, are expected to make good grades and have friends, feel pressure to be popular and fit in, must perform well at sports or hobbies and do all this while they help parents, get along with siblings, etc.
Walter B. Cannon was a psychologist who first used the expression “fight or flight,” what happens to most of us as our bodies prepare to meet perceived dangers. Adrenalin increases, muscles tighten, breathing quickens, digestion slows, pupils dilate, and our heart rate speeds up. We may have a burst of energy. If we solve our problem, our body returns to a resting state. If we do not, our fight or flight reaction can continue and worsen.
Stressful events that happen only occasionally are readily handled but if we are constantly in stressful situations, this is hard on our bodies (and our minds). Eventually, we are exhausted, have emotional/ relationship issues, and even have our health negatively affected.
Now, I’m not proposing that we shield children from all stress. This is not realistic or even healthy. However, as parents and caregivers, it is important that we understand that stress impacts their bodies and emotions and behaviors, just as it does ours. It is vital that we use those stressful times as opportunities to teach good stress management.
1) It is important that we minimize the inappropriate stress in their lives. For example, children should not have to deal with violent and abusive situations. Preschool children shouldn’t have to hear conversations about someone’s marriage troubles or how Aunt Lou is dying so tragically, or even have to watch violence on TV.
2) Prepare your child for events that can cause stress. Starting school, birth of a new sibling, divorce, death, moving, and financial problems in the home are parts of life. Explain in your child’s language what is happening and the changes this will bring (be careful here not to let your child move into the role of counselor or friend; you are talking to help them cope).
3) Teach children the signs of stress (e.g. sweaty palms, clenching fists) and talk about the emotions that stress can create. Encourage your child to come to you when he feels these things and to think about the cause of his stress. Encourage her to come up with solutions, either alone or with you. And, if this is not possible, to think about ways to adapt or move through. Keep your lines of communication open by listening to your child when she comes to you. Finally, acknowledge the feelings your child is experiencing .
4) Model stress reduction for your child. Use deep breathing as a calming technique, practice some yoga, exercise, eat right, get sleep, meditate, read a book and talk to others about what is happening. We have some wonderful resources right here in our community that can teach some of these great skills. You don’t have to be an expert or even good at these techniques. Just practicing sitting and breathing is a form of meditation and its effects can be soothing and powerful.
Stress is a part of our lives — even more than normal these last few years. By taking care of ourselves and helping our children learn good ways to deal with stress, we will make it through. We are, after all, resilient.
THURSDAY
Redmond Regional Medical Center is hosting a free Virtual Vaccine Question and Answer session from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 18. Questions can be submitted anonymously via the chat feature. Zoom Meeting ID: 82345536151.
The Northwest Georgia Region Commission Council will hold its monthly meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 18, at the Rome Civic Center, 400 Civic Center Drive. The meeting is public.
FRIDAY
Redmond Regional Medical Center is hosting a free community vaccination clinic starting at 9 a.m. Friday, March 19, for residents eligible through the state’s tiering guidelines. To verify your eligibility and schedule an appointment, call 706-3688222, email redmondvaccine@hcahealthcare.com or register online at https:// tinyurl.com/dk3xdfxd.
American Legion Post 52 and Auxiliary will hold a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20, rain or shine, 1205 Calhoun Ave. Brunswick stew will be sold starting at 10 a.m., for $32 per gallon or $9 per quart. Preorders: 706-3460119. Proceeds help fund high school scholarships and veteran food boxes at Thanksgiving.
Floyd County Republican Party
The
SATURDAY
will hold its Mass Precinct meeting Saturday, March 20, at 10 a.m. at the Charles Parker Senior Center, 1325 Kingston
Highway. They will be electing delegates and alternates to the Floyd County Republican Party County Convention which will be held on April 17 at 10 a.m. at the Charles Parker Senior Center. All Floyd County registered voters who concur with the principles of the Republican Party are invited to attend.
SUNDAY
Revival at The Way of the Cross Baptist Church, 208 Darlington Drive, Rome GA, will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21 and continue nightly at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, March 26. Come and see what the Lord has for you.
UPCOMING
Starting April 11, NAMI Rome is offering an eightsession course on ways to help friends and family members who are living with a mental illness. Family-to-family meets 2.5 hours weekly on Sunday afternoons from 1:30-4 p.m. in Rome. The class size will be limited to follow CDC guidelines. For more information and registration call Bonnie at 706-506-8314.
The Junior Service League of Rome will hold its biennial Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 24. Tickets are $25 for the regular tour, $50 for the “taste and tour,” and are available at Chieftains Museum, 501 Riverside Parkway. For more information visit jslofrome.com.
ONGOING
The Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging is making its six-week Living Well with Chronic Conditions workshop available remotely by computer or phone. Participants receive tip sheets, a reference book, and 2 CDS. There is no charge, but registration is required. For more information call Rogena Walden at 706-295-6485.
The Alanon support group meets at Westminster Church, 1941 Shorter Ave., at noon each Wednesday. Everyone is invited to come.
The Our Lady of the Three Rivers Chapter of the Society of Mary meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 42 Ash St. For more information call 706-506-1241.
VFW Post 4911 at 2632 Cedartown Highway hosts Bingo every Friday night. You do not have to be a member to play. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the kitchen opens at 6 p.m., and the games begin at 7:30 p.m. Cash prizes.
The NWGA Center for Independent Living holds a COVID-19 Peer Support call every Monday at 2 p.m. via the Zoom website and by phone. For the link and password, or if you need assistance, contact Christina Holtzclaw at 628-246-1825 or choltzclaw@nwgacil.org.
American Legion Post 136 from Lindale meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the VFW post at 2642 Cedartown Highway. Masks are required.
DAV Chapter 95 meets the fourth Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at VFW Post 4911 on Cedartown Highway. Face masks are required. For more information or assistance in filing VA claims, contact Chapter Commander
Art Cook at 334-208-2736.
Pisgah Baptist Church, 5603 Alabama Highway, has Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. and Sunday worship at 10:50 a.m. On Wednesdays they offer 8:30 a.m. prayers and 7 p.m. Bible study and a youth meeting.
Bush Arbor Baptist Church, 3290 Black’s Bluff Road, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship service at 11 a.m. and evening services at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Bible study is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 770-885-0779.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church,
42 Ash St., meets for Holy Communion Sundays at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. A nursery is provided. For more information call 706-506-1241.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church currently worships on Sunday at 10 a.m. on WLAQ radio station or live stream on Youtube. Celtic Service on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. is posted on the church Facebook page. In person worship will resume on Easter Sunday, April 4. See the website www.stpetersrome.org for details or call 706-291-9111.
Covenant Presbyterian Church (EPC), 1645 Cartersville Highway in Rome, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. traditional communion worship service. Social distancing practiced, masks recommended but not required. For further information, visit Covenantrome. org or call 706-767-8373.