Return to School Jitters

The new school year is upon us all. My 11 year old reminded me just prior to school starting that he was “ready to go back to school.” I am reminded that there are many young people that do not want to go back to school. Not because they dislike school and the education process, but that they dislike what occurs while they are in school. The excitement for these children is replaced by foreboding and fear. What am I talking about you may ask? Bullying!<br /><br /><br /><div> </div>Those youth who experience bullying tend to be more reluctant about attending school, especially when they are entering a grade which requires transitioning to a different school setting. Transition is an extremely difficult time, it means physically and emotionally they are going through changes. Bullying is defined as using superior strength or influence, aggressive behavior, or negative, unwanted actions to intimidate or otherwise make another person uncomfortable. These behaviors are usually reproduced over time and are generally used to force a person to do what the bully wants.<br /><br /><div> </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MQAeVbshSR7eCjMkU8ZCWCBHucjv5n7hWc-RalaDl4B6ccIEyAHGSoZdIziijrNQUJDy_EXLDAZFSo-yiFPezXDp9h07XA5UzcFjlfZlMkgeaucdKY3Z-5M49XULOlxZZQNnrel8Acxf/s1600/thumbnail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MQAeVbshSR7eCjMkU8ZCWCBHucjv5n7hWc-RalaDl4B6ccIEyAHGSoZdIziijrNQUJDy_EXLDAZFSo-yiFPezXDp9h07XA5UzcFjlfZlMkgeaucdKY3Z-5M49XULOlxZZQNnrel8Acxf/s200/thumbnail.jpg" width="200" xaa="true" /></a>Most schools have what they believe are effective anti-bullying programs and campaigns. However, what is quite interesting is that most common place for bullying is in the playground estimated at 44%. The second most common place is in the classroom at 28%. This makes perfect sense if you observe the playground activities of most schools in your community. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The playground is an area that has so many things going on. There are those children who play sports, kickball, basketball, football, soccer or some other sports. Then there are those children who are playing on the jungle gyms and outside play equipment. Lastly, there are those children who are off on their own, in cliques, or small group’s chit chatting or playing some other type of activity. But what many of us do not see is that the adults, those people who are supposed to supervisor our children, in most cases are parent volunteers. They are clumped together, talking amongst themselves. Parent volunteers are just that they are Lunch Moms and Dads who are helping out their school and community by offering supervision. But what lacks is that most of them receive little or no training in the area of dealing with and being able to identify when a child is being bullied. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGY-TGuGHe4XUFnXBLtXCKq1ZiBEA_HoZ7NseHD7larzRmDynv1jQnqjfyZWgsct68uojAAlzjEdQkRcXJFTJx1bAsDL80PDtmU5HVObgJvweEMBQvdonxlZuc-ZElfTHFU74q1DR8Lwb/s1600/0_teenDrug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGY-TGuGHe4XUFnXBLtXCKq1ZiBEA_HoZ7NseHD7larzRmDynv1jQnqjfyZWgsct68uojAAlzjEdQkRcXJFTJx1bAsDL80PDtmU5HVObgJvweEMBQvdonxlZuc-ZElfTHFU74q1DR8Lwb/s1600/0_teenDrug.jpg" xaa="true" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Bullying is seldom an extremely overt act. In the early stages it is extremely subtle and quick. Only after a period of time of prolonged bullying does is it overt and aggressive. As a parent, you should be contacting your school and finding out what training the staff is given, ask the question about volunteers and lunch room staff. Because much of what causes those feeling of uneasiness are those moments on the playground or cafeteria where your child may become a target of bullying.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>The Classroom</u></strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Next is the classroom, anti-bullying programs have focused on children and how they can deal they can prevent and deal with bullying. What training have your teachers in your community received? There is little training for teachers to learn how to identify bullying that occurs in the classroom. Much of what occurs in the classroom occurs while the teacher is in the classroom and in full view of the teacher. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JetWt8wVi52QOfFjbmp38WRUKUSgjgtl1J-WhiGzlvOZP9KZ-ZjhjuBydQIiZg-jSanyJr0s8uPTVsvaO_i11jeTuxVahY4qDJLa165cyzZdpXTBattn3f6bzqA-TlnTJiUhhphZ_LoX/s1600/classroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JetWt8wVi52QOfFjbmp38WRUKUSgjgtl1J-WhiGzlvOZP9KZ-ZjhjuBydQIiZg-jSanyJr0s8uPTVsvaO_i11jeTuxVahY4qDJLa165cyzZdpXTBattn3f6bzqA-TlnTJiUhhphZ_LoX/s200/classroom1.jpg" width="200" xaa="true" /></a>Teachers need to not only learn that it occurs right in front of them, but that once they identify it, how they are going to address it properly in the classroom. By this meaning is the teacher going to place the “target” of the bullying into a more uncomfortable situation by assigning blame on the “target.”</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">According to children in school this all too frequently happens and this creates the belief in children that telling an adult does not help the problem. Parents need to stay active and learn what techniques their teachers are using to address bullying in school to prevent this type activity from continuing.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Here are some tips that you can go over to help your child deal with bullying. </strong></div><br /><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Tell them to stop. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Walk away. Do not let them get to you. If you walk away or ignore them, they will not get that satisfaction. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Protect yourself. Sometimes you cannot walk away. If you are being physically hurt, protect yourself so that you can get away. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Tell an adult you trust. Talking to someone could help you figure out the best ways to deal with the problem. In some cases, adults need to get involved for the bullying to stop. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Find a safe place. Go somewhere that you feel safe and secure like the library, a favorite teacher’s classroom, or the office.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stick together. Stay with a group or individuals that you trust. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Find opportunities to make new friends. Explore your interests and join school or community activities such as sports, drama, or art. Volunteer or participate in community service.</li><br /></ul><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once your child has opened the door, help your child begin to problem-solve. You can role-play different situations and encourage your children to respond in a positive manner. You can also help your child meet new friends or join a new team or club.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">In order to avoid a “he-said, she-said” type argument with the parent of the accused bully, you should refrain from contacting the other parent. Instead, school personnel should be involved. You want to report the situation so the teachers and administrators of your children are aware of the brewing issue and can keep a closer eye while they are on school grounds.</div><br /><div>  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Don’t let your child be another bully statistic. Teach your child how to avoid bullying and what to do if bullying occurs. If your child is involved in a bully situation encourage them to talk to a trust adult.</div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div>

Return to School Jitters

The new school year is upon us all. My 11 year old reminded me just prior to school starting that he was “ready to go back to school.” I am ...

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As teen births go down, Drug use goes up!

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbM9w6awMepGiWCnlnaYZH81jAhwv3jt-JffFKi3pUtedZ4dpRz2n4P8ns7uQe5yQnvxqSCAziaObR3WFjrKOSl_On6TiQgVhDthUNy8FTFV1WW1h39hAgtCmXJnfUAShQAJjGGcL9X5N3/s1600/teen-pregnancy-rates-rise-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" /></a>A recent <a href="http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/06/u-s-kids-health-teen-births-down-early-drug-use-up/">CNN blog post </a> discussed areport which showed births to adolescents declined for the second consecutive year.  The report was a compilation of statistics from numerous organizations, in which there was a decline in the U.S. The report stated a drop in the adolescent birth rate, from 21.7 per 1,000 girls ages 15-17 (2008) to 20.1 per 1,000 (2009, preliminary data).</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There was also other good news, the report also noted that adolescent injury deaths have also decline. This drop in injury-related deaths among teens ages 15-19 from 44 per 100,000 (2008, preliminary data) to 39 per 100,000 (2009, preliminary data). The number also includes teenage driving deaths. These numbers might be an indication that some legislation has had an impact on teen driving, but the researchers also indicated that there could be multiple factors at play.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx8TM5_8GWhO_GVEACUXbA04tsZ5PO4biO_Mk6m1kJK1PD_uKJIwZ53KrDTtgWRnXF_zNxld2K7Hm4si2hr7E6GtiToE-r87t1Tm-r2JIxhyuzjvPi_wlMgJR2CSr7gUFe-xfIyR3TQxaW/s1600/0309_teen_drug_abuse_170x170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" /></a>The report is title America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2011 all though the full report is not yet available, <a href="http://www.childstats.gov/index.asp">previous reports</a> are. The group gathers statistics from asthma cases in children to their test scores in math.  The report is a collection of 22 federal agencies. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now for the bad news. The report also found a rise in the proportion of eighth graders who reported using illicit drugs in the past 30 days, from 9 percent (2009) to 10 percent (2010). The report found that more children were likely to live in poverty and fewer children were likely to live with one parent working year round, full time.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Surely this information bears further scrutiny and helps monitor the well being of America's youth.

As teen births go down, Drug use goes up!

A recent CNN blog post   discussed areport which showed births to adolescents declined for the second consecutive year.  The report was a co...

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Parents, Hosting teen parties be smart and safe

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaDpE8tzEd7i5snFCei4WH4VTlykicfmC6a3nTz3ho095mgob92BXVrVCPgo2Z8AgN2cP09jNub1DZy6UG1Ang7i4-MGEY0q0K9xDMclq_5ZGcsdXNGxwL6c9ncAq-BD8kdnFKE509SCd/s1600/high_school_graduation_ceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaDpE8tzEd7i5snFCei4WH4VTlykicfmC6a3nTz3ho095mgob92BXVrVCPgo2Z8AgN2cP09jNub1DZy6UG1Ang7i4-MGEY0q0K9xDMclq_5ZGcsdXNGxwL6c9ncAq-BD8kdnFKE509SCd/s200/high_school_graduation_ceremony.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>High School graduations brings all kinds of emotions for teens and parents alike. There is a cross section of emotions for parents from elation and pride of your child's academic accomplishment too sadness, knowing that your little one has grown up so fast. And for those parents hosting a graduation party, there's some trepidation that comes with such responsibility.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yes you want to host a party because this is a momentous academic milestone you're celebrating, after all. But hosting a party places you at incredible risks, it could make a teen or child a statistic and put your in legal as well as financial trouble..</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Alcohol related fatalities spike during this time of year, in particular because of the amount of teen partying that occurs. A recent National Highway Traffic Safety report revealed that more than 60 percent of traffic fatalities in the 15-to-20 age group that occur during the weeks of graduation are alcohol-related. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXLkK4AH7By75BDLVI-THvwn97ReiOo6VWxSNe0sX5hbAfgS4xbEzfC2yDNvUVbi70ltpfQ8j-cLkepiT9rmLZtYTZrColTzsCuIEuHHpHx37oVW20Y6NkJIX_3ziZ9TuFH0M1cwhvYMI/s1600/party-drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXLkK4AH7By75BDLVI-THvwn97ReiOo6VWxSNe0sX5hbAfgS4xbEzfC2yDNvUVbi70ltpfQ8j-cLkepiT9rmLZtYTZrColTzsCuIEuHHpHx37oVW20Y6NkJIX_3ziZ9TuFH0M1cwhvYMI/s200/party-drinking.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>Remember <a href="http://www.drugfreeactionalliance.org/pwh.php">Parents Who Host, Lose The Most.</a>  Many well-meaning parents think that it is enough to take away car keys at their teen's parties so the teens can't drink and drive. Parents provide the alcohol or allow alcohol to be consumed based on the false belief that it's a rite of passage, especially at prom and graduation parties.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">You're probably well aware of what it takes to throw a fun, yet safe graduation party. But you could always used more help, here are some tips, such as:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stick to a guest list - no strangers</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD4qO5SbdPic3PIxmefUteiQeqf7_rlwaRa8Sq6DR9joKHMdCFId48hBOchd0P7A3T06rDs6FWVZG5LBGKdT6mbU3XsDDvywrWZXQ_xgDwwp1m9xbwVl-pTjQf-AdgYwlXBHPrRsgFLix/s1600/partyDM2802_468x296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJD4qO5SbdPic3PIxmefUteiQeqf7_rlwaRa8Sq6DR9joKHMdCFId48hBOchd0P7A3T06rDs6FWVZG5LBGKdT6mbU3XsDDvywrWZXQ_xgDwwp1m9xbwVl-pTjQf-AdgYwlXBHPrRsgFLix/s200/partyDM2802_468x296.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>Lay down the 'no alcohol, no drugs, no tobacco' law and stick to it!</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Secure all forms of alcohol in your home in a safe place</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Contact parents of anyone who arrives in possession of alcohol or under the influence</li></ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>

Parents, Hosting teen parties be smart and safe

High School graduations brings all kinds of emotions for teens and parents alike. There is a cross section of emotions for parents from elat...

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Helping Teens Cope with Stress

<div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0q9MG94WbXJZSCSVJ47YxxUD5dt-3Lx96CU6iwzdd2FuM2DwnOJ5BDqj20XeIo1RTUcxjDQIEiwwFgijPcg0BHnYbcxHVV5l91ybrvuAr0M62XN5eZNkf7lqhqAjPBrSepjTo4juMUtb/s1600/ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0q9MG94WbXJZSCSVJ47YxxUD5dt-3Lx96CU6iwzdd2FuM2DwnOJ5BDqj20XeIo1RTUcxjDQIEiwwFgijPcg0BHnYbcxHVV5l91ybrvuAr0M62XN5eZNkf7lqhqAjPBrSepjTo4juMUtb/s200/ts.jpg" width="159" /></a>Sixteen-year-old Juliana is juggling many roles. She has a demanding part-time job, plays two varsity sports, is studying for the SATs, and is trying to decide where to go to college and how to pay for it. She also has a term paper and an Internet project due this week, needs to find a date and a dress for the Homecoming, is worried that she has gained a few pounds, and is afraid one of her friends is mad at her. While Juliana used to feel confident and excited by life's challenges, she has recently been feeling overwhelmed, out of control and "stressed out."</div></div><br /><div></div>Juliana's story is typical of the daily pressures teens face.<br /><br /><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">"Stress" is defined as the way our bodies and minds react to life changes. Since adolescence is a period of significant change, including physical, emotional, social, and academic changes, many teens are under more stress than at any other time of life. </div><br /><div></div>Teenage Stress Factors<br /><ul><li>academic pressure and career decisions </li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pessure to wear certain types of clothing or hairstyles</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Pressure to try drugs, alcohol or sex</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">pressure to fit in with peer groups and measure up to others</li><li>adaptation to bodily changes </li><li>family and peer conflicts</li><li>taking on too many activities at one time</li></ul><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It is very important for teens to learn to handle stress, as long-term build-up of stress that is not handled effectively may lead to problems, including physical illness, anxiety or depression, which call for professional help. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Teenage "Stress Overload" Signs: </div><br /><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">increased physical illness (headaches, stomachaches, muscle pains, chronic fatigue)</li><li>"shutting down" and withdrawal from people and activities</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">increased anger or irritable lashing out at others</li><li>increased tearfulness and feelings of hopelessness</li><li>chronic feelings of worry and nervousness</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">difficulty sleeping and eating</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">difficulty concentrating</li></ul><br /><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Our body's natural reaction to life events that we perceive as overwhelming is the "fight or flight" response, which may produce a faster heart rate, increased blood flow, shallow breathing, a sense of dread and a desire to escape. However, teens can teach themselves to perceive life challenges as being within their control and can even change their body's reactions to such events, promoting a lower heart rate, deeper breathing, clearer thinking and feelings of calmness and control. There are many stress management skills that promote the relaxation response. </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Stress Management Skills for Teens </div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Taking deep breaths accompanied by thoughts of being in control ("I can handle this")</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Progressive muscle relaxation, (repeatedly tensing and relaxing large muscles of the body)</li><li>Setting small goals and breaking tasks into smaller manageable chunks</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Exercising and eating regular meals, and avoiding excessive caffeine</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Focusing on things you can control and letting go of things you cannot control</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Rehearsing and practicing feared situations (e.g., practicing public speaking or asking someone out on a date)</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Talking about problems with others, including parents, older adults and friends</li><li>Lowering unrealistic expectations</li><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Scheduling breaks and enjoyable activities, such as music, art, sports, socializing </li><li>Accepting yourself as you are and identifying unique strengths and building on them, but realizing no one is perfect!</li></ul><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>Source: This article was originally published in Rhode Island Family Guide.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>

Helping Teens Cope with Stress

  Sixteen-year-old Juliana is juggling many roles. She has a demanding part-time job, plays two varsity sports, is studying for the SATs, an...

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