In addition to being a short-order cook, housekeeper and 24/7 chauffeur, I’m also my kids’ No. 1 fear-fighter. I check under their beds for bad guys and stick my own arm in the toy bin “to make sure the crab isn’t real.” Almost every day my kids ask for help with scary situations.
The back-and-forth routine that accompanies many children with a mom and dad in different homes often brings exhaustion. For kids, it can create confusion, anxiety and turmoil. Our children need a stable home environment, free of tension and chaos, to develop a healthy self-image and succeed in school. If you spend any time at your child’s school, particularly middle and high schools, you’ll notice the pressure and demands they face. Minefields at home only create more stress.
Lots of little kids never want to take a bath! They don’t cooperate and it becomes a battle of wills. Here are some tips if you have a little bath-avoider!
As a professional who regularly meets with students and listens to the concerns of their parents, lately I have sensed a shift in ‘I just want my kids to be happy’ to ‘I wish my kids were less stressed.’ Our students are not immune to cultural demands, our changing society and even financial woes. Since kids regularly experience stress, we can all benefit from expert advice.
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