Stress: Knowledge is Power

Kids of all ages experience stress and depression.  But for some, especially those who experience trauma, coping can be especially challenging.  More and more kids are turning to drugs, alcohol, sex  and even suicide to "cope" with daily stress of school, parents, friends, boyfriends and girlfriends and other stressful situations.  A direct correpation is that children sometimes misbehave, often as a symptom of stress or trauma.  Listed below are numerous helpful websites to make your life, and the life of your children, much easier.

Whether you are a teenager struggling with difficult emotions or a parent looking for ways to help, information is the first thing you need in order to take action.  Help is available.  But the first step is to recognize the problem.  Knowledge is power.  Go get some.  And remember...it always get's better.

February 2 - Test Stress!!!  It's real - it happens.  Learn how to keep a healthy body and mind and do your best on tests.

February 3 - The death of a loved one affects children in special ways.  Learn how to help a child grieve and get  through this difficult time.

Coping Strategies

February 6 -Learn coping strategies and mechanisms for dealing with life's everyday stressful situations and problems.  Coping techniques are able to provide a calming and relaxing atmosphere in which to lower stress, reduce the "overwhelming" feeling and achieve success.

February 7 - When a child suffers sexual abuse - stress always occurs.  Learn how to lessen the dramatic trauma and the long-term negative impact on a child.

February 8 - Anger can be a normal part of life, but expressing it without control can hurt those you care about and your relationships.  Learn how to manage out-of-control anger.

February 9 - How do you know if your child, or any child for that matter, is experienceing trauma?  What are the warning signs?

February 10 - Stress can affect everyone.  Learn the causes, signs and answers to releive stress.

 
Divorce, Drug Abuse and Bullying call all lead to Teenage Depression.  Learn how to provide coping skills or where to locate help.

 February 13 - A kid's guide to Divorce.  Kids don't cause divorce and kid's can't fix divorce.  It's not their fault, so why do they internalize the blame and how to help them through this uncertain period.

February 14 - Depression among teens is not uncommon.  Learn to recognize the causes, types of depression and symptoms to get the proper care.

February 15 - Are you feeling alone? Depressed?  Desperate?  Like no one understands you?  You feel as if  your parents don't want you around?  You are not alone!!  Talk to someone who has already been through what you are going through and may help you feel better about yourself and the world around you.

February 16 -  Drug abuse isn't glamourous.  It ruins lives.  What kids need to know!

February 17 - Parents, learn how to talk to your teens.  You can't always be their friend, you must be their parent sometimes, but this doesn't mean that you can't talk to your teen about the problems they are having.  Sometimes the best thing you can do - is just listen.

Loneliess, Stress, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, Traumatic Stress.  How to begin to overcome these issues and possibly help yout child or someone you know

February 20 - President's Day

February 21 - Loneliness is a feeling that we all can experiece from time to time, but it usually doens't last.  If you are feeling lonely for days, weeks or months at a time - maybe this information can help you overcome that feeling of hopelessness and dispair

February 22 - Learn the types, symptoms and ways to deal with Obsessive Compulsive Disorders 

February 23 - What you need to know about  child traumatic stress and how the stages of child development make a difference when dealing with it.

February 24 - How age and development impact child traumatic stress and how to help relieve this stress

Is your child misbehaving?  here are some ideas about discipline that may help you.

February 27 - Have a child that is misbehaving?  It's probably a sign that something is bothering your child.  Find ways to encourage your child and alleviate bad behaviors.

February 28 - While no person or no family can be anger-proof there are ways you can help your child get a handle on anger.  Seven ways to help calm down an angry child

February 29 - How to age-appropriately discipline your child in order to see the best results and alleviate the problems associated with a misbehaving child.