Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a chance to take a break over the coming week. With the rush of holidays, school and parenting, I have found I need to be very intentional in taking time to give thanks this time of year. Otherwise, the hours turn into days turn into weeks and in a blink of an eye, we are into January. If you would like suggestions on practicing gratitude, here are some great ideas:
Giving Thanks

I am thankful for the Internet Safety talk from our guest this week, Stefanie Thomas. Each time we do this talk for students and parents, I am left feeling we can always do more. At the very least, parents need to ensure they have parameters and rules established for their children regarding screens and devices. If your child has a phone, an i-pad, laptop or any other device where internet access is available, having an established parent-child contract is a good idea. See these samples of cell phone contracts for ideas (and you could certainly amend them to be inclusive of laptops or other devices):
Sample cell phone contract 
Sample cell phone contract 
Guidelines for Responsible Smartphone Use by Jo Langford

For those that missed the Internet Safety talk in the evening, please see the attached information from Ms. Thomas. 
Family Texting Boundaries 
Social Media 4-1-1 
Internet Safety Resources 
 
As always feel free to connect with me if you have any 
questions or concerns. Take care and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Mindfulness

This quote was shared with me recently and I thought it might be helpful for those of you new to the concept of mindfulness. Mindfulness means being present in the now, without placing judgement on one's experience in that moment. Mindfulness is an awareness of feelings, both physical and emotional, without immediately trying to change them. It is using your being mind, not your doing mind. Mindfulness isn't a new practice, with its origins in Buddhism or Hinduism, and we are seeing a resurgence recently in mindfulness practice with some very concrete benefits. Research shows that mindfulness practice can lead to stress reduction, boosts in working memory and focus, emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and increased empathy (http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner.aspx).

I have been teaching mindfulness to our Annie Wright students for several years and find they really enjoy it. Some almost seem hungry for it. I have also found it to be a nice complement to Responsive Classroom and the Primary Years Program. Here are some of the resources I use with students across a variety of grade levels:

• Sitting still like a frog: Mindfulness exercises for kids (and their parents), by Eline Snel. http://www.shambhala.com/sitting-still-like-a-frog.html 

• A handful of quiet: Happiness in four pebbles, by Thich Nhat Hanh. http://www.amazon.com/Handful-Quiet-Happiness-Four-Pebbles/dp/1937006212

• Pictures books including:
• What does it mean to be present?, by Rana Diorio
• The Lemonade Hurricane, by Licia Morelli
• Anh's Anger and Steps and Stones, by Gail Silver
• Mindful monkey, happy panda, by Lauren Alderfer and Kerry Lee MacLean
• Moody cow meditates, by Kerry Lee Maclean
• Visiting Feelings, by Lauren Rubenstein

With holidays approaching, mindfulness can be a great antidote to impending stress. Six quick and easy mindfulness tips to combat holiday stress

Just as we are working on teaching mindfulness at school, adults can incorporate mindfulness into their work day. Mindfulness at work

I hope to see lots of folks at the Internet Safety speaker on Monday. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Stress and anxiety

Stress is as much a part of life as any other feeling or emotion. A certain level of stress can be a positive thing that allows us to perform at our best. The big game, a big test or presentation- a healthy level of acute stress releases the hormones that make our brains more alert, our pulse to quicken and our muscles tense.  However, too much stress, particularly chronic stress, tips things over the edge into the negative. 

Behavior that seems out of character for your child may be an indication of stress or anxiety.  Signs of too much stress in children may include:

• acting irritable or moody
• withdrawing from activities that used to give them pleasure
• headaches or stomach aches 
• routinely expressing worries
• complaining more than usual about school
• crying
• displaying surprising fearful reactions 
• clinging to a parent or teacher
• sleeping too much or too little
• eating too much or too little.

For teens, while spending time with peers is typical, pushing back from parents or avoiding long time friendships teens may also be an indicator stress levels are too high. 
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-children.aspx 

My general guide in knowing when something has become a problem is how much it is impacting someone's daily healthy living. Many kids (and adults) exhibit funny or quirky behavior, but if it is not impacting their daily life (or social relationships), it may not need to be addressed. For more information on knowing when stress has gone from beneficial to detrimental in your teen:
https://www.parentmap.com/article/is-your-teen-suffering-from-toxic-stress 

For strategies on how to help your stressed or anxious child or teen:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/renee-jain/9-things-every-parent-with-an-anxious-child-should-try_b_5651006.html  

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2012/06/06/signs-your-child-is-stressed-5-ways-to-help/

https://www.parentmap.com/article/webinar-strategies-to-free-your-kids-from-stress  


For books that may help your anxious child (whether short term or chronic):
Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step by Step Guide for Parents, Rapee, et al (including an online guide for children)http://www.amazon.com/Helping-Anxious-Child-Step---Step/dp/1572245751/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446847906&sr=8-1&keywords=anxious+child

What to do when you worry too much: A kid's guide to overcoming anxiety, Huebner, Dawn http://www.apa.org/pubs/magination/441A314.aspx


Lastly, should your child need to talk to someone about their stressors, of course I am here (I see many kids that are feeling stressed). I also have great referrals for outside therapists that can be very helpful as well. 

With the weekend upon us, hopefully our own stress levels will be low and we can all relax. Until next week, take care.