Learning with Matthew

My first book will be out in November and I am very excited about this event. I wrote Learning with Matthew; A Caregivers Guide to Problem Solving School Issues with Their Child after I had been a therapist in the public school system for three years. I realized that the majority of parents and caregivers that I was working with, didn't know what their options were in helping support their children in the school system. I am hoping that Learning with Matthew helps parents understand some of the social and academic pressures that their children feel while at school. The book will also guide caregivers on how to find help for their children and give them guidance in solving their problems.

If you are interersted in purchasing a copy of Learning with Matthew I have set up a link for your convenience on the right side of this page. You can click on Learning with Matthew and it will take you directly to Tate Publishing where you can order your copy for $7.99 plus shipping and handling.

Thank you for your purchase.

Gina

Take Control of Your Stress

Balancing your family's needs will always bring more stress into your life than you want. Many people today face long hours at work, financial pressures and problems with spouses and children. This stress will release chemicals into your body that effect every cell within you.

There are five simple techniques that you can learn to keep a clear mind, body and spirit. Here is how to take control:

• Just Breathe. Stop and take two or three slow deep breathes whenever you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed. Fill your diaphram completely and release the cleansing breath slowly. This small act will release parasympathetic chemicals into your body that will leave a calming effect for you.
• Think Positive. Whenever we stop to think about all the blessings in our life and how grateful that we are for our gifts we send a chemical message throughout our body that life is good. Close your eyes and visualize what is endearing to you and breathe. The experience will change your life.
• Slow Down. It seems we are always multi-tasking and making lists to complete everything that we feel is important to do. Try going for a walk or getting some type of exercise for 30 minutes to release your stress in a positive way. That list will still be there and you will feel more refreshed and ready to tackle it when you return.
• Love Yourself. We all make mistakes, but sometimes we are very hard on ourselves when we make them. Support yourself by taking responsibility for your choice and then make a plan on how to move forward.
• Let it Go. There will be times in your life when you need to recognize that you cannot change the situation. You will need to release it to your belief system, or high power and move forward. Dwelling on the issue will not change the results. Learn from the experience and do your best not to repeat the mistake.

Taking care of your emotional well-being can seem like a full time job at times, but the benefits can be a better quality of life for you and your family.

I'll write again next week.

Gina

Lighten the Load

With the academic season well under way, we see many children carrying heavy backpacks to and from school. For some children it is mainly books, for others it is band instruments and sports equipment. These items can weigh alot, and the majority of the weight is supported by your children's back.

There have been many studies done that have reported that children are carrying too much weight on their backs. One study found that backpacks triggered back pain in nearly half of the 237 children that were involved in their study. Many of the children only carried their backpacks approximately 5 to 15 minutes a day.

The study gave several suggestions to help protect your child's back:

• Choose a backpack that has two wide padded straps that go over the shoulder. Make sure your children put both arms through the straps, not just one.
• Monitor what your children carry. The total weight should not be more than 10 percent of a child's body weight.
• Teach your children to pack the heaviest books closest to their backs.
• Coach your children to go to their lockers as often as possible to minimize the time that they are carrying their books.

Teaching your children these health tips to lighten their load will benefit their back as an adult. You might also want to look at the weight of your purse and briefcase. Are you modeling good health habits there for your children?

I'll write again next week.

Gina

Learning How to Apologize

We all make mistakes and hurt people unintentionally at times. We will usually apologize for the poor choice to the individual we hurt and try to move forward. Unfortunately there will be times that people will choose not to accept our apology.

Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas have written a book together titled, The Five Languages of Apology. They discuss in their book that different individuals need to hear different things in their apology before they are able to accept the apology. The review five different aspects of an apology:

• Express regret
• Accept responsibility
• Make restitution
• Genuinely repent
• Request forgiveness

Depending on the person and the extent of the violation, some people will want a combination of these five areas in their apology. Learning how to give an apology to the people that you love can open the door to forgiveness and eventually to reconciliation.

I'll write again next week.

Gina

Talking to Your Children About School Violence

Unfortunately school violence is the current topic in today's news, and your children are going to have anxiety about their personal safety at times. It will be important that you discuss their concerns openly, and answer their questions directly without excessive emotion that could increase their anxiety.

The National Mental Health Association has released a guide for parents that are wanting to discuss these tough issues of school violence, with their children.

• Encourage your children to talk about their concerns and express their feelings.
• Talk honestly about your own feelings regarding school violence.
• Validate the child's feelings.
• Empower the children to take action regarding school safety.
• Discuss the safety procedures that are in place at your child's school.
• Create safety plans for your child.

It is important that you monitor your children's behavior after discussing their concerns. You may note that your children are having difficulty sleeping, have a change in appetite, refuse to attend school, or display outbursts of aggression. These behaviors may be a way of how your children are expressing their anxiety and fear. If your children continue to display adverse behaviors for an extended period of time, you may want to contact a mental health professional for a consultation.

Until next week,

Gina