Tag: school

Effective Strategies for Parenting Anxious Kids and Teens

In “Your Kid Did What?” Paula Lau discusses navigating parenting challenges. In this post I share her insights on anxiety, a normal part of life, especially for teens. Parents should engage in open conversations, share personal experiences, and allow children to face their fears to foster resilience.

In a recent post, I reviewed a new book, Your Kid Did What? by licensed counselor Paula Lau, LPC.

In the book subtitled “Strategies for Reclaiming Joy When Parenting Gets Tough” Paula revealed her anguish when faced with an unexpected life choice by her adult son. She shared how she used her Christian faith and training as a professional counselor to regain peace of mind and hope for the future.

Paula has been sharing parenting insights on Facebook and Instagram and she writes articles for local publications. I am sharing information from one of those articles with her permission in this post.

Paula Lau at a book signing

Adapted from The Anxiety Beast

by Paula M. Lau, LPC

It is not unusual to hear kids say they are “anxious” or “I have anxiety.” You may feel troubled when your child says this, but for most teens this has become a common part of their communication with one another and does not necessarily indicate a mental health diagnosis.

Adults tend to express anxiety by saying, “I am stressed.” All of us have been conditioned through television, social media, and other sources to think anxiety may be a symptom of mental illness that a medical professional must address.

Anxiety Can Be OK

We are trying desperately to avoid anxiety, but if you are alive, you are going to experience anxious feelings from time to time. We need to teach our children that feeling anxiety is okay and it is a normal part of the human condition.

Remember a movie about Gremlins, fictional creatures that grew exponentially in the right conditions?  Anxiety can be a Gremlin with a propensity to grow if fed the proper diet.

Anxiety for teens can express itself in different ways.

  • physical complaints, such as head or stomach ache.
  • trouble sleeping
  • avoidance of activities or people

This can all be NORMAL behavior especially during the teenage years.

Handling Anxiety

If your child is telling you they feel anxious, here are things you can do to help

Photo by Zen Chung on Pexels.com,
Explore the source  

A conversation with your child allows them to tell you why they are feeling anxious. Be careful not to say, “Oh, that’s nothing! When I was your age…etc.” Asking questions like, “Tell me more about how you are feeling” gives your young person the opportunity to open up about their anxieties and fears.

Share your story

Let them know that being anxious is NORMAL , then tell them about times you were nervous at their age and how you overcame that fear.

Help them face their fears

After you find out why they are feeling anxious, you can talk about facing their fears. Let your young person know that adversity (anxiety) can make you stronger as you face your fears.

Tell them you believe they are capable and competent. Fear is an opportunity for them to grow in new ways even though the experience may be uncomfortable for a season.

Desensitization

Is there a way to expose your child to what they fear in a modified format until they are more comfortable? For instance, if they are nervous about going to high school, call the school and tour the facility before the first day of school.

Finding a non-threatening way to expose your child to the things they fear can help them process their feelings.

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com
Allow them to problem-solve

 Be careful not to helicopter in and fix stressful situations for your child. (There can be exceptions to this rule, but situations where you need to intervene are far less common.) Kids might see themselves as “broken’ and “not up to the task.”

Remember the teenage years (starting in middle school) are critically important when a young person begins to form their identity. They need to work out their problems with their friends, and teachers.

Your child will become competent as they sort their way through life and figure out what works and what doesn’t. That will require some anxiety on their behalf and yours!

Learning from anxiety

Parents must develop a tolerance for their child’s anxiety. We must let go so our children find their way in difficult circumstances. This can take amazing self-control, but our children benefit as they learn they can successfully face life challenges.

Paula’s book is also available at this link on Amazon.

Exploring the HEART of Health

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

This post is not intended to diagnose or treat any mental or emotional disorder. Seek help from a mental health professional if you or your family have concerns about these issues.

Dr. Aletha

Simply September

September marks the end of summer and the start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. Labor Day is celebrated in the US, honoring workers’ contributions. Grandparents’ Day and Constitution Day are also observed. September 11 is a solemn day that changed the world. It’s also a month to recognize and honor women physicians.

updated August 29, 2025

September feels like we’re in the home stretch of the year, two-thirds of the way through. On the 30th day, the year’s third quarter ends. ( What other months have only 30 days?)

Where I live, the daylight hours are getting shorter and the first day of autumn occurs. Vacations end, school resumes, and life returns to a routine.

(This post has several affiliate links; I hope they help you find information and inspiration and help me fund this blog by the commission they will generate. )

graphic from LIGHTSTOCK.COM, resource for stock photos and other media

Labor Day-September 1

In the United States, we observe the first Monday in September as a federal holiday, Labor Day. Unlike other holidays it does not honor a specific person or historical event. Nor does it have religious significance.

According to the United States Department of Labor (who ought to know)

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers.

The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.

dol.gov

FYI- The cover photo is from the Department of Labor Flickr stream

Many celebrate Labor Day by not laboring, at least not at a job. Some communities have parades and friends and families gather for picnics, sporting events, or just relaxation.

Otherwise, not much happens on Labor Day except in a book and a movie by that name, and I reviewed both in this post.

Labor Day, the holiday and the book

In this post I review the book Labor Day by Joyce Maynard . It explores an unexpected and transformative weekend for a 13-year-old boy named Henry, his emotionally fragile mother Adele, and a mysterious man named Frank.

Keep reading

Grandparents’ Day-September 7

Another un-holiday is Grandparents’ Day, the second Sunday in September.

I think the only people who celebrate it are grandparents. Compared to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, this day qualifies for a Bronze medal by default. (that is, comes in third place)

Exploring the HEART of Grandparenting

This post discusses the significance of grandparenting and the impact it has on children’s well-being. In an interview, Dr. Aletha shared her ir experiences and insights as a grandparent, highlighting the role grandparents play in creating lasting memories and passing on traditions. Practical advice on caring for grandchildren is also provided, emphasizing safety and health.

Keep reading

Remembering history-September 17

One of the most important days in United States history is September 17. We should consider it the most important day.

What about July 4th, Independence Day, you’re thinking. On that day the 13 North American colonies declared independence from England. But on September 17, the colonies became the United States of America.

September 17 is called Constitution Day.

This day honors the creation of the United States government in 1787 as outlined in the Constitution. They started it with this preamble.

We the People of the United States, in Order to

  • form a more perfect Union,
  • establish Justice,
  • insure domestic Tranquility,
  • provide for the common defense,
  • promote the general Welfare, and
  • secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

The question of what is and isn’t “constitutional” creates heated debate, but that debate is protected by the Constitution-and that’s something to celebrate.

Freedom of speech was not specified in the original constitution though. That and our other rights were added later by amendments to the Constitution. The first ten amendments are called the Bill of Rights.

To “celebrate” Constitution Day, I suggest reading the full text. It’s not as long as you think. Here is the link. The original copy has been preserved and you can see it at the National Archives in Washington, DC.

The Constitution of the United States

The day is also called Citizenship Day, an event I celebrated in a post about attending a naturalization ceremony. It has a long history but here is a short version.

In 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill linking the two events. He proclaimed

“It is most fitting that every citizen of the United States, whether native-born or foreign-born, should on September 17 of each year give special thought and consideration to his rights and responsibilities under our Constitution.”

In 1956, the event was expanded when President Dwight Eisenhower included Constitution Week—observed from Sept. 17-23—in his annual proclamation.

9/11/2001

One of the darkest days in United States history, as well as the rest of the world, is September 11, 2001 when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. The country and the world have not been the same since.

Remembering 911 in literature

photo by Dr. Aletha on a trip to Washington, DC.
I wasn’t expecting to fly right over the Pentagon, and almost missed this shot.

Pieces Falling: Navigating 9/11 with Faith, Family, and the FDNY

by Ann Van Hine

“Ann Clark Van Hine, aka Miss Ann, was born in Oxford, England but grew up in Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona, New Jersey and now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Ann is the mom of two grown daughters, the widow of an FDNY firefighter, a retired small business owner, a docent with the 9/11 Tribute Museum, a published writer, Children’s Ministries volunteer, and a breast cancer survivor.

Since September 11, 2001, Ann has had numerous opportunities to share the story of God’s presence and peace as she navigated “a personal loss in the midst of a national tragedy.” She has shared her story all over the USA and internationally in Ireland, Belgium, England, and Japan. Ann is available to speak.”

Read a sample here. (This is an affiliate link to earn a commission.)

Women In Medicine Month

The American Medical Association recognizes and honors women physicians in September. I mention several women physicians in this post.

Working Stiff -a book review to remember 9/11

When she applied for a position in New York City at the NYC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), Dr. Judy Melinek never imagined that decision would plunge her into the nightmare of September 11, 2001. She was at the ME office that day when the Twin Towers were attacked and fell, killing thousands…

Keep reading

exploring the HEART of health

September has 30 days, as do April, June, and November.

I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you turn health challenges into health opportunities.

Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.

I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.

Dr. Aletha
myReader Rewards club- photo of woman on a bench reading a book

My Reader Rewards Club is a great way to earn free books and Bibles for yourself, friends, and family! Your journey to earning free faith-based products starts HERE.
(When you sign up through these links, I can earn free books too.)

As a member, you’ll have access to inspiring literature, Bibles, special promotional offers, and much more. Earning points is easy—you’ll receive 25 points just for signing up!