Simple Grief Projects to do with Family

The holidays can be a tough time for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one. It can be therapeutic to do an activity as a family to celebrate the memory of that loved one. Here are some kid friendly ideas! Happy Holidays!

1. Create a memory jar. Have everyone in the family write down his or her favorite memories of the departed loved one and put it in a nicely decorated mason jar. This is a fun and easy way to keep everyone's memories together.

2. Create a memory scrap book. This is another nice way to keep all family member's memories in one place. You can add pictures or anything that reminds you of the lost loved one.

3. Write a letter each year to your departed loved one. Either individually or if you have small children, together. Another option with small children is that you could have them draw or color a picture. Make sure to keep the letters/pictures! This is a good way to reflect on the year, as well as a good way to incorporate the departed loved one in a tradition.

Stress, Depression, and the Holidays: Tips for Coping

The holidays can be a joyous time of year, but can also be very stressful. An article from Mayo Clinic outlines 10 tips for coping with and preventing holiday stress and depression. Check it out here!

Your Brain On Sleep

Power of Sleep

Why You Can't Sleep

10 Teaching Tips for Children with Anxiety

10 Teaching Tips for Children with Anxiety

1. Provide a way to release anxiety. This will vary from child, to child but could include listening to calming sounds or taking a body break
2. Validate the child’s feelings, take their concerns seriously
3. Give the child a place where it is safe to fail, provide a quiet spot away from peers to manage their anxiety
4. Be organized, give the child a visual schedule at their desk, break the school day into sections that the child can visualize and manage
5. Give the child more time to process information, the situation and the demands that may be asked of them
6. Remain calm and relaxed, provide a comforting presence
7. Be consistent and have a predictable classroom routine
8. Teach and model coping techniques, deep breathing for example (smell the flower, blow out the candle)
9. Use a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach that allows the student some freedom in choosing their task or assignment
10. Try not to put the child “on the spot” or call attention to their anxiety
11. Allow the child to have an item or toy that provides comfort at school

How to Reduce Test Anxiety

Child Therapist's List of Top Worries by Age

Anxiety Disorder

Crying at School Drop Off: Tips that Can Help

Tips that Help

1. Create Excitement

2. Read Books Together
3. Practice
4. Spend Quality Time Together
5. Slow Down
6. Create a Good-Bye Ritual
7. Keep it Short
8. Don't Linger
9. Pack a Comfort Item
10. Be Positive

Tips for Communicating with Teachers Effectively

Helpful Tips for Communication with Teachers Effectively

Relatives Raising Relatives

Across the United States, more than 6 million children are being raised in households headed by grandparents and other relatives; 2.5 million children are in these households without any parents present. As the children's parents struggle with substance abuse, mental illness, incarceration, economic hardship, divorce, domestic violence, and other challenges, these caregivers provide a vital safety net to children inside and outside of the foster care system. This fact sheet provides important information and resources for the grandparents and other relatives raising children in your state.

Since many remarriages include children from previous relationships, step-families or blended families are more common than ever. When families "blend" to create step-families, though, things may not progress smoothly. Some children may resist changes, while you as a parent can become frustrated when your new family doesn't function like your previous one. While changes to family structure require adjustment time for everyone involved, these guidelines can help your blended family work through the growing pains. No matter how strained or difficult things seem at first, with open communication, mutual respect, and plenty of love and patience, you can develop a close bond with your new stepchildren and form an affectionate and successful new family.

10 Signs of a Healthy Co-parenting Relationship

Co-parenting, sometimes called joint parenting or shared parenting, is the experience of raising children as a single parent when separation or divorce occurs. Often a difficult process, co-parenting is greatly influenced by the reciprocal interactions of each parent. Co-parenting requires empathy, patience and open communication for success, which can be difficult for couples who've encountered marital issues. However, placing the sole focus on your children can be a great way of helping to make co-parenting a positive experience. This article helps families by discussing 10 signs of a healthy co-parenting relationship.

Books to Help Children Understand Family Change

Every child is bound to experience difficult events as they grows up: a family member becoming ill or passing away; a divorce or separation; a move that takes them away from the familiar comfort of home.

When complex situations arise before a child develops the ability to express emotions, books can help children feel less alone and more at ease with feelings like anger, frustration, or sadness. While a book can’t make everything better, stories often provide a great way to connect with children and help discuss difficult topics. This book list includes a number of great children's book that deal with adoption, divorce, separation, and other family change events. 

Underage Drinking: What You Should Know and What You Can Do

Wondering how to prevent your teen from drinking or what to do if you find out your teen is drinking, read this article for some very practical tips!

Alcohol Can Rewire The Teenage Brain

Pulaski High School Students took the Youth Risk Behavior Survey in January.  The results from that survey show that 33% of PHS students reported having at least 1 drink in the 30 days prior to the survey, and 15% of PHS students reported binge drinking (5 or more drinks) in the 30 days prior to the survey.

Alcohol use presents a number of risks, especially for the still developing teenage brain.  Read this article to understand the consequences.

Raising Drug Free Families - Why Drug Testing Works

This article has excellent information to help your child resist peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol.

Getting Smart About Teen Medicine Abuse

                 Watch this three minute video to learn more about a common medicine that                       more and more teens are turning to.

Three Friends, One Odd Girl Out

http://time.com/4185741/three-friends-one-odd-girl-out-cracking-the-girl-threesome/

Toxic Relationships?

Are you in a toxic relationship?  Here is a short video guide to help you determine if your relationship is toxic, and if so, what you can do for yourself.

Being Friends with Someone Different from You.

A short video about maintaining a friendship with someone who is your opposite. 

Some suggestions for helping your daughter deal with mean girls.

http://pintsizedtreasures.com/how-to-help-your-daughter-deal-with-mean-girls/

A (Video) Guide to Maintaining Friendships

Some suggestions for when you and your friend face changes, such as moving away.

Starting a Meditation Practice

Show Yourself A Little Self Love This Valentine's Day through Meditation!

Is the thought of meditation or mindfulness intimidating to you?  Check out a great free app called Insight Timer.  Not only does it have guided meditations (a great way for you to start your practice), it also shows you who is meditating in your city and better yet, who is meditating around the world the same time as you!  Meditation helps with sleep, more consistent energy, stress reduction and more!  It is a great way to slow your mind down and give your brain a break during the day.  See more benefits meditation below.

Graditude is a "Game-Changer."

Click on this link for a great article on the power of gratitude.  

Self Care

We often ask students how they are taking care of themselves, especially in times of stress.  They typically say they exercise, talk to friends, listen to music and of course, watch Netflix :).  Use the wheels below for ideas to incorporate new self-care practices into your life.  Remember, if you keep doing what you have always done, you are going to keep getting what you've always got.  Start something new!

Here is a blank wheel for you to fill in!  

Self-Esteem

Worry about loving yourself, instead of loving the idea of other people loving you! KUSHANDWIZDOM

When To Seek Outside Counseling?

Five Signs That It's Time to Seek Outside Help for a Struggling Child

Self-Advocacy

Self Advocacy Videos