anxiety
How can I address the trauma of tragedy?
Dear Mama Drama: With one traumatic event after another in the headlines I am struggling to manage my own anxieties much less those of my children. We are all sad, angry, and afraid, and struggling to maintain our emotions and get through our daily routines. What advice do you have to help us? ~Stressed Out Mama (photo credit) Dear Stressed: While news of violent acts often leads to a mild increase in anxiety and fear, the recent string of tragedies has overwhelmed many children and adults. You and your family are not alone. Following are some ideas to support you through these difficult times. Limit exposure to news media. Hearing and seeing the information and images related to tragic events can be traumatic and intensify anxieties and fears. There is a difference between being informed ...
Mama Drama: Toddler Swimming Anxiety
Dear Mama Drama: My twenty-month-old son has been taking swimming lessons for about a month. He started out well, but now throws a fit when I tell him it’s time to go swimming and is often hysterical by the time we get to the pool. Sometimes I can coax him into the water and other times he’s completely uncooperative. He’s always loved the water so I’m not sure what is getting in the way of him enjoying swim lessons. How can we help him get through this and get back to loving the water? ~Drowning in Drama
Five things parents can do to help an anxious child
While a trip to Disney World is an event that is celebrated by most children, for 9-year-old Ann, it was an ordeal to be tolerated. She became anxious and started to sweat whenever she was in a crowded area. Ann refused to go on most of the rides. She was reluctant to eat food that was different from what her mom typically prepared. Ann wasn’t a bad kid. She got outstanding grades in school, rarely misbehaved and practiced the piano for hours without being told. However, Ann has experienced severe anxiety for the past two years. Her behavior during the Disney trip convinced the parents to seek psychological help. Anxiety in moderation is a normal and healthy response, but can be incapacitating when excessive. For some children,
Mama Drama: Extreme Hair Pulling
Dear Mama Drama: I am really worried about my son. He is three years old and has a really hard time handling frustration. When he doesn’t get his way or becomes frustrated with something, he starts pulling out his hair. He has done this so much that he has large bald spots all over his head. I try to talk with him and get him to stop the hair pulling but nothing seems to work. It seems like the more distressed I get about the behavior the more it increases. My husband and I are at a loss. What should we do? ~Pulled Apart (photo credit) Dear Pulled: Your perception that this is concerning behavior is accurate. Hair pulling of this extreme is not typical behavior and should be addressed with your pediatrician as soon as possible. There are a variety of issues that could be leading to this be...
Mama Drama: Competition Quakes
Dear Mama Drama: My daughter, age 8, signed up for a team sport this summer. We counseled her about the level of commitment it would take and were assured that she was up to it, even eager for it. My daughter enjoys the practices but gets too nervous for the competitions! The first week she did it, but it took a lot of cajoling. She did feel good about it at the end. But the second week, no amount of cajoling would get her onto the field. What are your ideas on handling her commitment? If she quits mid-season, should we make her responsible for some of the fees we paid? How do we help her to have a stake in this, without it being seen as punishment? ~ Questionning Commitment (photo credit) Dear Questioning: Your daughter’s eagerness to join the team and actively engage in practices shows t...
Mama Drama: Flushing Fears
My three year old was doing great with potty training until we visited the museum and an automatic toilet flushed unexpectedly. He now screams and cries when we take him into any public bathroom. How can we help him get over his fear and handle these flushing monsters? ~Flushed away (photo credit) Dear Flushed Away: Automatic toilets can be disconcerting to both adults and children when their powerful flush whooshes unexpectedly. For young children teetering on the edge of the seat and just beginning to trust in this whole toileting experience, the rushing water and powerful suction can be terrifying. A quick and easy fix for the automatic toilets is to place a sticky note over the sensor. This prevents them from flushing until the paper is removed. Carry a pack in your purse or diaper bag...
Mama Drama: Separation Anxiety Blues
Dear Mama Drama: My daughter just started preschool and cries and clings to me every time I take her. This is her first experience away from me. What can I do to help her adjust? ~Struggling to Separate (photo credit) Dear Struggling: Leaving your child when they are crying and scared is one of the most heart wrenching experiences a parent can have. The multitude of emotions you experience can be overwhelming. Heading off to school for the first time can also be a scary experience for many children. If they have never been left anywhere like school or day care previously, they have no idea what to expect. Common fears for first time preschoolers are that mom or dad won’t come back, no one will play with them, and they don’t know what to do if they have to go to the bathroom. Many young chi...
