The Age of Stress
Helping Your Child Overcome Anxiety
How do I know if my child is stressed? When a kid is stressed, they will exhibit odd behavior and even undergo physical changes. Depending on your child’s age, watch for mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, headaches, trouble focusing, or withdrawal from the people around them. According to KidsHealth. org, younger children may also pick up habits like twirling their hair or sucking their thumb, while older kids may start to bully others, lie, or rebel. Can I help reduce their stress? According to KidsHealth.org, good nutrition, proper rest, and healthy attention are great ways to help kids manage their stress. Set time aside each day to talk and spend time with your children; talking about worries will reduce or relieve anxieties. If you know about an upcoming stressful situation, like a school exam or a health checkup, prepare your child by studying with them or talking to them about what to expect.
It’s hard to imagine kids as anything but carefree, happy, and eager to explore the world around them. However, children experience stress just like adults do, which can severely impact their typically cheerful dispositions. Since April is National Stress Awareness Month, now is an opportune time to familiarize yourself with tools and information that can help you alleviate your child’s stress. What are their stressors? Any number of everyday factors can lead to stress, and stress can plague anyone who feels overwhelmed. Toddlers and young children going to day care or school for the first time may experience separation anxiety due to being apart from their parents. Older kids and teenagers may feel mounting social and academic pressure. Even something as simple as overhearing loved ones arguing or seeing a sad news report can add to a child’s stress levels.
Don’t stop here. For more tools and information regarding stress reduction in children, visit KidsHealth.org or contact your doctor.
Thinking About Moving? Check Out the 5 Best Cities for Divorcees If you’ve recently come through a divorce and don’t have obligations here in South Carolina, you might be considering a change of scenery. Moving is tempting after a split because a new city can feel like a fresh start. But did you know that some cities might be better for divorcees than others?
This February, The New York Times reported that Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Denver, and Pittsburgh are the best cities for divorcees to live in, according to a new LendingTree study. The study came up with that order after looking at 50 of the biggest metro areas in the country and analyzing relevant metrics. LendingTree zeroed in on things like the median income of divorced people in each city compared to other one-income families, homeownership rates among divorcees, renters’ expenses, the number of single people in the city, the ratio of men to women, and more. With all of those things taken into account, Minneapolis came out on top, followed by the other four cities we listed above. New York City ended up with the lowest score because of its small dating pool and high cost of living, with Memphis and Virginia Beach rounding out the bottom three. As the Times put it, “So sign the papers and head to the Midwest, perhaps, where the living is easier and the loving is better … according to the study.”
and friends live, and what kind of amenities you’re looking for in your new home. If you love the ocean, for example, a move to Minneapolis probably isn’t right for you. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to consult your family law attorney before you head out of state, particularly if there are complicating factors — like joint custody — in play. A competent, experienced attorney can help you weigh the risks and rewards of moving, and make sure you truly get the fresh start you’re looking for, without legal issues. If you’re ready to make the big move, call our team at 864-598-9172 before you head out.
Of course, you probably shouldn’t base such a big life decision on one report. Before you pull up stakes, consider things like where your family
2 www.SCFamilyLaw.com
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker