Marshall Orthodontics - Q2 2020

THE AGE OF STRESS HELPING YOUR CHILD OVERCOME ANXIETY

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. Don’t stop here. For more tools and information regarding stress reduction in children, visit KidsHealth.org or contact your doctor.

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.

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.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT: SARA MEET THE NEW SCHEDULING COORDINATOR!

Sara is one of our newest employees — she has only been our scheduling coordinator since last November — but she’s already running our office calendar like a pro. If you’ve stopped by recently or called to make an appointment, you’ve probably seen her at the front desk or chatted with her on the phone. When she’s helping others, Sara says she feels like she’s really in her element. “For my last job, I actually worked as an orthodontic assistant, but I’ve always been a receptionist, too, and I just really enjoy being a receptionist and doing receptionist duties,” she says. “I like interacting with people, being able to help people with their questions, and being the first one they talk to when they come in.” Sara is almost as new to Simpsonville as she is to Marshall Orthodontics. Last fall, her husband Nate got a job here as a welder and sheet metal worker, and they moved their little family over from Aiken. For Sara, whether she’d be working in orthodontics after moving here was never in question. She’s been in love with the field since she first discovered it in college.

“Then I decided to try orthodontics just because I like helping people, and I like being able to see the progress of people’s smiles. I thought that would be fun!” When she isn’t in the office, Sara likes to spend her free time

hanging out with Nate and their two dogs, Bailey (a yellow Labrador) and Chance (a Labrador mix). Nate and Sara also have a cat with a name that’s a bit more out there: Bane, an homage to the “Batman” villain. “My husband didn’t want cats, and I decided to let him name Bane so he felt he was part of it,” Sara says, laughing. Sara, you’ve been a bright light in our office since day one! We’re so happy to have you here and can’t wait for our patients to get to know you better. Readers, don’t hesitate to say hello to Sara next time you’re in the office. She’d love to learn a bit more about your journey!

“I was actually going to school to be a vet tech, but I decided that wasn’t for me,” she recalls.

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