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Letting Go of Stress

A Kid's Guide to Putting Worry in Its Place

Abbey Press

What Is Stress?

Stress is a feeling that happens to almost everyone from time to time. It's a nervous feeling that you usually get when you're worried about something. Stress sometimes occurs when something is going to happen that is new or unfamiliar. Remember how the first day of school was? You were pretty nervous, right? You didn't know who your classmates were going to be.

Those unknown things can make you feel stress. But it doesn't take long to get to know everybody in your class, your new teacher, and the things you're going to be studying. Before long, your "first day of school" stress is pretty much gone.

What Causes Stress?

Stress can come from many people and many places. It can also come from the times we have disagreements with other people. Learning how to resolve these disagreements is an important part of learning how to get along with people ... in your family, in your neighborhood, in your school, and in every part of life.

Can you think of some things that cause you stress? Sometimes if you make a list and share it with a parent or teacher, it can help make the stress less.

Families Can Feel Stress

In families, people sometimes disagree and this can cause stress. Our families are where we learn to get along with each other, cooperate, and have fun.

We all need different things and like different things. Does everyone want to watch the same TV shows at the same time? Does everyone like the same toys or dolls or games? Sometimes it can be very hard to share, even though we know we should. But when we learn to be more patient and share, it can make a big difference in the stress level in any home.

Have a Family Meeting

Some families find it very helpful to have special "family meetings" to talk about how everyone is feeling. They can sit around a table or in a circle on the floor and say what they like and what they don't like.

The person speaking often holds a "talking stick" (or pen or ball) so that when that person is talking, no one can interrupt. When that person is finished, the next person gets to hold the "talking stick" and share his or her feelings.

Making time to have dinner together, play together, and exercise is also important for helping everyone feel like a part of the family.

Set Rules for Your Family

Setting "Family Rules" is a good way to help everyone in your family to get along. When you feel stress because of someone in your family, you can always ask your parents, grandparents, and other adults to help you know what to do when there is a stressful situation in your family.

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Excerpted from Letting Go of Stress by J. S. Jackson, R. W. Alley. Copyright © 2015 J. S. Jackson. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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