January 6th, 2010 | 0 Comments
By Marygrace Taylor
As seen in KIWIMAGONLINE.COM
When meeting her kids’ babysitter at the park one afternoon, Marie Anne Mastrovito tried to squeeze herself into a tot-sized slide—but it wasn’t because she loved playground equipment, or because she was attempting to channel the carefree fun of her childhood. Instead, it was to make sure her then three-year-old daughter, Maya, would make it to the bottom safely—until the sitter pointed out that Maya was a pro at going down the slide on her own. “It suddenly occurred to me how silly it must have looked to see a grown woman squishing into this tiny space to go down the slide with her perfectly capable toddler,” says the New York City mom of two.
Certainly, Mastrovito’s devotion to her children is undeniable—but when it comes to doing and caring for kids, how much is too much? The line might be blurry, but at some point, (maybe at the top of a too-small playground slide) parenting becomes overparenting. Sometimes also called helicopter parenting, “it’s making sure to buy deluxe and organic everything. Jumping up when a toddler is still two feet away from maybe bumping her head. In short, treating a kid like he’s in bubble wrap,” says Lori Lite, a childhood anxiety expert and founder of Stress Free Kids. Here, why moms and dads do it, the ways it affects kids, and how to break the cycle.
December 30th, 2009 | 2 Comments
As seen in SheKnows.com Pregnancy & Baby
Tracy McGinnis December 29, 2009
The holiday season brings with it family, traditions and memories that last a lifetime. It can also bring unwanted stress, added responsibilities to an otherwise already busy schedule and for children it can mean meltdowns.
Lori Lite, a childhood anxiety expert and creator of http://www.stressfreekids.com says it is important to keep children on regular schedules to avoid holiday meltdowns.
“Tired children, late nights, cramped kitchens, argumentative relatives, crowded malls, overwhelming hosting duties, stretched budgets and high anxiety. These are just some of the stressors that quickly replace the visions of feasting, exchanging gifts, and gathering with family and friends over the holidays.”
With so much added to your to do list this season – how can you prevent and deal with those dreaded meltdowns when they occur?
December 22nd, 2009 | 0 Comments
Why Self-Esteem Is Important
Self-esteem isn’t like a cool pair of sneakers that you’d love to have but don’t have to have. A kid needs to have self-esteem. Good self-esteem is important because it helps you to hold your head high and feel proud of yourself and what you can do. It gives you the courage to try new things and the power to believe in yourself. It lets you respect yourself, even when you make mistakes. And when you respect yourself, adults and other kids usually respect you, too.
Having good self-esteem is also the ticket to making good choices about your mind and body. If you think you’re important, you’ll be less likely to follow the crowd if your friends are doing something dumb or dangerous. If you have good self-esteem, you know that you’re smart enough to make your own decisions. You value your safety, your feelings, your health — your whole self! Good self-esteem helps you know that every part of you is worth caring for and protecting.
December 22nd, 2009 | 0 Comments
as seen in USA Today
Your daughter “knows about terrorist attacks and school shootings. She talks about it more than you are comfortable with. . . . Is she becoming the nervous type or is this simply a symptom of stress?”
Your child is having another melt down in the middle of your kitchen. You were just about to implement your highly developed multi-tasking skills of starting dinner while cleaning up this morning’s breakfast crumbs and arranging car pool for tomorrow. The phone rings and caller ID lets you know that it’s your teenager’s teacher. Your six year old is sitting at the table crying and screaming for no apparent reason. He is refusing to do his homework and has ripped the paper to shreds. His nails are bitten and he has announced that he isn’t going to school tomorrow.
Most of us don’t have to imagine this scene. It hits close to home for most American families. How do you handle this scenario? Do you scream and threaten him? Do you put him in time out? Do you secretly wonder if Ritalin would help? Do you bribe him with ice cream or do you decide he is having a cranky day… again?
December 18th, 2009 | 1 Comment
Nothing is worse than realizing that the screaming child on the plane is your own! The restrictive space and criticizing eyes of other passengers puts parents at an extreme disadvantage. Most children realize that you will most likely not discipline them in public. So how can you avoid this challenge and set yourself up for a Stress Free trip?
Airplane Tips:
- Pack an activity bag. My secret ingredient was Crayola modeling magic. Bring a few different colors but only give your child one color at a time. Whenever they grow tired of the color surprise them with another color. Bring a few sculpting tools like plastic fork, spoon, q-tips. Don’t be surprised if the adult passengers want to join in on the fun. (Even young children enjoy watching the parent work the clay.)
December 16th, 2009 | 0 Comments
You have to breathe, so why not use your inhalations and exhalations to manage your ADHD symptoms? “Several studies show that rhythmic, paced breathing balances the autonomic nervous system,” says Richard Brown, M.D., associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
What does that mean to someone with attention deficit disorder? Controlling your breathing can help you become more attentive and more relaxed at the same time.
Many of Brown’s ADD patients have benefited from coherent breathing — a term coined by author and yoga specialist Stephen Elliott because the technique synchronizes heart, lung, and brain rhythms.
December 8th, 2009 | 0 Comments
Lori Lite, creator of Stress Free Kids, shares tips for parents hoping to manage their teenagers’ stress
Most parents recognize (and remember) that the teenage years are a volatile time marked by the struggle for independence, the forging of identity, the painful process of emotional maturation, and the learning of societal norms. Yet parents often underestimate the toll that the stress from these years can take on a teen.
This teenage stress has never been more prevalent. Teenagers are living ever-more complex lives in a society that increasingly treats them as younger adults. It is as important as it’s ever been, then, for parents to recognize the causes of teen stress and to take measures to relieve or combat it.
Lori Lite, author and creator of Stress Free Kids, a line of books, CDs, and curriculums designed to help children manage anxiety, stress, and anger while promoting self-esteem and peaceful sleep, warns that untreated, teen stress can lead to illness or depression – or worse.
December 4th, 2009 | 0 Comments
Here are some tips to help you and your children have a more enjoyable and “stress free” holiday season.
- Even though the kids are on vacation and staying up late you can still put them on a bedtime schedule. Pick a reasonable time that does not cause you any stress. A whole household can become calm knowing that the children get ready for bed at 9:30 and lights out at 10:00. The kids will appreciate feeling well rested and you will appreciate time for yourself.
- Shopping with children is stressful for everyone. Try to do your adult shopping with just adults. Avoid taking your children when you need to go in and out of the car and different stores. Do not take them to stores that are not kid friendly. Do take your children shopping when you are going to one particular store and looking for a gift they will enjoy helping you find. Make sure the time you spend shopping is age appropriate. This will make the outing fun and lower anxiety levels for you and your child.
December 1st, 2009 | 0 Comments
Teach your child how to self soothe before his/her visit with Santa or relatives. Slow, deep breathing is an excellent technique that can be used before and during stressful or challenging situations. Enjoy the following excerpt from Sea Otter Cove: A Relaxation Story, by Lori Lite of Stress Free Kids.com.
It is fun to learn sea otter breathing with the sea child.
The sea child told the sea otter to breathe in through his nose and out through his nose. He focused all of his attention on the tip of his nose.
They both did this breathing together.
November 14th, 2009 | 0 Comments
bedtime relaxation
Bedtime is often one of the most stressful times of the day for families. Kids are bouncing off the walls on their second wind, parents are exhausted, and the clock says it’s past time to be asleep. Yoga can help bring a sense of calm, induce the relaxation response, and ensure a good night sleep for children and parents alike.
First however, some basics on how to set the scene for a healthy sleep.
- Establish a bedtime routine. We all function better with routines, but children especially appreciate knowing a pattern of behaviours will lead to a specific situation or response. A ‘getting ready for bed’ routine which includes tidying the toys, healthy snack, dental and physical hygiene, changing into PJ, reading a book with Mom or Dad, etc., will teach them that it is time to slow down mentally and physically, and prepare them for sleep. Some great books which focus on relaxation before bed can be found at Stress Free Kids- Relaxation and Stress Management books and CDs for children, teens and adults.
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