Helping Kids (of all ages) Control Their Emotions

Helping Kids (of all ages) Control Their Emotions

by | Sep 4, 2023 | Healthy Living

If you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or childcare provider, effective discipline can be a challenge. Recently, I came across an amazing book that will help when dealing with an angry, frustrated, emotional child: The Whole Brainchild: 12 Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind (2011).

Siegel and Bryson describe the developing young brain and the reasons frustration leads to negative responses. Adults learn simple approaches to help the child gain control of their emotions to prevent outbursts. Admittedly, I was skeptical at first but frankly I’ve been stunned at how effective this approach works with my young grandchildren.

First, they explain that the child’s brain is divided into a bottom emotional center and a top cognitive or thinking part. Uncontrolled emotions and frustrations erupt from this bottom area. It takes the child some time for the cognitive, thinking center to figure out how to handle the negative emotion. The technique gives the child time to pause and think before they explode.

Example:
A 9-year-old is getting ready to get out of a boat with her grandparents. She is to remain seated until the lines are secured, etc. However, she is becoming very anxious to get out and help her grandfather, frustrated that she must wait until it’s safe. A rude, impatient, attitude is building with a disrespectful response coming.

Grandma: Sally…I know that you love helping Papa tie the lines and help him. You’re such a big help. I get that…but it isn’t safe for you yet. Do you think you could wait a few more minutes and as soon as Papa is ready you can go out and help him?

Sally: Ok Grandma… I’ll wait.

Her feelings and emotion were identified which gave her time to think more rationally and calm down. I wonder if children get frustrated because he or she can’t express those feelings fast enough. Soon it was safe for Sally to hop off the boat and work with her grandfather…no tantrum…a happy ending.

In retrospect this technique is a good one for adults as well. When we’re feeling those negative emotions erupting…pause…and take a moment to think about our response as well. It’s good advice for all of us and much better for our blood pressure.

So, the next time you feel a harmful eruption coming on…don’t just count to 10…count to 1,000!

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

References:

Daniel Siegel & Tina Bryson, The Whole Brainchild: 12 Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind (2011), Bantam Books Trade Publishers: New York.

Jennie E. Johnson, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce Your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke (2015).

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

Palliative Care

Palliative Care

by | Aug 7, 2023 | Healthy Living

Recently, a wife shared a concern regarding her husband’s chronic headaches and suffering with end stage dementia. At times he didn’t recognize her. She believed that his physicians were fearful to treat the headaches and make the dementia worse. I shared information about a resource that few know much about: Palliative Care.

 Palliative Care resides within the Hospice system. Most people are fearful of Hospice as a last resort. However, palliative care is incredibly helpful for people suffering from chronic pain, disability, or dementia in the last chapter of their life. A nurse visits the patient monthly to review medications and treatments with the goal to relieve pain and suffering. Generally, a physician is involved in the treatment as well.

 Personally, we utilized palliative care for a year before my mom went to Heaven. Mom was in an assisted living environment receiving excellent care. But she had moments of severe agitation, which raised her blood pressure to dangerous levels. She refused to take any meds to help lower it and calm her down.

 The palliative nurse provided ideas that allowed for a much better quality of life. The staff could apply a small dose of a tranquilizer to her skin during the agitated moments. The probiotic Kefir milk helped to reduce her chronic diarrhea. During a mentally clear moment, a discussion was held with Mom and my siblings regarding her wishes if her condition deteriorated.

 She fell at 4 am resulting in a serious hip fracture. The Palliative nurse was at the center when I arrived. Mom was still on the floor awaiting the ambulance.

 Astoundingly, Mom had a moment of clarity and refused the surgery. As a retired nurse, she knew how difficult it would have been with her compromised, frail condition and asked for Hospice instead. Her wishes were granted, and the nurse remained with us while she was transferred to the Hospice center.

 Finally, the wife (first story) contacted the local palliative team and was comforted that there was a solution for her husband’s terrible chronic headaches while he remained at home under his family’s tender care. The nurse will visit him monthly to ensure that he is comfortable in this last chapter of his life.

 With an aging population we will experience more situations like these. You can contact your local Palliative/Hospice center or Alzheimer’s Association for more information. Call your local church to find out about pastoral home visits that share the true peace of Jesus that passes all understanding. God bless you all.

 We cannot change the outcome, but we can affect the journey. Ann Richardson

 Reference: Palliative Care. Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/palliative%20care.

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

Wildfire Season is Upon Us

Wildfire Season is Upon Us

by | Jul 5, 2023 | Healthy Living

The 4th of July is a great reminder of the blessings from our nation but also the beginning of Wildfire Season. Thunderstorms and unfortunately careless people can set a vulnerable forest a blaze. The smoke that results can be very harmful. If a wildfire is in your area; it’s important to understand three important levels!    

Level 1: Be Ready– which means a fire is in the vicinity; be ready if an evacuation order is issued.

Level 2: Be Set– the fire is close. Pack your things and be ready to get out immediately. Most people leave during this warning.

Level 3: Go – which means the fire is closing in on you and you must leave now while you have a chance. You may not get another one.

The American Red Cross opens shelters whenever an evacuation is ordered.

Wildfire smoke contains tiny hazardous materials which are easily inhaled. The EPA’s Air Quality Index will guide you regarding the safety of outdoor activities.      

0-50:    Good

51-100: Moderate (a few sensitive people may be impacted).

101-150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (many more people may experience symptoms).

151-200: Unhealthy (almost all people will be somewhat impacted).

201-300: Very Unhealthy (all should reduce outdoor activity).

301-500: Hazardous (all should avoid outdoor activity).

In addition, be prepared and know how to protect yourself and your loved ones for any summer emergency: wildfires, tornados, hurricanes, water disasters, etc. Enjoy your summer.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Benjamin Franklin

References:
Wildfire Evacuation Levels Explained, Western Fire Chiefs Association, August 9, 2022, https://wfca.com/articles/wildfire-evacuation-levels-explained/.

EPA’s Air Quality Index, https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-09/aqiguidepm.png’s

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

by | Jun 6, 2023 | Uncategorized

Recently we attended our 8-year-old grandson’s Little League baseball game and came across this amazing sign. It has life lessons for all of us.
Reminders from Your Child –

I’m a kid.
It’s just a game.
My coach is a volunteer.
The officials are human.
No college scholarships will be handed out today.
If you would like to change something…volunteer.

Hillside Little League (Omaha, Nebraska)

It made me think about how we all handle the stressors of our daily lives. Do we overreact or do we try and remain calm? A great quote from the book, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed:

So, if you want to become the kind of person your child wants to be around after the big game, act more like a grandparent…Grandparents don’t criticize or micromanage in the moments after the game…. critique the coach’s strategy or referee’s call. Even in the face of embarrassing failures on the field, grandparents support their grandchildren.

What a great quote that avoids overreactions and is good for heart health.

Years ago, our son’s Pony League coach literally yelled at the officials whenever he perceived a bad call or when his son made an error on the field. I wasn’t surprised when a few years later he died from a massive heart attack in his 40’s.

An angry response or emotional reaction raises blood pressure to dangerous levels which damage the arteries and organs throughout the body leading to heart attacks, strokes, dementia and kidney damage.

So, the next time you have a situation that induces a great amount of anger, take a time out and go for a walk, deep breathe or say a prayer. Don’t count to 10…count to 1,000.

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control (Proverbs 29:11).

Reference:

Jessica Lahey, The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed (2015).

Jennie Johnson, Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015).

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.

Are You Ready for an Emergency?

Are You Ready for an Emergency?

by | May 9, 2023 | Uncategorized

Whether it be a tornado, hurricane, flood, fire, or manmade disaster; dangers await just around the corner. Are you ready with survival kit supplies? The American Red Cross provides a great deal of information. The following cover only the basics.

  1. Water: 1 gallon per person/day (3-day supply for evacuation or 2 week supply for home).
  2. Food: easy to prepare, non-perishable (3-day supply for evacuation/2 weeks for home).
  3. Flashlight
  4. Battery powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio if possible).
  5. Extra batteries.
  6. First Aid Kit.
  7. Medications and medical supplies (for 7 days).
  8. Multipurpose tool and manual can opener.
  9. Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
  10. Copies of personal documents:
    a. Medication list, pertinent information, proof of address, deed/lease to home
    b. Passports, birth certificates, insurance policies.
  11. Cell phone with chargers.
  12. Family and emergency contact information.
  13. Extra cash.
  14. Emergency blanket.
  15. Map(s) of the area.
  16. Hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.
  17. Baby bottles, formula, food, diapers, etc.
  18. Games and activities for children.
  19. Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl).
  20. Two-way radios and extra set of car and house keys.

Visit the American Red Cross for additional supply items. May God keep you safe and prepared for any future disaster.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail (Benjamin Franklin).

Resources:

 “Survival Kit Supplies,” The American National Red Cross (2023). https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

If you are a new reader, you may visit my website to sign up for future monthly blogs at jenniejohnsonrn.com

I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.

 ã All rights reserved 2023, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

Paperback copies of both books for sale. Email me for details at:  ask@jenniejohnsonrn.com.