1. Your Teen’s World A Presentation for Parents November 17, 2011

2. Inside your teen’s world…

3. Sources of Stress for Everyone Relationships Family Issues Social Issues Work/School Finances Time Management

4. Teen World Stressors Home Situation School Situation - Academic pressure - Extracurricular pressure Social Culture - Dating - Friendships - Cliques - Peer Pressure - Bullying

5. More Teen World Stressors Growing up “too fast” - Media Messages - Peer Pressure Feeling Disconnected - Time on Technology - Individualized Activities Poor Time Management - Being Overscheduled with Activities

6. Additional Teen World Stressors Today Cyberbullying - Facebook - Formspring - My Space Megan Meier *http://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/ - Texting and BBM’ing/e-mail - Twitter/Tumblr Sexting - Cell Phones, IPhones, IM’ing, Texting *http://getbetterhealth.com/parents-your-kids-may-be-sexting/2009.10.29

7. Symptoms of Stress Can Include: Physical Complaints Drop in Grades Withdrawal from Friends and Activities Inability to Concentrate Significant Changes in Sleeping Habits Sudden Weight Gain or Loss Mood Swings Fighting and Aggression

8. Strategies to Reduce Stress Communicate Recognize Warning Signs Applaud Success Ration TV/Computer and Electronic Devices Readjust Perspective Learn and model stress management skills » Jennifer A. Walker, Psy.D.

9. Strategies to Reduce Stress Connect to others Get enough sleep Watch eating habits Remove at Least One Stressor: Even a small improvement in the overall situation can help children feel stronger and more able Have fun! » Jennifer A. Walker, Psy.D.

10. Arguably, the Most Prevalent Stressor among NH Students… Pressure to compete and excel in school - overscheduled with rigorous academic courses - feeling like nothing they accomplish is ever “enough” - overloaded with activities - overly concerned about doing things for the sake of building their college resume - overly concerned about keeping up with peers

11. Symptoms of Being Overscheduled Rushing Fatigue or listlessness Constantly missed deadlines Insufficient time for rest or personal relationships Feeling overwhelmed Lack of “down time”

12. Making Time Learn to say “No” Build time into your schedule – Make reasonable time estimates – Time for interruptions, unforeseen events Set aside “quiet time” each day Prioritize Stop perfectionism – just get it done

13. Thoughts on dealing with pressure to compete and excel Think in terms of “the big picture” Help your child find his or her own personal strengths and interests Don’t make every conversation/interaction with your child be about school Help them to see that they are not the sum of their GPA/SAT scores

14. What Our High School Provides School Resources and Support - Counselors - Social Workers and School Psychologist - Administration (School-Based Issues) - Affirmative Action Officer - Teachers

15. What Our High School Provides Education/Programs - Transition Project - Student Ambassadors -“Sticks & Stones” Program - Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying Policy - Character Education Outreach Program Outside Sources - Private Counselor Referrals - Police/DARE officers

16. Special Thank You to Jennifer A. Walker, Psy.D. of the Family Institute of Westchester for providing us with the stress management portion of our presentation DrjWalker828@gmail.com

17. Questions???