Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 25 ENCOURAGE CURIOUS CONVERSATIONS When smartphones offer an enticing alternative to striking up a conversation with the person next to you, both children and adults may need extra practice in the basic skill of connecting with those around them. Meline said schools are working to build the foundational skill of having a con- versation that helps you to empathize and connect with your peer, your teacher or any other individual. SET APPROPRIATE BENCHMARKS In a world where parents and children are awash in endless social media feeds of college acceptances, athletic achievements, and perfect portraits, it's easy to feel like the goal post keeps moving. Helping children to understand that growth—not perfection—is the ultimate goal can help calm anxiet- ies and fear of failure. "You are looking for them to grow from where they are right now—not to meet the standard of match- ing everyone else," Meline said. Make children a part of the conversation about what their goals should be in different areas of their life, rather than forcing a single standard on them, and help them to recognize that overcoming failures is an achievement worth celebrating in itself. Also keep in mind that within the same family, different goals may be appropriate for individual siblings. A Path to Safety. Provide support and remove access to lethal means. L: Look for warning signs Warning signs of someone who may be at risk include changes in behavior, withdrawal from activities, giving away possessions, or expressing feelings of hopelessness. O: Offer support Offer space to talk, listen to how they are feeling, and show genuine empathy. Tell them they are not alone and people care about their well-being. C: Communicate concerns Express your concerns. Ask directly about thoughts of suicide and encourage them to seek professional help. K: Keep safe from lethal means Remove access to lethal means by safely storing or removing firearms, medications, or dangerous objects. A Path to Safety. A Path to Safety. Provide support and remove access to lethal means. risk include changes in behavior, withdrawal from activities, giving away possessions, or expressing feelings of hopelessness. O: Offer support Offer space to talk, listen to how they are feeling, and show genuine empathy. Tell them they are not alone and people care about their well-being. C: Communicate concerns Express your concerns. Ask directly about thoughts of suicide and encourage them to seek professional help. K: Keep safe from lethal means Remove access to lethal means by safely storing or removing firearms, medications, or dangerous objects. can effectively help prevent suicide. T ake it Seriously: Thoughts of suicide seriously shouldn't be dismissed or ignored. Recognize warning signs and seek help promptly. K eep Talking: Say: "I understand you're struggling. Let's keep talking and connect with ongoing supports." L isten Non-judgmentally: Create a safe space where individuals can share their feelings and experiences openly, knowing that they will be heard and supported. A sk Directly: Ask: "Are you thinking about suicide?" can effectively help prevent suicide. T ake it Seriously: Thoughts of suicide seriously shouldn't be dismissed or ignored. Recognize warning signs and seek help promptly. K eep Talking: Say: "I understand you're struggling. Let's keep talking and connect with ongoing supports." L isten Non-judgmentally: isten Non-judgmentally: Create a safe space where individuals can share their feelings and experiences openly, knowing that they will be heard and supported. A sk Directly: sk Directly: Ask: "Are you thinking about suicide?" This means encouraging kids to be curious, not scared or worried, when they encounter people with different opinions or backgrounds. Teaching kids to engage with phrases like, "Tell me more about that" can help them uncover the things they have in com- mon with people who may at first seem very differ- ent from them. "As educators, we're trying to figure out, how do we bring curiosity back into our relationships?" Meline said. "We're just trying to help them be better human beings and leaning into relationships with other peo- ple versus like staying far away from them." BE THE EXAMPLE Bunn emphasizes that our actions often speak much louder than our words. "Kids see how their parents react to situations, and to other people. Children will model the behavior they see," she said. Bunn reminds parents to be mindful of the language they use around kids. "Our words have such an impact," she said. "Things that you say can have a really lasting effect in a posi- tive or negative light." Meline urges parents to take heart that building resil- ience doesn't have to take big, sweeping changes, but can happen from lots of little changes—every- thing from the words we use to the way we approach problems. "It's the little things that you do every day that help reinforce the importance of coming back from hard things and being willing to tackle hard things," she said. Sponsored Material

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