10 minute read
Kids Say the Wisest Things
by Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA
Teaching Kids to Pause When Angry
David A. Powlison’s book Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness suggests that all anger is rooted in selfishness. Selfishness can simply be described by the saying, “I want what I want when I want it.” Anger is born when we do not get what we want. Anger can be both good and bad. Powlison’s cure for bad anger is complex, but begins by always pausing before we react and asking ourselves the question, “What can I do to make this situation better?”
Helping your children grow into mature people that can ask themselves this question before reacting requires a number of skills. Parents, YOU are responsible for teaching your children these skills from the time they are toddlers through adulthood. Unfortunately, there are three mistakes parents often make that impede the development of these important life skills.
1. Lack of understanding of age-appro-
priate behavior. Take the time to search the internet for a list of what your child should be doing at specific ages. I constantly see parents who are concerned for or overwhelmed by their child’s age-appropriate behavior.
2. Use of electronics for parental com-
fort. Your child needs to be looking outside the windows in the car, touching items in the grocery store, and learning to sit through dinner at a restaurant. It is easy to hand your child a phone to keep them quiet, but you are impeding healthy development. Choose your child’s growth over your own comfort.
3. Giving them everything for nothing. I think we can all agree that entitlement is a problem in our current culture. Help your children set goals, meet them, and then reward them.
Here are the three skills that all children need to master before they can learn the advanced skill of being able to pause when angry and ask, “What can I do to make this situation better?”
1. Have them ask permission for every-
thing. The skill of asking permission does not limit independence. Instead, it helps children learn to pause and think before meeting their own needs. Making them ask permission will prepare them for circumstances where they will be required to communicate with authority figures before taking action.
2. Teach them to do what they are told
when they are told to do it. If your children do not know how to follow directions, their success will be limited. We teach this best through prompts and presence. Tell your children to do something one time (prompt) and then physically help them do it (presence). Do not repeat yourself, negotiate, argue, etc. Helping them comply teaches them that they will not be able to escape the demand.
3. Help them to be okay with discomfort.
Have your children try to eat with their less dominant hand or wear their wristwatch on a different wrist. Make them finish an activity they do not enjoy. Teach them that they can survive doing hard things.
The practice of these three skills will teach your children to stop and think, respect others, and become aware of their own selfishness. Rather than simply reacting to their anger, they will eventually be able to remain calm and ask themselves, “What can I do to make this situation better?” As they mature, you will be surprised at their creative and insightful ways to resolve problems.
Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Beth has worked in six unique clinical environments across the country and currently owns Works of Wonder Therapy in Montgomery. Beth utilizes the knowledge from a variety of different disciplines to give her patients the best care possible. To learn more visit www.worksofwondertherapy.com.
Hog Days of Summer
August 27 * Union Station Train Shed 2 pm to 11 pm The Druids Charity Club is pleased to announce their 5th annual BBQ and Americana Music festival. ‘The Hog Days of Summer’ is a charity event benefitting Hogs for the Cause and other carefully selected local charities. Our best lineup yet will be rocking the shed on two stages; spanning blues, country, roots, and Americana influences including Sam Bush, Anders Osborne, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, and more. Once again, our patrons can look forward to enjoying BBQ from the River Region’s finest BBQ establishments. Visit www. facebook.com/HogDaysMGM/ for tickets.
Paw Patrol LIVE!
August 20-21 Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center X barks the spot in PAW Patrol Live’s “The Great Pirate Adventure”! For showtimes and prices www.bjcc.org/.
Montgomery R&B and Blues Picnic Finale
August 28 Live DJs, Food, Music, Games and more! Come join us for Montgomery’s R&B and Blues Picnic in the heart of the city at River Walk Amphitheater. We will be playing the best of classic and new R&B and blues. Bring your own cooler (No Glass). This event will be from 11 am until 9 pm. www.rnbbluespicnic.com
August Events with the Montgomery Biscuits
For more info on any of these events, visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/ or call (334) 819-7483. Saturday, August 6: College Football Night
The College Football season is right around the corner and we’re going to get you ready with a night full of games and trivia! Stick around after the game for a MAX Fireworks Show! * Military Wednesday, August 17: All members of our Armed Forces are offered ticket, drink and food specials and discounts! NEW FOR 2022, each Wednesday will feature craft beer specials with select brewery taptakeovers!
Sunday, August 21: Kids Backpack Giveaway presented by Whataburger PLUS Bark in the Park
The first 500 kids 14 & under will go home with a Biscuits backpack pres. by Whataburger! Bring your leashed 4-legged best friend out to Riverwalk for some Biscuits baseball! Don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club pres. by Go Fish Alabama, offering complimentary Sunday game tickets along with a variety of other perks.
Jurassic Quest at the BJCC
August 19-21 Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest, most popular dino event with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Jurassic Quest opens its doors with its most beloved and unique experiences for the whole family including life-like dinosaurs, some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities including a fossil dig and real fossils like T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and life-size dino skull, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions, photo opportunities, and more. For tickets and more information www.bjcc.org/.
Women’s Equality Day
August 26 * Maxwell Air Force Base
In-Person Start Time: 7:00am
Women’s Equality Day is celebrated to acknowledge the struggles faced by
American women, and to honor those who have made sacrifices to propelling the women’s rights movement. We ask for you to please take a moment to walk/run 1 mile (4 laps) or more, and reflect upon the amazing progress we have made over the last century, then proudly record your distance and time on the “results” page. You may attend this event virtually or join us in-person. In person, please enjoy some snacks and water, while learning about how women contributed to the progression of today’s society. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/
AL/Montgomery/WomensEqualityDay.
Family Friendly Events at Montgomery Performing Arts Center
August 11 * Brian Regan
Brian Regan has distinguished himself as one of the premier comedians in the country. The perfect balance of sophisticated writing and physicality, Brian fills theaters nationwide with fervent fans that span generations.
August 14 * Kirk Jay
A country-soul singer who made his first national impression on the 15th season of The Voice, Kirk Jay is native of Bay Minette, AL.
For more info and tickets, visit www.mpaconline.org.
play area for our littlest explorers, bounce
Magical Creatures Education Program
Saturday, August 13 * 10 am to 12 pm Montgomery Zoo/Mann Wildlife Museum Meet some of the magical animals that are featured in the movies like Harry Potter and The Hobbit. You will get a chance to meet animals up close, learn about them in their habitats, and take home some special prizes for yourself. Advanced reservations required. Call (334) 625-4909 or email at zooinfo@montgomeryal.gov.
19th Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo
August 6 * 7-11 a.m. Lanark in Millbrook. Program is designed to provide Alabama’s youth a chance to experience the outdoors and learn about fishing. These events provide opportunities for families to share fun and quality time together while participating in one of our nation’s favorite pastimes. For more info, call (334) 285-4550 or visit www.alabamawildlife.org/.
Jackson Wellness Center Back2School Health Fair
August 6 * 8 am to 12 pm
Free and open to the public at 7150 Halcyon Park
Drive, Jackson Hospital & Jackson Wellness Center this event includes Back Back 2 health resources, fun, and FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! School School Health FaIR Health FaIR food for SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 | 9:00AM the entire Jackson Wellness Center 7150 Halcyon Park Drive Montgomery, AL 36117 family. Parents can learn more about new Schedule of Events: 8:00AM - MGM Runs Family Fun Run & Toddler Dash providers with The Jackson Clinic, receive 9:30AM - Brain Pump Demonstration 10:15AM - Nutrition Education & Meal Planning 11:45AM - Exercise is Fun 12:15AM - Family Yoga free health screenings, and have access Activities for the Family: Bounce house obstacle course to a variety of free health resources. Enjoy Funky Forte food truck Info from The Jackson Clinic Pediatricians Free pediatric scoliosis screening & ear exams
MGM Runs Family Fun Run & Toddler Free SEMG muscle scans Respiratory & asthma education Onsite physician referrals Dash, Brain Pump Demonstration, Nutrition + more! education & meal planning demonstration,
Family exercise & yoga demonstrations,
Free pediatric ear exams, Bounce house obstacle course, and more. Visit www. jackson.org/backtoschool.
Shandrea Story
Pike Road Elementary School
Pike Road Elementary School welcomed a new teacher, Shandrea Story, in January 2022. Ms. Story is the recipient of our Teacher of the Month award for August 2022.
“I chose Pike Road Elementary because it felt like home to me. I love the atmosphere and the people. I started in the middle of the school year, but it felt like I had been there forever. Everyone welcomed me with open arms,” Ms. Story explains.
One thing she values is how the school’s way of teaching is different from any other school where she did her student teaching.
Ms. Story graduated from Auburn University at Montgomery with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. Recently, she returned to AUM and is obtaining a Master’s in Special Education Collaborative K-6. For many, teaching is a calling, and for Shandrea it is no different. She became a thirdgrade teacher after doing two internships... both in third grade. This afforded her opportunities and prepared her specifically for her future with her students.
Shandrea has made it her mission to help students grow in many ways. She shares, “Being a teacher means helping students grow academically and personally. Being a teacher means finding the best you, so you can give your all in the classroom. It means working long hours, even after the day has ended, making sure everything is perfect for your students.”
Her classroom goals consist of learning all she can about new research geared toward classroom teaching, making sure she is teaching for the right reasons, and helping her students as much as possible. If her goals change, she believes that’s the exact time she has to make a change.
Ms. Story hopes people understand and embrace the idea that teaching is not a job that ends at 3:30 p.m., nor something you can leave at work.
She says, “I work long after 3:30 p.m. and even on the weekends, especially as a new teacher.” Ms. Story believes her students are absolutely worth it!
