Holiday Fun Beginnings
On November 14th, Heather Altman shared with the world how her family is already immersed in the holiday spirit. In an Instagram Story video, she playfully joked about being "conned" into making a gingerbread house that evening. Her little ones were seen putting the novelty sweet treat together and using various objects to dry it. As the video ended, Heather exclaimed with excitement, "The holidays have begun!" It was truly a heartwarming sight. In another Story, she captured her kids dancing with a giant moving Grinch figure while Christmas music played in the background. Over this adorable video, she wrote about how they were waiting for the gingerbread house to dry.Gingerbread House Adventures
Making a gingerbread house is an age-old holiday tradition, and the Altman kids took it to a whole new level. They carefully selected different candies and decorations to adorn their creation. Lexi, in her pink pajamas with a Christmas-themed print, added a touch of charm to the scene. Heather watched with pride as her children's creativity flowed. It was a moment filled with laughter and joy. After the gingerbread house was assembled, they patiently waited for it to dry, each one eager to see the final result. This simple activity became a memory that will last a lifetime.Holiday Decorating Traditions
In December 2022, Josh and Heather Altman opened up to The Daily Dish about their holiday preparations. Heather shared how this time of year is her favorite. She also mentioned how her husband learned to "embrace the holidays" as their household celebrates a variety of festivals including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Chrismukkah, and New Year's. Over the years, Heather has had to adapt her holiday decorating style. She explained, "I've had to learn to give up the red, green, and gold decorations and embrace the blue and silver and white decorations." She even expressed the idea of launching a Hanukkah decoration line as she believes there aren't enough options. Their home is adorned with 10 trees, both Hanukkah trees inside and outside. It's a sight to behold.Backyard Winter Delights
Heather and Josh also spoke about their unique tradition of filling their backyard with snow. Heather described it as "the best thing ever." They enjoy sledding and building snowmen together. It's a tradition that they plan to continue for the rest of their lives, no matter what. The snow creates a magical atmosphere in their backyard, adding to the holiday cheer. Whether it's sliding down the snowy slopes or creating snowmen with their children, these moments are cherished.Unlock Your Child's Resilience with Sturdy Leadership
Pick Your Battles Wisely
Parents often face the dilemma of choosing between their kids' short-term happiness and their long-term well-being. Kennedy admits to sometimes giving in to her kids' desires for immediate pleasure, like having ice cream for breakfast. However, she emphasizes that parents must be "long-term greedy" and consider their children's future. Life is hard, and kids need to learn how to handle difficult situations. By practicing skills over and over again, they gain the ability to overcome challenges and become more resilient.For example, when faced with a choice between allowing a child to have a moment of struggle or immediately providing a solution, parents should choose the former. This helps children develop the coping skills needed to navigate life's obstacles.
Refrain from Fixing Everything for Your Kids All the Time
Difficult situations that teach resilience are abundant in a child's life. Whether it's a puzzle they can't solve or math homework that gives them trouble, these moments present opportunities for growth. However, it is challenging for parents to resist the urge to fix everything for their kids.If parents always step in to solve problems, children learn to rely on immediate solutions rather than developing their own problem-solving skills. For instance, if a child is left out of a party and the parent throws them a bigger party, the child's body learns to expect immediate solutions. This pattern can continue into adulthood, where a delayed flight might lead to a tantrum and a demand for the parent to rebook the flight.
Here's How to Wire for Resilience
Two key ingredients for wiring kids for resilience are validation and capability. Validation involves acknowledging a child's emotions, such as saying "Oh, that stinks." This simple phrase can go a long way in making a child feel heard and understood.After validation, parents should focus on reflecting capability. For example, if a child is struggling with a puzzle, the parent can say, "I know this puzzle is tricky. Take a deep breath and you can stick with it." By doing this, parents help children build the confidence and perseverance needed to overcome challenges.
In conclusion, effective parenting through sturdy leadership is about making choices that prioritize a child's long-term resilience. By picking battles wisely, refraining from fixing everything, and wiring for resilience, parents can help their children become successful, confident adults.
Unveiling the Hidden Battle of Southern New Mexico's Youth's Mental Health
Impact of COVID-19 on Gen Z's Mental Health
The youngest cohort of Gen Z, aged around 12 to 27, entered their teen years during the COVID-19 pandemic. This chaotic time, for various reasons, did not aid their existing mental health. Students were stuck at home for months, lacking the face-to-face social connections and structural support that in-person school provides. Local experts believe the ripple effects on kids' mental health are still being felt. Sherri Rhoten, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Southern New Mexico, stated that since the pandemic, there has been a major increase in the number of services needed in school districts for individuals with special education.The nonprofit organization emphasizes lived experiences to advocate for those affected by mental health conditions. Rhoten also mentioned that there is more struggle with students getting their accommodations and that they have been advocating for more families than in the past.
Social Media's Dual Impact on Youth
The rise of social media platforms like TikTok over the past decade and their accessibility via smartphones and tablets have raised major concerns among experts. While there are positives such as education and entertainment, it also enables cyberbullying. The advent of AI has made this toxic practice easier and more damaging. Lara Walter, a social worker at Organ Mountain High School in Las Cruces, said many students she sees experience bullying both in-person and online. Popular apps like TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and Discord seem to contribute to children being depressed or questioning their self-worth. Last year, 77% of high school students reported using social media at least several times a day.A 2023 U.S. Surgeon General's Report shows a growing body of evidence about the harms of social media on children and teens. Up to 95 percent of teens use social media, with about one-third reporting they use it almost constantly. However, there are still gaps in academic research about the possible negative effects, making it difficult to draw comprehensive conclusions.
Challenges Faced by Different Groups
LGBTQ+ youth are experiencing greater challenges to mental health than their peers. At least part of the increase in reported depression and anxiety could be due to youth being more aware of their mental health and more open to discussing it.In Luna County alone, NAMI Southern New Mexico had contact with 274 parents on school-related issues in August as the school year began. An IEP is an Individualized Education Program designed to help students with special needs or a disability. In 2022, the Deming Public Schools hired an outside agency to boost its in-house mental health counseling capacity as student needs soared.
Poverty abounds across the southern half of the state, especially in rural areas, compounding challenges for families to access care. About one in three children in Doña Ana County live in poverty. Economic insecurity takes a direct toll on people's mental health, and this stress trickles down to kids.
Efforts to Improve Youth Mental Health
Despite the challenges, various efforts are underway to help youth. A national crisis hotline - 988 - is available to help kids and adults. In Doña Ana County, adults can attend "mental health first aid" trainings. At Organ Mountain High School, students hosted an awareness campaign to help their peers counter thoughts of suicide.Many schools in Southern New Mexico have hired professional mental health therapists or have school-based health centers that offer mental health services. These centers make mental health care more affordable for students and their families. However, the overall shortage of mental health professionals can still hinder access to care in some centers.
University of New Mexico's Role
The University of New Mexico Children's Psychiatric Center in Albuquerque is a major provider of youth mental health care. It has a psychiatric center with 35 beds and focuses on intensive care for children up to 17 years old. It also provides support to healthcare providers throughout the state and is constructing a new 32,500 square-foot facility with 36 beds initially and up to 52 eventually. But reaching the center requires a several-hour drive for families in parts of Southern New Mexico.UNM focuses on mental health services for Native American youth, who face disparities such as higher rates of attempted suicide. Mental health issues also affect Indigenous communities when it comes to bullying. Rhoten believes more awareness is needed in schools and among providers about Native American communities and cultural sensitivity.
Student-led Initiatives
At Organ Mountain High School in Las Cruces, students organized an awareness campaign about suicide to help their peers. Principal Luis Lucero created a parent leadership team, a core teacher leadership team, and a student leadership group. Two members of the student leadership group suggested hosting an initiative for National Suicide Prevention Week.Student body President Abigail Hernandez said their goal was to change the narrative of suicide and encourage conversation. Student Council member Lilli Roman encouraged students to seek help if needed. The nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24-7 for anyone experiencing a mental health concern.
In conclusion, Southern New Mexico's youth is facing a complex mental health crisis with various factors at play. However, efforts are being made to address these issues and provide support to those in need.