The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1319905
YOUTH FIRST TODAY Adjusting to a different holiday season, Part II By Leah Lottes Youth First, Inc. When you think about the holidays, it's likely that you picture your whole fami- ly gathering together to celebrate. You look forward to it every year, but in 2020, many families are choosing to stay apart in an attempt to keep everyone safe and healthy. This year is different. Many of us are upset by the challeng- es and changes brought on by COVID-19. This is something we've never experi- enced, so it makes sense that so many of us are struggling to adapt. If adults feel as though they don't know how to cope, we surely can't expect our children to build coping strategies by themselves. So how do we adjust? First, it's import- ant to accept the reality of this pandemic, as recommended by therapist Kim Eisen- burg, LCSW, in an article released by Sharp Health News. Allow yourself and your children to be upset, disappointed, and angry at everything that has been taken away from your family. Everyone is experiencing some type of loss, wheth- er it's big or small. Sometimes it's the little things we miss the most, such as going to school, going out to eat, going to church, and gather- ing with friends – all without fear of the virus. We must allow ourselves to mourn what we've lost before we can focus on creating new traditions. If you're looking for ideas on how to help your kids adjust to changes made this year, here are some ways to reframe the situation and still add a little bit of Christmas magic to your family's holi- day season. Zoom with your extended family. If your family is tech-savvy, you can have a big family Zoom meeting. No, it's not the same as meeting in person, but it's a great way for everyone to feel like they are all in the same place. It's also a great opportunity for families to share many laughs and memories together. Check in on family and friends. Check in on those who have lost family mem- bers or friends this year. Call family members who are alone during the hol- idays. Send a "thinking of you" card. Bake some cookies for friends and deliv- er them to their front porch. Including your children in these little kind gestures will not only help those who are feeling down this holiday season, but it will also bring your children joy. Volunteer. Whether it is donating your time, money, or resources, volunteering can be a way to help you feel good and re- mind you of the real reason behind giv- ing during the holidays. Create new traditions or modify old tra- ditions. This could include having a fam- ily game night, starting a new T V series, or having a baking day. These are all ac- tivities that allow you to do something fun in the comfort of your home. Make future plans. No, we don't know what the future looks like, but we can still try to make plans for future events, gatherings, milestones, and vacations. Having something to look forward to al- lows us stay motivated and helps us feel hopeful. This holiday season looks different than past holidays, but it is up to us to help those around us make the most of it. Remember, kids are resilient. We can choose to have a positive attitude and appreciate the little moments together as a family. Modeling this behavior can help build resiliency in kids and can give meaning to a wonderful holiday season, even during a pandemic. Leah Lottes, LSW, is the Youth First Social Worker for Barr-Reeve Primary School, Barr-Reeve Elementary School, and Barr-Reeve Middle/High School, in Daviess County. Youth First, Inc., a non- profit dedicated to strengthening youth and families, provides 64 Master's level social workers to 90 schools in 11 Indi- ana counties. Over 60,000 youth and fam- ilies per year are served by Youth First's school social work and after school pro- grams that prevent substance abuse, pro- mote healthy behaviors and maximize stu- dent success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812- 421-8336. The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, December 16, 2020 D-1 HOME LIFE TO ADVERTISE: Call: 812-354-8500 Email: ads@pressdispatch.net Visit: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg Deadline: 5 p.m. on Monday Great hunting area located in a fairly isolated location. Mostly agricultural property surrounding the 16.83 acre parcel. Approximately 11 acres tillable. MLS#202039248 Looking for a country location? Great location with 2 acres located 3/4 miles from Union. Property has a pole barn, shed and poultry house. Three-bedroom, 2-full- baths single-wide trailer. Trailer needs some repairs. MLS# 202037056 Eddie Boyd, Principal Broker Kay Helfen Associate Broker 812-582-1145 Addey Boyd Associate Broker 812-354-5599 Keith Shoultz Associate Broker 812-664-6640 Adam Boyd Associate Broker 812-582-2486 602 E. Main, Petersburg 812-354-8893 SIAR Check out our new website www.BoydRealtyCo.com REALTY & DEVELOPMENT LLC BOYD BOYD P BOYD For personal service, ch se NEW LISTING! This commercial building was erected in 1987 and was used as a retail hardware store up until 2018. The build consists of approximately 4,448 square feet. The building is all open and has free span trusses that make the area open to any kind of use. There is an open fenced-in area in the rear, with a 24'x86' open three-sided storage building. The main building had a new roof installed in 2016, along with new gutter and new metal siding on the east and west gable ends. MLS# 202046722 This home has a lot to offer for the price. It has a new deck, shingles and soffi t were replaced 2 years ago. New back porch and stairs were installed to access basement. Original hardwood fl oors refi nished in family room and dining room. The kitchen has a separate pantry area that is impressive. Craftsmanship construction of display cabinets in the family room area. Enclosed front porch with new siding, entrance door and windows. MLS# 202046811 Cozy three bedroom home that has had a lot of interior renovations. Located on a corner lot with attached garage. This home still needs a few upgrades, but for the price, it is very reasonable. Move in ready. MLS# 202046809 NEW LISTING! NEW LISTING! Featured Tired of paying rent? Looking for a move-in- ready home? This is for you! Chain link fence in the backyard area for your dog to exercise and for children to play. Storage building to store your mower and yard tools. MLS# 202047715 Cozy two bedroom home located on a corner lot in town. PLUS, A GREAT EXTRA: This home has geothermal heating and cooling. All new vinyl wood plank fl ooring. Custom-built Amish cabinets. Priced to sell! MLS# 202047260 NEW LISTING! SALE PENDING! NEW LISTING! AREA HAPPENINGS Celebrate Recovery–Will meet every Monday at 6 p.m. at the River of Life Church, 342 E. CR 300 N., Petersburg. For more information, contact Pastor Jim at 812-354-8800. Pike County History Center—Will meet the fourth Monday of each month at the History Center, 1104 Main Street, Petersburg at 6:30 p.m. New members welcome. History Center hours Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until further notice. DAR—Local chapter of the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution meet the second Monday of each month September through June at 6 p.m. at the History Center in Petersburg. Free Clothing Bank–Oak Grove Church in Oakland City offers a free clothing bank each Tuesday 9 -11 a.m. (Oakland City time) for everyone. They carry new and used clothing. Location is on Morton Street, just past Chuckles. Come to the gymnasium door located at the back of the church. Winslow Alcoholics Anonymous – will meet every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Call 812-789 -8535 for location of the meeting. Al-Anon meeting – Meetings are each Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., located at 424 W. 7th St. in Jasper. For more in- formation, call 812-887-0349. Narcotic Anonymous – Every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at River of Life Fellowship Church. Odd Fellows IOOF Pacific Lodge #175 meeting–the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. All area members are encouraged to attend. Otwell Ruritan–will have its monthly meetings the sec- ond Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Pike Lodge #121 F&AM regular stated meeting–the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. All area Masons are invited to attend. CARL MELLOY ESTATE SALE Lic. #AU10800006 CALL OR TEXT Johny Ray at 812-598-3936 for more information Thurs., Dec. 31 • 10 a.m. CST Backhoe, fork trucks, vehicles, shop and hand tools, lawn and garden items, plus more. Also featuring an Evansville collection including antiques, glassware, collectibles, furniture and more. Auction Center • 114 E. SR 68 • Lynnville, IN 47619