Let's Talk Life: Life too stressful

Yvonnie Bailey- Davidson, Contributor

Dear Counsellor,

I find life to be stressful. I have just finished college and have started to work. I am not eating appropriately and my sleep is impaired. So many tasks to complete and so little time.

- Sandra

Dear Sandra,

Welcome to the world of work. You will soon get acclimatised to this new journey. Many of the skills that you learn in college will come in handy at work. Work is good for you, as it occupies your time and helps to pay the bills. Therefore, you need to approach work positively, and do your best. We need to bloom wherever we are planted. Manage your workload before it manages you. There will always be last minute issues or emergency issues or oversheduling. You have to be a boy scout or a girl guide. Flexibility and adaptability are key.

Parenting tips

Dear Counsellor,

I am thinking of starting a family. I have been married for two years, and we are now ready to have children. I am happy, but I am also worried. Could you give me some parenting tip?

- Joy

Dear Joy,

Having children is a good idea. They are lovable and challenging. Not many persons are given the opportunity to take care of the future generation. Each child is born with her own temperament, personality and behaviour. As parents, we need to improve on their talents, and bring out the best in them. Parents need to guide and enhance the development of their children. Human beings have a life cycle, and we as parents have the golden opportunity to do the best we can for our children. Many parents can only afford to give their children a good education. Some parents have money, and assets that they can bestow on their children and grandchildren.

Read about the human life cycle, so that you can better able to understand yourself and your children. We are all growing older and see issues through different lenses. Children need a lot of attention, guidance, supervision, direction, nurturance, love and caretaking. You will need to budget your time well. You will need to schedule time for children, husband, family of origin, friends, work and yourself. If you have friends or family with young children, you can share ideas and activities with them.

Children need rules to live by. They need structure, routines, family ritual, pleasant experiences and happy memories. It is nice to take photographs for viewing in later years. Pleasant memories are essential, as this will help when life gets rough.

As your children grow, they need decision-making, problem-solving, and risk-assessment skills. Teach children according to their development and understanding. Some things will have to be taught daily, so you will need tolerance and patience. Let the children know their extended family members and be involved in their religious faith.

Email questions and feedback for Dr Yvonnie Bailey-Davidson to yvonniebd@hotmail.com or call 978-8602.