Once upon a time there was a 9 year old girl named Lila. She was a kind, happy girl, but she had very strong emotions about a lot of different things.

You see, her daddy was a firefighter. He had to do many hard things, like fight big fires, and climb tall buildings. He loved it. His goal was to save people and keep everyone safe from harm.

However, her daddy's job made Lila a bit scared. She loved her daddy and worried that he might get hurt, which made her cry and worry about him a LOT.

The worrying gave her anxiety and stress, which made her cry about many things, even the smallest things, like making a small mistake. The amount of crying also gave her headaches.

This made Lila's mom frusrated. She didn't know why Lila cried so much about every little tiny thing. So she talked to a doctor about her and about her strong emotions. 

My 9 year old daughter Lila has been having many strong emotions recently and a lot of headaches.

The doctor asked her:

Have there been any family issues or problems in school?

Well, no negative family issues, but my husband is a firefighter and he's been working a lot and has had new fire classes, like climbing an 800 foot tall building. And the kids in her class are very crazy, but she does have close friends, like her best friends Kaylee and Sally.

Oh I see. I think Lila might be feeling stressed about your husband's hard work. I've had many parents tell me about kids who have felt anxious when a parent's job is a riskier job, like in the army, or having troubles growing up. 

So the doctor told Lila's mom that she could see the school guidance counselor, who could help with strong emotions and how to cope with them in a positive way.

Thank you Doc.

So Lila's mom went to Lila's elementary school to talk to the school guidance counselor.

The counselor, Ms Nikki, was happy to talk to Lila every Wednesday before school started, so she could get out her feelings and Ms. Nikki could help her.

Thank you so much!

Lila was not too happy though. She didn't understand why she needed a counselor. 

You've been having some big feelings lately, so Ms. Nikki will help you find some coping strategies.

Lila agreed to go and at least try, even though she was nervous.

On Wednesday, Lila went to see Ms. Nikki.

Hi, Lila! How are you?

I'm okay.

Ms. Nikki asked Lila why she was having big emotions. Lila said that she felt nervous about her daddy going to work and getting hurt. Ms. Nikki told her that it is absolutely okay to be worried about her daddy, but he does what he does to save everyone. She also decided to give her some coping strategies.

Coping Strategy- a way to lessen stress and calm down

First, Ms. Nikki told Lila to just breathe and take big deep breaths. Lila felt like she was in the clouds.

Then she had her exercise and then meditate after to calm her body. She had Lila lay on her back and just breathe. It made her feel carefree. It took all of her nerves and worries away.

Next Ms. Nikki told her to make a list of things that were bothering her. Then she had to rip it up and throw it in the trash. That helped "throw her problems away."

Then she had to make a positive list of things she loves and makes her happy. But that list didn't go in the trash. 

She put it in her room on her nightstand to look at it before bed.

Over the next couple weeks Ms. Nikki gave her a bunch of other strategies, which talking to people about her feelings and things like that. Over time Lila learned how to use her coping strategies to calm her mind down and feel much better. Ms. Nikki said that HOPE is the most important thing and hope brings strength and trust in the negative.