A Reflection for Alcohol Awareness Month by Jim Shackelford, PhD, LCP, LMFT, CADC

Recently, I spent two weeks enjoying both the men’s and women’s March Madness competitions. But it was different this year. During March Madness, I am usually on vacation in Florida and enjoy watching games at one of the local sports bars, enjoying seafood and sometimes a beer. However, COVID-19 has brought home a new reality: no large gatherings. Safety calls on us to show discretion and avoid big groups. So, I watched these games with family instead. And I enjoyed seafood of all varieties—shrimp, grouper, scallops, oysters, and calamari.  Since I rarely drink, I did not miss my occasional beer. Overall, I found a way to have fun without a big group in a bar.

As weeks in isolation drag on, one thing is clear - the COVID-19 quarantine is taking a toll on our collective mental health. While some might find this time valuable for reflection and growth, almost all of us are experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. And for those with pre-existing mental health conditions, the added uncertainity of COVID makes their stability even more fragile.

Parenting these days is not for the faint of heart, particularly in light of the upheaval caused by COVID-19.   If you’re looking for useful roadmap to better family connections,YFC therapist Marianny Arribas recommends the book Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting  by Dr. Laura Markham.  Read Marianny's review to learn why she describes this book as a practical guide to raising happy kids.

In her book entitled “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting,” Dr. Laura Markham describes a practical guide to raising “happy kids” based primarily on fostering connection rather than teaching new tricks and bribes to discipline a child.