The stressor I chose was alcohol usage by my father. My grandmother raised my siblings and I but, we often visited my parents in Washington DC for holiday’s and summer vacations. The stressor that I most remember is my dad drank every day. He was not a drinker who normally drank until he could not function but it would be past the legal limit to drink and drive. On this particular day my came to Richmond Virginia to pick up my sibling and I to take us back to DC with him for a week. He clearly had been drinking before he arrived his plan was to pick us up and leave immediately to get ahead of the rush hour traffic. I was about fourteen years old not close enough to the age for driving; needless to say we left not long after my dad arrived. We were about forty –five minutes into our trip when I notice the car was drifting off to the side of the road; my dad was falling asleep at the wheel. When I asked him if he was okay he said yes but his eyes began closing a couple more times before we reached DC. I thank God I was sitting in the front seat I watch him the entire drive making sure he stayed awake. I have never forgotten this experience with my dad this could have been on tragic trip my brother and sister were in the back seat not even aware of what was happening. I wanted to ensure we arrived safely.
The result of this stressor has forced me not to trust the driving of anyone else I still do not allow other people to drive me any where. I could not wait to get a driver’s license; my reaction to other people driving is to look out the window and not focus on their driving skills. I rarely go any place where someone else must drive; I have been the family chauffer since I was sixteen and eight months. Today, I love driving it is relaxing for me as long as I am behind the wheel I know I will get to where I am going. Recently, my family and I had to depend on someone else to drive us to and from the train station. I hated it; one driving was so reckless I had to start praying we would arrive safely back to the train station.
Researchers in Sweden indicate stress can undermine the immune system of children making it easier for viruses and bacteria to do their worst in the body of children (Jakobsen, 2014). A study was conducted on a group of 100 five year olds; parents answered questions regarding stress and possible difficulties that had impacted the family. The study showed twenty-six children experienced high levels of stress in the family; over fifty children grew up with normal stress levels (Jakobsen, 2014). Scientist stated children with high stress levels reacted to substances produced by their bodies which is linked to autoimmune reaction. The immune system of these children may not be protecting their bodies against viruses and bacteria which could result in the cells and tissue being attacked; the outcome could lead to type 1 diabetes (Jakobsen, 2014). However, a recent study in Finland found that physical activity helps children to cope with stress (Taylor, 2013). A cognitive psychologist indicated imaginative play allows children to express both positive and negative feelings; the social play aspects helps children feel connected to their communities reducing feelings of isolation or exclusion (Taylor, 2013). Play is important because it helps children to lose some energy and become calm (Taylor, 2013). Our day care program is built around children playing and being the authors of their play. I must admit they are all a happy bunch children who love to explore during their play both inside and out.
Reference
Jakobsen, S. E. (2014, February 13). Acute family stress can impact a child’s immune system.
Retrieved from http://sciencenordic.com/acute-family-stress-can-impact-child’s-immune-System
Taylor, K. (2013, August 5). Why our kids are stressing out, and what we can do about it. Retrieved from
http://kaboom.org/blog/why_our_kids_are_stressing_out_and_what_we_can_do_about_it
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