Kids, Summer, Heat - Combustible Combinations

TEENS GETTING ON YOUR NERVES? (What isn't getting on your nerves?)

In the northern hemisphere, oh, it's been summer for quite a while now. Kids home from school. Changes in routines. Heat. The promise of MORE heat. In Texas, a month of days over 100 degrees. Car trips with rest stops that are crowded and unplesant and there's too much junk food. Or not getting a vacation at all.

In most cases, we are spending more time with family -- kids home from school, relatives visiting, trips to see cousins, vacations -- and nerves are on edge.

It isn't called The Dog Days of Summer for nothing!!

Try using I-STATEMENTS.

People try and get us in to "control" battles about things we really can't. Try saying what YOU will do or allow, not trying to tell THEM what to do. It shares control and gives options. It 's enforceable, because it's about you. Here are some examples. Share yours!

My car leaves at 2 p.m.
I'll be happy to buy ice cream cones for people who clean up their rooms.
I have lunch with people who are pleasant.
I'll take you to the ___ when I don't have to worry about fighting in the back seat.
in the back seat.
I'll listen when your voice is as calm as mine is.
I keep the toys I have to pick up. You can keep the ones you pick up.
I'll enjoy buying you clothes that I feel are appropriate.
I'll be happy to listen to you as soon as Mom and I finish our conversation.

Give the other person a choice, using statements like the ones above.

Last point, and this is what's really tricky. These statements are not "natural." Usually we read about them, they become vogue. At first they're new, but then other people 'catch on.' The trick is to keep them fresh, and make sure your tone of voice doesn't become mocking or sarcastic.

Give them a real chance to work.

The Dogs Days of Summer

Hubble photo of Sirius, the Dog Star, believed to be in the public domain.

Folks, we are in the Dog Days of Summer. If you're feeling irritable and also lethargic, you aren't alone.

This is the Dog Days of Summer. This is because of the Dog Star, Sirius, and it's serious business!

Going back to ancient times, the Northern Hemisphere has had to deal with scorching summers and has had various explanations.

Here's the story-- Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star besides the sun.

The "Dog Days" are when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as sunrise, but this has shifted somewhat since the precession of the equinoxes over time. This happened to be the heat of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Also, of interest, it was the time when the Nile River flooded.

The Dog Days used to be considered "an evil time when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics and frenzies" according to Clavis Calendarium, 1813.

Of course we can see now that it's the heat!!

Official dates are:
Old Farmers Almanac says 40 days, July 3 - August 11
The Book of Common Prayer says July 6 - August 17

REMEDIES:

• Understand what the heat does to us, emotionally, mentally and physically (that's why we have phrases like - chill, and hot under the collar.
  
• Stay "cool"
• If you're tired, don't take a Red Bull, take a nap
• Don't pressure yourself or others about things that can wait. "Let sleeping dogs lie."
• Don't get over-heated - mentally, physically or emotionally
• Stay out of the heat - literally, and also remove yourself from 'heated' situations.
  

In other words, it's a good time to practice your emotional intelligence skills. Don't allow yourself to be provoked by others who are "losing it."