It's problem page time again on DREAMCATCHER and reader Denise is struggling - can Coco Tanberry offer some words of wisdom? Can YOU?
Denise says:
I am fourteen and for the last few months I have been feeling more and more detached from things. My friends get stressed over boys and nail varnish but I can't help feeling those things aren't important when there are so many huge and scary things going on in the world. Wars and terrorism and refugees drowning and people with no home and families having nothing to eat except for what they can find at food banks. My Dad's business might move overseas because of Brexit and then we will be in big trouble. I lie awake at night and worry about it all, but it feels like I'm the only one who cares.
Coco says:
You're not the only one. Growing up means you start looking at the world through adult eyes, and you won't always like what you see. This is a time of change and turmoil, and yes, there are some very upsetting things going on in the world. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by it. Talk to your mum and dad about what Brexit may mean for your dad's job; yes, it may mean change, but he will be thinking about what happens next and can probably reassure you. Wars and terrorism are things you cannot control, but equally, they are things that are unlikely to affect your directly. The refugee situation is very upsetting - why not ask your school if you can do an assembly to raise awareness, or have a collection to warm winter clothes and shoes to be passed on to your local refugee aid group and sent out to help those in need? You can also look at ways to raise funds for the homeless, perhaps to support the street teams that feed them, and have a cake sale or school talent contest with a food-bank item as entry fee to help your local food bank. These things won't make the problems go away, but by doing all you can to help you will feel less powerless. Doing something is always better than doing nothing, in my opinion. Good luck.
Cathy says:
Great advice from Coco - do YOU agree? What would you add? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!
Denise says:
I am fourteen and for the last few months I have been feeling more and more detached from things. My friends get stressed over boys and nail varnish but I can't help feeling those things aren't important when there are so many huge and scary things going on in the world. Wars and terrorism and refugees drowning and people with no home and families having nothing to eat except for what they can find at food banks. My Dad's business might move overseas because of Brexit and then we will be in big trouble. I lie awake at night and worry about it all, but it feels like I'm the only one who cares.
You're not the only one. Growing up means you start looking at the world through adult eyes, and you won't always like what you see. This is a time of change and turmoil, and yes, there are some very upsetting things going on in the world. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by it. Talk to your mum and dad about what Brexit may mean for your dad's job; yes, it may mean change, but he will be thinking about what happens next and can probably reassure you. Wars and terrorism are things you cannot control, but equally, they are things that are unlikely to affect your directly. The refugee situation is very upsetting - why not ask your school if you can do an assembly to raise awareness, or have a collection to warm winter clothes and shoes to be passed on to your local refugee aid group and sent out to help those in need? You can also look at ways to raise funds for the homeless, perhaps to support the street teams that feed them, and have a cake sale or school talent contest with a food-bank item as entry fee to help your local food bank. These things won't make the problems go away, but by doing all you can to help you will feel less powerless. Doing something is always better than doing nothing, in my opinion. Good luck.
Cathy says:
Great advice from Coco - do YOU agree? What would you add? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!
I agree. Make sure these worries don't eat you up. If you focus on this too much, it can became a problem. Just saying be careful. And this doesn't mean anything is wrong, it just means reflect back on your thoughts. Helping people is extremely important, and you can, like Coco says, led a helping hand at your local food bank. Just remember that nothing is perfect and things happen everywhere everyday. And that nothing will happen, and even if something does, you will cope. Have faith and eventually, you may see what you like on the other side.
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