The story is about a little boy (inspired by my son, Leo!) who gets surprised with a trip to his very first Cubs game. And it follows his journey from getting the tickets, to being stuck in traffic on the way downtown, to reaching his seats, experiencing "the troughs" for the first time, making friends in the bleachers, getting nervous about the game, eating snacks, throwing the other team's home run balls back on the field, singing Go, Cubs, Go! (spoiler alert), and so much more!
The term trigger originated in work with war veterans and combat-related trauma. Long before PTSD was formally recognized as a diagnosis, clinicians observed that soldiers returning from war could experience intense, involuntary reactions to stimuli that resembled aspects of combat. Loud noises, backfiring cars, helicopters, certain smells, or sudden movements could instantaneously activate the nervous system into survival mode. The word was intentionally literal: Just as pulling a gun's trigger leads to immediate discharge, trauma-related triggers caused an automatic physiological response without conscious choice.
They are taught no emotional reaction is bad and to speak up about anything that makes them uncomfortable, including hugs. As a result, St Saviour's doesn't have any permanent exclusions and a lower rate of suspensions. Over 9,000 London schoolchildren are receiving lessons up to three times a week on respect, kindness and how their actions make others feel. The project is designed by the global education specialists, Think Equal.
Whether it's peer relationships, puberty, or family strife, today's children often experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and worry. As a psychologist who works with parents, many moms, dads, and caregivers regularly ask me, "How can I help my kids feel better?" While we can't control what happens in the world, parents can equip their kids with education in emotions, a much-needed life skill. Being able to temper sharp emotions can prevent symptoms of depression, research shows.