The Metro Times Atlanta June 2018 | Page 10

Page 10 JUNE 2018 HEALTH AND WELNESS A FROM BOYHOOD TO MANHOOD s we head into the month that we cele- brate fathers, I’d like to focus on the importance of guiding, training, encour- aging, and nurturing our male children. My husband and I are the proud parents of 3 sons, with families of their own. We are a blended family and all of our boys experienced being raised in a single-parent household. The older two by me and the youngest by his dad, until we met Dec. 23, 1990, and mar- ried July 27, 1991. I thought I would never find the right one. I must say, it wasn’t easy before the marriage or even after we became a blended family. However, it’s been 27 years, and I am so appre- ciative of how God blessed our family over the years. Frank Abagnale writes, “A real man loves his wife, and places his family as the most important thing in life…” it this way: “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers IN SEARCH OF MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.“ transportation for Rockdale ings to discuss decisions and when sick, or even to prevent In that, there is no option County citizens since he resolve conflicts. sickness. The importance of for destructive choices and retired Sgt. 1st Class with mental and emotional well- behaviors. 29 years in the United States •Love on your boys every ness is just as essential. Last Waterfall Blessings!!! Army and National Guard. chance you get. but not least is the impor- Our boys are all success- tance of our spiritual wellbe- Paula L. Christian- ful in their ways and have •When situations become ing. After all, we are mind, Stallworth followed in their father’s overwhelming, don’t hesitate body, and spirit. Let our chil- The Listening Ear footsteps. Thanks to them, to seek mental or behavioral dren accept the realities of Counseling and we have 11 grandchildren help. life in that there will be chal- Development Center and five great-grandchildren. lenges, disappointments, and LPC, CPCS, CADC II, Of the 16, 11 are boys. The We will go for medical care suffering. Thomas Paine says psalmist wrote that “children are a heritage from the Lord.” My husband has seen and experienced the tragedy’s of two wars, buried his late wife and mother of their son after her death. One of the many characteristics I have admired in this man is his determination to love, pro- vide for and protect his fami- ly. Even in the face of adver- sity, he continues to walk in such a way that others pay compliments to his values and selfless acts of kindness. He provides non-emergency •Always take time to listen and spend quality time with your boys. How do we ensure that our male children experience mental and emotional well- ness in a world that offers so many unhealthy distrac- tions? While I don’t claim to have all the answers, here are a few suggestions that have been instrumental in raising our boys: •Develop family traditions that celebrate everyone. •Be supportive of one another in times of emotional crisis and losses. •Work out family rules and responsibilities together. •Consider family meet- Monthly Schedule of Support Groups • SOS(Survivors of Suicide)~2nd Thursday @ 6:30 PM • Parenting ~ 3rd Wednesday @ 7 PM • Depression ~ 1st & 3rd Thursday @ 7 PM • Future Moms ~ 1st Tuesday @ 7 PM • Renal Disease Support ~ 2nd Saturday @ 1PM • The 4 C’s Support ~ 1st Wednesday @ 7 PM (Caregivers of Conduct Challenged Children) • Expectant Teens 3rd Mondays @ 6PM • Couples ~ To Be Announced No Cost to attend support groups. 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If a workout pro- gram looks fun, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try it. Chances are that you’re more likely to stick with something that you enjoy. Plus, you can always modify any exercise until you improve your strength and mobility. • Don’t underestimate your fitness abilities. Your BMI (Body mass index) or weight can help you determine your starting point, but that’s not the best way to measure fitness. Instead, gauge your progress by how strong and energetic you feel. When you notice that your workouts are getting eas- ier, go harder by adding more repetitions. • Get the right workout gear. Splurging on workout gear might feel a little vain, but this isn’t just about taking awe- some swe