Melissa Fisher Paoni

Sarah Stays Home Melissa Fisher Paoni

Sarah is a fourth-grader who felt satisfied with her school, activities, friends, and family. When a virus pandemic shut down all activities, Sarah became discouraged and sad. Stress symptoms affected Sarah, including difficulty concentrating, irritability, and worry. Her mother helped Sarah to see that she had many things in her life, despite feeling she was missing out. Finding ways to control her activities and to take care of herself were explored, as well as contributing to others. While she still worried, she found some peace in focusing on the positives rather than the negatives.