A Smart Girl's Guide: Worry. Nancy Holyoke

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      What if my friends find out my stuffie?

      What if my friends laugh at my haircut?

      What if they get mad at me?

      What if I get unpopular?

      I did finish my bibliography. Didn’t I?

      What if I get a C on my test?

      What if I cry at the overnight?

      Will Mom be safe on her business trip?

      What if I drop my note cards?

      If I can’t get ratios, I’ll never get in honors math.

      What if I raise my hand and give the wrong answer?

      What if I get fat?

      If I’m late, I’ll have to run extra laps with everybody watching.

      Do I have taco breath?

      What will it be like after Mom and Dad’s divorce?

      What if my new glasses look horrible?

      What if a man with a gun breaks in?

      What if Mom loses her job? Or Dad? Will we have enough money?

      What if lightning hits the house?

      What if this is germy and I get sick?

      What if I can’t stop worrying!?!

      What if I throw up in front of the class?

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why all the worry?

      Experts say kids worry more

      these days than in the past.

      It’s not hard to see why.

      Life is packed.

      School, piano lessons, soccer

      matches, clubs, mathalons,

      performances, family events.

      You’re forever rushing off to

      do the next thing. Chances

      are, even if you’re alone in

      your room, things are hopping.

      Phones ring. Texts ping in.

      Nothing ever settles down.

      It’s hard to relax.

      The pressure’s on.

      School is more demanding.

      There’s more homework, more

      classes, more teachers—and

      more pressure to do well. And

      that’s not to mention the

      pressure to do well in sports

      and other areas of life. Argh!

      Life is changing.

      Friendships can be complicated. There’s more drama, more gossip,

      more tension in the lunchroom. At the same time, your body is

      changing. The “you” you are today may not feel at all like the one

      you were last year. Lots of girls worry about what comes next.

      Will my breasts start growing soon? What if my period starts

      in the middle of dance class? Your body will do exactly what it’s

      supposed to, but it will have its own unpredictable timetable.

      Your world is getting bigger.

      You are building your independence. More and more, you’re

      venturing out of the cozy cocoon your parents watched over

      when you were little. You’re deciding more things for yourself.

      It’s