✨Especially if you are a current SCLC family, I strongly encourage you to watch this to make the most of our time together!
✨When you finish watching, be sure to 'mark as complete' inside your portal to receive your certificate of completion!
$0 FOR VIDEO AND WORKBOOK COMBO
➡️🔗www.NorikoAbenojar.com/Newsletters to view all past newsletters
➡️🔗www.NorikoAbenojar.com/Masterclass ~ check them out!!
➡️Keep reading even more for: NORIKO’S NOTES: sharing my life’s simple joys 💜
🌿Something in the Air - Part 2:
When Allergies Impact Behavior
If you read Part 1, you already know: allergy season isn’t just about sneezing. It can affect how our kids think, feel, sleep, and behave — even if they’re not showing obvious symptoms.
But here’s the good news:
There are simple things we can do in our daily routines to support our kids' focus, moods, and social skills during this time.
Let’s jump in.
📌 Missed Part 1? Read it here:
💡 Mindset Shift for Parents
When our kids are forgetful, overly emotional, or just not themselves, it’s easy to jump into fixing the behavior. But during allergy season (and other times when their bodies are under physical stress), it helps to shift from correction to compassion.
Try this reframe:
❌ “Why are they being so defiant today?”
✅ “Could their body or brain be overwhelmed right now?”
This doesn’t mean automatically lowering expectations — it means acknowledging what might be underneath their behavior. If their brain is foggy from allergies or their sleep was disrupted, they may need more support and scaffolding.
💧 Daily Habits That Actually Help
Here are science-backed habits that can make a difference in how your child feels — and how they show up socially, emotionally, and at school:
✅ Hydration
Allergy inflammation, dry spring winds, and even extra breathing through the mouth (due to stuffy noses) can lead to dehydration — which impacts mood and focus.
👉 Keep a water bottle handy, especially before and after school
👉Many kids don't drink during school (or eat!), even when water is available.
✅ Air Filters & Closed Windows
Use HEPA filters (in-room or HVAC) to reduce indoor allergens. Keeping windows closed, especially on dry, windy, or high-pollen days, helps keep indoor air clearer.
👉 Check your local pollen counts with a weather app.
👉 This can be a fun way to involve your child in being aware of their environment, get more buy-in to keep hydrated, or to be more self-aware of their changing moods.
👉Kids often love little gadget like these to learn while they may reject lecture-style talks by parents.
✅ Outdoor Play Timing
I didn't know this until now! — and backed by science.
A 2020 study presented by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) found that:
Pollen counts tend to be lowest between 4:00 a.m. and noon, and peak between 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (Source: ACAAI, 2020)
👉 Especially during summer and weekends, if possible, schedule outdoor activities earlier in the day to reduce symptoms.
How does this affect social skill and social interactions?
If your child seems “off” — more reactive, withdrawn, irritable, or struggling with friends — it might be their body talking.
Being tired, foggy, or physically uncomfortable makes it harder to:
- Use patience/impulse control
- Use flexible thinking
- Monitor tone or volume
- Read social cues, etc.
🛠️ Supporting them might mean shortening playdates, avoiding large noisy events, or giving more scaffolding during social moments.
That’s not coddling — it’s setting them up for success, based on how their body and brain are doing that day.
NORIKO'S NOTES: sharing my life's simple joys💜
I can't believe I didn't think to share this with you on Tuedsay because this was a big deal to me! Instead, I told you about my love for burritos 🙃.
On Sunday, I went on the longest bike ride of my life with my husband and some friends! We parked at Oxbow Market in Napa, biked 10 miles to have lunch, then biked back! The way there, it was waayyy easier than I thought it would be. I was expecting it to be really really hard. BUT the way back, it was windier and I was struggling the first third of the trip until I got in the groove and it became fun again! I'm really proud of myself. I have to admit, I felt scared going in so I almost backed out that morning!! I even told my husband that I could just meet them at lunch (meaning I would drive to the restaurant) since my bike tires were flat and needed to be oiled still...haha...I don't think I want to do it all the time but it was a lot of fun on a nice Sunday morning! So glad I didn't let myself back out! Any avid bikers out there??
This is me after forcing my big head into my son's childhood helmet 😆
Thank you for letting me share my simple joy💜 .
Gratefully yours,
Noriko
ONLINE MASTERCLASSES NOW OPEN:
FREE - The Abenojar Social Growth & Mastery Framework™ Masterclass is here!
FRIENDSHIP NAVIGATOR - 4 Visual Tools Parents Can Use to Help Their Child Understand How Friendships Develop
Please Help Spread the Word!
The more awareness we bring to the importance of social skills development, the more schools and workplaces will recognize the importance of inclusivity and the need for meaningful social support.
Please share this link: Parenting REdefined Newsletter (www.NorikoAbenojar.com/subscribe) to friends, families, teachers, or other professionals - encourage them to subscribe so that they don't miss announcements and new newsletters.
Noriko Abenojar, MSW PPS
Parenting REdefined
www.NorikoAbenojar.com
www.SocialAndCognitiveLearningCenter.com
Instagram: @NorikoAbenojar
Facebook: Parenting REdefined by Noriko Abenojar MSW PPS
Responses