The Face of Panic

When things don't work instantaneously for Hannah, she often reacts with unparalleled panic. It could be a shoe that isn't going on right or a wrapper that won't open - whatever the cause, the response is quick, disproportionate, full-on panic. If you're not in the same room when it happens, you experience your own heart-quickening panic as images of wild animals mauling small children flash through your mind. Racing to the scene, you discover the real problem is that Mr. Potato Head's nose wouldn't go in.

Undeniably, events in Hannah's world take on far greater significance than I give them credit for. Why else would she go into histrionics over a grilled cheese that was cut into four slices instead of two? I try to be patient. I try to be understanding. I try not to let my irritation show or to have my own disproportionate emotional meltdown of a response. But it's so hard because these fits of panic drive me absolutely insane!

My standard broken-record response goes something like this: "Relax. Calm down. There's no need to freak out." It actually helps.

Now I just need to think of what to say to Hannah.