When Lisa Katzman's 17-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter are feeling stressed, one of the things the Chantilly, Virginia, mom does is encourage them to hang out with Ted, their wheaten terrier, especially while doing homework.
{"Image ImageDescription": "Seventeen-year old David Katzman is a senior at Chantilly High School in Northern Virginia.  He takes five AP courses, plays high school and travel hockey for the Reston Raiders, and is on the Board of his temple youth group.  With two or three hockey games a week alone, he has plenty to do, then add schoolwork, socializing, and now college applications due, there is much to do and much stress to go with it., though he seems to be handling it very well. \r\rSister Caroline Katzman, who will be 14 in January, has an extremely demanding schedule as well, as a competitive figure skater and an eight grader at the Edlin School in Reston, VA.  She skates six days a week, including two weekend mornings a week when she is up before 5am to practice for Team Ashburn synchronized skating team, and one day a week where she skates in the morning in addition to the afternoon, so she can fit in an ice dancing lesson. \rIn season she also plays field hockey and lacrosse for her school.\r\rBoth teens have personalities which allow them to deflect stress, including a good sense of humor and easy going nature.  However, there are small daily habits, and some rituals they and the family have adopted to make their challenging routines more bearable.  David takes 20-minute exercise breaks, working out with weights, running, or most often shooting pucks outside. He also helps with household duties in short spurts of chores in between his homework and other activities.  Sometimes he&#39;ll stand by  the refrigerator for a game of &#34;grocery catch&#34; with his mother, Lisa.  This way the mundane work of restocking the fridge is even a little fun and a welcome escape from stress of homework and other pressures.  Then there is hanging out with Ted, the Wheaten Terrier, especially while doing homework, and engaging in other hobbies, and completely mindless activities like watching reality tv shows. Caroline likes to express her creativity while relieving stress by drawing, cooking, and baking."}