Kids, staying healthy is one of the most important jobs we do. Sometimes when we run into problems, we cannot find a solution. This makes us worry which causes stress and stress makes us sick. What we need is a way to solve problems.

Do you get confused about what to do when faced with a problem? I do, but I have a simple tool that helps me. I learned about it when I was very young. I'd like to give this 'tool' to you. It doesn't look like any other tool you've ever seen. In fact, you can only see it after you use it. It's simple to use and always makes it easier to solve problems. It is called a Franklin List.

The Franklin List is named after a great man called Benjamin Franklin. You might know him since he was famous in our country when the United States was just a baby. He was a very smart man and had many talents. He was a writer, printer, inventor, politician, and a very wise, frugal man.

When you are faced with a problem and you don't know what to do, you use the Franklin List. It's easy. Let me show you.

Take out a piece of notebook paper. Turn the paper so the long side is horizontal. Put the word PROBLEM at the top of your page and leave a couple lines blank. Use a ruler and draw a line down the center from top to bottom. Good.

Top of the left section- put the word Pros and top of the right column put the word Cons. The word PROS means the good points and the word CONS means the bad things about your idea. The PROS gives the reason to do it, the CONS are the reasons not to do it.

Here's an example- you know a secret about your friend. You want to tell someone, but are afraid she will get angry with you. You don't want her to stop being your friend, but you are worried about her. Your friend is staying up all night to play on her computer. Since she gets little sleep, she feels sick all the time. She can't concentrate at school. She seems angry and wants to fight with everyone. Jill is not like herself. It worries you.

Where your Franklin List says PROBLEM, you could write, "Tell someone Jill's staying up all night."

Next, you go to the PROS. Remember that is the good reasons to tell. Write number one and start your list. One reason might be you should tell because Jill could get really sick without sleep. Number two because Jill will get bad grades in school. Number three- you really like her and she's your friend. Friends help each other to be well and happy. Maybe you think of tons of reasons maybe only a couple. That's okay.

Now head toward the CONS side of your list. You rack your brain. What are the bad points to telling? Number one is probably that you might lose her as a friend. That's pretty serious, but if she gets sick or in trouble, that's more serious. Number two-you do not want to be known as a "tattle tale", or a "teacher's pet". Whoa, let's stop a moment. When a real friend cares about their friend, they need to do what is right. In this case telling about Jill is very important. We don't want her to mess up just because she likes the computer too much.

Look at your list. Read each thing under each column, which has the most points. If the PROS side has three and the CONS side has only one or two that means there are more reasons to tell about Jill than reasons not too. It appears that the reasons to tell someone outweigh the reasons to not tell.

Did you ever hear the phrase "two heads are better than one?" That means when you are not sure, you should ask another person what they think. Now, go show your list to someone else you trust. You already have decided what is best, but you can still get another person's ideas. Once you decid how to solve your problem using your new tool, you can act upon it.

Let's try another example. You need to decide if you should practice your piano or play ball outside with your friends. Your PROBLEM is to practice or play. On the PRO or good points of practicing the piano you could:

1/The big recital is next week.
2/I would disappoint my parents.
3/I would break my promise to practice every day.
4/My parents work hard for the money for my lessons.
5/I won't ever get good if I skip too many practices.

On the CON side you list the reasons why you should not practice and play instead.
1/My friends will be mad if I don't come out to play.
2/ I feel like playing baseball instead.

You may have more. If the problem is tough, you may need someone to give you his or her ideas. The Franklin List is a good tool for helping you begin to solve problems.

Sometimes the solution is easy to see as you read your list over. Other times you need to come up with more PROS and CONS or get another person's help. Whatever you do, the Franklin List is an excellent place to start.

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel