How to help your children
Returning back to school can be an anxious time for children (and parents!). In this newsletter there is information on recognising that anxiety and a simple technique that can be used to reduce it.
Conversations about mental health are not the easiest to have, and maybe more so when it's with a child. I wrote a blog article about when to go about this and it's linked below along with some guidance on how to make the conversation a good experience.
Signs of Anxiety
I know I link to this article every time I send a newsletter, but I really do feel that it is a handy reference and I assume that your filing is as bad as mine!
Reducing Anxiety
The start of the new school term can be an anxious time for both children and parents. Here is a simple set of tasks that can help if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, and they work for adults and children (although a child may need someone older to guide them through).
Do this AS SOON AS you notice the anxious feeling - waiting allows your thoughts to get too deeply engaged in the anxious feeling.
The 5 things ….
First notice 5 things you can see. If you can make a note of them. Repeat them to yourself.
Next, 4 things you can/could touch
Then, 3 things you can hear
Then, 2 things you can smell or taste
Next, 1 good thing about yourself
Lastly, wiggle your toes.
To understand more about how and when to use this technique and why it works, please check out my blog post for the full details.
When to talk to a child about mental health
The simplest answer to this question is any time that you find yourself in a conversation. The more you talk about mental health, the easier it will be to bring up the topic.
Talking to any young person about something can be a challenge, let alone a difficult conversation around their mental wellbeing, hence making this topic part of normal life will make it easier.
Click this link to get some simple ideas of when to approach a conversation
Some tips on communicating with your child
In fact, these are good for communication with anyone. You just might need to adapt them a little for the situation.
Let’s start with what not to do...
Don’t be judgemental
Don’t fix it for them (or try too)
Don’t lie.
Here is what to strive to do…
Let them find the way forward
Know your boundaries and communicate them.
Be honest.
Make yourself available.
Listen.
Ask questions … gently.
Be consistent.
Ask and accept help
Each of these points is explained in more detail in this blog post.
If you would like to discuss any specific challenges with me then please book a phone chat via the button below.