School Counsellor

A message from Emily

Dear parents and carers,

I hope you are all keeping well and looking out for your own mental health, in particular as we watch the bushfires in NSW and Queensland from a safe distance. It is a very scary time for many families up north, and of course, a very relatable threat to many local families.

There is nothing in my job as a social worker and counsellor that is magic or rocket science. Mostly, what I give to children is my time. I am fortunate enough to make time and space to listen and talk about children’s interests, worries and fears. I rarely use fancy questions and never use any psychological testing. It’s very low key!! So, this fortnight, I encourage you with warmth and enthusiasm to give your child the gift of TIME and CONNECTION. No certificate or tertiary study required! Oh, and it’s FREE!

Here are some ideas for amping up the time you can have connection with your child….we all do this in many ways, and kids can’t get too much of it!

·         Throw a ball for 10 minutes

·         Watch television WITH your child and have a cuddle or a laugh

·         Switch off the television and play a board game

·         Invite your child to the supermarket run

·         Long, intentional hugs

Connection with your child isn’t always about interviewing them about their day (e.g. what they did or learnt at school). Sometimes it’s holding their hands – even the big kids – or sitting next to them and watching the world go by. They know you are there, alongside them.

Emily