Chaplain's Corner
Hi Everyone!
Relax, take a breath, count 8...9...10, put your hands in your pockets ‘til you’re calm again....
Children and young people need to know that they have choices – choices about right and wrong; choices about who makes the best friends; choices about what kind of friend they will be; choices about how they are going to react in different situations; and CHOICES ABOUT PROTECTING THEMSELVES ON THE INTERNET.
All this can create ANXIETY and STRESS as they navigate life.
We, as parents and adults, can help children and young people to develop coping skills.
It is in handling the small ups and downs of everyday life that kids develop their inner resources that will equip them to manage and come through the larger hardships, frustrations and difficulties that will inevitably come their way.
Here are five ways we can help our kids cope:
- Thought-stopping: Help kids being overwhelmed by parking their thoughts or worries for a while. “That’s enough of those thoughts for now. Think about it after lunch, but leave them for now.”
- Mental distraction: Get them reading, running, writing or roaming. Anything they can do to distract themselves is positive.
- Move away from a situation: Physically removing themselves from a situation temporarily relieves stress and worry. A break from the study room, a walk outside or visit to shops gives kids the change-up they need.
4. Go to their special place: some may like to retreat to their bedroom to escape the stresses of the day. My son had a cubby in a tree out the front of our house. My daughter had a diary she’d retreat to. Help kids find their special place or thing where they can take solace and draw strength.
5. Remind them that things will get better: “This too shall pass” is a powerful lesson to learn at any age. Sometimes kids will simply wallow in their disappointment, which only makes them feel bad. At some stage they need to move beyond their disappointment rather than continually revisit the past. 'Let it go, let it go' (sounds familiar??). Holding on often means missing out on the great things life offers.
Take care & stay well!
Robyn Mulholland (School Chaplain)