Supporting Your Child's Wellbeing
Supporting your child's well being
It is normal for children and young people to feel worried or anxious at the moment. We’ve all experienced sudden changes in our lives and routines – and we’re living with lots of uncertainty about the coming weeks. For some young people, the coronavirus pandemic may also worsen or trigger anxieties they were already struggling with.
Here are five things you can do to support your child:
- Talk to them about what’s going on. Find out how they’re feeling and what they’re thinking about, let them know it’s okay to feel scared or unsure, and try to answer their questions and reassure them in an age appropriate manner. Remember, you do not need to know all the answers, but talking things through can help them feel calmer.
- Help them to reflect on how they’re feeling and encourage them to think about the things they can do to make them feel safer and less worried.
- Reassure them that this will pass, you’re there for them, and you will get through this together.
- Spend time doing a positive activity with your child (such as reading, playing, painting or cooking) to help reassure them and reduce their anxiety. This is also a great way of providing a space for them to talk through their concerns, without having a ‘big chat’.
- Keep as many regular routines as possible, so that your child feels safe and that things are stable.
Brentwood Catholic Children's Society
This website is full of up-to-date and relevant resources that are designed to help parents instigate or respond to dialogue around their child’s wellbeing (with specific help in talking to children about Coronavirus, Coping with Grief and Loss, and Mindfulness resources for all ages to work through alone or with a parent: https://www.bccs.org.uk/our-stories)
HOW TO MANAGE MY CHILD's ANGER, EMOTION REGULATION AND BEHAVIOUR DIFFICULTIES
Redbridge CAMHS/EWMHS (Emotional, Wellbeing and Mental Health Service) have kindly put together a document that contains a variety of resources on dealing and managing children and young people with a variety of needs. Please click here to download the document.
Click on the links below for further support
- EPS Parents' Helpline
- Telephone Support for CYP during the Coronavirus
- What are your worries and how can you cope
- When I feel Frustrated - Social Situation
- Why Can't I go to School - Social Situation
- Helping children and young people to manage anxiety
- 7 ways to support children and young people who are worried
- 5 minute fun activities for kids stuck indoors
- Well being activity ideas for families
- Every Mind Matters