How to talk to your child if they are worried or anxious
The following information has been adapted from Young Minds 360 and provides practical advice about how to talk to your child if they are feeling worried or anxious. At the end of the post I have also included some helpful resources and numbers for further support if needed.
- Ask what is worrying them and what they know about it. Talk with them about the worry.
- In an age appropriate way, try to answer their questions and reassure them. It is okay to not have all the answers!
- Explain to your child that feelings come and go. Reiterate that it is natural to worry sometimes and we all do it.
- Don’t try to shield your child from the news, as it’s likely they will find out somehow.
- If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, you may find it helpful to limit how much you express this in front of them. Children will often copy your behaviour.
- Provide your child with practical tips about how they can look after themselves. For example, explain the self care practices you do for yourself when feeling worried or anxious.
- Stick to your regular routines as much as possible so that your child feels safe and that things are stable. A visual timetable of what the day will look like can be useful. Allow your child to cross off each activity as it occurs. If routine is going to change, provide as much time for your child to process the change as possible and explain the reason for the change.
- To help reassure your child and reduce their anxiety, try and spend time doing a fun activity with them such as reading, playing, painting or cooking. If you are struggling to get them to open up, this may also be a way of providing them with the space they need to talk through their concerns’.
- Talk with your child about the things they can do to make themselves feel safer and less worried. What might distract and/or relax them?
- Seek further advice and support if needed. Speak to your GP, a counsellor or psychologist or refer to the helplines and websites below.
HELPLINES FOR CHILDREN
- Kids Helpline – Ph: 1800 551 800
- Youth Beyond Blue – Ph: 1300 224 636 (for children aged 12 – 25)
HELPLINES FOR ADULTS
- Parentline – Ph: 13 22 89 (Monday to Friday 8am – 12am)
- Lifeline – Ph: 13 11 14 or text service available via 0477 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue – Ph: 1300 224 636 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- Council of Single Mothers – Ph: 03 9654 0622 (Monday to Friday 9:30am – 3pm)
FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
- Black Dog Institute
- Raising Children Network
- Emerging Minds
- Single Mums website
- Support for Fathers website
- The Fathering Project
FREE ONLINE PROGRAMS or APPS FOR KIDS
- BRAVE – For prevention and treatment of anxiety
- Smiling Minds – App
FREE ONLINE PARENTING COURSES