Category: Anxiety

Some ideas for homeschooling an apparently “Defiant” Child

3/6/2020

**Enjoy this guest post from friend of the practice, Charlie. We came across this piece when Charlie's mother shared it in a homeschooling Facebook group. Charlie accepted our invitation for this to be published on our Hopscotch & Harmony Blog because we knew how helpful it would be to other children and parents. Thank you Charlie!

Hello, I'm Charlie.

I started homeschooling at the beginning of year 6 in 2020. I will admit that sometimes when it comes to schoolwork I can behave in ways that some people might call “defiant” and “stubborn”. I want to help other families find a way to have a happy and fun time homeschooling, so I'm writing this to help other people even though I don't love writing.

I'm going to talk about possible reasons for defiance now (these are from my experience and are not 100% going to apply to all children). Most of the time I don’t know what triggers me to become defiant in the first place. But later, when I can think about it I realise I was anxious. I don't always know the reason for me being anxious. But sometimes I do, for example–

In public I am very good at hiding my emotions and that applies at school also. So when I started homeschooling - it was at home so I wasn’t needing to keep my feelings hidden, so I let them out and started having lots of meltdowns when mum tried to get me to do work.
Some subjects at school I was very good at but didn't get the support I needed when I needed help. For example, in maths I am well above average so when there were a few gaps in my maths I got no help so I got very bored and found I had no motivation anymore. When I started homeschooling I still had that experience in my mind, so I started having meltdowns with maths because my body was so used to screaming inside me whenever I did maths at school.
I feel I'm not very good at English/Writing but at school there are about 20 other kids to take the attention away from me if I feel I'm not doing well. At home, however, I am the only ‘student’ so I have all the ‘teachers’ eyes on me. It took me a while to get used to this and caused me anxiety.
Also mum was a bit anxious too. She wanted to do a great job homeschooling me and was trying really hard. I think she was trying to win the “Homeschool Mother of the Year” Award. Her anxiousness made me anxious too.

So, we have looked at some things that caused me to behave in ways that some people would call “defiance”. Here are some solutions to try which I think might work. Once again these are not 100% going to accommodate every child's needs, but they helped me.
.

Remember your child is probably not trying to be “defiant” - they are just anxious.
Make sure everybody feels safe and secure (ask your child what will make them feel safe).

Don't forget to ‘deschool’. Mum and I both needed to learn how homeschooling is different to regular school.
Be a friend to your kid. Take time to have fun together, play games, do cooking and have fun in general.
Be firm but make sure to be kind :)
Give them something they can succeed at.

And have fun :)
Give lots of encouragement.

Do lots of hands-on lessons. Don't be stuck at a desk (this really helps me).
Focus on what your child enjoys learning about. If they don’t seem to enjoy anything, help them discover their passion.

Make sure to not have any stress. Try to relax and don't be in a rush. Nobody learns when they are stressed out!
Find a method that suits both the parent and the child.
Check that the level of the work is just right. Make sure the level is not too hard or too easy otherwise the child will become bored very quickly.
DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!!!!

If I can help one family homeschool more happily, this will make all this writing worth it!

Thank you

Charlie.

Charles Reeves is 12 years old and lives in Sydney. He is autistic and struggled in school because of anxiety. Charles wants to help other kids like him and to make a difference in the lives of others. He also enjoys playing with his dogs and gaming (way more than his mum likes 😃).

When to worry about worry: Guidelines for parents

22/8/2018

Emily Vujicic, Psychologist

A life without worry is a dangerous thing. It would mean a lack of concern for consequences of our actions, a reduction in reflective thinking and a reduced drive to get things done by a deadline. It would mean we would step out in front of the busy road, or test if the iron is hot by using our finger.

Worry has been a safety mechanism for us throughout the evolutionary process, and has help ensure our survival. The point being, that a little bit of worry is a good thing.

The other end of the scale is a debilitating experience when we cannot think of anything but mistakes we have made or have a fear of the future that is enough to make us physically sick and interrupt our lives.

So how do we know when to worry about worry? How much is enough? And how to help foster a sense of safety without taking away our children’s ability to experience worry and instead learn to cope with it?

High anxiety can occur in approximately 1 in 10 young people, and the chances of being anxious increase significantly if they are already dealing with an ASD or ADHD diagnosis, or a learning disorder.

If compared to other children you see that your child gets worried more often, and more intensely than others, and things have persisted for some time, then it might be time to get some professional support.

Other signs to look out for include irritability, avoidance of things they might have previously enjoyed, physical complaints like a sore tummy, or comments like things being ‘boring’ or ‘stupid’, when they may in fact be difficult and your child is feeling afraid. Not wanting to go to school or see friends can be a red flag for a child experiencing anxiety.

As a parent, there are some things you can do at home to help foster a sense of resilience to things that may be worrying and help your child cope with those feelings.

Some possible ways include:

Provide your child with a sense of control. Let them learn to make choices and deal with the consequences of that (within reason). This may mean selecting only a small number of friends to invite to a birthday party, when in the week they complete their homework, or how much to commit to after school activities.
Allow your child to make (safe) risks that are age appropriate. For young children it may mean carrying breakable crockery or for older children it may be to walk the dog around the block by themselves.
Help your child develop a vocabulary of emotions, and praise/encourage them to share them with you. Model the language to your children e.g. “mummy is frustrated that we are running late for school”.
At the same time, model calming techniques for dealing with emotions. For example, show how you can take 3 big deep breaths or do some mindfulness techniques together.
Let your child know that worry is a totally normal feeling, and together, you can cope with what comes.
Praise the effort that your children apply, rather than the outcome. This is known to help build confidence and self-esteem rather then foster worries about under-achievement. If feedback is given, give it in a way that is constructive and has clear room for growth.

The relationship building that you do with your child will ultimately underpin these strategies. Being able to give them the confidence to believe what you say, to confide in you, and to give them the feeling of independence and competence to take on the world.

Don’t minimise the positive interactions that you have together in the big jigsaw puzzle of your child’s world. Plant the seeds of the relationship when they are 5, so they know when they are 15, that you are cheering them on.

Emily Vujicic works with adults, children and families to assist with a range of difficulties including the management of stress, anxiety, depression, school difficulties, emotional development, behavioural and parenting challenges. Experience as a School Psychologist has helped her develop an understanding of the challenges that can be experienced by school aged children, and the feelings and behaviours that can develop.

What makes us resilient? Factors that determine who succumbs and who surmounts during a major stressor

20/3/2018

Jesse Diggins, Psychologist

About a year ago, a colleague of mine asked me if I could explain why some people triumph through adversity and others never fully recover. That question stayed with me in the back of my mind until I could attain an understanding of why adversity only makes some of us resilient.

There is an important distinction to make between acute and complex trauma. The latter describes an ongoing occurrence of major stressors each compounding the next creating a cumulative impact. Much of the difference between succumb and surmount is attributed to whether the stressor is isolated or in addition to a collection of unresolved traumas.

Many of us will know first-hand accounts of how an individual who had experienced significant hardship used that trauma as an opportunity as fuel for personal growth. Indeed, it can be a badge of honour and a formative experience that alters their life course.

However, for many professionals that work with children and young people that have experienced trauma, resilience is the exception rather than the rule. Indeed, many children are lacking the skill of resilience.

To understand what fosters resilience, we can look to a study that commenced in 1955 which followed individuals from infancy to adulthood.

The Kauai Longitudinal Study, conducted in Hawaii, identified how children that faced multiple stressors were able to display positive adaptation.

Various factors have been identified that explain how individuals who grew up in poverty living in families troubled by chronic discord, went on to finish school and become confident, successful adults.

Family and Community Factors

The study highlights the importance of healthy attachments. Children who thrived amidst adversity always had one competent, reliable, predictable and emotionally stable parent or caregiver who could meet their needs. The opposite of this position is what we see in clinical practice regularly, children and young people that are unbalanced because they do not have the most fundamental human need: unconditional support from their caregiver. Without this cornerstone, the development of resilience is compromised.

At a community level, engaging in groups including sports, school or religion was demonstrated to foster resilience. These groups became a forum for emotional support where coaches and teachers could supplement the support offered at home with mentoring and role-modelling.

Individual Protective Factors

The study found that those that became resilient were affectionate, cuddly and easy to deal with babies, agreeable, friendly and sociable toddlers. As youngsters, individuals who became resilient later in life developed self-help skills earlier on and by age 10, their problem-solving skills were superior to their peers.

The characteristics of resilience found to emerge throughout adolescence included having future aspirations and having a talent that generated pride and a sense of achievement. One characteristic that was unique to individuals who became resilient was a self-belief that the problems they confronted could be overcome by their own actions. This conviction, known by psychologists as an ‘internal locus of control’, is perhaps the most important factor and contrasts an 'external locus of control' which is the belief that events in life are caused by uncontrollable factors.

Our Perspective

Though internal locus of control is an important factor, self-belief is not the only ingredient. Positive adaption to major stressors results from grit and a growth mindset to hold it all together (“I can change the situation, rather than assuming it’s fixed”).

How we view a stressor is a huge determinant in how we respond to it. Individuals that identify themselves as a victim of a stressor will respond differently to those that view themselves as a beneficiary of a learning experience. The latter perspective is what is needed to possess resilience.

Sources & Further Reading/Learning:

Kauai Longitudinal Study:
https://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/fpS0504.pdf

Growth Mindset:
https://www.ted.com/talks/carol_dweck_the_power_of_believing_that_you_
can_improve

Grit:
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passi
on_and_perseverance

Works relating to resilience theory by Norman Galmezy, Developmental
Psychologist,

Jesse Diggins is a Hopscotch & Harmony psychologist who works closely with children, teens and parents to make sense of emotions and challenging behaviour. He has been recognised at local and state levels for his counselling work and his passion to empower young people and enable them to flourish. You can make an appointment with Jesse at Hopscotch & Harmony's Belmont practice on 5241 6462.

Developing a secure attachment style to reduce separation anxiety

28/2/2018

by Georgina Psomiadis, Clinical Psychologist

You are surely familiar with the concept of separation anxiety, particularly in children. The tears and clinginess that could be experienced when a child first separates from their parents. Of course, it’s very appropriate for young children to experience some mild anxiety when they first start school or spend their first night away, though with some practice, are soon able to regulate themselves during times of separation because they know their caregiver will come back for them. Then there are children who are not able to regulate themselves and continue to show signs of distress for an extended period of time.

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5, 2013), Separation Anxiety Disorder is categorised by showing developmentally inappropriate and excessive fear or anxiety concerning separation from those to whom the individual is attached for at least 4 weeks in children and adolescents (if not better explained by another condition such as refusal to leave home because of excessive resistance to change in autism spectrum disorder, amongst other conditions). In this most recent edition of the DSM-5, adults have now been included in this diagnosis, though the length of excessive fear lasts for more than 6 months.

One of the major theories that inform separation anxiety is Attachment Theory, first founded by John Bowlby then extended by Mary Ainsworth. The basic perspective of Attachment Theory is that the kind of bonds we have in our early life shapes the kind of relationships we form as adults. The developing child builds up a set of models of the self and others, based on repeated patterns of interactive experience. These internal working models are thought to form relatively fixed representational models which the child uses to predict and relate to the world.

A securely attached child will store an internal working model of a responsive, loving, reliable caregiver, and of a self that is worthy of love and attention and will bring these assumptions to bear on all other relationships. On the other hand, an insecurely attached child may view the world as a dangerous place in which other people are to be treated with caution, and see themselves as ineffective and unworthy of love.

Within the first 6 months of life, parental responsiveness is a fundamental factor impacting the quality of attachment. This is where mirroring responses are crucial. The onset of a smiling response at 4 weeks marks the beginning of the cycles of interaction between the caregivers and their baby. The baby’s smile evokes a mirroring smile in their parent; the more they smile back the more the baby responds, and so on. These are called ‘mirroring’ responses because it is thought that what the baby sees when their caregivers copy their expressions, is in fact, themselves… i.e., they are developing their sense of self. The physical holding, protection, nurturing and caring that is also felt by the infant further creates the sense of inner security.

Between 6 months and 3 years old, the goal for the child is to keep close enough to their caregiver, to use them as a secure base for exploration (i.e., separation) when the environmental threat is at a minimum, and to exhibit separation protest or signalling danger when the need arises. The over-anxious parent may inhibit the child’s exploratory behaviour, making them feel stifled or smothered; conversely, the parent that may not have the capacity to be attuned to the child’s needs may inhibit exploration by failing to provide a secure base, leading to feelings of anxiety or abandonment.

Attachment relationships continue to evolve throughout the lifespan. The child-parent relationship forms the primary attachment figures until adolescence, which is when peer relationships become the primary attachment figures, then romantic relationships in adulthood.

If a child has developed an early insecure attachment and an internal working model/core belief that others can’t be trusted and they are unlovable, there is a tendency for later peer and romantic relationships to reinforce and strengthen this internal working model. For example, a teenager with this internal working model may act either by avoiding developing close relationships, being ‘clingy’ or controlling of others, which would elicit undesired responses from others that will reinforce their initial core belief.

How can therapy reduce or eliminate excessive separation anxiety?

A key element in psychological therapy, whether that is for children, adolescents or adults is for the therapist to become a ‘safe base’ that the patient can feel secure to ‘explore’, whether that is the exploration of the physical environment for young children (play) or their internal world (adolescents and adults). Many of the elements that foster a secure early attachment as outlined in Attachment Theory are typically utilised in therapy (i.e., mirroring, being highly attuned/sensitive to the patient’s needs, support, validation, unconditional positive regard) so the patient can first start to develop a secure sense of themselves, which only after this is achieved can extend to feeling secure with significant others. Of course, as parents tend to enact their own attachment style onto their children, parenting support and explicit teaching of responses that foster a secure attachment, especially for young children is also an essential component of therapy.

Georgina Psomiadis is passionate about mindfulness and working together with young people and adults to improve body awareness and mental health. Working with Georgina will benefit those who feel like they are confused, powerless and stressed, and want to make positive changes and build loving connections within themselves and their family. Georgina consults from Werribee and Point Cook.

5 Ways to Prepare Young Athletes for Success

21/2/2018

Kessia Ianzano, Psychologist

There is often a fine line between young athletes playing sport for fun, and the desire to be a successful elite athlete. As a psychologist who has worked with an array of athletes from elite, state and local levels, there are often psychological barriers to an athlete’s success.

Detailed below are 5 effective ways to prepare a young athlete for success.

Control what you can control

Sport generates powerful emotional responses among participants. An athlete’s mood will be influenced by situational factors such as weather conditions, sporting arena and your opponent(s) to name a few. It is how we manage these factors that determines an athlete’s success. By using attentional deployment an athlete will be able to remain focused on their own race/competition. Attentional deployment involves diverting attention away from elements of competition that cannot be controlled by using music or focusing on your breath as a distraction.

Focus on the performance and be present in the moment

A technique used to help an athlete concentrate during sport is called moment-for- moment. This strategy encourages the athlete to focus only on the one task that he/she has to do at that point in that time. This means, not to worry about things that they have already done (successfully or unsuccessfully) and not to worry about things that they have to do in the future.

Believe in yourself

Negative self-talk is an athlete’s own worst enemy. Developing cognitive strategies to reframe unrealistic or maladaptive thought patterns is key to an athlete’s success. Try setting SMART (specific, measureable, achievable, relevant and timely) goals in order to maintain positive self-talk and achievable success.

Use Mental Imagery

Developing and rehearsing images of ideal technique, attitudes, and emotional states can create a template for competitive performance. This can be practiced by building mental models for performance. These models are different from achievement goals or affirmations in that they define the process of the performance itself. By visualising your best performance and identifying important aspects, as well as considering your attitude and frame of mind, you are on your way to success.

Breathe

Learning to relax through breath has several benefits. One benefit is that breathing can be used to reduce stress and tension. In fact, muscular tension is often a result of mental stress. For example, when you are anticipating the start of a race, you are likely unnecessarily contracting unneeded muscles leading to a cumulative fatiguing effect. A simple breathing exercise laying down and being aware of your breath and the rise and fall of your abdomen prior to competition will be very effective in relaxing the mind and body.

By attempting one or all of these tips to prepare for your next competition, you will be on your way to achieving what YOU believe to be success.

.Kessia Ianzano is a Hopscotch & Harmony psychologist who provides mental health support to young people as well as to athletes of all ages across a diverse range of settings including elite national environments, state level teams and local community organisations. In addition to working with athletes, Kessia has worked as a school psychologist and consults at Hopscotch & Harmony at our Werribee Practice. You can book online here.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: A strategy to help your anxious child relax

15/3/2017

by Melissa Bailey, Psychologist

Anxiety is one of the most common childhood disorders. Most commonly a child will experience one of the following forms of anxiety:

Separation anxiety - Fear of being separated from their parent or primary care giver. Often with this form of anxiety children are viewed as being 'clingy' and can talk about fears of something bad happening to their parents or themselves.
Social anxiety - Children will avoid social situations or interaction with others, worrying about being negatively evaluated by others.
Generalised anxiety - Fears that are excessive and relate to most aspects of their life.

Some of the ways anxiety may present in your anxious child:

Excessive worrying thoughts that are upsetting.
Physical symptoms such as tummy pains, headaches or muscle tension.
Irritability.
Emotional upset or anger.
Disturbed sleep and complaints of nightmares.
Fatigue.
Poor concentration and attention.
Avoidance or school refusal.

The good news is that anxiety can be managed through therapy to learn how to decrease those worrying thoughts, but you as a parent or caregiver can also help your anxious child by teaching them to calm down and relax their bodies and minds. One technique that you can teach to your anxious child to help them relax is Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR).

Often when we experience worrying thoughts and events our bodies will respond with muscle tension. This tension we feel can be uncomfortable making it difficult to relax and even go to sleep at night.

PMR is the process of scrunching up different muscle groups for a few seconds and then releasing the tension. This is done in part so that we can identify the areas that we hold the most tension and also so that we can distinguish between tension and relaxation.

Here are some basics you can try to help your child using Progressive Muscle Relaxation:

Preparation:

Have your child find a comfortable position in a seat or lying down.

What to say:

"Take some deep calming breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth...

Imagine your tummy is a big balloon and when you breathe in the big balloon is filling with air, and as you breathe out, the air is slowly escaping and the balloon becomes small again.

Now...squeeze your toes and feet into a tight ball... hold this... (five seconds)... now relax...let them go loose.

Tighten the muscles in your legs by pointing your toes...hold the muscles tight...(wait five seconds)... now let go and feel your legs go as loose as cooked spaghetti.

Let's focus on your tummy now. Tense the muscles in your tummy by squeezing it in... hold this... (wait five seconds)...now relax...notice how good your body feels.

Lift your shoulders as high as you can, bringing them up to your ears...hold this... (wait five seconds)...now relax....breathe in.... and breathe out...

Next you can tense your arms and hands, by stretching them forward and tightening your hands into a tight ball, like you are squeezing a lemon...hold this... (wait five seconds)...now let your arms go floppy like cooked spaghetti...notice how relaxed they feel...

Let's move to your face...tense your face by scrunching up your whole face...wrinkle it up as hard as you can...hold this... (wait five seconds)...now relax.

Take another deep, calming breath in through your nose and out through your mouth...
When you are ready, gently open your eyes and notice how good and calm your body feels."

The following resources can further assist your child to relax using Progressive Muscle Relaxation:

Angry Octopus: A relaxation story
by Lori Lite

Kiddie Calmer - Body Scrunching
by Debbie Wildi

Melissa Bailey
Melissa supports primary and secondary school aged young people who experience emotional dysregulation, reduced self-esteem and self worth and who have difficulties at school. She is dedicated to working in partnership with educators and parents to ensure those closest to young people have the necessary skills and resources to support them.

5 Ways to Manage Bedtime Worries

8/7/2016

Written by Dr Chaille Breuer, Clinical Psycholoigst

Bedtime can be a time when children feel the relief of recharging their batteries for another day. It can also be a time when children are alone with their thoughts and their minds can feel really busy. Some children find themselves replaying the day that has just past, others think about what might happen tomorrow. For many, it can be a time when the darkness and noises outsides prompt their little minds to wonder about monsters and other scary things.

Here are 5 simple and creative ways to manage worries at bedtime:

1. Feed worries to a worry monster
Help young children to let go of their worries before they go to sleep by feeding them to a worry monster. You can create a friendly worry monster with your child by using an old tissue box. Paint or cover the tissue box with your child’s choice of colours and patterns and turn the opening into a mouth by adding some paper teeth.

Once you’ve created the monster you can encourage your child to feed their written or drawn worries through its mouth (e.g., making friends at kinder, going swimming etc.). If your child struggles with writing or drawing, parents can help with the process.

The monster likes to eat worries so your child can let them go from their mind. If the idea of a “friendly monster” might prompt some discomfort - you can choose your child’s favourite animal or character instead.

2. Teach your child to meditate
Encourage children to learn how to relax their minds and body by teaching meditation skills at bedtime. There are many relaxation scripts written especially for children that encourage positive imagery, breathing and muscle relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can help calm busy minds and help get children ready for sleep. A helpful book to use is Mini Relax by Debbie Wildi (can be purchased from http://www.bookdepositry.com).

Debbie’s book of calming stories helps children imagine themselves sliding on rainbows, walking through the fairy forest and see the world from a red air balloon. Each story introduces children to breathing and muscle relaxing techniques in a creative story format. Alternatively, you can google “child relaxation scripts” to source some free stories to read. You might even like to write your own!

3 Let worries fly away
Teach older children to identify and let go of worrying thoughts with the help of balloons and a Sharpie (permanent marker). Encourage your child to blow up a balloon (you can help of course) and hold the end tight in one hand. Use a black or dark coloured Sharpie to write or draw the worry on the balloon. It could be a word or a sentence or a picture of whatever is on their mind.

If your child has difficulty putting their worry into words you can help model what a worry might sound like in your head by writing your own worry. Using the phrase “what if…” can often help get your child started. Once your child has written or drawn the worry, tell your child to let it go and watch it fly around the room. When you retrieve the balloon your child will find that their written worry has shrunk and the writing is very tiny on the balloon – almost as if the worry is not so big anymore.

4 Change a scary image into a funny or silly one
Help your child take control of a scary image in their head by teaching them to change what they see. Some children find that bedtime prompts them to think about the scary stories they have seen on TV, read in books or heard from other kids. Children might close their eyes and see an image in their head that is hard to shake (e.g., monster, ghost, zombie etc,). Encourage your child to draw what they see on a piece of paper. Children often find this hard to do as it asks them to face their fear directly.

Once the image is drawn tell your child to change the image so they find it funny or silly. For example, one child kept picturing a zombie in her head when she closed her eyes at bedtime. Using the drawing technique she was able to turn the image into a zombie dancing gangnam style and she no longer found it so scary. With repetition, every time the zombie entered her head she thought about him doing gangnam style and it stopped keeping her awake.

Read more on supporting your child through nighttime fears

5. Schedule worry time
Help older children manage their worries at bedtime by encouraging them to schedule “worry time” into their day. Just like many adults, bedtime can be a time when the mind gets busy. Encourage your child to engage in a scheduled “worry time” earlier in the evening (instead of just before sleep). Your child can write down or say their worries at a scheduled time (e.g., just before dinner, after school or before the bedtime routine starts).

Technology can be helpful here – your child can use a tablet or phone to record themselves (e.g., on apps like voice notes) saying their worries. Your child can then listen back to their spoken worries and then switch them off. Switching off a device is much easier than switching off a busy mind!

Worries at bedtime are common for children. Teaching your child different ways of managing their worries can help them to relax as they go to sleep and teach important skills for self-regulation.

If you are concerned about your child’s worries please seek professional advice. At Hopscotch and Harmony we have child psychologists who can help children and parents learn to manage worry. To book an appointment at our Werribee practice please contact us on 9741 5222.

About the author:

.Dr Chaille Breuer is a Hopscotch & Harmony Clinical Psychologist who sees children and their families around issues including: parenting concerns, behavioural difficulties, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, social skills development, coping with separation, bullying, and school anxiety. Chaille is facilitating an upcoming parenting program Tuning into Kids

School's here...and so is Separation Anxiety: 8 Tips for Parents of Clingy Kids

6/2/2016

Written by Jessica Cleary, Psychologist

How did your kids go at the beginning of the new school year? If you do kinder or school drop-off you will have noticed some kids take the new challenge in their stride, whereas others have a much harder time with the transition and separation from their mums and dads.

Maybe you found yourself with a little one who was crying and clinging and begging you not to leave. I feel for you if this was the case – it’s so hard! Or maybe your child complained of tummy-aches or headaches before leaving home. This is a common symptom of anxiety.

It’s fairly common for some kids to have troubles adjusting to school. Although there is no magic solution when supporting your child through separation anxiety, here are some ideas for you:

Find a friend
It helps immensely when kids have a friend at school. Ask the teacher who your child seems to play with the most and introduce yourself to the parent at either drop off or pick up. Arrange a play date over at your house or a park to help nurture that relationship.

Talk about it ahead of time
If you know that tomorrow is likely to be another morning of tears and clingy behaviour then talk about it today when you are both feeling calm and relaxed.

When children fear something they need the opportunity to express their feelings. Some of his worries or concerns may seem small or insignificant to us, but for him they are very real and should be respected.

It is important to acknowledge that the feeling of worry is very real for your child. Then focus on solutions to the problem. Highlight the fun parts of the day like playing with a friend or lunchtime. Remind him that after a little bit of upset he was able to enjoy the school day and he got to do new and exciting things. Let him know that you will ALWAYS come back.

Team up with the teacher
Work in partnership with the teacher. Experienced teachers have been through this before so are likely to have a few good ideas. If the separation anxiety doesn’t ease after a few days the teacher may be able to give your child a special job to do immediately upon getting to school. This will serve as a transition activity and is something for him to look forward to. Get to school early so the teacher can personally greet your child and take him to the activity.

Don’t focus on the separation
On the way to school talk about the first thing your child will do once he gets in the classroom. It shifts the focus from the separation to the enjoyable activity. This helps him mentally prepare before he is physically at school. He starts to visualise the inside of the classroom and can start to get used to the idea of being there.

Something like this: “When you go to the reading corner, what book are you going to read first?” or “Which colouring in page will you choose when you get there – the train or the castle?”. Or if you have an arrangement with the teacher (see previous tip) you can talk about this with enthusiasm.

Don’t talk about ‘school’
At home in the morning, don’t talk about ‘school’ too much. Talk about ‘reading time’ and ‘drawing’ and 'play time’. Talk about that first activity that he will be doing with the teacher (if you have one planned). The word ‘school’ may currently have a negative, anxiety provoking association for your child so avoid it if possible. Instead talk about the activities he will be doing at school that you know he enjoys. This makes the idea of school more concrete and less abstract.

Transitional objects
A special note from you kept in his pocket, or matching love hearts drawn on his and your hand can help your child feel connected to you during time apart.

Other issues
Sometimes separation anxiety occurs in the context of more generalised anxiety or trauma. Maybe there is a real problem at school that is causing distress. Listen carefully to your child and do a little detective work if you sense there is more to the story.

Could it be that he doesn’t know how to ask to go to the toilet? Or is he being bullied? Does he find it hard navigating the school grounds at recess? Listen carefully and get more information from the teacher to help you work out what the underlying problem may be.

When to seek professional support
Often patience and using the above tips can ease separation anxiety. However, there are times when it is necessary to reach out for additional support. You may need further help if:

The anxiety interferes with your child’s life and subsequently your life
There are frequent complaints of stomachaches or headaches
The severity of the anxiety is inappropriate for your child’s developmental level
The symptoms haven’t settled after about four weeks.
Your child has an excessive fear of leaving the house

A child psychologist can teach you how to help your child with coping strategies and work with you to alleviate the anxiety. Sometimes one or two parent consultations are enough to learn strategies to address your child’s separation anxiety. Other times the psychologist may suggest working individually with your child as well as with you.

Finally
Remember, your child isn’t trying to manipulate you. The feelings are real for your child and quite distressing. Although you may not always be able to prevent the separation anxiety, you can always empathise with your child and connect with him with cuddles and snuggles at the end of the day.

You wouldn’t be the first parent to cry on your way to work after holding it together at school drop-off. This experience is so very stressful for parents. Look after yourself to help manage your own stress. Sleep and eat well and talk to a trusted friend who will listen and support you. Taking care of yourself and allowing yourself your own emotional release will help keep you centred and more emotionally available for your child.

Jessica Cleary

Jessica is the Principal Psychologist and Director of Hopscotch & Harmony as well as the grateful mother of three children. She is passionate about building resilience in children and helping parents guide their children's behaviour through positive, effective parenting approaches.

Worried about your child’s worries? Tips to reduce your child’s anxiety

9/10/2015

It’s common for parents to feel concerned when their child is worrying too much. You may wonder whether it’s just a phase or whether things are going to get worse. You may feel powerless to help your child feel better. We all know what it’s like to feel anxious and stressed and, if you are like most parents, you desperately want to relieve your child from this discomfort. Here are some ways in which you can help:

Make sure your child is not over scheduled. It’s important that all of us have time to rest, relax and recharge. Ensure your child has the opportunity to regularly take part in activities that he/she finds relaxing. Toys, games, sports (non-competitive), painting and yoga (check out kids’ yoga on YouTube) are some ideas to explore if your child seems to have limited interests.
It is important not to burden your child with adult problems. Keep conversations about your own worries between yourself and other adults, and only when your child is well out of ear shot. Children pick up a lot of what goes on around them even when it looks as though they are not paying attention.
If your child says that he/she is worried or scared, it is important for you to keep calm and keep your own anxiety in check. If your child picks up on your anxiety he/she is essentially getting the message that there is actually something to be worried about, and it can escalate the situation.
When your child tells you about his/her worries or other negative feelings, listen without judgment. Remember they are true and real for your child even if they don’t seem rational to you. Demonstrate that you have heard your child by validating your child’s fear (eg “I can really see how worried you are about this”). Dismissing the fear (e.g. “you’re ok!”) or shaming the child for feeling that particular way (“don’t be silly, you’re a big boy!”) will not help. Instead, your child is likely to believe that you do not listen or understand what is going on, and as well as feeling anxious he/she may also now feel frustrated.
Give your child the opportunity to problem solve and come up with possible solutions. If your child cannot yet come up with solutions alone, offer a few suggestions and encourage your child to choose from them.
Help your child understand the importance of facing a fear. Although it’s natural to avoid things we are afraid of, this avoidance will only maintain the anxiety. Your child will learn that by gradually facing the fear, the intensity of the emotions will ease. On a similar note, ensure anxiety does not prevent your child from doing things that he/she is capable of doing.
Recognise when your child takes a step to manage anxiety. Say something like “You must be so proud of yourself for what you’ve done!” Notice that the suggestion isn’t to say how proud you are of your child (although it is of course ok to say this as well – just don’t make it the focus). This helps your child make the connection between his/her own behaviours and feelings, and serves as a prompt for the child to use positive self-talk (e.g., "Yes, I do feel proud").
Teach your child relaxation strategies (such as deep breathing, slow counting to 10, or visualising a calming place such as a forest or outer space!).
Do you find yourself reassuring your child a lot? Children can come to rely on this to help them feel better. And often it doesn't really help anyway! Try to limit the amount of reassurance you give (e.g., “you’ll be alright”, “it’s ok”) and focus on problem solving instead.
Your child will learn from what you do rather than what you say. Do you avoid your fears or face them? If you look for the positive in situations, your child will learn to do the same.

Finally...

Please remember that you are not alone! Childhood anxiety is very common and many parents, like you, are trying to help their children through these big feelings. Keeping informed and putting into practice the information you read is likely to give your child the best chance at learning to manage worried feelings.
If you would like further support or feel that your child’s anxiety is escalating and interfering with daily activities then please consult with a mental health professional. For those of you in Melbourne’s west a Hopscotch & Harmony psychologist can help you.

Some ideas for homeschooling an apparently “Defiant” Child

When to worry about worry: Guidelines for parents

What makes us resilient? Factors that determine who succumbs and who surmounts during a major stressor

Family and Community Factors

Individual Protective Factors

Our Perspective

Sources & Further Reading/Learning:

Developing a secure attachment style to reduce separation anxiety

How can therapy reduce or eliminate excessive separation anxiety?

5 Ways to Prepare Young Athletes for Success

Control what you can control

Focus on the performance and be present in the moment

Believe in yourself

Use Mental Imagery

Breathe

Progressive Muscle Relaxation: A strategy to help your anxious child relax

5 Ways to Manage Bedtime Worries

School's here...and so is Separation Anxiety: 8 Tips for Parents of Clingy Kids

Jessica Cleary

Worried about your child’s worries? Tips to reduce your child’s anxiety

Categories

our services

Our practice values

contact us

​Family and Community Factors

Individual Protective Factors

Our Perspective

Sources & Further Reading/Learning:

How can therapy reduce or eliminate excessive separation anxiety?

Control what you can control

Focus on the performance and be present in the moment

Believe in yourself​

Use Mental Imagery

Breathe

Jessica Cleary

Categories

our services

Our practice values

contact us

Family and Community Factors

Believe in yourself