Children tend to pick up on things when adults are stressed. They see and hear far more than adults tend to give them credit for and frankly - children aren't stupid!
Have seen a number of posts today about how to help their anxious child. Below are some methods I've used and had success with.
Worry Dolls:
What are they?
Worry Dolls (Also known as Trouble Dolls - Spanish; muñeca quitapena) originated in Guatemala. Guatemalan children would tell their dolls their worries and place them under their pillow and in the morning, they will have the knowledge and wisdom to fix their worries. The legend about the origins of the dolls refers to a Mayan princess named Ixmucane. Ixmucane was blessed with the gift of solving worries. The doll represents Ixmucane and her wisdom.
Read more here about women's group Ixmucane here. If you wish to buy Worry Dolls, consider buying them directly from someone who makes them in Guatemala.
Worry Box:
What is it?
A worry box simply a box you can post your worries into. You can use any kind of box, bottle, bag etc. Your child can decorate their worry box and keep a notebook and pen inside. They will write down their worries and post them in the box. Whilst they sleep, their worries will be taken away. The way I used the worry box was to leave the worry in the box until the end of the next day and if it was still a problem, my charge and I would discuss it together. Meanwhile, whilst the worry is in the box, my charge does not have to worry about it.
Worry Monster:
What is it?
A cute fuzzy monster with a zip mouth. Worry monsters will turn fears, worries or bad moods into nice stories. Your worry monster loves to eat your worries. Recommended by psychologists and teachers.
Worry Fairy
What is it?
You can encourage your child to leave a note under their pillow for the Worry Fairy in the same way as they might leave a tooth for the tooth fairy. They can write or draw their worries on a piece of paper and put in in an envelope. In the morning, their worries will have been taken away by the Worry Fairy.
Try to be mindful about what conversations you are having whilst your children are within earshot and try to be honest with them without scaring them.
I would recommend that you do not read your child's worries unless they have given you explicit consent. Don't throw them away, keep them in an envelope of your own as they may wish to come back to it another time. Your Dolls/Monsters/Boxes/Fairies should be able to return your child's worries.
It might be helpful to have a conversation about worries and anxiety with your children. There are plenty of resources available online.
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