All children handle stress and emotions in different ways. Some children find it easier to express emotions than others.
How can you support children emotionally?
Encourage your child to speak positively about themselves. What three words can your child say about themselves as a person? See it they can build on this. Tell them three things you think they are.
Praise them-tell them regularly how amazing they are! Boost their confidence and self-esteem. It is all part of self-care.
Encourage them to take pride in what they do and love themselves for their true authentic self. Ask to see their work and even in older years of school, show a real invested interest in what they are doing.
If your child suffers from stress, then explore coping mechanisms together. Perhaps, breathing techniques, children’s yoga or even a stress ball-something they can hold or squeeze to release any tension.
Let them know that it is okay to fail at things. They do not have to get everything right the first time. Life would be boring if we were all good at the same things.
Make time for laughter. Get your children to belly laugh. From my own experience as a Mum, laughter is the best medicine, and nothing beats hearing that giggle and seeing my children smiling. Sometimes I need to embrace my own nomadic ways and remember what it is like to be young.
“My child is different”. Encourage those differences. Let them embrace their nomadic, child ways. Get them feeling comfortable with who they are. We live in a world where we mould children quickly into social norms and values. They are all unique and let them know that that’s okay.
Safety
Reassure your child that they are safe and secure. Give them those extra cuddles and create time where they have your full attention-they grow so quickly. Let them share any worries with you.
Hobbies
Embrace the new hobbies that they want to try. Where it is not always possible to financially or logistically try out every class that our children state they really want to do, as they change their minds quickly. There are lots of free classes online, including some amazing free videos on YouTube for dance, yoga, martial arts. Hobbies contribute towards our children’s identity, and they should not be forced. They should get enjoyment from these outlets.