mental wellbeing
7 TIPS TO HELP YOUR FAMILY'S
MENTAL WELLBEING Seven Tips to help children (and parents) get back to 'normal' - when 'normal' might feel a little strange - from the expert team at Beyond Psychology Ltd, Rochdale. As we come out of lockdown and return to a life that used to be so familiar to us, a lot of us are probably wondering why it feels so strange, unsettling and challenging! After all, we managed to balance family life with work, school, and clubs for everyone before? Realistically, we have spent so long in lockdown with restrictions imposed on us that the 'new normal' has really settled in for many of us and with so much changing so quickly over the last few weeks, we’re likely to feel anxious at times. If we’re feeling that way, so are our children, so here are some tips that might help support their mental health at this stressful time.
18 | Rochdale Style
1. CHAT ABOUT SCHOOL
Why not try putting some time aside after school called 'Family Feedback Time'. You can take this chance to sit down with the whole family and everyone can talk about their day, both what went well and what not so well. As a parent, you can show them how to do it by talking about your day and show them that it is okay to share. Having this at the same time every day lets your child know that they have a safe, predictable place where their worries and connected feelings can be heard.
2. NAME THE FEELING
When your child shares their worries, trying to name their emotions by 'wondering aloud' can be useful to help them develop their understanding of emotions. Use phrases like "You seem frustrated" or "You look sad right now" to help them to make these links.
