Search results for 'anxiety'

Supporting your autistic child with anxiety

Autistic children may experience anxious feelings more intensely than other children. It is helpful to know the signs of anxiety.

Anxiety and anxious feelings in children and teenagers

Anxiety and anxious feelings in children and teenagers It’s natural for children and teenagers to feel worried or anxious sometimes. There can be many reasons for these feelings. You can help by letting your child know it’s OK to talk about their mental health and giving them techniques to cope.

What to do when your child won’t go to school

information on possible reasons for school refusal and anxiety and how you can get your child the support they need.

How to help your child with separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is when your child feels upset or fearful about being away from you. You can help them understand.

Supporting your child with anxiety about changes at school

Supporting your child with anxiety about changes at school Changes at nursery or school, or college may feel big or overwhelming to your child. They may be adjusting to new rules, or moving to a new school year or a new school (which is sometimes known as a ‘transition’).

Helping your baby or toddler to sleep

[…] change. This is common as they develop. These changes are sometimes called sleep regressions. Your child’s sleep pattern may change due to: a period of rapid growth learning new skills like crawling or walking disruptions to the family routine separation anxiety (wanting to be close to their main carers) teething or discomfort bugs or illness

Getting your child ready for a new school term

[…] them if they have a particular concern. Reassure them it’s OK to have these worries and praise them for sharing them with you. Worries, anxious thoughts or anxiety can happen if your child feels out of control. It helps to find things they can control and start from there. Ask what they will miss […]

What to do if your young child can’t sleep

If your child is still struggling to sleep, there are some books and activities that can help. Meditation exercises Yoga and breathing exercises can help both you and your child to feel relaxed. Watch ‘Goodnight Body’ with Elmo and Headspace - YouTube Relax like a cat -  guided meditation for children [PDF]

Parenting after pregnancy and baby loss

[…] your loss has just happened, you could need time to process your feelings. You might feel a mix of emotions, such as: shock sadness anger blame guilt anxiety fear You may also feel you have lost a role as a parent or hopes you had for the future. If you have anxious feelings, this […]

Self-esteem in children and young people

Low self-esteem looks different in everyone. But some signs of low self-esteem in children and young people include: comparing themselves to others social anxiety or avoiding time with friends blaming themselves for things thinking they are ‘bad’ at everything or fearing failure trying to please others being defensive when they feel criticised avoiding doing […]

How to help your child cope with change or transitions

Types of change that may affect your child or impact their behaviour include: a new sibling change in school or school arrangement changes in routine conflict at home separation or divorce parent working away moving house death of someone close to them Things that might feel exciting to you could still feel difficult for your […]

Supporting a child who finds Christmas overwhelming

Supporting a child who finds Christmas overwhelming Christmas can be hard for your child if they struggle with crowds, noises and changes in routine. The festive period can be overwhelming for autistic children and children with ADHD, sensory issues or anxiety. It can help to plan and adapt your celebrations around your child’s needs.

Energy saving advice for families

[…] it is not their problem to solve alone. Explain to them that scientists, engineers and governments all over the world are working to save the planet. Climate anxiety or eco-anxiety is when someone feels heightened fear or worry about the impact of climate change. If you’re worried about how this is affecting your child, […]

Deciding if home education is right for your child

When your child has anxiety or depression

Money and mental health as a parent or carer

[…] worried about talking to your bank or that they might call you struggling with sleep delaying health or dental needs due to cost of check-up or medication Worries about money can also lead to low mood, anxiety and depression. You’re more likely to experience this if you’re already suffering with one or more of them.

How to help your son with his mental health

Signs of anxiety and depression in boys and young men

How to build your child’s confidence and independence

Self-esteem is about whether you appreciate and value yourself.  Confidence is the belief in yourself and your abilities. When children have healthy self-esteem, they tend to be confident.  Helping a child build their confidence can help with:   Fear and anxiety.  Motivation.  Resilience.  Relationships. Feeling happy in themselves.  

Supporting a child with PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance)

People with a PDA profile avoid everyday demands and expectations. This demand avoidance can come with high levels of anxiety.

Autistic meltdowns and supporting your child

[…] often difficult for autistic children. It can feel frustrating for them when they’re misunderstood, or they can’t describe what they need or want. Your child might experience anxiety or anxious feelings. Note down when meltdowns happen to spot possible patterns. Write down what you were doing, where, and your child’s reaction. You could try […]

Understanding and managing your child’s behaviour

As children grow and start school, they face new challenges. New routines, friendships, and expectations can feel overwhelming. Your child’s behaviour might change because they: find school overwhelming or tiring find the work difficult are anxious about schoolwork or friendships struggle with changes at home and school

How to start home education

[…] does not automatically mean a child will want to learn. Some children are calmer out of school but still find learning hard, especially if they have experienced: anxiety or burnout school trauma pressure or repeated failure Parents often need to rebuild engagement slowly. Learning tends to work better when it: fits your child’s interests […]

How to help your child deal with their emotions

Children need tools to cope with emotions like anger, sadness or anxiety. You can support them by teaching simple strategies. You could: help them find their own solutions using a 5 step problem-solving tool calm down together by practising breathing exercises with them offer distractions like drawing, music or movement when they feel overwhelmed […]

Help your child to have a healthy relationship with food

[…] of foods and encourage them to try new things when you can. If your child has a food allergy or other dietary restrictions, this can create some anxiety around trying new foods. If your child is vegan, the Vegan Society have some helpful tips on meal planning. If your family is vegan or vegetarian […]

Setting rules and boundaries with your child

[…] need to adjust your approach to rules, particularly if your child is neurodivergent. Some autistic or ADHD children benefit from routine and predictable expectations because it reduces anxiety. However, your child might find set rules restrictive if they have Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) traits. For some children, phrasing instructions as requests and offering limited […]

Child dyslexia signs and diagnosis

Sometimes signs of dyslexia are mistaken for a lack of interest or misbehaviour. Problems with reading and writing can also cause anxiety and low self-esteem which might mean their mental health needs are noticed before their dyslexia. If your child speaks more than one language or has only just started learning English, it might […]

Making social stories and scripts to support your child

Social stories can help your child to: feel prepared for a new experience or going to a new place reduce anxiety around a situation that might have upset them in the past understand what is expected of them in a particular situation know what they need to do to keep themself safe plan what […]

How to prepare your child for starting school

How can I help my child cope with change? My child is anxious about school transitions or changes How can I help my child deal with their emotions? How can I help my child with separation anxiety?

How to save money on back-to-school shopping

[…] the extra cost of stocking up on uniforms and supplies for the new school year. If you’re struggling with money, this time of year can bring extra anxiety. Many parents feel worried or embarrassed if they can’t afford brand new uniforms for their children, or you might be worried about how your child will […]

Supporting a child with a family member in prison

[…] prison visit. Some prisons also have welcoming family workers who you can talk to when arriving for a visit with children.  It’s likely they will feel some anxiety before the visit, and they may feel disappointed after if it doesn’t go how they were expecting. It might take a while for your child to […]

Looking after your mental health with a new baby

[…] Try to limit your daily plans to begin with and keep communicating with your partner and support network. Difficult paths to parenthood. If you have been through miscarriage or infertility or welcomed your baby through surrogacy or adoption; you might feel a heightened sense of anxiety when it comes to finally bringing your baby home.

How early help services can support your family

[…] help if:  Your child’s behaviour becomes disruptive or anti-social.  Your child is being bullied or bullying others.  Your child has poor attendance at school.  Your child has anxiety, depression or other mental health issues.  Your child is at risk of being exploited or radicalised.  You or your child has an illness, disability or additional […]

Supporting your child with their gender identity

[…] everyone who explores their gender identity has gender dysphoria. If these feelings are strong, it can affect how they live their everyday life, and sometimes lead to anxiety or depression. Not all children and young people exploring their gender identity will experience gender dysphoria. Gender identity and gender dysphoria are not mental health conditions, […]

Eating issues in neurodivergent children

[…] certain foods a lack of interest in eating not recognising when they are hungry fear of what might happen if they eat certain foods (like being sick) Anyone can develop Arfid, but it is more common in neurodivergent people with sensory issues and anxiety disorders. The eating disorder charity, Beat, has more information about Arfid.

Help your child deal with exam stress

How to help your child deal with exam stress and anxiety

How to deal with parental burnout

[…] or mentally exhausted use food, drugs or alcohol to cope have a short temper or increased conflict within the family have disrupted sleep patterns experience anxious feelings, anxiety or panic feel depressed or not enjoying things you normally enjoy feel lonely or isolated feel unmotivated to do everyday tasks or avoid responsibilities have headaches, […]