So these are weird times, eh? Really weird.
If your kid is anything like mine, they are dealing with a bit of anxiety. Parenting is hard as it is and now we’re doing it in the middle of a pandemic. Where’s the manual for that? Seriously, most days I have no idea what I’m doing, I’m lost, and truly feel like I’m just making crap up as I go along. But I assume that most of you are, too. While I’m not a psychologist or a psychiatrist, I can tell you what we’re doing in our house to help with anxiety. 1. We walk every day, no matter what. Even if it’s raining, we get out and move our bodies. Sometimes it’s just once around the block. Sometimes we walk a mile or two. It depends on the weather and our energy level, but we always get out for at least a bit. I’ve been amazed at how much my kiddo opens up to me on these walks. It’s been really nice. 2. I got him some fidgets and squishable toys. One of the ways my kid’s anxiety manifested was in twirling his hair (right out of his head) and scratching. So I got him a few fidgets, but the big hits were the stress ball like toys. Just a heads up, some research out there says that these squishy toys off-gas and can be toxic so maybe keep their use to a minimum. My son keeps them at his desk and uses them for meetings. We had to find something else at night, so we got a stuffie that has a similar feel and is made out of another material. It’s called a Squishimallow and it’s been great for night time anxiety. 3. We made “Anti-Anxiety Spell Jars” together. Including him in the process was crucial. We loosely based it off of an idea I found on Season of the Witch. She has a ton of links for where to find jars and a lot of other great ideas as well. 4. Never overlook the power of getting help. If you think your child is experiencing anxiety, it’s probably a good idea to talk to their pediatrician. If anything, it will give you peace of mind and maybe some extra tools to help your child get through these times. 5. I also purchased a book for my kidlet called “Anxiety Sucks,” it’s an inexpensive, short read that walks the reader through what anxiety is, why they might be experiencing it, and techniques to help. It’s marketed towards trees, but I didn’t see anything in it that I find inappropriate for preteens. PCLS and authors are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice. If you or your child need help, please speak with a professional. This blog post and any other materials created by PCLS and authors is not a substitute for medical advice. I hope you're able to find some peace and relaxation during these times. Rowan
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July 2015
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