15 Sep CONVERSATIONS WITH KIDS AND TEENS: EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
Hello my name is Amanda Dounis. I’m here to speak about the importance of having conversations with our children. Children of all ages some questions they are difficult to answer. Some questions may take us by surprise and some questions can haunt us. And then there’s questions that make us laugh.
Questions that challenge our values. In the end we create pictures of who we are. It’s important that children are given opportunity to use their voice. Sometimes we need to speak about emotions. Sometimes we need to speak about relationships even their identity their values beliefs.
It’s okay to ask questions and it’s okay to hear their answers. After all kids have their own model of the world and this needs to be respected. Your job as an adult is to be a really good listener. Your job is also to ask the question. Invite children to feel okay about being able to speak about themselves and be honest.
And if they have a difficult time expressing themselves. Be patient. This comes with practice. We all had to learn how to listen and speak and to prove this amongst ourselves in time some of the questions that we can ask our children for example just open up conversation can be as simple as what’s the best or worst or funniest movie that you’ve ever seen.
Or what do you do to relax. What helps you we may ask questions about their relationships at school. We may ask what would your friends say were your strengths. We can ask them questions about their personal values. We can ask for example. How do you feel about someone who harms themselves.
We don’t need to be afraid to ask these kinds of questions. We can even ask questions to encourage them to to search within their own emotions. We can ask something like Have you ever felt that things were out of control for yourself. We can turn towards beliefs.
We can even ask how do you think the world came to be you’ll be surprised at how many things you don’t know about your child and their view or what they experience. Have the conversation with your children or child I hope I’ve given you permission to feel that you can speak to your children about anything other than just homework or house chores or tied in their bedroom.
Open up your view open up your flexibility. Show them that they can speak and that you respect that they have their own view. Good luck and I hope that this was useful. I’m Amanda Dounis from the Positive Thinking Clinic. Thank you.
Amanda Dounis
Positive Thinking Clinic
1/7 Magdalene Terrace
Wolli Creek, 2205
0458 850 850
amanda@positivethinkingclinic.com.au
www.positivethinkingclinic.com.au
It is important to know that resources are available if you are experiencing anxiety , and exploring other websites, such as mindaustralia, and headspace.
I welcome you to visit my podcast to learn about anxiety basics.
In any emergency you can always reach out to lifeline.
Help is also available for kids, and support for families too.
You may find my Coping Skills Handbook a great resource. It teaches kids how to cope with everyday challenges using a simple C.O.P.E. formula.
You can find out more about me on natural therapy pages or psychology today
I am a level 3 member of the Australian Counselling Association and am a member of the Hypnotherapy Council of Australia
Here is a short clip on FAQ at Positive Thinking Clinic https://youtu.be/GNWaRVsC-OU
Ways that Positive Thinking Clinic can help you https://youtu.be/m0z-f0PSQNM