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ADHD Foundation: The Neurodiversity Charity 

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ADHD Foundation: The Neurodiversity Charity 

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The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity - an integrated health and education service.

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Lots of useful information including how to explain to your child about parental separation, legal guidance, financial support, and much more.

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Skip to content

Single parent families often deal with many challenges. Children in single parent families face around twice the risk of poverty as those in couple parent families. Single parent households are particularly affected by employment barriers and welfare reform.

Managing family life as a single parent can be difficult at times. Coming to terms with a divorce, break-up or bereavement can affect both single parents' and children's well-being. When parents split up, children are more likely to thrive if they have a good quality relationship with both parents - provided it is safe and both parents want to be involved.

Being the main carer is often not just financially or practically difficult, but it can also take an emotional toll on single parents. And despite progress, single parents still tell us they experience social stigma and stereotyping - from the general public and service providers, as well as the media and politicians.

The proportion of families with children headed by single parents has remained at around 25 per cent for over a decade - the figure currently stands at 22.7% (i)

On average, there are fewer children in single parent families than couple parent families: over half (54.5%) of single parent families have only one child (ii)

Research shows that single parents face a particular risk of loneliness (iii)

On average, single parenthood lasts around five years (iv)

Our position

Single parents are part of mainstream family life, yet this is not fully recognised by policymakers, employers and businesses.

Single parents do a great job. There's little evidence that family structure itself affects child outcomes. Parental conflict, rather than partnership status, is damaging for children. Money also matters for children's well-being, particularly those in financial hardship.

Gingerbread supports collaborative parenting, when this is possible - it's normally in the best interests of children that they are raised by both parents, whether or not they live together.

For the small minority (circa 10 per cent) of contact arrangements made in court, we believe it is vital to retain the principle of making decisions based first and foremost on the child's best interests.

Our goals for change

Gingerbread wants to see families of all types valued and treated equally and fairly. Single parents should be able to make the same choices and access the same support as other parents, covering everything from work and study, to discounted energy tariffs and family deals.

We want to see genuinely family-friendly government policy which supports, rather than penalises single parent families. This includes proper investment in relationship support across family types.

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Families and relationships policy work - Gingerbread

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Skip to content Single parent families often deal with many challenges. Children in single parent families face around twice the risk of poverty as those in couple parent families. Single parent households are particularly affected by employment barriers and welfare reform. Managing family life as a single parent can be difficult at times.

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Peer Support and Online Development (POD) for carers is a space designed for people who are supporting someone else with an eating disorder, featuring:

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School Nurses - 1 hour online sleep workshop (pre-recorded)

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School Nurses - 1 hour online sleep workshop (pre-recorded)

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Watch the school nurses recorded webinar with two of their 0-19 team experts on how to support good sleep in school-aged children.

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Children's books to help talk about divorce and separation

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Children's books to help talk about divorce and separation

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Best children's books to help talk about divorce and separation

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Family break-ups are a sad and delicate time for everyone involved. Sometimes a book can help parents and carers explain the situation to children ...

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Family hub - free online parenting course

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Family hub - free online parenting course

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Free online courses for ALL parents, parents-to-be, carers, grandparents and teens living in Wiltshire. Plus courses for professionals working with children.

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Wiltshire Family Hubs - Supporting families in Wiltshire

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What's on offer in the Wiltshire Family Hub?

Please see below for information about our group parenting programmes. Click the tab to find out more about each parenting programme and a link to find out more or request a place. If you have any questions about our group parenting programmes in Wiltshire, please contact us at wiltshireparenting@spurgeons.org or call 0800 970 4669.

Five to Thrive - Early Years (0-5)

You'll learn about the five key building blocks of Respond, Engage, Relax, Play and Talk, which are the foundation of a healthy brain. The programme is drawn from research into the key processes of attachment and attunement that forge bonds between children and their carers.

Delivered through five sessions, with each of the five blocks receiving a focus to allow you to practice the principles through fun activities.

The programme helps to:
Request a place here: Five to Thrive

Five to Thrive - Primary Years (6-11)

You'll learn about the five key building blocks of Respond, Engage, Relax, Play and Talk, which are the foundation of a healthy brain. The programme is drawn from research into the key processes of attachment and attunement that forge bonds between children and their carers.

Delivered through three sessions, with each of the five blocks receiving a focus to allow you to practice the principles through fun activities.

The programme helps to:

Know how to identify when your child needs you to engage.

Understand why it is important for your child to relax, reset and regulate, finding ways to do this in the short-term and long-term.

Understand ways that promote your child to relax and take time out.

Learn strategies regarding the use of tone of voice, body language, facial expression and repetition to create brain patterns for life.

Communicate positively with your child, enabling them to feel safe and to feel that they matter.

Build confidence and learn strategies and tools to respond to your child effectively.

Request a place here: Five to Thrive (Primary)

Five to Thrive - Teen Approach (11+)

You'll learn about the five key building blocks of Respond, Engage, Relax, Play and Talk, which are the foundation of a healthy brain. The programme is drawn from research into the key processes of attachment and attunement that forge bonds between children and their carers.

Delivered through three sessions, with each of the five blocks receiving a focus to allow you to practice the principles through fun activities.

The programme helps to:

Understand playful interaction between you and your teenager to activate the teenage brain.

Learn strategies that support you to engage and reconnect with your teenager.

Understand how non-verbal and verbal narrative supports your teenagers.

Build confidence and learn strategies and tools that enable you to understand your teenager's communication needs.

Gain a better understanding of a teenage brain and its developmental changes.

Be able to recognise stress and a need for connection.

Request a place here: Five to Thrive (Teen Approach)

Pregnancy to Parenthood: Baby Steps

Baby Steps is a 9 week course to help prepare for parenthood.

Run by a health professional and family hub worker, this provides a weekly moment with others to think about your baby and the changes that will happen when they are born. There are 6 sessions (online) before baby is born and 3 sessions (in person) with baby afterwards, and all groups are friendly and relaxed.

We cover:

If you are interested in this programme then please speak to your midwife to pass your details to the Baby Steps team, who will contact you to tell you more. Places are limited and are given based on availability and individual circumstances.
If you would like to know more talk to your midwife or contact Meredith Russ, Baby Steps Lead for Wiltshire by email: HCRG.babysteps@nhs.net

Children with Additional Needs (3-12 years)

Time Out for Parents (TOFP) children with additional needs is a programme for parents/carers of children with additional/special needs. We run this in partnership with the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council.

It is facilitated by parents who have lived experience in partnership with professional colleagues; the focus is upon practical activities that help attendees build a 'toolbox' of tips and strategies to help them in their role as parent carers of children with additional needs.

The course explores many different aspects of parenting a child with additional needs. Sessions are designed to help parents/carers explore ideas and find out what works for themselves, not what is meant to work.

A diagnosis is not required and you do not need to know what may be causing your child to require different or extra support.

These courses are designed to help support parents/carers of children aged 3-12 with a variety of additional needs; they are not specifically focused on neurodiversity eg autism, ADHD etc, although aspects linked to neurodiversity may be touched upon at times during the course depending upon the conversations with the groups.

It is aimed at parents of any child with additional needs if:
Request a place here: Time Out for Parents - Children with Additional Needs
If you are unsure whether this programme is for you please contact wiltshireparenting@spurgeons.org or 0800 970 4669 and ask for a member of the parenting team.
Some parents/carers may benefit from attending Time Out for Parents and then the Wiltshire Council Supporting My Neurodivergent Young Person (SMNYP) programme (see below). However, to allow time to reflect on the information from TOFP and put into practice, we would recommend you attend TOFP first and then wait for a period of at least three months before applying for SMNYP:
SMNYP has replaced SWAPP (support in Wiltshire for autism parenting programme).

It is an indepth programme for parents/carers of school/college aged neurodivergent children and young people. It is facilitated by professionals who have specialist knowledge and experience of autism, ADHD and other neurodiversities and may also have lived experience themselves as parents. The focus is upon practical strategies to support you and your child based upon current research, evidence based practice and professional experience.

The programme aims to support parents/carers, and one member of staff who knows the young person well in school/setting is also invited to attend. A diagnosis is not required. This is aimed at parents of a neurodivergent child or young person aged 5-19 if:

For more information and how to apply visit: Supporting My Neurodivergent Young Person (SMNYP).

If you are unsure whether this programme is for you please contact 01225 718095 and a member of the SEND Business Support Team will be able to support you.

Time Out for Parents - Dads

Five workshops focussing on the importance of dads and helping them build an even better relationship with their children.

Whether dads are parenting as a couple, a single parent or an away dad, this course aims to help all dad's share their feelings and experiences and come up with solutions to any parenting problems based on what works for them.

We look at how dads can improve their understanding of how to meet a child's needs, including learning and development. We will explore other key aspects including building self-esteem and positive communication, setting and maintaining boundaries, and managing behaviours which challenge.

There's also time to think about how the role of the dad might change as their child grows and ways to build a healthy relationship with the wider family.
Request a place here: Time Out for Parents - Dads

Time Out for Parents - Early Years

The six sessions are designed to help you negotiate the early years with confidence and build strong family relationships for the future.

Sharing ideas with other parents and carers is a key element. Discussions are based around real-life scenarios. Each session includes space to plan any changes you want to make in your parenting and, from week two, an opportunity to discuss how that's working.

The course begins by looking at what happens when we become a parent - the surprises, disappointments and joys. We consider how to develop children's emotional security, and build the bond between parent and child through recognising their feelings, responding appropriately, listening well, and being positive in what we say.

Play is important for a child's development, and we look at ways in which we can support and encourage their growth and learning. We also consider different parenting styles, what our own particular parenting style is, and how that affects our interactions with our child.

A vital topic is boundaries and why they matter. We look at how routines and giving limited choices help reduce battles. There's a toolkit of strategies for handling difficult behaviour and we see how we can choose one that is right for our child.

As adults we have needs too, and so we think about how to meet those needs and also how we handle conflict within the family.

The final session focuses on 'belonging' - the importance to children of feeling part of their family - and we see how we can develop this through shared activities and creating family traditions.
Request a place here: Time Out for Parents - Early Years

Time Out for Parents - Primary Years

For parents/carers with children from 5 to 11 years, we will look at how to support children as they find out how the world works, learn how to manage their feelings, and find out what they're good at.

Sharing ideas with other parents and carers is an important part of the course, and discussions are started from real life situations. Each session includes space to plan any changes which parents/carers wish to make in their parenting and, from week two, they will have an opportunity to discuss how they are getting on with trying these at home.

This course helps parents/carers to support their child's emotional wellbeing through understanding their temperament, meeting their needs and communicating well. We explore how our parenting approach influences family relationships and consider a toolkit of strategies to allow parents to decide what best suits their family situation. We discuss helping children make good choices and understand friendships both in the real and online worlds.

Finally, we look at how to deal well with conflict and the importance of enjoying family time together.
Request a place here: Time Out for Parents - Primary Years

Time Out for Parents - Teens

Help and advice on parenting in those teenage years to build strong relationships to enjoy family life.

Bringing parents/carers hope as they chart their way through the challenges of the teenage years and the changes in the parent-child relationship. The six sessions are designed to help parents/carers stay connected with their teenager through understanding the teenage world and by developing good communication skills.

Sharing ideas with other parents and carers is an important part of the course, there is engaging video content, and discussions are started from real life situations. Each session includes space to plan any changes which parent/carers wish to make in their parenting and, from week two, there are opportunities to discuss how these things are working at home.

The first three sessions look at laying good foundations in relationships with teenagers: understanding the pressures they face, connecting with them, meeting their emotional needs and improving how we communicate with them.

Then we come to some of the harder topics: how parenting style effects teenagers, negotiation, setting boundaries and dealing with some of the big issues like drugs, sex and the internet.

Finally, we look at building good family memories.
Request a place here: Time Out for Parents - Teens

Time Out for Parents - Teens with Additional Needs

This programme has been designed to support parents/carers with teenagers who have a disability or additional needs. There is help and advice on parenting in those teenage years to build strong relationships to enjoy family life, while also dealing with experiences relevant to parenting a teen with additional needs.

Bringing parents/carers hope as they chart their way through the challenges of the teenage years and the changes in the parent-child relationship. The six sessions are designed to help parents/carers stay connected with their teenager through understanding the teenage world and by developing good communication skills, while also coping with the additional challenges that come when parenting a teen with additional needs.
Request a place here: Time Out for Parents - Teens with Additional Needs

Triple P Positive Parenting (Online)

Triple P is an online parenting programme for parents/carers of children aged 5 to 12 in primary. It doesn't tell you how to be a parent, but is more like a toolbox of ideas where you choose the strategies you need and choose how you want to use them.

Triple P helps you:

raise happy, confident children

manage children's behaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more

set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows

encourage behaviour you like

take care of yourself as a parent

feel confident you're doing the right thing.

Request a place here: Triple P Positive Parenting (Online) Related media:
Triple P website: https://www.triplep.uk.net/uken/home/

Triple P Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triplepparenting/

There are times when parents/carers are looking for a parenting programme which has a particular focus upon relationship issues, such as when talking together always seems to end in an argument. We have two interactive courses which are focused upon this type of situation, one where parents/carers are still living together and one where parents/carers have separated.

Within My Reach

This five week course is for parents and carers of children of any age who are still livinig together within a single home, but where this relationship is becoming, or has become, increasingly stressful and where communicating with each other often ends in conflict. The course aims to empower individuals to understand their own emotional responses, as well as consider their partner's emotional response and provide intervention around communicating with each other. The course is suitable for couples to attend together, and can also be beneficial for one person to complete separately.

The course will help you to:

know yourself first

understand healthy relationships, what they are and what they aren't

make your own decisions

understand where conflict begins

discover effective communication skills and strategies

how to consider making the tough decisions

explore looking into your future.

Request a place here: Within My Reach

Triple P Family Transitions (Face to Face or Virtual)

This course takes place over five weeks, with each session lasting 2 hours long. It addresses specific areas around separation and divorce and is for parents/carers who need support around managing the transition of separation and divorce. Primarily the aim of this course is to help with skills and strategies to approach issues which might otherwise lead to arguments and conflict. This is available to both parents who are able to attend separate courses.

The course will help you to:

manage divorce/separation and the impact on the family

cope with the emotional demands of separation and the impact it has on parenting

manage conflict and strategies to improve communication relating to the children

balance the demands of work, family and play/fun.

Request a place here: Triple P Family Transitions

One Plus One - Digital Resources

The digital resources provided by OnePlusOne are designed to help parents reflect on conflict in their relationship with either current or ex-partners, as well as consider the impact on their children. The resources use videos and animations which incorporate evidence-based techniques to promote behaviour change and can help parents to argue in ways that are helpful rather than harmful.

There are three digital resources available:
Me, You and Baby Too (new and expectant parents)

to help new and expectant parents adapt to the changes that parenthood can have on their relationship

to raise awareness of the impact of stress and conflict on their baby

to support parents to develop skills to manage conflict constructively.

Arguing Better (parents experiencing high levels of stress and couple conflict)

to raise awareness of parental conflict and its impact on children

to increase parents' capacity to cope with stress together

to support parents to develop skills to manage their conflict more constructively​.

Getting it Right for Children (separated or separating parents)

to raise parents' awareness and understanding of how they are putting their child in the middle of their conflict

to help parents to develop positive communication skills

to support parents to co-operate and work out solutions together.

Parent resources should be accessed via: https://www.oneplusone.org.uk/parents. Parents/carers can register their own individual account and access supporting materials through their own login.

To access the practitioner area use: https://www.oneplusone.org.uk/practitioners/access.

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Information about parenting programmes on offer through Wiltshire Family Hubs. A range of programmes for children, young people and their families in Wiltshire.

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Includes further information and advise around sleep, including a sleep diary, tips, and a workshop video.

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Welcome to Wiltshire Children and Young People Emotional Wellbeing Service

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Our team of experienced emotional wellbeing professionals supports children and young people who face emotional health issues. Providing support, advice, and practical tips, we aim to help transform young people’s lives and face the challenges of emotional health difficulties.

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Young People's Emotional Wellbeing Service

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Young People's Emotional Wellbeing Service

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The Wellbeing Support Service is funded by CAMHS. Their team of experienced emotional wellbeing professionals supports children and young people who face emotional health issues. Providing support, advice, and practical tips, we aim to help transform young people’s lives and face the challenges of emotional health difficulties.

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Welcome to Wiltshire Children and Young People Emotional Wellbeing Service

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Our team of experienced emotional wellbeing professionals supports children and young people who face emotional health issues. Providing support, advice, and practical tips, we aim to help transform young people’s lives and face the challenges of emotional health difficulties.

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0300 123 6661

Opening hours

Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Wednesday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm

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ADHD and you - practical tips for helping at home

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ADHD and you - practical tips for helping at home

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Practical tips for helping at home - parent | ADHD and You

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ADHD can have a huge impact on family and home life. Things may have been stressful for some time, with tensions running high. Every family has its stresses, but ADHD can add to this because a child with ADHD is likely to be disorganised, messy, noisy and have occasional emotional outbursts.

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Important Phrases When Your Child Is Struggling

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Important Phrases When Your Child Is Struggling

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What To Do After You Yelled At Your Child

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What To Do After You Yelled At Your Child

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Superpowered (book available to purchase on Amazon)

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Superpowered (book available to purchase on Amazon)

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Order the Book!

1. Transforming What-iffing

2. Passing through Panic

3. Conquering Overwhelm

4. Navigating Friendships

5. Activate your P.O.W.E.R.

"A tween's first-aid kit for the worry, anxiety, panic, and stress epidemics facing our youth." - Sophia, school counselor

"This book described my students to a tee! I see avoidant behavior in my classroom so often, where my students are afraid to try new things, speak up, or even show up! Reading Superpowered helped me understand how to coach them toward greater confidence and resilience." - Annette, high school SPED

"What a fabulous first-aid book for those in the trenches of the classroom, who see first hand the uptick in anxiety and the effects it is having. I'll be strongly recommending this book to my colleagues." - John, 8th grade math teacher

"I feel like I now understand my ninth graders better than ever before. What most inspired me was the discussion on growth-mindset. I'm eager to apply what I've learned and see if I can help some of my struggling students re-engage with their work." - Michael, 9th grade humanities teacher

"Superpowered can talk to and encourage my son in ways I always wished I could, but didn't know how." - Edgar, a father of three

"We must do a better job of meeting the social and emotional learning needs of our youth, and this book is a great place to start. What does it matter if our students have mastered long-division and persuasive writing yet have no sense of self-worth, confidence, or innate motivation? - Patrice, middle school teacher

"I have used GoZen! Online Programs at my school for three years with much success. Now I have the hard-copy version at my fingertips that will help me find new ways to connect with my students." - Kelsey, school counselor

"Perfect tool for this mom of three kids who are struggling with confidence, fear and anxiety issues. My new parent guidebook for answers! This is the What to Expect When You're Expecting for your older babies" - Julie, relieved mom of a 10, 12 and 13 year old

"Now I know that feeling sick about going to school and feeling nervous around my friends doesn't mean I'm broken. Now I have Superpowers to help me be okay." - Lilly, 9 years old

"This is the best teacher training I've received in years, hands down. I feel like I was directly placed in the shoes and minds of my students, and the insight I've gained is invaluable." - Jennifer, 6th grade teacher

"Superpowered helps people of all ages understand a little more about what goes on inside their head on a day to day basis. It helps us tackle our thoughts and feelings with healthier, more mindful strategies, and it's all packaged in a humane, truthful, and entertaining way." - Audrey, 18 year old college student

"I go back to Superpowered regularly to find tools for whatever hurts that day." - Lacey, middle school student
"Superpowered is incredible! I wish I had this book as a kid! As a child I felt so lost and misunderstood with my own generalized/social anxiety, and this would have helped me feel more seen. Written using soft, supportive, and encouraging language, Superpowered helps my students show up as themselves." - Kelly, Certified School Psychologist

"Whether you are struggling with anxiety, low self-esteem or negative-self talk... this book will change your life. Very easy to understand and breaks down complex anxiety into strength-based strategies!" - Clare, 4th grade teacher

"As a therapist, I found the descriptions of anxiety in Superpowered are very digestible, relatable and hopeful. I love the direct quotes and poems from other kids, which helps students connect with their peers and makes them feel less alone. The exercises help kids open up and discuss their own thoughts and feelings, knowing there are others out there who feel the same as they do." - Noelle, school counselor

Order the Book!

Yes! You can order the book through your local Amazon retailer. Make sure you check their latest shipping guidelines. 🙂

The book is for ages 8-15 (approximately). The book has scenarios that resonate with kids of a variety of ages. We recommend reading along with your kids, but it's certainly a book they can read (and write in) on their own!

We're happy to help. Just email us at go@gozen.com and we'll get right back to you.

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SUPERPOWERED: Transform Anxiety into Resilience for Kids & Teens

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Order the Book! 1. Transforming What-iffing 2. Passing through Panic 3. Conquering Overwhelm 4. Navigating Friendships 5. Activate your P.O.W.E.R. "A tween's first-aid kit for the worry, anxiety, panic, and stress epidemics facing our youth." - Sophia, school counselor "This book described my students to a tee!

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starving the anxiety gremlin: a cognitive behavioural therapy workbook on anxiety management for young people: 1 (gremlin and thief cbt workbooks)

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education: care & counselling of students

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juvenile nonfiction / social topics / emotions & feelings

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psychology / psychotherapy / child & adolescent

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school library association's information book awards; generalised anxiety; obsessive compulsive disorder; ocd; cbt; teenagers; mental health practitioners; social workers; school counsellors; youth workers; activities

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juvenile nonfiction / social topics / emotions & feelings

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psychology / psychotherapy / child & adolescent

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education: care & counselling of students

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Starving the Anxiety Gremlin: A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Anxiety Management for Young People: 1 (Gremlin and Thief CBT Workbooks)

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Buy Starving the Anxiety Gremlin: A Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Workbook on Anxiety Management for Young People: 1 (Gremlin and Thief CBT Workbooks) Workbook by Kate Collins-Donnelly (ISBN: 9781849053419) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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Become a member Access therapy Helping your child Get help Living with anxiety can be challenging, however, you're not alone - we're here for you. Join us now to get an extensive package of support and to become part of a community of people who live with and understand anxiety.

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A selection of games and apps for children to help them develop strategies to manage their anxious feelings.

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Local links

On your Mind Signposts children and young people in Wiltshire to sources of support for good mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Moving on from CAMHS

Guidance for young people who are preparing to move on out of CAMHS to other support.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust website requires JavaScript, but JavasSript is disabled in your web browser. Find out how to enable it.

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We help children, young people and their families in Wiltshire who are experiencing more severe, complex and persistent mental health difficulties.

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Emotionally Based School Avoidance - for support agencies and schools

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Emotionally Based School Avoidance - for support agencies and schools

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Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

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Guidance documents to help schools and families to understand and support children experiencing EBSA, along with information documents for children and young people.

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Resources to support your child with anxiety

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Resources to support your child with anxiety

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This post and its photos may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read my full disclosure policy here.
Inside: If you are wondering what to say to help your anxious child calm down, (or angry child) then pull from any one of these 17 powerful phrases to calm an anxious child. We will also discuss what NOT to say to an anxious or angry child.

If your child suffers from anxiety then you know how downright gut-wrenching it is to be unsure how to help them feel better.

It seems you can never find the right thing to say.

We often say things like, "it's okay you don't need to worry about this" or, "you're fine" or "it's no big deal."

But:

Do you know this can often make anxiety worse?

These words of encouragement are often well-intended but the problem is that they don't work and they aren't validating the child's fears or worries.

Even though you might not think your kiddos worries are a big deal, for the child, it is a BIG deal, and you haven't given them any information or strategies to actually solve the problem and begin the process of feeling better.

Did you know?

Anxiety is the most common mental health concern for kids and adults?[

So:

Instead of saying the wrong things that are actually making your child's anxiety worse, start saying the right things with these 17 phrases that will help your anxious child calm down.

Signs your Child is Suffering from Anxiety

Anxiety isn't always straight forward. If you are looking for your child to just confess, "hey I have anxiety, I'm really struggling here." Well, think again.

Anxiety will manifest in different behaviors.

Below are a few examples of how anxiety might present in your child:

Anger or agitation (behavioral issues)

Negative thinking

Sleep issues

Controlling behavior

Avoiding activities

Rude and/or defiant behavior

Anxiety often presents as anger, and this is because your child feels out of control. If you suspect this is happening in your household, please check out this ultimate guide to anger management in kids, it has a whopping 55 quick calm down strategies for you to use.

Phrases an Anxious Child Might Say

Now:

If your child is suffering from anxiety, there will be common phrases you might hear, such as:

I don't want to go

No one likes me

I don't want to go to school

I can't do it

What if you die

I feel sick, my stomach is upset

But what if...what if...what if...

I want to stay with you

Have you heard any of these phrases before?
I know right, me too! I've heard all of them.
We need to change the narrative running through our child's head. These phrases are unhelpful, counterproductive and just plain negative.

And here's the kicker:

These negative and anxious thoughts can actually start to manifest into real physical symptoms, like headaches, stomachaches, dizziness, panic attacks, etc.

That's why it's so important to develop coping strategies and do everything we can to help our kids navigate these overwhelming emotions.

Phrases You Shouldn't Say to an Anxious Child

Before we look at all the awesome and supportive things we can say to our anxious kiddo, let's quickly go over a few of the common things we might say, and explain quickly why saying these things doesn't help.

Don't worry

This is all in your head

Why is this upsetting you so much, it's no big deal

Calm down

It's going to be ok

There's nothing to be afraid of

What's wrong with you?

You better snap out of it, or else

You're just a worrywart

You have no reason to be worried

This is so silly, don't worry about this

You're fine

Don't cry

And while it's not our intention to harm our child with these phrases (we actually want to help) these phrases are all so unhelpful.

Saying "calm down" has actually never likely made anyone feel calm - ever! It typically has the reverse effect.

If you perceived something as a legitimate threat, would any of the above statements make you feel better?

Now just imagine:

You are a young child, you don't understand your confusing feelings, they feel big, you are overwhelmed with fear, no one seems to understand. You look around and wish you could be as carefree as your classmates and siblings and you wonder what's wrong with you. Your parents just say, "calm down," and instead of feeling better you just feel naughty, and lonely.

We aren't teaching our kid's life-long coping skills. We need to help them manage their anxiety and anger so that they can thrive as an adult because anxiety isn't going anywhere. It doesn't disappear, but we can learn to cope.

So now that we've talked about a few things you shouldn't say to an anxious child, what should you say?

Well below are 17 super helpful phrases to calm an anxious child.

17 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child

1. Beat it, Mr. Worry Bully

One of the best anxiety squashing techniques we have used is to name our worry, draw our worry, and then talk to it.

Don't worry, we won't check you into the looney bin. This is totally effective.

Giving worry a name allows our child to feel like they have some control. It gives a face and a name to a powerful, invisible force within them.

Whenever my son starts worrying I'll often say, is your Anxiety Ninja Bully back? (That's the name my son gave his worry bully).

Then we get bossy and tell that Anxiety Ninja Bully where to go and to get out of our heads.
This is also a great technique to show your child that their worries are separate from them. They are actually in control, not the worry bully.
In our Anxiety Kit for Kids, we've got a worksheet that encourages kids to name and draw their anxiety bullies.

2. This feeling will pass

Like everything else, start teaching your kiddo mindfulness, and within that, they will learn that everything passes, bad feelings (and good feelings too).

"This too shall pass" is one of my absolute favorite phrases to calm an anxious child.

When your kiddo is caught up, replaying that movie reel of bad thoughts, they sometimes feel that the movie will never end. Instead of trying to force them to stuff the worry away, remind your kiddo that relief is coming.

Kids can take a deep breath and know that the feeling will pass.

Perhaps you've noticed that when you inhale a big, slow, deep breath that you feel calmer, more relaxed and less anxious?

Well, our kids need this big breath too.

When we are anxious we tense up and less oxygen gets to our brains, this makes it hard to think clearly.

And a breathing break will give back a sense of calmness and control.

Breathing is one of my A+ strategies for helping anxious kids (and anxious adults). See here for 10 of the best breathing exercises for kids.

Acknowledge and empathize with your child that what they are feeling is difficult and valid.

One of the best phrases to calm an anxious child is simply to say, "I understand."

Just being heard and understood can make all the difference in the world.

Have you ever had something bothering you...eating away at you, and then, after you talk about it you feel a sense of relief like a weight has been lifted off of you.

By talking about your child's feelings and acknowledging that you understand that it is hard, and that you are here to help, you are validating your child, and this is a great place to start to find solutions to these difficult feelings.

5. You are in a safe place, you are safe and you are loved

Being told you are safe by the person you love most is a super powerful phrase.

We need to remember that anxiety manifests as physical symptoms, your body actually wants to run and it prepares for battle. Your heart pounds, your palms get sweaty and you feel dizzy and panicked.

And this is scary, especially for a young child who doesn't understand what's happening.

Feeling safe can calm the nervous system.

6. Why do you think that?

Here's an example:

My son often worries that he can't make friends or that no one likes him.

Instead of telling him, "Oh don't be silly, everyone loves you," which doesn't validate the root of why he is feeling that way, I can say, "Why do you think no one likes you?"

He will then think about it, and say, "Because my best friend plays with Tommy more than me." Or, "Some kids are making fun of me."

Now we are talking! And we can now get to the root of the problem and you can talk about it (and find solutions from there).

7. Tell Me All About it and What Can I Do to Help

Let your child openly talk about their fears instead of trying to repress them. Like you, kids need time to process their feelings and thoughts.
Don't offer solutions, just listen.

We often schedule worry time.

So I will say, "let's calm down, and we will schedule a worry date for tonight after school, we can spend 15 uninterrupted minutes talking about this."

Carve out time in your schedule to worry. After you talk about your worries, you'll find it much easier to say good-bye to the worry and move on.

You can also just sit with your child until they calm down, maybe sing or give a hug. You are your child's safe place, remember that, and you need to be there for them.

8. How Big is This Worry on a Scale of 1 to 10?

Putting quantifiable numbers to worry can help a child realize their worry isn't the end of the world.

They can realize that in the big picture this worry isn't that big of a deal. Or, maybe it is the biggest worry of all and you'll need to employ some calm down strategies or problem-solving solutions.

9. What do we know about this?

Gather up all the facts you can about the worry.

So for example, if your child is worried about attending a birthday party, gather up the facts.

We know Simon your best friend will be there, so you don't feel alone

There will be fun games

There will be kids you don't know, but also kids you do know.

Life can seem insurmountable amidst anxious thoughts. Break down the thoughts into manageable parts. This helps your child define the actual anxiety and start to find solutions.

You can also ask, "What does Science say about this?" For instance, if your child is worried about a tornado, research the statistics on tornadoes, like how often a tornado strikes. This might help them find perspective.

10. You are not alone. I feel scared about that too.

Let your child know it's completely normal to worry. Anxiety can feel lonely. A lot like a lone star high in the sky looking down at a bustling world on a starless night.

No one wants to feel alone and like they are the only ones suffering from these intrusive thoughts. (and thinking something is wrong with them).

Telling your child about your own age-appropriate times of anxiety helps them feel less alone. (and secretly kids love to hear stories about your childhood).

Try telling them what happened, how it made you feel (physically and mentally), how you got through it and your super helpful calm down strategies.

Anxiety has a way of making kids feel stuck, their thoughts might play on repeat like an old broken record of the Beejee's.

Yikes!

Help your kiddo find and see different solutions, and retell their internal dialogue with a new ending.

Perhaps they might flunk that test, but, they also might ace it and get tons of recognition from the teacher.

Have them also face their fears, what would actually happen if x, y, or z occurred? Discuss what that looks like and how you could handle that. This helps your child develop a plan which will help them cope if something does go wrong.

12. Tell me when two minutes have gone by

This is a genius suggestion from GoZen. Time is a powerful tool when children are anxious. By watching a clock or a watch for movement, a child has a focus point other than what is happening.

Distraction, avert focus onto something else and off of the snowballing thought.

13. Let me Worry About This For You

Can you offer to take on the problem and tell your child you will brainstorm solutions?

Many children experience anxiety around school. I send a kindness rock with my son to school, he keeps it in his pocket. Every time he feels worried, he rubs the rock and it passes his worries on to me. (If you want to make your own kindness rocks, you can grab our free Kindness printables here)

It also keeps him connected to me. I honestly thought this was a little far-fetched but it's been so effective in helping my son feel connected to me at school it's a tradition I hope we can carry on for years to come.

I also put an inspirational lunch box note in my son's lunch. This is one of my favorite ways to connect with my kiddo when he's at school. You can grab this printable set of 100 notes right here.

14. This is called anxiety - and we can make it go away

For young kids, they don't even realize that what they are experiencing is anxiety.

Help them understand some technical information on anxiety. So that when these feelings arise they can go, ah, there it is this is the anxiety my mom or dad was talking about.

When kids learn what anxiety is, they can start to use feeling words, and pull out their coping strategies.

Our Anxiety Kit for Kids has a ton of worksheets to help your kiddo understand what anxiety is, and start to recognize the symptoms within their bodies.

15. Repeat this, I am brave and I can do this.

If your child isn't feeling very confident and is worrying about an upcoming sporting event, test or social gathering, pump them up. You can use any of these phrases from our list of 101 positive things to say to kids.

If you want a free PDF poster of this printable, grab it right here.

Try instilling a growth mindset into your child. Fill up their bucket with love, confidence, support, and empowerment.

16. Think of something happy

One of the best ways to redirect an anxious mind is to let it settle on a different thought.

Think of something happy, a toy, a person, a place...anything that creates happy feelings instead of negative ones.

Using guided imagery or relaxation can be very helpful in helping an anxious child calm down.

"Imagine a place where you feel totally comfortable and happy, a favorite place you have been, somewhere you have seen, or completely made up."

17. Let's look at one thing, hear one thing and think of one thing.

Play a game where you find one thing you hear, then move one to one thing you see, then one thing you smell, then one thing you can touch.

Playing the senses game gets kids out of their heads and into the present moment.

Kids may also move into the present moment by coloring or playing with a calm down jar or a glitter wand.

Using Mindfulness to Help Calm an Anxious Child

In addition to these phrases to calm an anxious child, kids can learn mindfulness, and mindfulness will go along way to helping our children develop life-long coping skills.

We've got a ton of resources here for you, including our best selling mindfulness exercise book Mightly Mindful Kids, our detailed articles on how to teach mindfulness to kids, and why mindfulness is so important for kids.

Anxiety, unfortunately, might be a part of your child's life, and you can't make it go away completely, that's why it's crucial we teach kids coping strategies.

Books to Help Calm An Anxious Child

Coping Skills for Kids Workbook: Over 75 Coping Strategies to Help Kids Deal with Stress, Anxiety and Anger

What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety (What-to-Do Guides for Kids)

Anxiety Relief for Kids: On-the-Spot Strategies to Help Your Child Overcome Worry, Panic, and Avoidance

These phrases can help your anxious child, but if you notice that your child's anxiety is interrupting their lives, seem excessive, frequent and more intense than other kids there age it's likely time to seek professional help.

Be patient, learn how you can help, and start to teach anxiety management techniques and coping strategies to your child. The good news is that anxiety is very treatable and you can help!

Check out these awesome phrases to help calm an anxious child!

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17 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child - How to Help Kids With Anxiety

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If your child suffers from anxiety or anger then you know how downright gut-wrenching it is to be unsure how to help them calm down. Well, instead of saying the wrong things, start saying the right things with any of these 17 phrases to calm an anxious child.

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Local links

On your Mind Signposts children and young people in Wiltshire to sources of support for good mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Moving on from CAMHS

Guidance for young people who are preparing to move on out of CAMHS to other support.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust website requires JavaScript, but JavasSript is disabled in your web browser. Find out how to enable it.

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We help children, young people and their families in Wiltshire who are experiencing more severe, complex and persistent mental health difficulties.

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Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

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Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families

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We work with professionals to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Learn about our training, services, research and more.

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https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

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YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

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YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.

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Charlie Waller Trust, Mental Health Charity

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Charlie Waller Trust, Mental Health Charity

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We work with young people, parents and carers, schools, colleges, universities and employers.

All our work is based on sound evidence. It gives people the confidence and skills to look after their mental health.

Charlie sits at the heart of our story, our vision and our purpose.

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Charlie Waller Trust, mental health charity

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We understand mental health. Our aim is to educate young people, & those with responsibility for them, about their mental health & wellbeing. The Charlie Waller Trust was created by the Waller family in 1997 in response to the loss of their son and brother Charlie to suicide having suffered from depression.

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https://www.awp.nhs.uk/our-services/talking-therapies/self-refer-today/wiltshire

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Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

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I live in Wiltshire :: Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

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During your appointment with the service, you will be asked to complete some standard questionnaires. The questionnaires ask you to rate how often you have experienced common symptoms of depression and anxiety over the past two weeks. There are also some additional questions about areas of your life that are affected by any symptoms such as work, hobbies or relationships.

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Helping your child with anger issues - NHS

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Helping your child with anger issues - NHS

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Anger is a normal and useful emotion. It can tell children when things are not fair or right.
But anger can become a problem if a child's angry behaviour becomes out of control or aggressive.

Why is your child so angry?

There are lots of reasons why your child may seem more angry than other children, including:

seeing other family members arguing or being angry with each other

friendship problems

being bullied - Anti-Bullying Alliance has information on bullying

struggling with schoolwork or exams

feeling very stressed, anxious or fearful about something

coping with hormone changes during puberty

It may not be obvious to you or your child why they're feeling angry. If that's the case, it's important to help them work out what might be causing their anger.

Read talking to your child about feelings.

Tackle anger together

Team up with your child to help them deal with their anger. This way, you let your child know that the anger is the problem, not them.

With younger children, this can be fun and creative. Give anger a name and try drawing it - for example, anger can be a volcano that eventually explodes.

How you respond to anger can influence how your child responds to anger. Making it something you tackle together can help you both.

Help your child spot the signs of anger

Being able to spot the signs of anger early can help your child make more positive decisions about how to handle it.

Talk about what your child feels when they start to get angry. For example, they may notice that:

their heart beats faster

their muscles tense

they clench their teeth

they make a fist

their stomach churns

Anger tips for your child

Work together to try to find out what triggers the anger. Talk about helpful strategies for managing anger.

You could encourage your child to:

count to 10

walk away from the situation

breathe slowly and deeply

clench and unclench their fists to ease tension

talk to a trusted person

go to a private place to calm down

If you see the early signs of anger in your child, say so. This gives them the chance to try their strategies.

Encourage regular active play and exercise

Staying active can be a way to reduce or stop feelings of anger. It can also be a way to improve feelings of stress, anxiety or depression.

For older children or young people, this could be simple activities, such as:

a short walk

jogging or running

cycling

Read more about physical activity for children and young people.

Be positive

Positive feedback is important. Praise your child's efforts and your own efforts, no matter how small.

This will build your child's confidence in their ability to manage their anger. It will also help them feel that you're both learning together.

When to get help for anger in children

If you're concerned your child's anger is harmful to them or people around them, you could talk to a:

If necessary, a GP may refer your child to a local children and young people's mental health services for specialist help.

CYPMHS is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their emotional or behavioural wellbeing.

You may also be able to refer your child yourself without seeing a GP.

Read more about where to get mental health support.

Further help and support for anger in children

For more support with anger in children, you could phone the YoungMinds parents' helpline free on 0808 802 5544 (9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).

Other sources of help and support include:

If you have older children, find out more about talking to teenagers and coping with your teenager.
The Health for Teens website also has more about anger management

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Advice on how to help your child deal with anger in a positive way.

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Parents Guide to Supporting your Child with Anger

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Parents Guide to Supporting your Child with Anger

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Anger is a normal and healthy reaction when things don't go the way we expected, life feels unfair or people upset or hurt us. It can be a helpful thing - letting us know that something is wrong or not okay with us.

It's normal for children and young people to find it difficult to manage their angry feelings sometimes, and it's helpful to remember that the part of our brain that helps us do this doesn't fully develop until we're in our mid-20s.

Anger can become a problem for your child if it feels overwhelming or unmanageable, makes them unhappy, affects their relationships or is expressed through unhelpful or destructive behaviours - towards either themselves or other people.

Angry feelings and aggressive behaviour can be really hard to deal with as a parent, and can have a huge effect on family life. If you're going through this, remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are things you can do to make the situation better, and places where you can find support if you need to. Here, we've got strategies you can use to help you respond and advice on when to seek further help and where to get it.

When I'm angry I feel a lot of self-hate and worthlessness. I also feel a build-up of energy.

What is anger like for young people?

If your child can't tell you in words, they will often use their behaviour to let you know how they're feeling. A young person who is feeling angry may:

be outwardly aggressive - acting aggressively towards other people, including shouting, hitting or breaking things

be inwardly aggressive - hurting themselves, for example by self-harming, or being very self-critical

be passively aggressive - withdrawing, ignoring people, being sarcastic or sulking

feel things in their body like a racing heart, feeling hot or tensing their muscles - for example clenching their fists

seem tense, unable to relax or easily irritated

find it difficult to concentrate.

When we seem angry or aggressive, there are often other feelings hidden under the surface.

Worried, Hurt, Scared, Lonely, Stressed, Overwhelmed, Ashamed, Ignored, Sad

Underneath these behaviours, a young person who seems very angry may also be feeling things like fear, stress, sadness, hurt or worry - or might be struggling to cope with a difficult experience at school, at home or in another part of their life that they feel unable to talk about.

It can be helpful to remember that a person who's feeling angry a lot of the time probably isn't feeling very happy - and while it might not be obvious, what they often need is support. Supporting children and young people to put their feelings into words can help them to feel less overwhelming, making it less likely that they will need to act out.

For some young people, feeling more irritable or angrier than usual can be a sign that they are struggling with low mood, depression or anxiety - especially if it goes on for a long period of time without changing.

How can I respond to my child when they get angry?

How can I help my child manage their anger?

In a calm moment, try to explore what's making them angry, focusing on letting them talk and listening to what it's like for them. Trust your instincts about picking the right moment, and remember that you know your child better than most people.

You can find more tips on our guide to starting a conversation with your child.

It might help to text, write a letter, go for a walk together or do an activity while you're talking to help them relax. You could also try spending five or ten minutes checking in with them each evening to encourage them to open up.

Recognising the triggers and patterns that alert them to the fact that they're getting angry can help them to take action before it becomes overwhelming. Keeping a diary or journal may make it easier for both of you to think this through - and apps such as ThinkNinja (for 10-18-year-olds) and HeadSpace can help them to track their feelings. This video by Braive might also help you to understand how stress and overwhelming feelings can build up in a person's life.

Some young people will find relaxing techniques useful. This could be things like:

meditating

listening to music

colouring or drawing

taking deep breaths or doing a breathing technique

Teenagers might like to do this using a mindfulness or meditation app such as Headspace or Calm. Often, people who are feeling angry breathe in more than they breathe out - so a good trick is to focus on breathing out for a few counts longer than they breath in, which can help their body to relax.

Some young people will find active techniques useful. This could be things like:

punching a pillow

throwing a ball

ripping or screwing up newspaper

playing sport

running or going for a walk

Young people tell us it helps to:

think of the bigger picture: will this bother me in a year?

try and say why you're angry, and remember that time alone to calm yourself down is okay.

take some time to think about how your actions are affecting others, and try to remember people are usually trying to help you.

apologise if you have harmed someone - and if you have hurt yourself, apologise to yourself.

figure out why you reacted like that so you can recognise it next time before it's too late.

tell someone if they've made you angry, or talk to someone else about it.

remind yourself that the emotion is valid.

Where can I find professional help?

It's a good idea to seek professional advice if:

your child's anger is consistently affecting their day-to-day life, wellbeing, mental health, relationships or experience at home or school - or the day-to-day life of your family.

you've tried strategies for at least four weeks and nothing seems to work, or their outbursts of anger feel unmanageable and last for a long time.

they are expressing their anger through destructive behaviours towards themselves or others - including self-harm or physically hurting other people.

There are different places where you can find help for your child. Your GP, your child's school and considering whether counselling or therapy might help are good places to start.

Your GP can discuss your concerns with you and, if needed, refer your child for more support - including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Sometimes, challenging or aggressive behaviour can be a sign of an additional need or developmental difficulty, such as autism or difficulties hearing or speaking, which your child may need specialist help with. If you think this could be the case, speak to your GP or your child's school to discuss whether they need a referral for an assessment.

You can find out more about speaking to GPs, finding a counsellor or therapist, accessing CAMHS, getting help from your child's school and finding local services on our guide to getting help for your child.

If your child becomes so angry that they are being verbally or physically aggressive and you feel unsafe, it's important that you reach out for help.

In these situations:

If it is safe for you and your child, remove yourself and any other family members from the situation.

If it's not safe to do so, and you feel that you or anyone else are at immediate risk of harm, warn your child that if the aggression does not stop you will contact the police.

Follow through if they do not stop. Call 999 if there is a danger to life or violence is being used or threatened. Call 101 if you want to discuss the situation with your local police officer.

Calling the police to intervene in a situation that involves your child is an incredibly difficult thing for any parent to have to do. However, this may be the only course of action if your safety, or the safety of other family members, is in question. You might feel worried about getting your child into trouble, but they won't automatically get a criminal record and it's important to put your safety first. The police can be supportive about responding to mental health issues and may be able to advise you about next steps.

As a parent or carer, we often put our children first, no matter how old they are - but it's so important that you remember to look after yourself too. If you have ever flown on a plane you may remember the flight attendant saying that in times of difficulty you need to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others - and the same applies here.

If your child is acting out, remember that it can be because they see you as a safe person who they can express their feelings with, trusting that you will love them no matter what - and that it isn't necessarily about you.

Use the family and friends around you - whether it's for a catch-up or having someone to watch the kids so you can have a break.

These are some things that can help you take care of yourself:

You might also find helpful...

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Anger is a normal and healthy reaction when things don't go the way we expected, life feels unfair or people upset or hurt us. It can be a helpful thing - letting us know that something is wrong or not okay with us.

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Written for children with ASD but a wonderfully accessible book for all children with lovely visuals that children seem to really understand.

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Deep inside everyone, a red beast lies sleeping.

When it is asleep, the red beast is quite small, but when it wakes up, it begins to grow and grow.

This is the story of a red beast that was awakened.

Rufus is in the school playground when his friend John kicks a ball that hit him in the stomach, and wakes up the sleeping red beast: `I hate you - I'm gonna get you!'. The red beast doesn't hear the teacher asking if he's okay. It doesn't see that John is sorry - how can Rufus tame the red beast?

This vibrant fully illustrated children's storybook is written for children aged 5-9, and is an accessible, fun way to talk about anger, with useful tips about how to 'tame the red beast' and guidance for parents on how anger affects children with Asperger's Syndrome.

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The Red Beast: Controlling Anger in Children with Asperger's Syndrome (K.I. Al-Ghani children's colour story books)

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Amazon.com: The Red Beast: Controlling Anger in Children with Asperger's Syndrome (K.I. Al-Ghani children's colour story books) eBook : Al-Ghani, K.I, Al-Ghani, Haitham: Kindle Store

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Looking for ideas for helping your child to calm down? Look no further!

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Looking for ideas for helping your child to calm down? Look no further!

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You see anger but how is your child really feeling?

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You see anger but how is your child really feeling?

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Often we see anger but behind this emotion may be fear, sadness, loneliness or many other feelings. Learning to understand and unpick what is really going on and helping children with the vocabulary to express these feelings is important in being able to support angry behaviours.

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https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2021/05/anger-management-games-for-kids.html

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Looking for fun ways to teach your kids about anger and how to cope with it? Try these awesome free anger management games for kids!

Many kids struggle with managing anger and big explosive emotions. Some days it seems like they're a volcano just waiting to erupt. They might explode, seemingly out of nowhere, with lava gushing and splattering everywhere, making it quite clear that they might need some help developing their anger control skills.

For many kids, it's hard to recognize possible anger triggers and warning signs in their body. And they might not know how to verbalize and articulate those big feelings.

Or it could be that they haven't found the right coping skills and strategies or anger management techniques. Of course, this step takes quite a bit of practice and a little bit of experimentation to see what works.

Below you will find a bunch of free anger management games for kids that focus on recognizing triggers, identifying anger, and coping with anger in fun, playful ways.

So if you're currently overwhelmed with your child's behaviors that result from unmanaged anger, then you're hopefully going to find these anger activities helpful. They're full of great anger management strategies!

Free Anger Management Games for Kids

You're going to love these printable and digital anger games. They are a great way to work on identifying anger and coping skills with your kids. All are free. But please note that some of the following do require you to have a Teachers Pay Teachers account, which is also free.

1. Free Printable Anger Dice Game - Roll the dice. Then answer an anger management related question based on what number you roll. You could also adapt this game to work on other emotions or feelings other than anger.

2. The M&Ms Anger Game from Ashley Redondo on Teachers Pay Teachers - If you're looking for fun anger management activities, then try this one. After all, it does involve candy and what kid wouldn't enjoy that? To play this game, you randomly pick an M&M from the bag. Then you have to answer an anger related question based on the color of M&M you pick. Simple, effective, and delicious, all in one.

3. Free Printable Anger Catcher from Home Stories A to Z - I loved playing with these things as a kid! You probably did too, right? Well, this one is focused on helping kids learn how to manage their anger. Such a fun anger management game, don't you think?

4. Virtual Anger Management Jeopardy Game from Jeopardy Labs - This game is entirely virtual. That means it could be a great game to play over Zoom or in teletherapy. It's also great for working on WH questions and inferencing.

5. Free Customizable Anger Bingo Cards from My Free Bingo Cards - Build your own anger bingo game (or use their suggestions). You can print and play or just play this game virtually. Could be a great anger management party game if that's something you're looking for. Although do the words party and anger even belong together in the same sentence? Probably not...

6. Free Printable Anger Words Word Search for Kids from Monster Word Search - This free word search is a great way to expand your child's emotional vocabulary. Your kids will learn other ways to describe anger.

7. Anger Strategies Memory Matching Game from The Counselor Corner on Teachers Pay Teachers - Match the different strategies with this great anger management activity. It's perfect for little ones!

8. Free Blank Anger Management Bingo Card from Mylemarks on Teachers Pay Teachers - To play, fill in the blank card with some coping strategies for anger. Then when your child needs help regulating, they can pick some strategies from their bingo card and try to get three in a row.

9. Free Printable Anger Management Fortune Teller from Creative Social Learning on Teachers Pay Teachers - Another free cootie catcher printable. This one is similar to one mentioned above. But the anger management skills listed in this one are especially great for younger kids.

You could also use this last idea as inspiration to create your own anger craft project with the kids. Just customize it with different strategies, triggers, discussion prompts, or whatever else you think might be helpful.

Need Help Teaching Your Child About Anger? Grab this Social Story!

Remember, to help your child understand anger, it's also important to teach your child what anger is and what it looks like in the body. Thankfully, teaching your kid all about anger is easy with this anger social story!

While this social story isn't free, it is a helpful tool to build your child's emotional intelligence. It easily explains what anger is and uses full color photos. It also includes a space for your child to write down their favorite strategies to use when coping with anger. You're going to love it!
Get your copy of the Anger Social Story now!
This social story will definitely be a great complement to any of the anger management games for kids listed above.

Other Anger Management Resources You'll Love
Free Anger Buttons Worksheet (Printable & Digital Activity) 5 Anger Management Techniques to Help an Angry Child Cope with Big Emotions Free Printable Social Scripts for Healthy Anger Management

Married to her high school sweetheart, Dyan is a Canadian stay-at-home mom to two boys, J and K. When she's not writing about hyperlexia and autism, you can find her teaching piano, kicking her kids' butts at Mario Kart, playing a board game, or binge reading yet another book or research paper.

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Looking for fun ways to teach your kids about anger and how to cope with it? Try these awesome free anger management games for kids! Many kids struggle with managing anger and big explosive emotions. Some days it seems like they're a volcano just waiting to erupt.

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How to Control Anger - Children's Society

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How to Control Anger - Children's Society

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Anger is normal. But it can get out of hand. Here are some tips for calming down and taking control of your anger.

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Take a look at the downloads section on the home page where you will find free booklets with advice and support. We also have copies of these in school.

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Home page for Simon Says Child Bereavement Support charity showing support activities and ways you can support the charity.

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Winston's Wish is the UK's childhood bereavement charity. We support children and their families after the death of someone important.

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The Invisible String is a lovely story which offers reassurance to children who may be dealing with loss, loneliness or separation from a loved one. 

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-PARENTS MAGAZINE

" The Invisible String by Patrice Karst is a heartwarming story that reassures children that even though they can't always be with a loved one, they're always in each other's hearts."

-TONY ROBBINS

THE INVISIBLE STRING book is "a beautiful way to begin to try, as parents, to instill in children the impenetrable power of the heart, the energy of love, and the flow that can be felt from the grace in every moment."

―United Way (Life Lessons for Little Ones)

"If I could only have one book to use for counseling purposes, this would be it. This book is extremely versatile. It can be used for any type of separation, loss."

―The American Academy of Pediatrics

"Delivers a particularly compelling message in today's uncertain times that though we may be separated from the ones we care for, love is the unending connection that binds us all."

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The Invisible String Book - Patrice Karst | Loneliness | Loss

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Skip to content -PARENTS MAGAZINE " The Invisible String by Patrice Karst is a heartwarming story that reassures children that even though they can't always be with a loved one, they're always in each other's hearts."

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Book suggestion - Badger's Parting Gifts

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Book suggestion - Badger's Parting Gifts

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Badger's Parting Gifts: 35th Anniversary Edition of a picture book to help children deal with death

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Badger's Parting Gifts: 35th Anniversary Edition of a picture book to help children deal with death: Amazon.co.uk: Varley, Susan: Books

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In July 2020, we joined forces with The Sleep Charity as part of a strong, ambitious mission to empower the nation to sleep better. Both organisations have worked hard individually, over the years, to achieve change and support to those affected by lack of sleep.

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Sleep Support for Children with ADHD and Autism

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Sleep Support for Children with ADHD and Autism

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ERIC - The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity

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ERIC - The Children's Bowel & Bladder Charity

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With your help, we can keep offering free support to those who need us.

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https://www.bbuk.org.uk/children-young-people/

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Advice on Bladder and Bowel Problems in Children and Young People

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Children and young people Bladder and bowel health Issues affecting the bladder and bowel are very common in children and young people. Here you can find specialist advice to help. varied issues The problems can include difficulties with toilet training, wetting and/or soiling.

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https://www.camhsnorthderbyshire.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities-toileting-and-asd

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learning disabilities

Toileting and Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Many children with ASD experience problems with toileting. This can include a delay in toilet-training, a reluctance or refusal to use the toilet, or a reluctance to pass urine or faeces at all. There are many ideas about why this might be, although there is little research evidence to back them up. Here are some possible reasons for toilet-training issues:

LACK OF UNDERSTANDING
Children may not understand that urine or faeces are 'waste' material, and may believe that they are losing part of their body. It is hard for many children with learning disabilities to understand that food becomes poo!

GASTRO-INTESTINAL ISSUES
Research on gastro-intestinal issues in ASD is varied, but some studies suggest that children with ASD are more likely to have chronic gastro-intestinal problems. Problems such as constipation can make going to the toilet painful, so the child avoids this, which then makes the constipation worse - the child is stuck in a negative cycle.

NEED FOR CONTROL/ROUTINE
Children with ASD need the world to be predictable, and bowel movements can feel scarily out of their control.

COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS
The child may not be able to let you know when they need to go to toilet, or understand your prompts/attempts to teach them. This can lead to frustration for everybody involved.

MOTOR PROBLEMS
Children who experience some form of delay in the development of their motor skills may not have full control over their bowels and/or bladder. Some children with learning disabilities may never achieve full bowel and bladder control.

LACK OF SOCIAL MOTIVATION

Children with ASD may not understand that toilet training is a healthy and beneficial part of growing up and that wearing a nappy can be socially unacceptable when they are older.

SENSORY ISSUES
Many children with ASD experience significant sensory sensitivities & struggle to manage the sensory input that they receive. This may include a dislike of the noise made by toilets, the sensation of passing urine/faeces, a cold toilet seat, or a preoccupation with water in the toilet.

Ensure the child is ready for toilet training. Some signs of bladder/bowel control are:

Urinating large amounts at once.

Having regular, well-formed bowel movements at predictable times.

Having "dry" periods of around two hours.

Able to follow simple instructions like "go and get the cup".

Indicating that they dislike the feeling of a wet/dirty nappy or pad.

Once you are sure that the child is ready for toilet training, you can help in several ways:

Record when and where the child passes faeces or urine before you begin. Pay attention to the time of day they go, the reaction of the child (did they let you know by crying or going to a particular place?), and how you responded.

Ensure any constipation is treated. If left un-treated, passing faeces can be painful and might cause the child to withhold going.

As a family, it is important to pick the right time. You need to allow toilet training to take priority, for a consistentapproach to be implemented and effortlevels to be maintained.

Accept that it is likely to be stressful for a time.

Ensure their diet includes plenty of fibre, unless you are told otherwise by your child's doctor or dietician.

1. ENFORCING BOWEL CONTROL IS NOT HELPFUL

Although it's important to have clear boundaries and routines to support children with ASD to understand what is expected of them, it's essential to understand that enforcing bowel control could exacerbate existing problems. The child must be ready.

Never use punishment when toilet-training. Making toileting a scary or unpleasant experience for children will not help them to learn, and may make them refuse to go at all (i.e. encourage withholding).

Do not react negatively to 'accidents'. It can be very frustrating for parents, but showing your stress or annoyance can inadvertently teach children that you do not want them to pass urine or faeces (children with ASD can be quite unusual learners). They may not understand that you are angry about when or where they have done it, rather than what they have done.

2. USE REWARDS

Children with ASD are often not intrinsically socially motivated (e.g. by what other people do), so you may need to motivate them in other ways. You may need to continue to reward the child for some tine after successful toilet training, until the behaviour has become part of their routine/habit.

3. MAKE IT FUN

Make the bathroom a relaxing place to spend time in. Be aware of things that would attract the child (e.g. a coloured toilet seat, stickers of their favourite cartoon characters, a soft bath-mat). Equally, be aware of things that would frighten/put-off the child (e.g. the feeling of a particular toilet seat, bright lights).

Don't tell your child to 'push' because this can lead to tensing and less likelihood of a successful bowel movement. Instead, encourage them to relax. You may find that your child is more relaxed after a warm bath.

Blowing bubbles can both entertain your child and encourage bowel movements by recreating a slight pushing motion.

You may decide to encourage the child to spend time in the bathroom playing with toys or water in the sink. However, be wary that, whilst this makes it easier to put/encourage the child onto the toilet by reducing anxiety, it can also confuse children as to the purpose of the bathroom/toilet.

4. PROVIDE THE NECESSARY TEACHING MATERIALS

Social stories can be a good way to help children with ASD to understand what is expected of them. You can create stories (with pictures) to show the whole bathroom/toilet routine (e.g. feel I need to wee, go to the bathroom, take trousers down, sit on toilet etc).

You can create stories to explain that going to the toilet is okay, and that poo and wee are meant to go into the toilet. For more able or older children, you may be able to explain that it is important to get rid of waste from the body.

You can use the child's interests to create examples, such as Spongebob/other character wanting to go to the toilet, and how he/she did it.

You may need to show your child what to do! This can seem embarrassing, but the child will probably be unaware that there is anything to feel embarrassed about, and may learn more from you 'modelling' behaviour than from a book. Alternatively, you could 'model' toileting behaviour using toys or puppets.

5. SCHEDULED SITTING

This is one technique suggested for use with children with ASD where toileting has become very stuck. It should be used in conjunction with the other advice in this section.

Identify times when your child is most likely to have a bowel movement (use a diary to monitor bowel movements as suggested overleaf). Note that 5-20 minutes after meals is a likely time (due to the gastro-colic reflex). Just prior to these times, encourage your child to sit on the toilet for 5 minutes (or a brief time initially). Give them something to occupy them (e.g. a book, handheld computer game, something else they really enjoy).

After 5 minutes, allow the child to leave the toilet; although, if they are happy to stay in the bathroom, this is preferable. After a 10-15 minute break, return them to the toilet for another 5 minutes. Repeat this process for as long as you feel the child will tolerate it without anxiety/tantrums, until the child has had a bowel movement.

Combine this strategy with social stories and rewards for any successful use of the toilet. Try to keep calm and avoid any confrontations. Consider waiting until the school holidays, when you can be more consistent with the approach.

ERIC provide expert support, information and understanding to children and enable parents, carers and professionals to help them establish good bowel and bladder health.
Website

TheNational Autistic Society provides information and support for people with Autism and their families and for professionals. They are a very active organisation and offer some really useful information about strategies and approaches for supporting people with Autism.
Website | Specific page on Toilet Training

The British Institute of Learning Disabilities also have some useful information and further advice about a variety of common issues.
Website

Local Offer is a Derbyshire-specific site which allows you to search for lots of different services, including parenting support groups, in the local area.
Website

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Many children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders experience problems with toileting. This can include a delay in toilet-training or reluctance/refusal to use the toilet at all.

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Parent's Guide to Toilet Training Children with Autism

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Parent's Guide to Toilet Training Children with Autism

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Text YM to 85258. Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

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What Kids Can Say To Deal With Tough Friendship Issues

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What Kids Can Say To Deal With Tough Friendship Issues

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Talking to Children About Friendship Problems

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Talking to Children About Friendship Problems

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3 Ways To Help Children Navigate Friendship Challenges

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3 Ways To Help Children Navigate Friendship Challenges

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The importance of friendships for your mental health

Friends can help you with your mental health in lots of different ways. They might check in with how you are feeling, or simply make you laugh with the best TikToks. They might also help you by:

When friends help and support you, they can boost your self-esteem, make you feel good, and remind you that you are loved for who you are. They can help you to look after your mental health.

Advice from young people like you

Our Activists and other young people like you, share how their friends have helped them with their mental health.

Talking to friends about mental health

Talking to a friend about your mental health is one of the first steps on the road to feeling better. But sometimes, this can feel quite scary. You might not know what to say, or you might be nervous about sharing how you are feeling. That's okay! Here are some tips that can help:

Pick a good time when you won't get interrupted and find a quiet space to chat.

Explain how you are feeling.

Be clear about what you want shared. You may not want other friends to know yet, and that's okay. Let your friend know that you are not ready to share with others. However, if your friend is worried that you aren't safe, they will need to tell a trusted adult.

Remember: Good friends will want to be there for you so you don't have to struggle alone. For more tips, have a look at our page on reaching out for help.

It is normal to feel nervous or uncomfortable when it comes to talking about your mental health. This can make you feel like it is not something you want to do, but talking about your mental health with the people you trust is often the first step to feeling better.

If you are struggling with a friendship

Throughout our lives, we might struggle with our friendships. We might argue with friends, no longer speak to friends we were once close to, or we might lose some friendships. You might struggle with a friend because:

one of you moves away, making it difficult to keep in touch

your friend makes new friends that you do not feel comfortable around

you might be left out of the friendship group

you meet new friends and aren't able to spend as much time with your old friend as you used to

one of you might be struggling with your mental health, meaning that you/your friend might be withdrawn and not keeping in touch as much

your friend might not understand how you are feeling or what you are going through - this can make it difficult to chat to your friends, or make it feel like they aren't taking your feelings seriously

you are making the effort to see your friend and stay in touch but they aren't making the effort back

they often ask you for advice and it feels like a lot of responsibility that you are struggling to manage

We might have arguments with friends, and sometimes fall out, but often you can get through those difficult moments together. You or your friend may not have realised how each other were feeling or understood what either of you were going through.

By talking things through and explaining how you both feel, you can both learn to better understand how you can support each other. Overcoming these tough times together can sometimes help make your friendship stronger.

Coping with the loss of a friendship

In some situations, however, your friendship might come to an end. You may have tried to work through an argument and it hasn't worked out, or they may have not been very nice to you.

Friendships can come to a natural end too. There might not be a specific reason, but you might no longer keep in touch. Sometimes people grow apart and that's okay.

When friendships come to an end, it can be really tough. Friends are there through the highs and lows - they can be like our chosen family, meaning that it can feel tough to move on - but things can get better over time.

If someone close to you passes away, it can be extremely difficult. Jacob shares how he coped with the death of his best friend and Nia shares advice on how she coped with losing a friendship.

If you have lost a friend, our page has advice if you're finding it hard to cope.

When I lost my best friend to suicide at 16 years old, I had panic attacks and walked out of lessons at college, flooded in oceans of guilt and upset.

I went from being a very hard-working media student to not caring. I became very distant and didn't put much effort into my work.

I reached out to my GP who was very useful in supporting me. I found a counsellor, which has been a lifesaver for me in getting me back on my feet and learning how to manage my grief while keeping the memories of my friend alive.

Jacob's story: Coping with the death of my best friend

Over the years of hurting and healing, I have unfortunately learnt that there is no magic cure for dealing with the loss of a friendship. You can't ambush a heart into healing or speeding up the process, but the days get less painful and in my experience, you will come through the other side.

Take time for yourself. Don't try and replace them. Learn what it was that you valued in that friendship. Figure out what it is that you feel like you are missing without them. This will help you to look for it in future.

Cherish those friends who are currently around you, hold onto the memories you've made and trust the process.

Nia's story: How to cope with the loss of a friendship

Tips and advice from our Activists

Our Activists share their tips on what to do if you're struggling with a friendship.

Understanding when a friendship is unhealthy

While occasional arguments or disagreements can be normal between friends, there are times when friendships can become unhealthy and affect you in a negative way. This can be things like:

your friends pressuring you to do something you feel uncomfortable with, like taking drugs or drinking alcohol

when jokes or banter become hurtful and disrespectful

you are constantly arguing and falling out

they continue to ask you for help when you have told them you are unable to

they make you feel guilty

they make you feel uncomfortable when spending time with different friends and make you feel like you have to choose between them

they bully you

the friendship feels 'one-sided', where they ask a lot of you but you don't feel like they support you in return

they isolate you from a group on purpose, making you feel lonely

Sometimes, friends might do these things unintentionally or without realising, or they might continue to do them after you've asked them to stop. Ultimately, it's about how you feel about the friendship.

Show/hide caption

Artwork by @thetypewriterdaily. An open sketchbook shows a drawing that represents releasing what isn't for you. The left-hand page shows a hand releasing grey colours from its palm. The right-hand page shows a hand receiving a rainbow into its palm. The text reads, 'release what isn't for you so you can receive what is - Mansi.'

If you're finding a friendship difficult

If you're finding a friendship difficult, you might want to talk to that friend about how they have been treating you. You might be nervous about talking to them, or worried about how they will react. Childline have some tips on how you can talk to your friend and be assertive to explain how you feel.

If your friend is constantly asking you for help but you're not sure what to say, it can make you feel stressed or anxious. Our page on how to support a friend with their mental health has tips on how you can set boundaries and look after your mental health, which you may find helpful.

When a friendship becomes unhealthy, it can impact other areas of your life and how you think and feel. It can make you feel down or anxious, or might lower your self-esteem and how you feel around other people. If you feel like this, it's important that you are able to get help. Even when you disagree with friends, you still deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

You are confused, the world seems scary, and it feels like everyone else fits in and you don't. As if they all have the rule book to life which you forgot to pick up.

Right now, fitting in seems so, so important. But understanding friendships seems impossible and people are just really hard work! Growing up is hard. I know people say this a lot, but it really is true.

I know it feels like nobody gets you - you feel like an outsider looking in. You feel like an alien, born onto the wrong planet and in some ways, I guess you are. But actually, being different isn't a bad thing.

Coping with peer pressure

It's normal for people to compare themselves to their friends and peers, and often the influence of your friends can have a positive role in shaping your identity. Sometimes though, the influence of your friends and peers can be a cause of stress.

If you feel like you're being pressured by friends or peers into doing something that you don't want to do, this is called peer pressure. For example, you might feel pressured to take drugs or drink alcohol, to take dangerous risks when driving, or to have sex before you feel ready. If you are in a situation like this, it's important to say how you feel and that you don't want to take part. If your friends keep trying to get you to take part, speak to a trusted adult about how you are feeling. You need to make sure you are safe, so if you do feel at risk, you should reach out to professional services.

Seek out good friendships

You may worry that by not doing something that your friends are doing, you will be left out, or it will damage your friendship.

But remember, a good friend won't pressure you to do anything you're not comfortable with.

You deserve to have friends that accept your decisions and make you feel as though your feelings are valid.

Below are some tips to help you cope with peer pressure. Rose, 20, also shares her advice in our blog.

Real stories about friendship from young people

Get help now

If you are struggling with a friend and not sure who to talk to, there are people who will help you get through this. Here are some organisations that can provide you with support.

Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn't a mental health support service. If you are in crisis right now and want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you'd like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy.

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Friends | Tips and Advice about Friendships

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Friends can be a source of mental health support. But sometimes, you might find you're not getting along. Our page has tips and advice that can help you.

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Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate

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Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate

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You can choose how to make arrangements for looking after your children if you separate from your partner.

You and your ex-partner can usually avoid going to court hearings if you agree on:

where the children will live

how much time they'll spend with each parent

how you'll financially support your children

You can use a solicitor if you want to make your agreement legally binding.

You can agree on child maintenance at the same time or separately.

Get help agreeing

You can make a Parenting Plan with your ex-partner or use a mediator.

You can also get help and information from:

If you cannot agree on everything

You can ask a court to decide anything you cannot agree after mediation or getting other help.

You must show you've attended a meeting to see if mediation is right for you before applying to a court. You will not have to in certain cases, for example if there's been domestic abuse or social services are involved.

You will not usually get legal aid to help with court costs unless you're separating from an abusive partner.

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Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate

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Skip to main content We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Cafcass - Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

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Parenting together

If you're splitting up, divorcing, or you've been separated for a while, you might find that sorting out the practicalities can feel overwhelming, especially if you have children. But helpful tools and information are available on the Cafcass website that can support you and your family.

Our section on how to co-parent can help guide you through some of the ways to reduce conflict and understand the needs of your children and how to make the best decisions for them.

We are actively working with partners in the court system to identify solutions to help reduce the increasing pressures on the family courts and to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and families. This section may support you to avoid going to court by providing tools to reduce conflict and make arrangements that both co-parents are happy with.

What to expect from Cafcass

Cafcass works with families only at the request of the court. After the court has received the application from either you or the other parent or carer, the court will usually refer the application to us. Our 'family court case' section outlines the role of Cafcass in court proceedings and what can be expected at hearings.

Cafcass works with families only at the request of the court. After the court has received the application from either you or the other parent [...]

This section helps separated families co-parent better. It provides information on how you can make arrangements for your children. We have collected resources that we [...]

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Divorce and separation - Cafcass - Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service

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If you're splitting up, divorcing, or you've been separated for a while, you might find that sorting out the practicalities can feel overwhelming, especially if you have children. But helpful tools and information are available on the Cafcass website that can support you and your family.

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A child can't be forced to see the non-resident parent but if there's a court order in place, the resident parent must follow the agreed arrangements.

It's really important that you ask your child and explore what's bothering them before you think about stopping contact with a parent or another family member.

Both parents should work towards helping the child feel safe and happy in their care. A child's feelings are important but contact should be encouraged as long as it does not place them at harm.

If a young person doesn't feel their voice is being heard, they can contact an advocacy service such as NYAS, which helps young people in England and Wales express their wishes.

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Divorce and separation can be hard, but it's important that your child gets the right support. Know your rights and get advice on helping your child.

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If you're worried about how your relationship break-up might affect your child, here is our advice on how you can support them through the process.

Guide Menu for Divorce and separation

Guide contents (jump to section)

How can I help my child?

Every child and young person's experience with the loss of their known family unit will be unique, but it can sometimes cause intense emotional distress.

In the immediate aftermath of a break-up, children's early responses can involve a number of defence behaviours, including: denial, disbelief, dissociation, hyperactivity, irritability and protest, alarm and panic. Over time, children may experience grief and display behaviours and emotions that indicate yearning and pining, sadness and depression, anger and hostility, anxiety, guilt, shame and despair. Even if children feel relieved at a family break-up where violence is a significant factor, most children will still feel some loss and grief.

There are things you can do to improve the way your child copes with the changes going on around them.

Things that may really make a difference:

Download our full Parents Helpline guide to divorce and separation

For more information and advice, you can download our full Parents Helpline guide to divorce and separation. The guide includes:

information about how children of different age groups may react to - and cope with - their parents divorcing or separating

advice on how you can support your child through a parental break-up

a list of helplines and services you can use

Parental alienation and emotional abuse

A parent who turns their child against their other parent by bad-mouthing, belittling the other adult, limiting contact between them, forbidding discussion about them, creating the impression the parent does not love the child or forcing the child to reject the parent is becoming increasingly common and can do significant damage to children's mental health.

The Chief Executive of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), Anthony Douglas, recommended in February 2017 that parents who use this type of 'alienation' should be considered guilty of neglect or emotional abuse.

You may also find helpful...

Where to get help

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Divorce & Young People's Mental Health | Parent Guide

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If you're worried about how your relationship break-up might affect your child, here is our advice on how you can support them through the process. Guide Menu for Divorce and separation Guide contents (jump to section) How can I help my child?

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Supporting Children Through Divorce or Separation - Video

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Supporting Children Through Divorce or Separation - Video

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Supporting children through divorce or parental separation | YoungMinds Parents Lounge

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Are you worried about your co-parenting arrangements given Coronavirus restrictions?

If you are worried about your co-parenting arrangements and struggle with communication in view of the Coronavirus restrictions, we can help you talk about what you can do now to reduce the impact of the restrictions on your family life.

We can offer an online video consultation with an expert family mediator to help you make new or changed plans to help you get through the challenges ahead.

Contact us for a consultation or book an appointment using this link.

Or use this link to find out more about the advantages of using family mediation.

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Co-parenting through the Coronavirus crisis - National Family Mediation

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Are you worried about your co-parenting arrangements given Coronavirus restrictions? If you are worried about your co-parenting arrangements and struggle with communication in view of the Coronavirus restrictions, we can help you talk about what you can do now to reduce the impact of the restrictions on your family life.

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Details on how to contact your local Relate service but links to further information including articles about how to talk to your child about parental separation.

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Hedge End Relate St Luke's Church, St Luke's Close Hedge End Hampshire SO30 2US United Kingdom

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What parents need to know about setting up smart devices

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What parents need to know about setting up smart devices

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What parents need to know about age appropriate content

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What parents need to know about age appropriate content

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What we do

Help & advice

Helpful information and guidance on a range of key online safety topics.

The Childnet Film Competition 2024 is open!

Do you know any young people aged 7-18 who are passionate about film? Can they tell a good story, create animation or inspire positive change? Would they like to make a short film about online safety?
Then enter the competition now!

Download brand new interactive resource ReelLife!

An interactive resource to help young people aged 9-14 identify the potential risks of social media.
Check out the resource...

Try out the Childnet Digital Leaders Programme today!

A youth leadership training programme empowering young people to educate their peers about online safety.
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Blog

The latest advice and guidance on key online safety issues, as well as information on the latest apps and games.

Free resources to help you teach about online safety.

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Childnet - Online safety for young people

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Helping make the internet a great and safe place for children and young people.

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Promoting Online Safety for Children - The Children's Society

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Promoting Online Safety for Children - The Children's Society

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Promoting online safety for children | The Children’s Society

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Understanding online safety and the risks of being online, including grooming and bullying, is vital to keeping children safe online.

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Welcome to the UK Safer Internet Centre, where you can find online safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.

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Campaigning for change

We fight to change laws to make society safer for children. Our Wild West Web campaign has pushed for new regulations through the Online Safety Bill to make sure websites, apps and games are safe for children to use. But the draft Bill doesn't go far enough to protect children.
Help us end the Wild West Web

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Understanding online safety is tricky for all ages - we have advice and guides to help you learn about staying safe online as a family.

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The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team aim to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse.

We do this through our education programme, providing training, resources and information to professionals working with children, young people and their families.

I am:

Respecting me, you, us: building healthy relationships and creating positive cultures is a CEOP Education resource for 12 -14 year olds developed in association with clinical psychologist, Dr. Elly Hanson.

Under 18 and worried about online sexual abuse?
To report, click to visit the CEOP Safety Centre.

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The CEOP Education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Education Team aims to protect children and young people aged 4-18 from online child sexual abuse.

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Stop Domestic Abuse's services cover the whole of Hampshire, including Southampton and Portsmouth.

All of our services can be accessed by calling

Our Advice Line for all parts of Hampshire is open for victims, perpetrators and their family and friends and professionals from 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Thursday and 9.30am-5.00pm on Friday.

Emergency Refuge Accommodation - OUT OF HOURS

If you experience any difficulties getting through please contact the mobile numbers below.

If you need refuge accommodation out of our normal working hours on
Monday-Thursday evenings please call 07771 125991.

If you need to access emergency refuge accommodation at any time over a
weekend or on a bank holiday please call 07501 378314.

Please do not call these mobile numbers between 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Thursday and 9.30am-5.00pm on Fridays (unless it is a Public Holiday) as they won't be answered.

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Our Advice Line for all parts of Hampshire is open for victims, perpetrators and their family and friends and professionals from 9.30am-5.30pm Monday-Thursday and 9.30am-5.00pm on Friday. If you experience any difficulties getting through please contact the mobile numbers below. If you need refuge accommodation out of our normal working hours on Monday-Thursday evenings please call 07771 125991.

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Preventing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Abuse

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Preventing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Abuse

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Sexual Trauma & Abuse Restorative Therapies

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Sexual Trauma & Abuse Restorative Therapies

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Welcome to the START website. START is a new sexual trauma service, operating across Central, West and North Hampshire, bringing together the previous RASAC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service) supporting Central, West and North Hampshire and BRASACC (Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre), also operating in the North of the county. RASAC has been in operation since 1995 and BRASACC since 1985.
The core service offered by START is a confidential, specialist counselling and support service for anyone who has experienced sexual abuse and/or sexual assault, resulting in sexual trauma. The services are offered to everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, cultural or religious background. The duration of counselling varies by individual, with an agreement covering the services we will deliver and the commitments to be made by the client, agreed at an initial assessment interview. The counselling service is free, within NICE guidelines, but for those living outside our core geographic areas, we offer a chargeable service.

In addition to counselling, we offer Peer Support Groups in locations across the county and therapeutic residential week-ends, focused on enabling clients to better manage the impact of their trauma. We also have Friends of START advisory panels which help us to improve our services and organise fundraising events.

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START - Sexual Trauma & Abuse Restorative Therapies

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Welcome to the START website. START is a new sexual trauma service, operating across Central, West and North Hampshire, bringing together the previous RASAC (Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service) supporting Central, West and North Hampshire and BRASACC (Basingstoke Rape and Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre), also operating in the North of the county.

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https://open.spotify.com/show/5YxmCnkQ5IgVIhdG3hjm5M

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We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. By using our website and our services, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Cookie Policy.

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Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm

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Listen to Helping Children Smile Again with Amanda Seyderhelm on Spotify. How do I talk to bereaved children about grief and loss? Set up a therapeutic storytelling group in my class? Build resilience in my team?

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https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

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Celebrating 10 years of Talk PANTS!

Pantosaurus has helped 1.5 million parents Talk PANTS and keep their children safe from sexual abuse.

Developed in consultation with children, parents, carers and teachers, Talk PANTS is here to help children understand their body belongs to them, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.

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Our PANTS activity pack makes it easy to talk to your child about staying safe from harm. With a word search, dot-to-dot and maze game, you can help them learn without using any scary words.