As a parent, you want the best for your children, including making sure that they are happy and healthy. However, the reality is that you can’t be there to protect them from everything. Whether it’s problems with bullying at school or online, hormonal changes, or other factors that are causing them to have emotional turmoil, you often can’t control these things as a parent. You can be there for them though and provide the love and support that they need to get through these tough times. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to giving your child emotional support, below are some suggestions.
Give Them Time
When you can see that your child is upset, asking them what’s wrong is important. This opens the lines of communication and lets them know that they haven’t gone unnoticed. However, it’s also important to remember that your child might not want to talk about it right away. Giving them a little space to process their thoughts and emotions can be beneficial for them. If they aren’t ready to talk straight away, approach them a couple of hours later and ask them if they want to talk about it now. Pushing them to talk about it might only upset them further if you’re not careful, so you do need to let them come to you in their time. If you have a foster child and are worried about how you can get them to trust you enough to open up to you, ask for advice from organisations such as thefca.co.uk.
Advice, Don’t Judge
When your child is ready to talk to you about what is upsetting them, it’s also essential that they do not feel judged. Although you might disagree with something they have said or done, being tough on them is likely to push them away. They are talking to you in confidence and looking for comfort and support, so you need to give that to them. Instead, offer them advice on how to deal with a certain situation or what you think they could do in the future if it happens again to handle it better. Never invalidate their feelings by implying that they are getting upset over nothing, that it’s their fault, or that you don’t believe they are telling the truth, etc.
Consider Support Outside the Home
If you are worried that your child has developed depression, anxiety, or is struggling with their mental health in another way, consider seeking support outside the home, too. Professional counselling could be a great way to help support your child emotionally, especially if they are finding it difficult to open up to you or another member of your household. Counsellors are impartial, and although it might take time for your child to build that relationship with a counsellor, it’s a safe space for them to talk without fear of judgement or other people finding out what they have been saying.
If you are worried about your child’s emotional well-being and want to show them that they have your support, use the suggestions above to achieve this.
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