Comments for Childlight - Holistic Child Therapy http://childlight.co.uk Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:40:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 Comment on Phobias by Sue Twort http://childlight.co.uk/phobias/#comment-1087 Sue Twort Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:37:09 +0000 http://childlight.co.uk/blog/?p=29#comment-1087 <strong>School Phobia</strong> (also sometimes called school refusal) is a <strong>distressing anxiety problem</strong> that can affect children as young as five and teenagers too, but is most common in children around eleven and twelve years of age – just when they are changing schools. The original causes of the phobia can be many and varied and may seem unrelated to actually going to school, such as worrying what might happen to a parent while they are away from them, but the physical symptoms are all too real. These include stomach pains, feeling or being sick, depression and in extreme cases a child may feel they are having difficulty breathing which is terrifying for them. Children may give reasons for not wanting to go to school such as being bullied – which can be a contributory factor too – or that their teacher is picking on them. Parents and teachers may think that the child is just making excuses, but their feelings of fear and distress are real and they need calm and patient support to overcome them <strong>Treatment of school phobia</strong>, once established, usually requires the help of a professional child counsellor/ therapist to work with the child, school and family. It is important that the child is not ‘labelled’ and that their phobic reaction to school is treated as something that can be dealt with and overcome. School Phobia (also sometimes called school refusal) is a distressing anxiety problem that can affect children as young as five and teenagers too, but is most common in children around eleven and twelve years of age – just when they are changing schools. The original causes of the phobia can be many and varied and may seem unrelated to actually going to school, such as worrying what might happen to a parent while they are away from them, but the physical symptoms are all too real. These include stomach pains, feeling or being sick, depression and in extreme cases a child may feel they are having difficulty breathing which is terrifying for them. Children may give reasons for not wanting to go to school such as being bullied – which can be a contributory factor too – or that their teacher is picking on them. Parents and teachers may think that the child is just making excuses, but their feelings of fear and distress are real and they need calm and patient support to overcome them
Treatment of school phobia, once established, usually requires the help of a professional child counsellor/ therapist to work with the child, school and family. It is important that the child is not ‘labelled’ and that their phobic reaction to school is treated as something that can be dealt with and overcome.

]]> Comment on Bullying by Sue Twort http://childlight.co.uk/bullying/#comment-788 Sue Twort Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:55:09 +0000 http://childlight.co.uk/blog/?p=17#comment-788 Today's<strong> European Safer Internet Day</strong> is a timely reminder of the dangers of <strong>Cyberbullying</strong> faced by increasing numbers of children, along with potential access to pornography, unsuitable sites and games. Offcom say that 35% of children aged 12-15 and 16% of 8 - 11 year olds have unsupervised access to the internet in their bedroom. <strong>Cyberbullying</strong> includes sending abusive emails and/or instant messenger and chatroom messages to friends or direct to a victim, spreading humiliating gossip or malicious rumours and lies and can cause extreme distresss and misery for a child or teenager. <strong>Warning signs</strong> are the same for bullying (above) and may also include being more secretive about conversations with 'friends' online. Parents can consider limiting online access to shared family areas, especially for younger children, where any signs of distres or upset can be quickly spotted. If incidents of Cyberbullying are linked to school life, quickly bring this to the attention of the school, as all schools must have measures in place to prevent all forms of bullying. Today’s European Safer Internet Day is a timely reminder of the dangers of Cyberbullying faced by increasing numbers of children, along with potential access to pornography, unsuitable sites and games. Offcom say that 35% of children aged 12-15 and 16% of 8 - 11 year olds have unsupervised access to the internet in their bedroom.

Cyberbullying includes sending abusive emails and/or instant messenger and chatroom messages to friends or direct to a victim, spreading humiliating gossip or malicious rumours and lies and can cause extreme distresss and misery for a child or teenager.

Warning signs are the same for bullying (above) and may also include being more secretive about conversations with ‘friends’ online. Parents can consider limiting online access to shared family areas, especially for younger children, where any signs of distres or upset can be quickly spotted. If incidents of Cyberbullying are linked to school life, quickly bring this to the attention of the school, as all schools must have measures in place to prevent all forms of bullying.

]]> Comment on Bereavement and Loss by Sue Twort http://childlight.co.uk/bereavement-and-loss/#comment-609 Sue Twort Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:33:54 +0000 http://childlight.co.uk/blog/?p=16#comment-609 If there has been a death in the family, Christmas is one of the most significant days of the year when the person who has died will be missed. If your child is distressed by bereavement, it can help to encourage them to light a candle for their loved one on Christmas Day or make a Christmas decoration with their name or a photograph on it and hang that on the Christmas tree. If there has been a death in the family, Christmas is one of the most significant days of the year when the person who has died will be missed. If your child is distressed by bereavement, it can help to encourage them to light a candle for their loved one on Christmas Day or make a Christmas decoration with their name or a photograph on it and hang that on the Christmas tree.

]]> Comment on Parental Separation and Divorce by Sue Twort http://childlight.co.uk/parental-separation-and-divorce/#comment-608 Sue Twort Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:31:05 +0000 http://childlight.co.uk/blog/?p=28#comment-608 Most people would agree that Christmas is portrayed in the media as a magical time for children, but sadly this is often not the case. Children whose parents have split up during the past year may face the prospect of having their Christmas divided between two homes. Or worse, of not seeing one of their parents at all. Sometimes children tell us that a parent has just not ‘turned up’ to see them at Christmas as they promised and they feel really hurt and rejected by this. However, if Mum and Dad can agree the arrangements in advance and make sure their children know what will happen when and who will be where on the important days, this will go a long way to alleviating the distress children feel when facing this situation for the first time. Also, some children feel guilty if they are not spending Christmas Day with one parent because it is the other parent's 'turn' to have them. If this is the case it is important to be positive and upbeat about this, reassuring them that everyone is happy about the arrangement and planning a special celebration when they return. Most people would agree that Christmas is portrayed in the media as a magical time for children, but sadly this is often not the case. Children whose parents have split up during the past year may face the prospect of having their Christmas divided between two homes. Or worse, of not seeing one of their parents at all. Sometimes children tell us that a parent has just not ‘turned up’ to see them at Christmas as they promised and they feel really hurt and rejected by this. However, if Mum and Dad can agree the arrangements in advance and make sure their children know what will happen when and who will be where on the important days, this will go a long way to alleviating the distress children feel when facing this situation for the first time.

Also, some children feel guilty if they are not spending Christmas Day with one parent because it is the other parent’s ‘turn’ to have them. If this is the case it is important to be positive and upbeat about this, reassuring them that everyone is happy about the arrangement and planning a special celebration when they return.

]]> Comment on Friendship Issues by Carina Bayley http://childlight.co.uk/friendship-issues/#comment-46 Carina Bayley Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:17:36 +0000 http://childlight.co.uk/blog/?p=26#comment-46 Sue, Interesting to think back to my dyslexic son starting a new school some years ago, he developed tummy migraines, bedwetting and crying periods, all because he was scared of all things new. It took a few weeks of gentle reassurance from teachers and family but he did come out of it and made some vital new friends to make him feel he belonged. You may not remember but I did consult you at the time and your advice was invaluable, thank you so much. He has grown out of the nervous problems he had before but we know he still benefits from exactly what you are suggesting especially listening to problems and celebrating successes. Thank you again, Carina Bayley. Sue, Interesting to think back to my dyslexic son starting a new school some years ago, he developed tummy migraines, bedwetting and crying periods, all because he was scared of all things new. It took a few weeks of gentle reassurance from teachers and family but he did come out of it and made some vital new friends to make him feel he belonged. You may not remember but I did consult you at the time and your advice was invaluable, thank you so much. He has grown out of the nervous problems he had before but we know he still benefits from exactly what you are suggesting especially listening to problems and celebrating successes. Thank you again, Carina Bayley.

]]> Comment on Friendship Issues by Sue Twort http://childlight.co.uk/friendship-issues/#comment-36 Sue Twort Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:36:51 +0000 http://childlight.co.uk/blog/?p=26#comment-36 This is a tricky time for many children - just starting a new school or moving forms can prove very unsettling after the long summer break. The whole issue of becoming accepted by a 'new' peer group will be all - important to many. Parents can boost confidence by showing an interest in how things are going, being reassuring when listening to any problems and of course celebrating successes. This is a tricky time for many children - just starting a new school or moving forms can prove very unsettling after the long summer break. The whole issue of becoming accepted by a ‘new’ peer group will be all - important to many. Parents can boost confidence by showing an interest in how things are going, being reassuring when listening to any problems and of course celebrating successes.

]]> Comment on An End to Self Harming by Self Harm | ChildLight http://childlight.co.uk/an-end-to-self-harming/#comment-25 Self Harm | ChildLight Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:36:37 +0000 http://localhost/?p=7#comment-25 [...] An End to Self Harming on the Success Stories page for more information about how counselling can [...] [...] An End to Self Harming on the Success Stories page for more information about how counselling can [...]

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