Supporting Your Child
Your children may experience feelings of uncertainty and anxiety about the future. This can be a normal part of adolescence. Given the current situation in Hong Kong, though, it may be that your child/children are unnerved and worried about events here in their home city.
You can help you child by actively listening and encouraging sharing, in addition to providing opportunities for her/his feelings to be discussed within a safe context. It can be healing to share feelings because this can reduce a sense of vulnerability and isolation. It can promote optimism and boost self-esteem.
Your child will find routine comforting so keeping things normal and remaining calm, will be helpful. Supporting children will enable them to process and manage their emotions and build resilience.
The following suggestions may be helpful:
- Reassure children that they are safe and are genuinely valued by the adults around them.
- Let children know that it is alright to be upset. All feelings are OK, but not all behaviours.
- Emphasize resilience: Focus on your child’s many strengths and abilities which they draw upon to cope with their feelings. Create opportunities for your child to exhibit her/his strengths. This can happen with books or art, too.
- Provide opportunities for physical exercise. Exercise is valuable to develop natural chemicals in the brain which help us cope with feelings, such as shock.
- Communicate any concerns with school. There are many things the school can do to help further.
- Look after yourself. In times of stress, we can have less energy and there is potential for illness so please take care of yourself. Eat and sleep well.
If you have any concerns about your child, please contact your child’s Tutor, Head of Year or our counselling team. We are here to support you, and your child.