My child doesn’t need counselling – or do they?

The lives of children can be quite stressful – there’s the expectations of school, friendships and family relationships, and as the child gets older personal development, peer support and self-image. Then there’s the possibility of significant life events –an illness or a death in the family, parents separating and relationship breakups.

Some of these events most people would find stressful, and some of that discomfort is a result of a feeling of being out of control.

Ideally, there will be someone in the family for the child to talk to, a parent, a grandparent, aunt or friend. What the child probably needs more than anything is the opportunity to speak, but in our busy lives, such opportunities can be hard to find.

Most parents try to create this time. There are times, however, when your child seems unable to express what they are feeling or what you notice as a change in their behaviour.

When do you know that the behaviour you are seeing in your child is a concern? When do you start to worry about a change in their behaviour?

Clearly, that can get tricky because children do change as they develop. If you are worried talk to someone about it. If you have a GP, you can talk to that can be a good start to helping you decide what kind of help you need and who to go to.

Sometimes children can benefit from seeing a counsellor – such as Ali, our school counsellor who is on campus two days a week. It may address some issues the school has told you about, attention difficulties, difficulty managing tasks and getting upset or angry.

Some of the following things may cause you to worry:

• Changes in appetite
• Moodiness
• Spending more time in their room
• Activities they previously enjoyed no longer of interest and nothing has replaced that enjoyment
• Increased periods of anxiety or sadness.

If your child does not share with you what is happening in their lives, you might find a family member they have confided in, or you could consider counselling. Attending counselling is not a cause for shame or admitting failure.

You’ll be amazed how counselling can help your child through difficult times. If you think your child may benefit from counselling please contact Braden Blyde, Acting Deputy Principal by emailing bradenblyde@ppn.sa.edu.au or by calling the school.