Parenting Anxious Kids with Huddle Wisdom

School refusal is a term that describes a situation where a child feels anxious or fearful about going to school, or avoids attending school altogether. This can negatively impact their academic, social, and emotional development, and cause stress for parents who want their child to succeed. However, parents can help their children overcome school refusal by using empathy.

Understanding School Refusal

Children may refuse to go to school for various reasons. They might be dealing with academic pressures, social anxieties, or personal issues that make the school environment feel overwhelming. Regardless of the reason, school refusal can lead to significant academic setbacks and social isolation if not addressed promptly and effectively.

The Role of Empathy in Overcoming School Refusal

Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, is a powerful tool that parents can use to support their child. By empathizing with their child’s fears and anxieties,...

 As a parent, it's possible that you've heard your child say "I hate you" at some point. Although it can be a hurtful and unexpected experience, there are ways to deal with this situation with humor and empathy.

There's a sense of helplessness when our kids start hanging out with the 'wrong crowd', so to speak. 

We get anxious when our innocent sensitive kid gravitates to others who don't have their back. It's painful when your kid disagrees with your assessment.

So what's a parent to do? You can't exactly lock them away in a tower for 40 years (tempting). Forcing them to stop hanging out with said scoundrels is probably going to backfire! 

You are going to have to play the long game. You'll have to be subtle. A bit sneaky. Strategic. You're going to Trojan Horse the sh** out of this situation (I like to call it a sh*tuation. It presents an opportunity for your relationship to grow stronger over time).

The goal is to have the sort of connection with our kids that is predicated upon trust and security. Now. I do not mean trust that they are not going to do something stupid. And I don't mean security like Liam Neeson style parenting (we don't want to use...

Teenage rebellion is a common and normal thing that many parents have to face. Teen's rebel for different reasons. And remember their brains have not fully matured, so don't be surprised if you have to face some irrationality with your teen. Perhaps husband's like me have the same problem - i wonder if my brain is fully matured or not.

Rebellion is a way for teens to assert their independence, explore their identity, and test their limits. This is all normal but man, it can be a pain in the arse.

How can parents deal with teenage rebellion effectively and maintain a healthy relationship with their children?

Some tips:

• Understand the reasons behind the rebellion. Teenage rebellion is not a personal attack on you or a sign of disrespect - though it can feel like that! It is a natural and necessary part of adolescent development. Teens rebel because they want to separate themselves from their parents and establish their own identity - you might not be so cool anymore, Inspite of your...

Children who experience intense emotions can be incredibly imaginative, empathetic, and intuitive. They may have heightened awareness of their surroundings but struggle with filtering information. This rich inner life can be both a gift and a challenge for them, especially as their brains are still developing. Big emotions can lead to big behaviors, which can confuse both the child and their parents.

Our emotionally sensitive children need more guidance and support to help them manage their emotions and develop their God given strengths. Obviously this means parents may need to be a lot more patient than they...

Do you ever feel powerless in the face of your child's emotional outbursts? Whether it's in a crowded store or a quiet art gallery, it can be tough to know how to manage when a meltdown occurs.