"In asking the ‘why?’ question, there tends to be a fear of blame. Whose fault is this? That is not the aim here. Parenting is hard. Teaching is hard. And nobody is setting out to make kids anxious. In fact, some of it can be genetic or chemical or just life being particularly tricky. But, by looking at some of the factors that contribute to the problem, we may see adjustments we can make which might make life a little easier for anxious kids." Interesting short read with hints and tips! ... See more

Anxiety is the most common of teenage problems. Here are some of the reasons why and some things you can do to make things much better.

Should be an interesting event this from our IAIA Associate at 'Connected for life'.

Healing the Wounds of Adversity, 23rd-24th November, Belfast Posted at h in Events by Paul 0 Comments 0 Likes Share From one of our associates: ‘Connected for Life’ has been delivering training for organisations and groups in N Ireland on ACEs and Resilience for a number of years. We have develo...

Great infographic from our associate SAIA

Let’s always reframe the behaviour

'Thanks to everyone who showed up, who shared, and who is doing the important work that is our mission (prevent ACEs, heal trauma, build resilience). We know that work happens individually, in families, in communities and in systems and all of it is important, necessary, and valuable.' Great resource with links.

Parenting with ACEs is sharing inspiration, information, and expertise from our chat series in 3 formats. Parenting with ACEs: How It Feels & How We Heal Quote Collection (pdf version below as well) Quotes Database (pdf version below as well) Links to Chat Transcripts and before and after-the-chat b...

Interesting article short read/epigenetics
‘In other words, the stressors experienced by a mother during pregnancy impact the child who is entirely dependent on her in womb. The way she eats, the way she sleeps, the presence or absence of stress hormones in her system, all these things affect her child. An infant with a stressed mother has more difficulty regulating and managing their own stress reactions later in life.’ ... See more

In this post, we’re exploring how trauma gets passed down from generation to generation, why it can be so difficult to break free from destructive family patterns, and how you can embrace your story in order to find healing.

'I used to only pay attention to the language of thoughts. I assumed my thoughts controlled my emotions and my behaviors. Now I know this was false. If anything, emotions influence thoughts and behaviour. ''My body actually tells me my truth. It tells me my emotional state as soon as I slow down to listen.' Short read with links.

In 2004, I learned that emotions were physical experiences. It was an “Aha!” moment for me. Of course they are! When I feel sad, I feel heavy. When I feel asham...

'From early on, babies produce responses – such as cooing, smiling and crying. Newborns can smile and cry. Initially these are reflexes but parents/caregivers typically respond as if they were intentional communications. So the infant learns the social consequences of crying and smiling'. Short read with links to further information.

This article comprises of excerpts taken from a guide to child development on Community Care Inform Children. The guide is written by Helen Cowie, emerita professor at the University of Surrey in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Inform subscribers can find the full guide and other guides....

"Sometimes young people can get tarred with the same old brush. They’re lazy, loud, don’t listen, or sleep in too late! But one of the main reasons they are different is because…. well that’s just it, they ARE different. Their brain chemistry isn’t like that of babies, toddlers, or adults because their brains and bodies are growing, developing and learning every day." With Hints and Tips! ... See more

Sometimes young people can get tarred with the same old brush. They’re lazy, loud, don’t listen, or sleep in too late! But one of the main reasons they are different is because…. well that’s just it, they ARE different. Their brain chemistry isn’t like that of babies, toddlers, or adults b...

Great Infographic on the teen brain! from Teensafe.com
'We often see teens act rashly or without thinking, but did you know that teens bad decision-making is biological? During adolescence, the teenage brain is only 80% developed. It isn’t until they are around 25 years old that the brain will be fully developed, and in the meantime, their brain is undergoing major physical changes at the influx of hormones of puberty.' ... See more

We often see teens act without thinking, but did you know that bad decision-making is biological? Check out our infographic on the teenage brain to learn more

‘Although existing research has frequently examined educational outcomes for youth who experience homelessness and there is a separate body of literature looking at educational outcomes for youth in foster care or who have been maltreated, few studies have examined how all of these obstacles affect school performance.’ Short read

Kids who faced daunting barriers to success in the classroom had a clear message for University at Buffalo researchers who asked them as young adults to look back on their experiences with maltreatment, homelessness and their time in school: Adults can...

‘Households with regular shouting incidents tend to have children with lower self-esteem and higher rates of depression. A 2014 study in The Journal of Child Development demonstrated that yelling produces results similar to physical punishment in children: increased levels of anxiety, stress and depression along with an increase in behavioral problems.’ Short read!

It doesn’t make you look authoritative. It makes you look out of control to your kids. It makes you look weak.

‘There's no single recipe for success, but you'll know it when you see it. Balance for your family will look different than it will for your neighbor because every family is unique and parenting styles and values vary.’ Good article with tips!

Teach your children to use technology in a healthy, responsible way. Learn what to watch for, how to set limits (and stick to them) and how to avoid surprise online purchases.

'What is clear from the Care Crisis report is that the shredding of the social safety net of preventative services such as Sure Start, and many other council-funded and community initiatives, is leading directly to more children becoming at risk in families unable to withstand the multiple poverty-linked crises that assail them. “Frustration, despair and anger” about the impact of austerity on the lives and life chances of these increasingly fragile families was a pervasive theme running through the review’s listening sessions.'
News Item. ... See more

The state spends a spiralling amount on vulnerable children yet fails to protect them. We need to focus on supporting parents, says writer Louise Tickle

Great Free Event hosted by 'The British Psychological Society NI''/ Key Theme Attachment. Open to all. Click on the link to register.

Documentary Film Screening: ‘Help me love my baby’ and Panel resentations, 10th October, Free Event, Belfast. Posted at h in Events by Paul 0 Comments 0 Likes Share We know that good mental health begins early in life, and is particularly influenced by our relationships with our primary caregive...

‘If you want to give your child the best possible opportunities in life, helping them to have high self-esteem is a great starting point.’ By David Coleman helpful article with tips.

If you want to give your child the best possible opportunities in life, helping them to have high self-esteem is a great starting point.

'By observing new mothers interact with their babies, and then revisiting these children a few years later, and again as young adults, psychological researchers can say with certainty that a solid parental attachment increases a child’s sense of security, as well as his self-esteem and self-control. But the impact of attachment goes far beyond the child’s emotions.' Short read

After giving birth the first time, I stayed home for three months, and then began leaving my son with a babysitter for a few hours a day so I could get a break from his colic and ease back into work. When my second son came along, I had a demanding job I loved and didn't want to lose. So I went back...

'Parenting begins in pregnancy with a range of health behaviours and psychological changes in the pregnant women and her partner. These changes are designed to protect the fetus and optimise his or her development, and continue into the immediate and later postnatal period (i.e. the first year of the infant's life).' Short read.

Parenting begins in pregnancy with a range of health behaviours and psychological changes in the pregnant women and her partner. These changes are designed to protect the fetus and optimise his or her development, and continue into the immediate and later postnatal period (i.e. the first year of the...

'More practical and emotional support is needed for adoptive families, the National Adoption Service has said. One mother said she felt "abandoned" by social services after she adopted a brother and sister, who had faced traumatic early years'. News Item/Wales.

There are calls for more investment in support for adoptive parents, with demand rising.

Nice infographic on helping to build our children’s self esteem.😃

Interesting short read/research/links/
'Over and over, it has been shown that social supports can buffer the impacts between toxic stressors, like maternal depression, on children's health and development. Social support is best thought of as reciprocal - a back and forth between people that care about each other and show it in tangible ways.'

This is what really matters in parenting according to the evidence.

"Most parents would move mountains to ease their child’s pain. Parents of kids with anxiety would move planets and stars as well. It hurts to watch your child worry over situations that, frankly, don’t seem that scary. Here’s the thing: To your child’s mind, these situations are genuinely threatening. And even perceived threats can create a real nervous system response. We call this response anxiety and I know it well." Short read ... See more

As all the kids line up to go to school, your son, Timmy, turns to you and says, "I don't want to take the bus. My stomach hurts. Please don't make me go...

A great resource for working with children and for your children. Used and recommended by our members. Check the products for the plushie. Reasonably priced and delivered worldwide from our friends at 'Hey Sigmund'. 'Understanding why anxiety feels the way it does, and where the physical symptoms come from, is a powerful step in turning anxiety around. Anxiety explained, kids empowered! '.

A book for children about anxiety - because kids can do amazing things with the right information. Anxiety explained, kids empowered.

'Minimalism isn’t just about getting rid of all your stuff (although I have done some of that too–and it’s pretty amazing). It’s about focusing your family on what really matters in life. Joshua defines minimalism as “the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it.” In raising my kids as minimalists, I am doing just that.' Interesting Short Read. ... See more

As a child, I had the type of closet that you opened at your own risk. Because when you opened

'Educators and students are carrying in much more than backpacks, car keys, conversations, partially-completed homework, and outward laughter. Buried deep in the brain's limbic system is an emotional switching station called the amygdala, and it is here that our human survival and emotional messages are subconsciously prioritized and learned.' Informative short read.

Young people experiencing anxiety or depression are unable to learn. We can overcome this through physical movement, focused attention practices, and teaching them about how brains work.

Passionate message from Marie Dunne IAIA Board member and WHSCT Mental Health Specialist.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September) and we are running a month long campaign starting today and finishing on World Mental Health Day (10th October).

We're encouraging people to talk about the ‘elephant in the room’, in other words, the things that we often choose to ignore – our emotions and how we feel.

Our Health Improvement, Equality and Involvement Department have developed and interactive pack which contains information, resources and tips to help you, your colleagues and your organisation support this campaign.

We invite you to tell us how you help people in your community, school or workplace to talk about the elephant in the room and we will feature your activities, photos and top tips in a new resource for people living and working in the Western Trust area later this year. Share your tips with us and other people on social media using the hashtag #elephanttalk

Mostly though, we want you to talk to each other! We invite you to share this information, particularly the signposting and helplines, with family, friends and work colleagues. You never know who it might help.

Click here to access our interactive resource: http://bit.ly/2CFfXbD ... See more

Common symptoms of anxiety in children
‘Thumping heart, rapid breathing, sweating, tense muscles, nausea, and dread are familiar symptoms of anxiety that accompany a “fight, flight, or freeze” reaction triggered by real or imagined threats, like a snarling dog or new social experience. Anxious children may be clingy, startle easily, cry or have tantrums, sleep poorly, and have headaches or stomachaches.’ Helpful article. ... See more

Serious anxiety in children can interfere with development. Treatment can help and parents can learn strategies to help children manage anxiety.

‘Today’s world requires us to live in a near-constant state of arousal, which triggers our fight-or-flight response, resulting in the anxiety epidemic we see happening worldwide. Our brain simply was not made to handle such an influx of information, stimuli, and stressors for such extended periods of time without rest.’ Short read.

Anxiety can feel like a monster, but you don't have to run from it. A mental health expert explains 4 causes of anxiety, and how to overcome them...

‘My daughter is not giving me a hard time, she is having a hard time. And even if I feel like she IS giving me a hard time, it is important for me to realise that my hard time comes from my own insecurities and triggers from my past. They are my feelings to own and deal with. I am the adult and I must take responsibility for how I handle those feelings.’ Free helpful download and printable poster for parents, in this interesting blog😀 ... See more

When my daughter is playing up, acting out or expressing emotion, I must stop seeing these behaviours as personal threats against me and my sanity.

Always liked this Irish proverb😊

"In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of California found that regularly taking selfies with your phone, and sharing the little gems with friends, can help you to feel happier, calmer, and more connected to the ones you want to be connected to." Interesting!!!

Researchers have found that regularly taking selfies and photos can increase happiness and gratitude, decrease stress, and strengthen connections.