Through the ChildLine Learning programme, ChildLine offers a selection of child protection and wellbeing (CPWB) short courses. All courses are self-paced and supported by interactive learning materials based on culturally relevant content.
Many parents worry that their child’s imaginary friend is an unhealthy coping mechanism, ungrounded in reality, that will affect them negatively for the rest of their life. However, most children are or will be aware that their imaginary friend is not real.
No teen is immune to mental health struggles or other issues that can act as driving factors towards a suicide attempt. As a parent, even if you believe that you know everything about your child and what they go through daily, it isn’t usually obvious that they’re in pain or desperately in need of support.
What is your inner voice like? Does it judge you even when others don’t? Does it criticize everything you do? Does it tell you you’re not good enough? Does it try to convince you that other people secretly don’t like you? Though it seems like it isn’t a big deal, some of the most powerful words are the words we say to ourselves.
Does your child cry often and/or have difficulty moving past their emotions? Do they frequently get overwhelmed? Do they often struggle with trying not to cry when criticized or scolded? If the answer is yes for most or all of these, your child may be emotionally sensitive.
Emotional intelligence usually involves four abilities: a person’s self-awareness, their ability to self-manage, their social awareness, and their ability to manage relationships effectively. An emotionally intelligent child can perceive how their actions might make someone feel, they can show sympathy towards those feelings, grasp social cues, listen actively, and understand or accept the perspectives of other people.
Sometimes, out of impatience, frustration or anger, especially with children and teens, parents/guardians can let their emotions influence the language they use. “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me”…right?
Is your friendship with someone starting to feel more and more like a burden? Does it cause you stress, anxiety, or senseless guilt?
You might be experiencing a toxic friendship!
When we imagine chid predators, most of us probably think of creepy old men and strangers that stare at children in a playground. However, this type of danger is not always so obvious.
Children and youth who are exposed to domestic violence experience emotional, mental, and social damage that can affect their developmental growth.
Maybe you’ve tried alcohol once or twice yourself, whether because of curiosity, peer pressure, or because your parents let you have a little sip now and then. Though lectures from your parents or other adults about the dangers of alcohol can seem to get old pretty quickly, there’s a reason you should wait until you’re 18.
Some signs of self-harming may be obvious, but some may be quite subtle. In some cases, you may not even know what your child is going through emotionally without communication. Here are some warnings to look out for.
Self-harm is not very likely to stop after just one conversation, but open, non-judgmental communication with your child is a huge step in the right direction. Be patient and show them that you care.
© 2024 ChildLine Trinidad & Tobago
