Kids experience complex feelings and challenges just like adults. They get frustrated, excited, nervous, sad, jealous, frightened, worried, angry, and embarrassed, sometimes at the same time.

However young kids usually do not know how to express themselves or even know how to start a conversation. Instead, they communicate their feelings in other ways. Look for the following:

1. Facial expressions
2. Body Language – as in hunching or crossed arms.
3. Acting out physically
4. Inappropriate behaviour
5. Words they do not usually say like swear words or anger words.

It is the role of a parent or guardian to help your kids understand their feelings and to be able to communicate them to you in a positive manner.

Here about some tips to help with making them open to talking about their feelings: 

1. Confide in your kids about your problems, like the basic things like how you are feeling stressed and sad. It helps them understand that they can be open about their feelings too.
2. Make time to talk to them about their day or even about how school or work is going.
3. Spend time with them doing the activities that they like to do, if it is playing computer games, get involved and play a game with them.
4. Invite them to talk and tell them that they are not alone. And that you are there when they are ready to talk. Never, push for them to talk straight away, let them come to you.
5. Start conversations off about them, like “how was Lucy today and what did you do”, this will ease the tension that they are feeling as they are talking about themselves. Do not start the conversation with “what’s wrong”. You want them to be able to approach you.

Many young people are not comfortable about openly talking about their feelings, so let them know that there are professionals like psychologists or G.P that they talk to.

WAYS psychologists are experienced in assisting young people and families in all areas of effective communication and any mental health, relationship and or family issues that you may be faced with.

We also have a G.P, Dr Jessica Ivany who is a highly experienced, skilled and passionate G.P, who is a specialist in general and adolescent and family medicine and mental health. Dr Ivany is available Thursdays 1 pm – 4 pm. Please call 02 9388 9455 to make an appointment.

If you want to talk to any of WAYS professionals please give us a call on 9365 2500 or email us at [email protected]