Splink | Depression and Anxiety

I Need Help!

Ask your kids to complete a job that is too hard for them. (Give them a hard puzzle to complete. Ask them to stack ten blocks without them falling down. Give them a hard math problem to complete. Activity will depend on the age and skill of each child.)

As they are doing it (and continually failing), ask:

What are you feeling? (Discouraged; mad; unhappy; want to quit; etc.)

We can easily feel discouraged and lose hope when things are hard. We can’t see how we can ever do it.

Ask:
Would you like me to help you? (Work together on the puzzle. Take turns stacking the blocks. Show them how to do long division.)

We were able to do a hard job because we worked together. Just as I helped you, God wants to help us with any problems. We can feel hopeful knowing that God wants to and will help us.

Give it to God

Bedtime is a great time to talk about things that may be bothering your child. Find a small box and let your child decorate it, if you like. Draw a picture of a hand on either side (as if the hands are holding the box) and write “God’s hands” on it. Ask your child to draw a picture or write out (or tell you and you write it down) what is troubling her or him .Then place the paper inside the box and say a prayer asking God for help.

Below are a few basic principles to remember when a child seems anxious or depressed:

• Know your child. (Is there a sudden change in mood or behavior? Is there a pattern? Know what upsets him. Know what helps.)
• Listen to your child.
• Hold your child, if that helps.
• Tell about a time you were afraid or anxious and what you did—and how your fears sometimes were worse than the actual concern.
• Don’t punish the child for being anxious (Don’t say, you shouldn’t feel that way).
• Talk to your child’s teachers for ideas and to share your ideas with them.
• Talk to your child’s doctor, if the anxiety persists.
• Offer distractions. (Exercise, play a game, read together, etc.)
• Pray with your child.
• Be patient—what may seem irrational to you may be very real to your child.

Give Thanks

Make creation placemats for the Thanksgiving dinner table. Give the kids a large piece of construction paper and have them draw things they are thankful Jesus made.

OR make a creation centerpiece from the items you collected on a nature walk. Arrange them in the middle of the table using a basket or decorative vase.

Before the meal, let each person tell what they are thankful God made.