Seattle Child Therapy – Thriving Child Blog

News about the economy can be tough on kids

I think many people can feel the anxiety in the air with the state of the economy, big transitions in power, the housing crisis, etc. Children can be extremely sensitive to the collective energy of their parents, and the city, feeling anxiety, uncertainty, or worry, and they might not know why.

Kids are like sponges, they tend to pick up on the energy around them and absorb it. All of the fear that is being exuded by adults and the media can easily be transmitted to children. You may notice your child being more fearful, having nightmares, trouble sleeping, being more irritable, frustrated, getting angered easily, crying quickly, having stomachaches, tightness in their chest, headaches, etc. Their system is being overloaded with the surrounding energy. (as a side note, adults can definitely experience this too – you might find yourself feeling anxious and having tightness in your chest, and feel like – “what is this? this isn’t me”).

So what can you do about it – how can you support your child (and yourself) in fearful times?

• limit media exposure, especially the news. Of course you want to be informed, but you don’t have to be inundated… or at least keep in mind that as you watch the doom and gloom of sensationalized news (and feel more worried yourself), that energy is being put out in your household. Even if you think your child (younger or teenage) isn’t paying attention or hearing the news you are watching, and that they are just playing in the corner, know that on an energetic level they are being impacted.

• tense conversations between parents about money, making the mortgage payment, jobs, etc. need to be done in private. It’s okay for children to know that mom/dad are worried about money so we need to be careful around Christmas, or we can’t buy whatever we want at the grocery store. But it does not help for children to feel insecure and worried that mom/dad can’t make the house payment, or to hear them fighting about it.

• help children release tension
  • make sure they are getting enough physical activity – running around, playing in the snow, etc. are great ways to burn stress and physical tension
  • do deep breathing – helping your child breath deeply 3-4 times – expanding chest, dropping shoulders – you can lead with “in…out…in….out”. spend about 2 seconds on each in, 2 for each out – longer for older kids.
  • before sleep do a tension release exercise. start from the toes up, have child tense toes, then relax, tense feet, then relax, tense ankles, relax, calf, relax, knee, leg, hip, tummy, fingers, arms, shoulders, neck, head – take several minutes to do this
  • give your child a mini massage – rub their feet, squeezing lightly, as well lower legs, shoulders, neck, etc.
  • play with your child’s hair, run fingers over their scalp
• In my office with my clients I also do visualization exercises and mini meditations to help children relax and clear the energy and anxiety they may be holding. One of my favorites to help children ground and feel calm is to have them imagine they are a tree. Have the rain come over their head, down shoulders, back, tummy, down legs, and feet, and feel their tree roots going down into the earth.

• Be aware they may need more sleep

• make sure they are getting outside and getting sunlight if possible. children who are struggling might like to get lost in video games which do not always provide a great outlet of energy. help them get outside, play with other kids if possible, be creative

• do a space clearing of your house – light a candle and set the intention for any fear or anxiety to dissipate into the flame. imagine the room filling with light/love – whatever feels good to you

• take care of yourself!!!

If your child seems to be really strugging, or is being impacted at school or with friends because of worries and anxiety, you should seek professional help from a counselor or child therapist. I am available in the Seattle area to work with children and teens. www.thriving-child.com