Summary: Steps To Help When you have noticed that your child is giving you signs that they are in pain, what do you do next? First, like we said yesterday, be intentional to set up a time to communicate with your child. This could look different depending on the age of your child. Most children, but especially young children talk more easily if they are distracted by something. Meaning it probably wont work to sit down on the couch and attempt to have a heart to heart with your 4 year old. However, sitting with them while they are playing and beginning to ask questions will help them to open up. “I noticed you are very quiet today, are you sad about something?†etc.  Even working with the middle school girls in the residential home at Sheridan House, I found it helpful to have stuffed animals or squishy pillows on the couch in my office. The girls would tend to open up more if they could have something to do with their hands. I could even evaluate where they were emotionally at times by how hard they would squish the pillows. If you sense with your older child or teen that something major is going on, taking them to a neutral environment may help.  A great neutral environment is somewhere you can get a snack, like ice cream, because again having something to do with your hands really helps.  Make sure to check back […]
