I come to you today as a mother who has the special privilege of mothering trauma survivors. This episode is more about working with younger children but many of the suggestions will also work with older children.

Here's a list of suggestions for helping these special little ones live well:

1. Keep your emotions out of their melt-downs.
2. Become a calm person so they can absorb your energy.
3. Give them access to quiet activities such as crafts, gardening, nature walks, stretching, relaxing music.
4. Provide exercise through playgrounds, sports, dancing, active play.
5. Be silly with them so they can relate to the child you still have inside. If you've lost that child find him/her with your children.
6. Be present with your children. Play games, read aloud, watch a movie or show with them.
7. Take them to see a counselor if possible.
8. Find a way to help them express their feelings- toys, chart, they can draw how they feel.
9. Keep working on yourself.
10. Give them something to be responsible for such as a pet(can be a fish or something super easy to care for) or plant or garden space.

After your child has had a melt-down help them reconnect with you and the rest of the family by:

Wait for them to invite you back in. Don't embarrass them when they come back to you. Accept them and show them that you still love them.

Talk about what happened gently when they are open to hearing you. Guide them in how to reestablish relationship with anyone they hurt while they were in meltdown mode.

Find me on:

Medium
Facebook
Learningtolivefree.me

Keep learning to live free!
Julia