HOW My Kids’ anxiety led to the creation of Pocket hearts
As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to see your child suffer from fear and anxiety. Anxiety in children is a common issue for many kids. And as parents, we may find it difficult to know how to help our children cope.
A couple of years ago, I first encountered kids anxiety with my own two children. My daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis, an immobilising autoimmune disease that causes her a lot of anxiety. She now needs to have ongoing hospital visits, eye tests, blood tests, as well as regular medication and injections – all of which are very daunting for a child.
Post COVID-19 lockdowns, my son started 3 year old Kinder. With minimal interactions with other children during the lockdowns, he was not used to being away from me, and as a result suffered from severe separation anxiety. As a mum, I could only try to find ways to ease their stress and reassure them that things will be okay. Little did I know that this was the beginning of Pocket Hearts.
What is Kids Anxiety?
Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, and is common for children who are facing big changes in their lives. It’s normal for children to feel worried or anxious from time to time, like starting school or moving to a new house. But for some children, anxiety affects their behavior and thoughts daily, taking away their joy and confidence. No child should have to experience this.
Signs and Symptoms of Kids Anxiety
Anxiety in kids can be hard to spot, but parents need to know the signs and symptoms so they can help their children. Here are some common signs of anxiety in kids:
- Excessive worry or fear
- Avoidance of certain situations or activities
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
- Physical symptoms such as stomachaches or headaches
- Irritability or restlessness
It’s important to remember that anxiety can look different in different kids, and what might be a trigger for one child might not be for another. If you notice any of these signs in your child, it’s important to first help them de-escalate, and then try to understand what’s causing their anxiety.
Causes of Kids Anxiety
Many factors can contribute to kids’ anxiety such as school, social situations or family issues. As a parent, it’s important to be aware of your child’s environment and to look for signs of stress or anxiety. For example, my daughter was diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis at 2 years old, which has led to regular hospital visits, blood tests, and injections – all of which are very unpleasant and causes her to hate her own body. My son started Kinder after COVID-19 lockdowns where he was with me 24/7 – this created severe separation anxiety for him, causing him to throw up at each drop-off.
Although the signs are obvious most of the time, it’s also possible for a child to be generally happy but still be so anxious that it interferes with their ability to study and to make friends. Anxiety can make a child feel scared, panicky, embarrassed, or ashamed. For my son, it was the fear of not having me near him as his security blanket and for my daughter, it is the embarrassment that she is not like everyone else and that her ‘body is broken’.
As a mum, seeing my kids so distressed is just heartbreaking. So I wanted to give them both something to help them stay calm and help regulate their emotions. We’ve gone through many, many versions of these Pocket Hearts until we were able to make something that they could connect with, to help ease their feelings of unease, and to also remind them just how strong and brave they are.
Strategies to Help Kids with Anxiety
There are many ways that parents can help their children with anxiety. Here are some effective strategies:
- Validate their feelings: Kids need to know that their feelings are valid and that it’s okay to feel anxious. Let them know that you understand how they’re feeling and that you’re there to support them.
- Write and tear: Have your child write or draw their worries on a piece of paper, read them to you, and then tear them up and throw them away for the night. This can help them feel like they’re letting go of their worries.
- Take deep breaths: Teach your child to take deep breaths when they’re feeling anxious. You can do this together and make it a fun game!
- Get moving: Encourage your child to engage in physical activity that they enjoy, whether it’s playing outside, dancing, or practicing yoga. You can join in too!
- Create a calm space: Make sure your child has a quiet, calm space where they can go to relax and unwind. You can help them decorate it and make it special.
- Practice mindfulness: Encourage your child to pay attention to their breath or their senses to help them feel more calm and centered. You can do this together and make it a fun activity!
- Use Pocket Hearts: Pocket Hearts are a great tool for helping kids ease anxiety. Our natural, hand-carved crystal worry stones are small enough to fit in a child’s pocket, and they can be held, squeezed, or gently rubbed to help ease anxiety and promote a sense of calm. You can give one to your child as a special gift.
The Role of Pocket Hearts in Easing Kids Anxiety
At Pocket Hearts, having gone through this ourselves, we understand how important it is to address anxiety in children. We believe that every child deserves to feel loved and supported, especially when they’re feeling anxious or stressed. Our crystals were designed by my two children, to be a tool for self-soothing and emotional support. These loveable ‘Pocket Friends ‘ are there to spark a sense of comfort for kids when they are outside of their comfort zone. Each pocket-sized heart crystal can be held during not-so-fun experiences, to not only calm the mind and ground the body, but also boost your little one by activating the magic superpowers of each crystal.
Want to learn more about our different crystal Pocket Hearts?
