Does your child struggle a little in telling you what is really wrong with them, or a bit shy in telling you? If you are going through this or have gone through it with one or more of your children, or you know of some one who is?

I have found that my children will write a journal type style of writing to write down their feelings and what has gone on through the day. They write it all down, and they will either discuss it with each other what they have written or come and discuss it with me and in a group most of the time.

They can get their feelings out about something  by writing it down, and elaberating on it in writing, then they discuss it, and when they've discussed it amounst themselves or with me, they'll write down the responses what we have all said.

I have found my children not to be so angry and uptight if they write their problems down, and we have so much better relationships and they all don't fight as much which is a good thing.

So basically what i am trying to say is, try to get your children to write down their problems, and see if they'll talk about what they've written. I know it'll be easy or hard for some and this won't work for everyone, but it's a thought and hoping this will help at someone out there.