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We have adapted a technique that i used a fair bit with adults during my work as a counsellor to deal with 'bad' dreams, problems, worries and so on.
(For adults - they are encouraged to write out their problems and place them in a worry box overnight -
getting things out of the endless worry cycle in your head allows sleep a better chance)
The following adaptation works even for fairly young kids.
All you need is a box with a lid (like a shoe box or those nice little boxes sold to put gifts in). Some blank paper, something to write or draw with and a rubber band.
Depending on the age and skills of the child they can write about the dream/worry/problem or they can draw it or they can just use symbols to represent it. I explain to my youngest that it is ok just to scribble if that scribble is drawn while he is thinking about the problem and it then is his way of putting that issue on the paper. So even young children can scribble out their anxiety.
When they are finished they fold the paper in half - with the writing/drawing/scribble on the inside. then in half again (and again if they want ;-)
The paper is then put into the box and the lid put on. the rubber band is placed over it to hold the lid firmly and while holding the box the child states (out loud) "All the bad things are gone- I have good things in my head now"
The next step is to encourage the child to relax and think of a happy place ( I will write about this in more detail in a separate post so this doesnt get too long.)
Finally the 'bad things'. They can stay in the box until the child is ready to 'deal' with them further.
The way I like to do it is to burn the papers (outside in an old pot is a safe way) then mix the ash with potting mix and place the resulting soil into a pot and plant a seed in it. This can be made into quite a fun activity and is really positive (again i'll write more in another post i think).
Other methods are to tear up the papers or bury them in the garden - but dont leave them intact - they should be seen to be destroyed.
This simple technique has helped our kids - they enjoy doing it (its only now and then) and reduces stress.
(November 2006) (
