Have you noticed how w’ere not talking about sadness? Well, that’s exactly what ‘m going to talk about today. When do we feel it? Do we ALL feel it? What can we do with it?

Has everyone been playing happy families, been tearing your hair out, or a little of both?

Did we really need a world wide pandemic to make us stop and reconnect?

As I write this on World Mental Health Day, I wonder about ‘hitting rock bottom’ and what it means, especially for children. I might add that, when I searched the term ‘rock bottom’ it seemed to mainly deal with substance addiction and abuse. This is not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about an emotional meltdown, I guess.

Anxiety causes many symptoms, both psychological and physical, and as we learn more about it with the research being carried out, we are beginning to understand the many ‘faces’ of Anxiety. It presents itself in surprising ways, and is now linked to many behavioural issues in children.

It seems to me that Mindful Meditation is that ‘pill’, that ‘key’ that we all desire to be whole and well in mind, body and spirit.

Childhood is a time of wonder and awe as the world grabs our attention through fresh eyes and ears. It is not hard to find a child absorbed in the blissful moment on a swing, or spinning just to feel the world move around them. Children are natural mystics. Sometimes the wonder opens all the way to ecstasy and unity.

- Tobin Hart, The Secret Spiritual World of Children (2003)

“It’ is natural for parents to wish to insulate their children, to reduce the adversity, risk or stresses they may face. On the other hand too much protection, support or insulation may deprive children of opportunities to learn to deal with mistakes in affirmative, self-esteem enhancing ways.”

• Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein, Raising Resilient Children (2001)

I know from speaking to parents of young boys, that the general attitude regarding the “strong man” culture is slowly changing, but honestly, not fast enough. Are we encouraging our boys to reach out and talk about their feelings? Are their male role models doing the same (leading by example)?

Anxiety is a common concern now for our children. We are attending conferences and workshops dedicated to it. As parents and educators we can help children through their struggles with anxiety in many ways.