Getting Worries Off Your Chest

Is something bothering you? Does it make you sad or angry? Do you feel this way only once in a while or do you feel it a lot of the time?

When you're trying to figure out your feelings, it might help to remember something which happened and how it made you feel.

Then you can say, "I feel sad when my friends don't play with me," or "I feel angry when my brother makes fun of me," or “I feel embarrassed when mummy insults me in the presence of my friends”.

This can help you to figure out your own feelings. It also gives the person you're talking with more information about what is bothering you.

The way a person feels inside is important. It can be really hard not to tell anyone that you're feeling sad, worried or upset. Then, it's just you and these bad feelings. If you keep your feelings locked up inside you, it can even make you fall sick!

But if you talk with someone who cares for you, like your mum or dad, grandmother, etc, you will almost always start feeling better. Now you're not all alone with your problems or worries.

It doesn't mean your problems and worries disappear magically, but at least someone else knows what is bothering you and can help you to find solutions to them.

Your mum and dad want to know if you have problems because they love you and they want to know what is happening in your life.

But what if a kid fears so much to talk with mum or dad about a problem?

Then find another trusted adult, like a relative or a counsellor at school or at church. Maybe this person can help you to talk with your mum and dad about your problem or concern.

Finally, carefully weigh what your friends advise you when you talk to them about anything that bothers you.

This is because they are also young and inexperienced as you are. The information they will often give you may be misleading.

By Fanny Nana Ampon