‘Tis the season - back to school blues got you and your kiddos down? While stress and worry in small doses is biologically natural, we can help our kids (and ourselves) recognize and find ways to manage those feelings by addressing the worry and talking about our fear. And why not have some fun in the process? Below you’ll find instructions on creating Kleenex box worry monsters, as well as tips and tricks for having those hard conversations with your little.

Worry Monsters, Huh?

Yes! These Kleenex box worry monsters love to eat worries that are written on slips of paper and put into their mouths. The purpose of this is not for your child to push away feelings of fear, worry or sadness, but rather help them properly identify emotions (name it to tame it) and practice coping with, and better managing, those intrusive thoughts that can escalate worry and sadness.

Show Me The Science!

Okay, okay, I hear you. Research has shown that expressive writing, particularly writing about our worries, helps us become less distracted, ultimately making our brains less reactive and more focused; “offloading” our worries into free-form writing frees up mental resources (resources that we would otherwise spend worrying) that we can then use to complete tasks more easily.

Sounds Legit, I’ll Try It.

Since you know it’s fall in Texas when it’s still 100 degrees outside, why not take this activity to the backyard: unplug, get some sun, and avoid a mess inside.

So what are you waitin’ for? Grab your kids and get craftin’!

Supplies:

• Kleenex box – any shape or size will do

• Hot glue

• Scissors

• Triangular cosmetic sponges for teeth

• Paint (acrylic, spray paint, etc.)

• Googly eyes (egg cartons and some paint work great, too!)

• Any other crafty decoration supplies you may have around the house (markers, pompoms, pipe cleaners, glitter, yarn, feathers, etc.)

• Slips of paper

Worry Message:

Step One:

• Remove tissues from box

• If you’d like to add teeth, cut away plastic from opening

Step Two:

• Paint monster as desired

• Let dry

Break Time!

As you wait for your monsters to dry, try taking a mindful walk, focusing on what you see, hear, and smell; listen to music; or play a quick game.

Step Three:

• Cut and paste Worry Message on monster

• Decorate!

Step Four:

• Practice using your monster by writing down one worry and letting your monster gobble it up!

Finally, find a special place to put your Worry Monster where you can always find it and use it. Try incorporating your Worry Monster into your bedtime routine, writing down one worry before you go to sleep.

Pro Tips on Talking About Worry With Your Little:

To help properly identify emotions (name it to tame it), talk about what it feels like to be worried or scared. You can ask questions like, “Where do you feel worry in your body?” or “How do you know you are scared?”

• Additionally, use reflecting statements such as, “You are scared…” to help them identify their fears.

• Avoid placing labels such as “good” or “bad” on your child’s feelings.

• Avoid saying things like, “You don’t feel that way” or “Don’t be scared”. Doing so often discounts how they feel and will most likely shut them down.

• Spend time just listening.

• Find children’s books that address feeling anxious or scared:

I Have a Worry’, by Tanya Balcke

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine’ by Julia Cook

What to do when you worry too much’ by Dawn Huebner

Is a Worry Worrying You’ By Ferida Wolff

David and the Worry Beast’ by Anne Marie Guanci

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