Help!

[MummyHeadd]

I’m not sure I’m in the right place.

I’m looking for some support as a mum to my 8 year old daughter. I am struggling with her behaviour and social anxiety. She really needs to join some groups to help her learn to make friends and spread her wings, but she gets so anxious about new environments and meeting new people. We have tried brownies and an athletics club but the problem I’m having is they don’t have time to help ems settle in, or understand why she is being the way she is. Does anyone now of any clubs that maybe be suitable or have children that are going through something similar so there are li k minded people and parent going through the same thing?

[Kelly-moderator Moderator]

Here is a link for support for children struggling with Anxiety - justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/emoti...

Any advice from any parents who have had similar struggles?

[MrsHello Community Ambassador]

Hi lovely,

I had similar with my daughter when she was that age and it was a little while ago so I’m not up to date on recent resources and groups but we had to speak to her teacher and plan a little to work out ways to help her. In terms of groups what was really helpful was doing a bit of working out which group would be a good place for her. Big groups would have been too busy so we tried to find somewhere smaller or where she knew someone already. I know that’s not always possible with friends and depending on their ability with athletics. I really did have to look at different places. I’m not sure but would that be possible for you? For us we did step back from groups for a while. Mainly when the anxiety or behaviour was too much, Then we tried doing small activities where a parent was part of the session like little workshops or, 1:1 trips out where mixing was needed but there was no social pressure. I would do play dates to specific activities where I could be around. Just starting off with quite small activities we were able to build it up. Is there anything like that which could be a good starting point whilst you find a group?x

[Vikki-Moderator Moderator]

What does she really enjoy doing? Perhaps a small group that you can attend with her to start off with with based around her interests would be good. A lot of libraries have groups like lego groups for example. Or board games? Are there any after school clubs where she could maybe expand her social circle in a familiar environment?