Counselor’s Corner

Spring has arrived, and we’re in the final stretch of the school year! Often this time of year I notice an uptick in conflicts. This is natural as students have grown comfortable with one another and excitement for summer builds. With that in mind, I want to offer a tip this month: Empowering Your Child Through Conflict.

When our kids face social conflicts at school, it’s easy to jump right into fixing mode. As parents and caregivers, we want to try to avoid this impulse and instead empower our children to work through life’s tough moments and learn from their mistakes. The next time your child talks to you about a social conflict, consider trying one of these responses:

  • “That sounds hard. Is it helpful for me to just listen right now, or would you like some ideas?” (You will be surprised how often kids choose a listening ear and hug!)
  • Activate perspective-taking: “How were you feeling when that happened? How do you think the other person was feeling?”
  • Show faith in your child: “I’ve seen you handle hard stuff before. What do you think is going on? What can you try tomorrow?”

Remember, conflict is an opportunity for growth. Let’s empower our children to navigate challenges and build resilience! And as always, don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything I can do to support your student or family. You can reach me at cshaw@st-johnschool.org.

April Resources

  • If you need more ideas to support your child through conflict, this is a great two-page handout for families. I teach all of these strategies in my work with students and can vouch that they really do help!
  • Looking for summer camps for your child that emphasize growing their social and emotional skills? Check out this list I’ve compiled of local day camps in our area!
  • If you or your child are ever in need of mental health support, recall that Care Solace is a free and confidential care coordination service available to all St. John families. Care Solace helps quickly match families with treatment options based on their needs. To use this service, you can call 888-515-0595 or visit their website. You are also welcome to contact me directly, and I can submit a referral on your behalf.