This Coping Game Will Entertain Your Kids for Free!
Winter Break tends to be a busy season filled with travel, celebrations and LOTS of family time! Entertaining the kids can be exhausting (and costly!)
One of the most common complaints I hear from the kids I work with is "nothing helps." I know this not to be true because *everyone* uses coping skills each and every day- usually multiple times a day!
What is a Coping Skill?
Coping Skills are strategies that help you "hang in there: when things feel overwhelming or intense. Our emotions ebb and flow like waves- while the emotion might not totally go away - the intensity will lessen over time. Coping skills do not make a problem or situation go away- they just help us hang in there until the intensity lessens just enough that we can think and act more wisely- not impulsively.
One May Not Be Enough
If your anxiety is at an 8 on a 0-10 scale (where 10 is full-blown panic attack mode, and 0 is completely calm) taking a few deep breathes may not cut it. It may get the intensity down to a 7 but that's still pretty high!
While I was in grad school, I worked at a group home for teen girls where we received consultation around how to implement DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) strategies in our work. The trainer shared that it can take 6-8 coping skills to match the same relief you feel from a problem behavior. That's why it's important to have a variety of go-to strategies- not just one or two.
A-Z Coping Skill Game
Want to have fun while thinking of 26 coping skills together? Try playing the A-Z Coping Skill with your family. Everyone takes a turn going through the alphabet and naming a Coping Skill that works for them that starts with the letter they have. For example, if I start I have the letter "A" - I might say "Art" the next person would have the letter "B" - they might say "Back Rubs" "Belly Breathing" or even "Blowing Bubbles."
I've heard some very creative responses with the kids I play with and would encourage your family to have a little fun exploring their own A-Z Coping Skill game.
If you or your family comes up with an amazing coping skill you just have to share please do so by commenting below.
