It may be difficult talking to parents about money worries
At Childline we talk to young people about lots of things that affect them and their home lives, and worries about money are no exception to this.
At a time when many of us are spending more time at home with our families, outside pressures on all members of the family can lead to more stress and arguments and sometimes this can feel like things reach boiling point a lot quicker.
It can also be really difficult for children and young people to talk to their parents about the money worries their family may be facing, as they may be afraid of causing more upset if they do.
A lot of the time, young people can find it easier to talk to someone outside of the family about what their worries are and how this is having an effect on family life.
While usually this may be their friends, or a trusted teacher, schools being closed may limit their ability to do this.
But Childline is always there for children and young people, and our counsellors can offer a listening ear and a chance to work through some of their feelings before they talk to their parent or guardian.
This can help take some of the tension out of how they’re feeling, and allow them to talk about things with their family in a calmer and less fraught way.
It is far easier to approach things when everyone is feeling a little less stressed, so we have put together a whole range of practical tips to help children and young people distress, in our Calm Zone on www.childline.org.uk
Our tips range from breathing exercises and simple yoga to taking a walk alone or as a family.
Most important, though, is for children and young people to find ways of talking about how they’re feeling.
This might not be easy, but if we keep talking to each other and remembering that we’re not alone in this situation, we should all be able get through this together.
Childline was started in 1986 by TV presenter and campaigner Esther Rantzen and helps any young person in the UK. Calling Childline is free and doesn’t show up on a phone bill.
In 2006 it became part of the NSPCC.