A little book that's been helping anxious kids for 13 years

 

With the new school year of 2025 looming in a matter of weeks, for some children this means anxiety, poor sleep, worrying about a new teacher and classroom, new school etc. New situations can be challenging for anxious kids. Sometimes parents feel a little overwhelmed and not sure how to handle the situation. 

But help is here!

When I wrote this little book for my clients, in the Christmas holidays, back in 2013, I had no idea it would be needed all over the world! But 12 Annoying Monsters has struck a chord with kids and their parents for over a decade now. I am glad it's been of help to teachers and counsellors too. Here's what a couple of people said about it:

5.0 out of 5 stars and then the 12 monsters themselves are a useful tool for a child to identify with

Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2015

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We have tried so many books and workbooks for my anxious 6 year old son and this is the one that 'spoke to him' and has been an ongoing, useable resource. I found the information in the book really helpful for understanding anxiety and particularly the body's response to it, and then the 12 monsters themselves are a useful tool for a child to identify with. Reading the title of each made me smile as Dawn Meredith certainly has done an amazing job of identifying the different types of anxiety. Thank you for this book, it really has made a difference to us, and I've recommended it to others many times.

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Great discussion points for my kid clients in therapy

Reviewed in the United States on 17 September 2015

Verified Purchase

Great discussion points for my kid clients in therapy... I like the simple explanations.

 

If your child is worrying about the new school year, perhaps my little book can help.

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Does your child suffer with anxiety or depression? Take this quick questionnaire

What is 'normal' anxiety for children?
Sometimes as parents we worry that our child is coming home with fears or anxieties which seem abnormal - worse than other kids or having greater impact upon our child than the normal cares and worries should. Bed wetting may follow, tummy ache, crying fits, screaming fits, refusal to go to school - what's normal and what isn't? Do we need to DO something?

A simple tool that may help
This little questionnaire is a terrific tool to get a snapshot of our child's state of mind (or even our own).

This link is connected to an Australian doctor, Dr David Richardson, who has spent his professional life exploring the reasons for mental and physical health that fall outside the usual avenues of diagnosis and treatment. He uses natural and traditional remedies, genetic testing and much more. His website shares the HADS - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale which is used widely and available in the public domain.

complete quiz online
Anxiety and Depression Quiz 

 Below is a PDF version you can download and print.
http://www.scalesandmeasures.net/files/files/HADS.pdf

What's the next step?
Once you have completed this survey with your child (make sure they don't see the results or scale at the bottom of the page, That's adult business.) You can reach out to a health professional, look online for books that may assist you and websites that can direct you to further help. My book was written especially for kids, and is also for adults too, especially those who feel they may have passed on traits to their child.
Click here: 12 Annoying Monsters - Self Talk for Kids with Anxiety

Your parental instincts are usually right
Don't give up! If you really suspect your child is suffering, persist in looking for answers. Sometimes the right counsellor, someone kind who actually understands children and has experience working with them, can change your child's life around.

Anxious children feel better with DIRT!

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Yep, you read that right.
Studies in the UK and USA have shown that children and indeed adults too who garden or play in the soil experience positive mood changes. They become calmer! Certain microbes in soil, Microbacterium Vaccae,  actually stimulate the brain's production of Serotonin, the body's calming hormone.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Antidepressant Microbes In Soil: How Dirt Makes You Happy http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/antidepressant-microbes-soil.htm,

You can read more here, on the Australian Science website - soil and depression
No wonder I can't wait to get out into my garden some days!

For anxious kids, this can be a fabulous way to effect change, especially if they are prone to depression.

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So, what do you do if you live in the city?

1. Buy a big pot for your balcony and fill it with soil, not potting mix, from the local nursery/hardware store. 
2. Plant something edible, like lettuce, bok choy, spring onion, or herbs such as rosemary, chives, dill, coriander and thyme.
3. Plant something colourful - this lifts the mood to.
4. Tend your mini-garden daily. read up on what sort of ph the plants like, watering and plant food, pruning etc.
5. Don't use gloves! But wash your hands when you're finished of course.
6.  If you don't have a balcony, a spot near the window will do.
7. Pull out the weeds! Again, don't use gloves. Get right in there and get dirty.
8. Instead of a sandpit, build a small soil play area and add some utensils such as bucket, spade, old plastic pots etc. The 'clam shell' shallow outdoor pool/sandpit would be perfect.

   

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