YEP, number 6 was the CRUNCH! The rush of a normal/busy day can lead to stress, anxiety and depression for children and you need to support your child by giving them:a. time to engage in their interestsb. praise and encouragementc. opportunities to shined. unconditional lovee. connection to the family, nature, the communityf. chances to give to others.So what might this actually look like?a. TIMESimplify your life - it does have an impact on your children. Making the time to do the things that your child enjoys and is interested in gives them a sense of acceptance. Also allow them to engage in what you are doing. Ask them to help around the house, pitch in with the chores and give them that sense of responsibility and belonging that every child longs to have.b. PRAISE AND ENCOURAGEMENTPraise and encouragement must be specific and meaningful. Saying 'good one' or 'great job' without context and reference to what your child has done and what it means in the big scope of the world around them, is like making a cup of tea without a tea bag. Show them that you really care about them and take the time and make the effort to praise regularly and specifically.c. OPPORTUNITIESKids like to do well, they do have a competitive streak and the positive attention and affirmations they receive when they do well benefits their self-esteem. Feelings of self-worth from doing something important to them really well gives them the confidence to keep trying. Little steps towards big achievements are worth celebrating and learning from failure and developing a 'have a go' attitude will hold your child in good stead for their future.d. UNCONDITIONAL LOVEI have never met a child who doesn't want to know that they are loved no matter what. For a child to hear that you love them is one thing, and to show you love them is another. The old saying 'be cruel to be kind' is a myth, don't go there! I child mimics what those around them say and do and they are learning from you. Modelling unconditional love by making the effort to understand them, their ways, their emotions and vice versa will build a solid foundation for unconditional love and it does come and go both ways. It might take time to forgive and move on but you will reap the rewards eventually!e. CONNECTIONPeople, places and things in a child's world around them and the connections to them, help shape a child's hopes and aspirations, values and beliefs. Although a child suffering from anxiety, depression and stress may not want to go out or be around others, it is an important part of their recovery. Again, take it in small steps and focus on their interests, familiar people and places and build up to longer periods of time and more people and unfamiliar places.f. CHANCE TO GIVEFor a child to receive time, experiences and objects from others and show thanks for it is one thing and to give others time, experiences and objects to others give them a sense of worth and purpose in their community. Looking after the family pet or helping with chores like cleaning and tidying their room is a great place to start, or even going through their stuff and donation unwanted items to a charity. Trust your child give them the chance to create a purpose and place at home and step back to give them the space they need to step up and take some responsibility. This might mean a messy room until the reality of having no clean clothes sets in but letting your child make this choice and then take the initiative to sort things out will really help them in the long run.Kia kaha!