Fear

 

Fear is a very important feeling. In the natural world fear stops animals from getting in harm's way. For example, the fear of fire stops us from getting too close to a lit barbeque. Many years ago,  parents used to tell their children stories about all sorts of monsters, for example, to stop their children from getting too close to the river or to a well. Il-Belliegħa and the Kelpies are still talked about today.

If you want to learn more about Maltese folklore and its monsters, this is the book for you.

It's very important to talk about what scares us. It's also very important that we do not diminish other people's fears, or make fun of their feelings.

Sometimes a bad day, or a bad night, become worse because of fear that our minds exaggerate.
Something this scary becomes THIS SCARY in our minds.

Some fears become too big and stop us from living our lives to the full. Some fears even cause anxiety, which sometimes makes us feel panic, or feel helpless, even giving us tummy aches. 

Here are some things we can do.

1. Talk about it, then talk about yourself.

2. Tell yourself what good qualities you have. Things you could not do before but you can do now. Write them on pieces of paper and put them in a courage jar. Whenever you feel scared, open the jar and remind yourself how fierce and powerful you are.

 

3. Draw your fear in pencil. Now, get your best glitter stickers, your crayons and stuff to decorate it. Put your fear in a diaper, draw spots on it, put glitter on it, draw lipstick and put a bow on its head. Who is that scary now?

4. Hello, how are you? 

Get to know your fear slowly. If you are afraid of the dark, try spending 30 seconds a night in the dark, if you do well, try increasing the time by 10 seconds, every time. If you are afraid of going to the bathroom alone, try going alone with an adult following you further back. If you are afraid of a food item, smell it, feel it, look at its colours and textures. You might find that you might like it after all. You will also find that under your bed there is only dust and lonely socks, there are no monsters in the closet, nothing is lurking in the bathroom.

5. Use your magic teddy. We all have a magic teddy. Ask people who love you to give your teddy a big hug. Their love goes in the teddy, teddy keeps it safe. When you go to bed, you hug your teddy and feel the love of the people who love you keeping you safe and less afraid.

Deep breaths.
You got this.
We believe in you.

Ms Claudine and Ms Claudette.