CHILD COUNSELLING – a problem shared is a problem halved

Every family is presented with difficult challenges – your marriage is in trouble and your children are suffering as a result; maybe one of the parents has already left the home, leaving the children bereft, or it could be that a young girl has found out she is pregnant and can't face her parents. Child counselling can be a most welcome resource for children between 10 and 18 because they are constantly being challenged by their peers to go against their parents and everything that is right.

Part of growing up means facing difficulties- the loss of a pet, failure at school, the death of a family member, and as parents we have the opportunity to be the safe refuge when the going gets rough, but it can be difficult to know what to say to a child in tears.

Child counselling encourages the child to talk …. it sees things from a child's perspective and can provide children with the tools needed to stand strong in their faith. While we provide food, shelter, clothing and education, spiritual training and counselling must also be given. This child counselling understands the need to give children some freedom, while deliberately shaping them through youth ministries so that they have a strong faith to see them through trying times..

The church has the beliefs, practices and authority to protect children from the violence and other negative features of modern life, but it can't accomplish this if it doesn't have the right resources. Sunday School and youth ministries need to be interesting and well presented in order to nurture children into Christian faith and practices.

At Family Life we have helpful information for parents and youth workers who are involved in the development of young people, and child counselling resources promote sound, balanced, and Biblically based principles which we believe will be of help to those working with children who find themselves faced with a crisis.