Worry box

Purpose
To encourage siblings to write their worries then tackle them with the help of their family. Decorating the worry box is a creative activity that siblings really enjoy and it will also continue to benefit siblings long after the group has ended.

You will need

Small plain boxes – these can be bought from craft stores or you could make them or use jewellery boxes or gift boxes. Pens, decorating materials – feathers, glitter, stickers etc, glue.

How to do it

Ask parents to support siblings in using the box. Prior to the session send a letter informing parents of the purpose of the box and that with their support siblings will start to express their thoughts more.

Explain the idea of the box - when a worry or troubling thought comes into their mind, siblings can write it down on a piece of paper and put it in the box. At the end of the day they can take them out and talk about them with a parent. If parents are 'always busy', suggest that siblings could 'make a date' with them in the diary or calendar.

Discuss how worries can be put into categories

1.    Things that you worry about but that never happen - acknowledge the worry then throw it away

2.    Things you don't like but cannot be changed by anyone -acknowledge the worry then throw it away

3.    Things that can be sorted out by others - acknowledge the worry then ask a parent to help

4.    Things that can be changed by you - acknowledge the worry then ask parents to help you do something about it

Siblings decorate the box then take it home. At the next session ask them about how they are using it: Any successes?  Does anyone need any more advice about using it?  Are parents joining in?  Do parents need more encouragement from group leaders?  What have they noticed about the worries?

 Hopefully siblings will begin to see that a lot of the things they worry about can be sorted out by others or never actually happen.

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