What Is A Worry Box?

A worry box is a container where a person, often a child, can write down or draw their worries and place them inside.

Get Started By Explaining It To Your Child...

Firstly, it's we. So, the first thing you need to do is explain to your child what a worry box is. It's important that your explanation helps them understand the following:

And Then Making It...

Choose A Box/Container

This is an important one, because this is an important place to choosing the container is an important part of the exercise. Here are some considerations around your choice:

Decorate The Chosen Box/Container

Provide a bunch of materials for your child to decorate with. If you're going shopping for them, and you can, maybe select the products together and give your child some autonomy. Here is a good list to get you started, and you maybe have a lot of it laying around anyway:

That is probably a core list, but you might also consider the following:

Decorate The Box/Container

Provide a bunch of materials for your child to decorate with. If you're going shopping for them, and you can, maybe select the products together and give your child some autonomy. Here is a good list to get you started, and you maybe have a lot of it laying around anyway:

That is probably a core list, but you might also consider the following:

Label The Box/Container

This almost goes in with the above section, but it's important enough to warrant its own section—somewhere, you need to write the words 'Worry Box' in a visible place so you and your child are agreed what it is.

Prepare Some Blank Slips

You can do this alone or with your child. Just cut up some A4 or A3 paper into long strips, like ribbons.

And Then Using It!

Agree A Place To Keep It

This is an important for a few reasons. It etablishes a contract around the box, and how it used and how to think about it. As far as possible, let your child lead on where it is kept. Here are some things to consider when making this decision together:

Agree A Tim and Place To Use It Together

The key part of this is that it is something you do together. It's not something you look through without them, and it's not something they do constantly. This is to contain and contextualise worries. Consider, is it:

Remember, this is something you do together, so set good rules together and try to stick to them. Let both of you refer to them.

Get Your Child To Write Down Their Worries

At your agreed time, do this on a regular basis. Give them a pen and the blank slips. You can write for your child if they need this.

Ask Your Child To Share Their Worries With You

This is a bit formulaic, so:

Repeat this until you're done.

Leave The Worries In The Box, Put The Box In Its Place

With your child, recognise that the worries have gone in the box and that is where they stay—in the box. They belong to the box now and can be let go. Now you're done, follow the process you agreed together of shutting the box and putting it away.

Finish Up By Thinking About Something Positive

Nothing elaborate—maybe you did something fun together recently, or watched a fun film. It can be anything. This is important for the process so you can feel that you have processed the worries and moved onto positivity.

What Are The Benefits of Worry Boxes?

This physical act of transferring worries from one's mind into the box can be therapeutic, as it helps to:

Worry boxes can be particularly helpful for children who may struggle to express their anxieties verbally. However, adults can also benefit from using worry boxes as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety.