Homework $@* ?...Yuck!!!

I try and never use the work "Homework" during my sessions whether I'm working with a kid or an adult. However, I always try and give some type of exercise to try in between sessions. I find this hard to do because I know that most people are resistant to any type of homework. I am the exact same way. I have learned in my own experience and in doing the research that one of the most important factors in leading clients towards their goals is the practice of exercises! I want my clients to reach their goals and not have to keep coming to therapy forever. This is why I try and find (or come up with myself) the fun and interesting types of exercises. I call them "experiments" because I am never 100% sure that any coping skill or exercise will work. If a therapist guarantees you that a skill will 100% work for you - then run in the other direction!!!! Even the world's most renowned surgeons will let you know the risks of surgery not working before the procedure. I teach skills that have tons of research suggesting that they have a strong chance of working but, there is no 'one size fits all' for my clients. The skills I am posting about today are meant for parents and their young kids. (Although anyone could try them out.)

The Pink Bubble ( adapted from Susan Greenland and Anna Harris's Mindful Games Kit).

This version takes 2-5 minutes but it can be done in less than a minute subsequently.

We can imagine that a disappointment or another uncomfortable feeling that is bothering us, is inside a pink bubble. As it floats away, we wave goodbye and wish it well.

1. Sit with back straight and body relaxed, hands rested on knees. Close your eyes or look down gently. Take a few breaths. (Both parent and child together).

2. Think of a disappointment or uncomfortable feeling that is bothering you and put it inside an imaginary pink bubble.

3. In your mind, watch the light, airy, pink bubble float away and imagine that whatever is bothering you is floating away with it.

4. Wave goodbye and wish it well.

Tips: I usually ask my kiddo clients to paint the pink bubble and allow their imaginations to go wherever it wants on paper before introducing the specifics of the exercise. I suggest to parents that they pick a time of day to do this with their child and agree to go first. Parents can talk about their own uncomfortable feeling out loud and describe the bubble and the 'floating away' for their child. Sometimes, kids will refuse to participate and that's okay! Hearing the parent do the exercise can be enough for the skill to set in. Usually, kids begin to enjoy this exercise after they watch the parent go first!

*I often suggest that families come up with a prompting 'code word' that the child decides on using. It can be helpful for the code word to be funny to illicit that feeling. When parents observe the signs of meltdown behavior, they can use the code word. This prompts the child to use the Pink Bubble skill they have been practicing when calm.