With the new year under way, you may find your children setting themselves new goals, or even feeling a bit blue now the Christmas holidays are over.

While the start of 2020 represents a fresh start for many, it can also be a difficult or overwhelming time for children as they reflect on the past 12 months and look to the year ahead.

A New Year’s Resolution can often bring about a positive change in a child, but it’s important that resolutions are achievable.

It could be joining a sports team, helping with a household chore, learning a new language, or taking the dog on walks as a family.

As a parent or carer you can help your child break their goal down into small achievable steps, offer them support throughout the year or join them in tackling the same resolution!

If you think your child has feelings that are stopping them from feeling happy, encourage them to talk about it, be that with yourself, a trusted adult or Childline.

Childline counsellors, including those based in Cardiff and Prestatyn, are ready to listen to children at any time on 0800 1111 or via childline.org.uk, and there are plenty of resources, such as videos, articles and games, to help children work through whatever is on their mind.

Debs Davis (Childline Services Manager)