Spooky Messy Fun All October
We had so much fun this past October at Club Courage. We learned new skills, made new friends, and worked on being Imperfect and Brave!
We will continue the fun this holiday season at Club Courage. Each group will continue to have a different fun activity that will help you learn to manage your anxiety. You can come every week or only once a month. See you Wednesday nights at 5pm.
Club Courage – Upcoming Dates
11/1 – Skills Lab: Learn CBT skills and activities
11/8 – Brave Challenge: Fun group exposures with other kids
11/15 – Peer Connection: Share with peers about life with anxiety
11/29 – Skill Lab: Learn CBT skills and activities
12/6 – Brave Challenge: Fun group exposures with other kids
12/13 – Peer Connection: Share with peers about life with anxiety
This Month’s Theme is Festively Weird
Lucia facing her fears at a holiday party!
Many kids (and adults) feel shy around others. For some kids hanging out with their friends is really easy but going to a party or after school club alone is really hard. Other kids find it really hard to raise their hand in class and talk in front of others. Some kids worry a lot that they are going to embarrass themselves in front of other kids and avoid most social activities.
With the holidays coming up some kids can feel even more worried about social events. There can be a lot of social pressure during the holiday season that can make it feel not fun. The activities at Club Courage this month will focus on helping kids manage social worries during the holiday season.
Below are book recommendations and home practice ideas to help embrace the weird during the holidays!
Book Recommendations
- The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook: Proven, Step-by-Step Techniques for Overcoming Your Fear by Martin M. Antony & Richard P. Swinson
- The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens: CBT and ACT Skills to Help You Build Social Confidence by Jennifer Shannon
- What to Do When You Feel Too Shy: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Social Anxiety by Claire A. B. Freeland & Jacqueline B. Toner
Holiday Tips
- Have a “let’s try it” attitude
- Try a bite of a new food
- Have a conversation with a new kid at a party
- Go to a new social event
- Plan ahead
- Role play responses to typical questions
- Plan outfits for social events the day before
- Take mini breaks
- If feeling overwhelmed go to a private place and practice a mindfulness exercise
- Be Kind to Yourself
- It is okay to say no if feeling too overwhelmed
- Everyone is weird and awkward sometimes, especially during the holidays!
Staff Moments of Weirdness
“When I was at a holiday party with mostly unfamiliar people I walked into a sliding glass door and everyone turned and looked at me.” – Moselle
“I used the bathroom at work one day and after a couple of hours I realized I’d been walking around with a long piece of toilet paper attached to my shoe!” – Lisa
“At my first Thanksgiving with my partner’s family, I wore a bold polka dot dress with a big splash of red on it, while everyone else was in subtle fall sweaters. I looked very out of place in the photos!” – Jaya
“While walking around Disney during Christmas time I ripped my pants without realizing it. Everyone could see my underwear and I had no idea!” – Adam
“In 3rd grade I sat in jelly while wearing white overalls and my mom wouldn’t bring me new pants and I was the new kid” – Theresa
“While leaving Trader Joes I mixed “have a good evening” and “be safe” and said “have a be safe” to the cashier.” – Kelly Ann
