Let’s be honest – school is not what it used to be. More and more, I’m seeing little ones, even in Grade R, battling big feelings: Stress, overwhelm, anxiety.

Some are terrified of getting it wrong. Others are buckling under jam-packed schedules or the silent pressure to keep up with their peers. And while their backpacks may seem light, their hearts are often carrying far too much.

Anxiety in children does not always show up as worry. It might look like tummy aches, irritability, sleepless nights or those dreaded school refusals. Some kids “mask” all day long at school – only to unravel when they get home. That’s not bad behaviour. That’s a little soul waving a white flag.

When a child is stuck in fight-or-flight mode, everything else takes a backseat. Learning becomes difficult. Confidence crumbles. Friendships falter. And joy – pure, childlike joy – gets squashed.
This is why I do what I do.

As an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) Life Coach, I help children gently unpack those tangled thoughts and turn them into something they can manage.
NLP works with the language of the mind – how we think, how we speak to ourselves, how we respond to challenges. I guide children to calm their bodies, reframe their fears and find their inner courage. It’s not fluffy – it’s practical, powerful and deeply affirming.

Here’s one simple tool you can try at home: When your child is upset, try naming what you think they are feeling. For example: “It sounds like you are feeling worried about maths.” Then gently reframe the emotion: “That’s okay – worry means your brain’s gearing up to try. What’s one small step you can take now?”

By doing this, we are teaching our kids that emotions are not the enemy – they are messengers, and they don’t have to stay stuck.

We also do not have to wait until there’s a meltdown to get support. Let’s build confidence early. Let’s teach our children how to find calm and raise emotionally resilient kids, together.

May Coomer Coaching is here to walk this journey with you. If your child is struggling with anxiety, low self-worth or school stress, let’s start the conversation.

Because big feelings don’t need fixing – they need understanding and guidance.

Let’s grow confidence, together.

Free discovery call at www.maycoomercoaching.com. Follow along @MayCoomerCoaching, Instagram and Facebook.

May Coomer is a certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Life Coach with a deep passion for helping children and families navigate life’s challenges. May is based at the Regency House in Ballito and conducts online coaching sessions worldwide.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.