Logic Lounge Psychology

07/09/2026

What happens after a child tells us something is just as important as getting them to talk.

This week is National Child Protection Week, and this year's theme is “Every Conversation Matters, Shifting Conversation to Action.”

We often encourage children to speak up when something doesn't feel right.

But when they do, how we respond matters.

Stay calm.
Listen without interrogating.
Take what they're telling you seriously.
Avoid making promises you may not be able to keep.
And importantly, take appropriate steps to help keep them safe.

Children need more than adults who will listen.
They need adults who will act when something isn't right.

So perhaps this week we can ask ourselves:
If a child came to me with something difficult, would they know I would listen—and would I know what to do next?

Every conversation matters. But sometimes, a conversation needs to become action.

Disclaimer
This post is general psychological education, not individual advice, and doesn't create a psychologist–client relationship. If you're finding things difficult, please reach out to your GP or a registered psychologist. In a crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Full disclaimer in bio.

05/09/2026

The Psychology of Children's Safety: A Final Reflection

04/09/2026

“Sometimes difficult behaviour is a child saying, ‘Something isn't okay.’”

A child suddenly becomes angry.
They start refusing school.
Their sleep changes.
They withdraw.
Or behaviour that seemed to have disappeared suddenly returns.

Our first question can easily become:
“How do I stop this behaviour?”

But sometimes there's another question worth asking:
“What might this behaviour be communicating?”

Behaviour changes can have many explanations they don't automatically mean something serious has happened.

But significant or persistent changes deserve curiosity.
Start with a calm conversation:
“I've noticed things seem a little different lately. Is there anything worrying you?”
And listen.

If you're concerned about significant changes in your child's mood, behaviour or functioning, consider speaking with their school, GP or psychologist.
Because sometimes children show us before they have the words to tell us.

Disclaimer
This post is general psychological education, not individual advice, and doesn't create a psychologist–client relationship. If you're finding things difficult, please reach out to your GP or a registered psychologist. In a crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Full disclaimer in bio.

03/09/2026

Every child should know: if something doesn't feel, is an adult I can tell.”

As children grow, we can't be with them every moment.
They're at school, sport, activities, friends' homes and increasingly online.
That's why it's helpful for children to identify several trusted adults they can approach when they're worried, frightened or uncomfortable.
You might ask:
“If Mum or Dad weren't there and something happened that made you uncomfortable, who could you tell?”
Help them identify people such as a parent, grandparent, teacher, school counsellor or another trusted adult.
And teach them something else important:
If the first person doesn't listen, keep telling until somebody does.
We can't promise our children that nothing difficult will ever happen.
But we can repeatedly remind them:
You can speak up. You deserve to be heard. And you don't have to handle difficult situations alone.

Disclaimer
This post is general psychological education, not individual advice, and doesn't create a psychologist–client relationship. If you're finding things difficult, please reach out to your GP or a registered psychologist. In a crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Full disclaimer in bio.

02/09/2026

‘“You’re fine.’ We often say it to reassure children, but sometimes they need something different.”

Imagine your child comes home upset because they weren't invited to a social event.

Our instinct might be:
“Don't worry about it.”
“You'll be fine.”
“Just find some other friends.”

We're trying to make them feel better.

But before reassurance, children often need validation.

Validation doesn't mean agreeing with everything they think or do.

It means recognising their emotional experience.

Try:
“That sounds really disappointing. I can understand why you're upset.”
Then pause. You don’t have to fill all the silences.

Once a child feels understood, you can begin talking about what might help.

We don't have to remove every difficult emotion from our children's lives.

Part of supporting them is helping them learn:
“I can experience difficult feelings, talk about them, and work through them.”

Disclaimer
This post is general psychological education, not individual advice, and doesn't create a psychologist–client relationship. If you're finding things difficult, please reach out to your GP or a registered psychologist. In a crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Full disclaimer in bio.

01/09/2026

Want your child to talk to you?

Sometimes the first thing to change is how we listen.

As parents, when our children bring us a problem, our instinct is often to fix it.

We give advice.

Ask lots of questions.

Tell them what they should have done.

Or reassure them: “Don’t worry about it.”

But sometimes children aren't looking for an immediate solution.

They first need to know:
“Does this person understand what this feels like for me?”

Try putting down your phone, giving them your attention and asking:
“Do you want me to help you solve this, or would you like me to just listen?”

It's a simple question, but it gives a child some control over the conversation.

And perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give children isn't always having the right answer.

Sometimes it's creating a place where their voice matters.

Disclaimer
This post is general psychological education, not individual advice, and doesn't create a psychologist–client relationship. If you're finding things difficult, please reach out to your GP or a registered psychologist. In a crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Full disclaimer in bio.

31/08/2026

“A child can be physically safe… and still not feel emotionally safe.”

When we think about keeping children safe, we often think about protecting them from physical harm.

But children also need emotional safety.
Emotional safety is knowing:
I can tell you when I’ve made a mistake.
I can tell you when I’m scared.
I can disagree without losing your love.
And I can come to you when something has gone wrong.

Children are more likely to talk when they believe they’ll be listened to rather than immediately criticised, dismissed or punished.
That doesn’t mean removing boundaries or consequences.

It means creating a relationship where difficult conversations are still safe conversations.

The next time your child tells you something difficult, before responding, say:
“Thank you for telling me. I’m glad you came to me.”

Sometimes safety begins with knowing: I can tell you anything.

Disclaimer
This post is general psychological education, not individual advice, and doesn't create a psychologist–client relationship. If you're finding things difficult, please reach out to your GP or a registered psychologist. In a crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Full disclaimer in bio.

28/08/2026

One of the most damaging messages bullying can create is: “There must be something wrong with me.”

When someone repeatedly criticises your appearance, intelligence, personality or belonging, those external voices can slowly become an internal one.

Part of psychological recovery can involve helping a young person separate what happened to them from who they are.
Other people's treatment of you does not determine your worth.

If bullying is affecting how you see yourself, your mood, your confidence or your ability to cope, tell someone you trust. For a young person, that might be a parent or carer, teacher, school counsellor, GP or psychologist.
Getting support isn't weakness.

Disclaimer
This post is general psychological education, not individual advice, and doesn't create a psychologist–client relationship. If you're finding things difficult, please reach out to your GP or a registered psychologist. In a crisis, call 000 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. Full disclaimer in bio.

27/08/2026