Lonely feels like no one is there for you or wants to be around you

You don’t have to be alone to feel lonely – you can feel lonely in a crowd of people or even sitting right next to someone!

Everybody feels lonely sometimes

It’s not something that just happens to kids. Grown ups, old people, and probably even your dog, all have times when they feel lonely.

When have you felt lonely?

You could feel lonely if you were moving to a new school and had to make new friends. Or maybe if your family and friends are too busy to play with you.

Being alone means time for you!

Did you know there are lots of activities that are fun to do when you’re alone? Like reading, watching TV, listening to music and drawing. What else could you do on your own?

When feeling lonely is too hard

If you feel lonely for a long time it might make you feel very sad. It’s good to talk to someone about how you are feeling so they can help you.

The internet is amazing, but it can also be scary

Playing games, looking at videos and talking to friends online can be a lot of fun! Take a look at these tips to make sure you do it safely.

Don’t give out information about yourself

Don’t share personal stuff online like your full name, address or phone number. Someone could try to use this information to find you. Choose a fun nickname instead!

Only talk to people you know

When using social media or online messaging, make your profile private and only add your friends in real life. Talk to your parents first before you chat with people you don’t know.

Think carefully before you press send

You can get in trouble with Police if you send photos of you or other people without clothes on. You can also get in trouble if you bully someone or talk about hurting them.

Watch what you buy online

Some stuff on the internet needs money like playing games or shopping. Always ask your parents before spending money online!

Talk to an adult if you feel worried

Some things on the internet might make us feel scared or confused. Always talk to a parent or an adult you trust if you are worried about something online.

It’s time to make some new friends!

You might have started a new school, moved to a new class or joined a new team or activity. Making new friends can make us feel nervous or excited (or maybe both!).

Choosing your new friends

Friends are people that you have fun with and feel safe with. Look for people who are nice to you, include you in things and like doing some of the same things you do!

It’s easier to make friends when you smile!

When you smile, other kids see you as nice and easy to talk to. They might be feeling nervous about making friends too, so when you smile it helps them to feel relaxed around you.

Show them you want to be friends

You could say something nice about them, they might have nice hair or run really fast.  You could also try to get to know them better - ask about what TV show or sport they like.

Making mistakes is part of life. Everyone does them all the time. It doesn't matter if you are a parent, a teacher, or a police officer. There will be times when you are wrong. You may be afraid or worried about what other people think of you. It can be difficult to accept that you are wrong or to admit that you have made a mistake. Try not to be hard on yourself. It's okay to be wrong. Nobody is perfect. Mistakes teach us a lot. There is always something to learn. We learn to do everything better! Try to understand how the error occurred. This can help you know what to do differently next time. The important thing to remember is that we are always learning. Getting better at things takes practice.

A new baby sister or brother.A new baby can be exciting. They are cute, cuddly and special. They can also be noisy and a bit smelly if they need their nappy changed.A baby can mean changes for your familyThe way you and your family do things at home might change.  At first your parents may be busy with the baby and it might feel like they have less time to do fun things with you.Let Mum and Dad know how you feelYou can tell your parents how to help you. You might want time alone with them, some space to yourself or even just a hug. Your feelings are important.Having a little brother or sister can be fun!It might be hard at the start when they can’t play with you and they cry a lot, but with time you just might begin to love them and find ways to have fun together.