Lemons or Lemonade?: An Anger Workbook for Kids - Paperback

by Jane F. Gilgun (Author)

Kids get angry. Anger is normal and natural. When expressed appropriately, anger is a means of communication and builds relationships. When combined with physical and verbal aggression, however, anger is destructive. This workbook is for young people 12 and younger who express their anger in ways that harm others, themselves, animals, and personal property. The workbook is especially helpful for children who have experienced complex trauma and are hurt, angry, and bereft as a result. Adults can use the exercises in this workbook to guide children to deal constructively with the sources of their anger and to guide them to prosocial ways of expressing anger and other emotions associated with their anger. Young people can learn to manage their anger without parental involvement but they do even better when parents are involved and do whatever it takes to be emotionally available to their children.

Author Biography

JANE F. GILGUN, PhD, LICSW, is a professor, School of Social Work, University of Minnesota. For many years, she has worked with children, teens, and their families where the young people have experienced complex trauma. Many young people cope with the effects of trauma through anger, aggression, and self-harm. When adults provide safe havens and teens feel understood, teens can learn deal with troublesome situations in prosocial ways. This workbook and the companion manual for parents and professionals are my attempt to foster healthy expression of anger. Anger can open channels of communication and deepen and strengthen relationships. Left unexpressed, anger picks up many other meanings until the mass of emotions leads to aggression, self-injury, depression, and anxiety. This workbook offers practice skills to help children and families have a brighter future.