Every child hits bumps that a lecture can’t smooth over — but a story can. If you’re not sure where to start, this short guide matches four of the most common challenges parents ask us about to the Lena story that speaks to it, plus a gentle way to begin the conversation tonight.
1. “I’ll do it later” — procrastination and getting started
You know the signs: homework that never quite begins, a big task that turns into a standoff, a child who freezes when something feels too large. The trick isn’t pushing harder — it’s shrinking the first step until it’s almost too small to refuse.
The story: Tomorrow’s Thief follows Lena as she learns that starting — not winning — is the brave part. Find it in our story shop.
2. “What if something bad happens?” — anxiety and bedtime worries
If worries grow loudest at bedtime, your child isn’t asking for reassurance — they’re asking for a way to handle the feeling. Naming the worry and checking the evidence work far better than “don’t worry.”
Read next: How to help an anxious child quiet catastrophic “what if” thinking. The story: The Hospital Secret shows Lena discovering that worries are thoughts, not facts.
3. “Everyone will see it” — online pressure and safety
From group-chat sting to a scary message or a “keep this secret” moment, most online risks are really about feelings: fear, shame, and the ache to belong. The habit that protects children most is simple — tell a trusted grown-up, and never be in trouble for telling.
Read next: Stories that teach quiet confidence instead of revenge and gentle stories that outshine screen time. For the full conversation script, see how to talk to your child about online safety without scaring them — and if something has already happened, here is a calm step-by-step plan if your child is being blackmailed online. The stories: The Trap in My Phone and A Dress Like Ella’s.
4. “But everyone’s doing it” — influencers, trends, and staying true
When “cool” starts to outrank your child’s own values, a lecture rarely lands. What helps is feeling like enough on the inside — and seeing a character wrestle with the same pull and choose herself.
Read next: Stories that help tweens stay true in a social-media world. The story: A Dress Like Ella’s.
Not sure which to pick?
Start with the challenge that sounds most like this week. Each Lena story is short, warm, and built to spark one honest conversation — not to fill time. Browse all the stories in our shop.
Schools can order the same titles as school class sets — all ten stories at one flat rate, with free UK delivery and the digital editions included.
Read next: the complete story hub for ages 8–12.
