A Parent’s Guide for Managing Your Child’s Anxiety

By Rena Sidlow, PsyD

Navigating childhood anxiety can be a challenge not just for children, but for their parents as well. As a caregiver, it is crucial to understand how to manage your child’s anxiety effectively and appropriately in order to foster resilience, adaptive coping, and overall positive emotional functioning. 

1. Open Communication: Encourage your child to express their feelings. Create a safe space where they feel comfortable sharing their worries without fear of judgment. Use open-ended questions to help them articulate their emotions. For example, instead of asking, “Are you worried about the test tomorrow?” try, “How do you feel about the test tomorrow?”
2. Validate Their Feelings: It’s important to acknowledge your child’s anxiety rather than dismiss it. Phrases like “I understand that you’re feeling anxious” and “it is okay to be scared” can help them feel heard. Validation doesn’t mean you have to agree with their fears; it simply shows that you respect and accept their emotions.
3. Teach Coping Strategies: Equip your child with practical tools to manage anxiety. Breathing exercises, visualization techniques, or mindfulness practices can empower them to cope when they feel overwhelmed. Making these activities a part of your daily routine can help normalize them and create independence of use. 
4. Model Calmness: Children learn how to cope from their parents. By managing your own stress and demonstrating calmness in challenging situations by using a steady tone of voice and gentle body language, you can provide a positive example for your child to follow. 
5. Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your child’s anxiety significantly interferes with their daily life and functioning, don’t hesitate to consult a mental health professional. Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s emotional development.
6. Foster Resilience: Encourage your child to face their fears gradually. Instead of taking your child out of uncomfortable situations, celebrate small victories over anxiety to build their confidence. This can help them learn that they can cope with fears, rather than avoid them altogether.

Remember, managing anxiety is not easy, but positive family relationships and parental guidance can make all the difference. By remaining calm, being proactive, responding with validation and compassion, you can help your child navigate difficult emotions and promote adaptive coping that could last a lifetime!