5 Devoted Helpful Ways on How to Manage Your Child’s Anxiety

Photo from Pexel.com

Please note: This page contains affiliate links, meaning I receive commissions from purchases made through those links, at no cost to you.

Children are fearless, resilient, and adventurous. Just some of the words we use to describe them. Well, anxiety could be another word also. Just as with adults, your child can experience some form of anxiety. And sometimes we may not recognize their worry like that.

You may think to yourself that the fear your child is expressing is based on trying something new. They’ll get over it. But what if they don’t?

Oftentimes, as adults, we don’t think that our children may have some of the same worries that we do. We grow up with the understanding that worries, and fears don’t show up until you hit a certain age. And we don’t realize that child anxiety is a thing.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 31.9% of children have some form of anxiety. And that girls (38.0%) have a higher rate of anxiety than boys (26.1%).

How to Recognize Your Child’s Anxiety

When we look at children’s behavior, for the most part, everything they do is a learning experience. From tying their shoes to learning their ABC’s to making friends as they grow older. These are all things that can spark some type of emotional reaction. And could spark a deeper sense of fear and worry.

Most times, children get over that initial sensation, becoming more comfortable with their growth. But when your child’s fears and worries go beyond that, they may be experiencing child anxiety.

Child anxiety, like adult anxiety, can present a list of fears towards everyday life situations on a child’s level. They might experience some of the following:

• Restlessness
• Irritability and moodiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Issues relating to other children
• Trouble sleeping or insomnia
• Poor school performance

However, unlike an adult, your child may not understand what is going on with them and this could lead them to be too afraid to talk to you about their emotions. This is the perfect opportunity for you as the parent to observe your child and get a feel of what type of anxiety they may be experiencing.

Types of anxiety your child may experience

• Social anxiety – a prime example would be distancing themselves from participating in group settings or not wanting to go on class trips. The fear of having to interact with their peers could bring on an overwhelming feeling of worrying thoughts.
• Separation anxiety – often common when a child has difficulty being apart from a parent or guardian. They may associate their parent or guardian with safety and comfort against something that’s too overwhelming for them.
• General anxiety – as young as they may be, oftentimes your child may worry about the future. This can especially occur when something traumatic or drastic changes for them.

Your child’s anxiety can also present itself in phobias and panic disorders. By taking a careful look at your child’s behavior, you can spot some of the signs or symptoms that may be troubling them.

Of course, nothing beats getting professional help to determine what the issue is. If you feel something is going on, don’t hesitate to reach out to your family doctor and find information to help. Just know that in the long run, it’s going to help them.

Managing Your Child’s Anxiety

While there’s no cure for anxiety, there are ways to manage it. Once you’ve identified that your child Is going through some rough times, your first instinct is to do everything you can to take that away. There are helpful ways for you, as the parent or guardian, to guide your little one through.

5 ways to help manage your child’s anxiety

1. Embrace your child’s “worrying” – as a parent there’s nothing you want more than to assure your child that everything is fine. And there’s nothing wrong with that. However, that reassurance might not tackle the issue at hand.

Let your child know that their worries and fears are validated. That it’s okay to have fears in life. By doing so, you’re letting them know that they’re not alone when feeling this way. And you begin to build a safe zone for them.

2. Create a relaxed environment – the more relaxed someone is, the more they are willing to open up. Try to provide a relaxed environment for you and your child to share. A room away from everyone else, maybe a tent in the backyard or even an open space in your neighborhood park. You’d be surprised how an environment that is welcoming could change the dynamic of a conversation.

3. Allow them to express their fears and worries – there’s nothing like a good listening ear. And a good ear is what your child needs when dealing with anxious situations. Allow them to express their fears and worries without any judgment. Despite how big or small it may be, they need a way to let it out.

And provide a healthy dialogue. Rather than insisting that it’s all in their mind, ask them questions like “So how do you feel about the school trip tomorrow?” Open questions can let them speak about the root of the problem more openly.

4. Meet their fears head-on – expose your child to their fears. As difficult as it may sound or be, exposing them to the thing that’s causing their anxiety will not only show them there’s nothing to fear but also build their confidence as well.

So start off with baby steps. Maybe you can attend a school trip with them just to let them know there’s a familiar face there. Or learn with them how to dissect that frog they fear. Even do talking exercises with them to get them more comfortable with speaking. You’re slowly peeling back the layers of their fears by taking baby steps.

5. Set aside time for them – oftentimes children find themselves handling situations on their own. Whether it’s because their parents are busy with the other children in the household, or they have to help out in a single-parent home and don’t want to be a worry.

Give your child the time he/she needs to manage their anxiety. Use your day off to plan an Anxiety free day and take them to do something they would enjoy. Plan a game night for the family to help ease their fears. Or maybe they would like to try to face their fear. Whatever it is, set aside a day and plan to have that time just for them.

Finding Time in the Day for Your Child’s Anxiety

As the parent, you have the world on your shoulders. You’re not only responsible for the daily care and routines of yourself but also your family. You have to be the one to have multiple hands in multiple places. And more times than not, you find yourself with not enough time in the day. It can be all overwhelming.

But fear not because there are ways to fit in time. It’s all about planning and scheduling.

What worked for me as a pre-teen was knowing that I had scheduled time with my mom to talk about the things that triggered my anxiety. As a single mom, with 3 kids to take care of and a full-time job, she would set aside 1 on 1 time for us the hour after she got home from work.

I can’t tell you how much of a difference it made for me to be able to have her to talk to about my fears. While there may not be more hours in the day, try to make that time for your child. Plan a weekly or monthly outing on your day off to grab their favorite treat or go to their favorite spot. Sit and have that 1 on 1 with them in a comfortable setting. And listen more than anything.

Shift some household chores around. Maybe pick up the dry cleaning on a Wednesday after work instead of leaving it for the weekend. Unless you work, weekends are your best bet to plan a day or two. Even if its an hour out of the day.

Let them know that no matter how busy you may be, they always have an ally to help them with their anxiety.

Conclusion

Anxiety is a scary place to be and it could be even scarier for your child. While I’m still working on having my own kids, I do remember what it was like being a child with anxiety. And it was helpful to know that I had a place and time to express my anxiety. As well as a parent that was understanding and willing to learn more about it so she could help me through.

By providing them an environment where they can express, and address their fears, you’re helping them manage better. And don’t be afraid to ask for help yourself. It’s all a learning process.

Do you remember your fears as a child? How were you able to deal with them? And what advice could you give a parent with a child that has anxiety?

Until next time, this is Tammy saying keep strong, keep positive and NOTHING’S impossible!!!