The Child Anxiety FAQ
Is your child or teen struggling with anxiety? Are you looking for practical, easy-to-implement advice to help them navigate through their fears and worries? Welcome to The Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, the essential weekly podcast for parents seeking expert guidance on managing anxiety in their children. Each week, Dawn Friedman MSEd -- a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience—answers listener questions about child and teen anxiety. Whether it's understanding the root causes, learning effective communication strategies, or finding the best ways to support your anxious child, this podcast provides you with succinct, deep, and practical answers to yo...
How can I involve siblings in our family's child anxiety management?
In this episode, Dawn Friedman, an experienced child anxiety expert, answers a listener's question about how to involve siblings in the management of a child's anxiety. Dawn discusses the impact of family dynamics on siblings, the importance of recognizing and addressing parenting pitfalls, and strategies to ensure that non-anxious siblings receive the attention and support they need. She emphasizes the significance of understanding each child's unique needs and offers practical advice such as taking her Parenting Pitfalls Quiz to gain insights into family patterns. The episode highlights the balance between supporting an anxious child and maintaining a healthy environment...
Is it my child's anxiety? Or is it a preference?
In this episode, we address a common concern among families—distinguishing between a child's anxiety and personal preferences. We explore how to identify if a child's behavior is driven by anxiety or simply a lack of interest in certain activities. Tune in to gain insights on this important topic and learn strategies to better understand your child's needs. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to my podcast for more valuable content!
Takeaways:
Understanding the distinction between a child's anxiety and their preferences is crucial. Avoidance behaviors in children may indicate anxiety, requiring careful observation and su...What are your thoughts about reward charts for anxious children?
In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses a listener's question about the use of reward charts for anxious children. Dawn shares her extensive experience working with families and discusses the complexities of using rewards and charts. She explains her flexible stance on rewards, noting the potential pitfalls, such as children focusing on rewards rather than the process. Dawn also highlights the importance of celebrating family efforts and accomplishments holistically. For more insights and to post your own questions, visit ChildAnxietySupport.com/podcast.
00:00Â Introduction to Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast
00:29Â Thoughts on Re...
Why did my anxious child's good work in therapy wear off?
In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses a listener's question about why a child's progress in therapy can seem to wear off over time. Dawn explains that anxiety in children is often reinforced by family patterns, termed 'Parenting Pitfalls', which unknowingly support avoidance behaviors. She discusses the importance of continuous practice and parental involvement in managing anxiety and reinforces that setbacks are a normal part of the learning process. Listeners are encouraged to revisit therapy if needed and to apply the skills learned consistently across different contexts and developmental stages. For submitting questions, visit...
How can I encourage my child to become more independent in managing their anxiety?
In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses how to encourage children to become more independent in managing their anxiety. Dawn emphasizes the importance of self-education on child anxiety, modeling coping strategies, practicing these strategies with your child, and consistently offering encouragement. She also discusses allowing children to make their own choices and decisions, even if it involves experiencing failure. Dawn shares personal anecdotes and insights on guiding children to be resilient and independent in managing their anxiety. Listeners are invited to submit their questions on her social media or website.
00:00Â Introduction to C...
What do I wish I'd done differently as the parent of an anxious child?
In this episode, I get personal and share lessons and reflections from my own parenting experiences—specifically, what I wish I’d done differently with my anxious child. Parenting is a wild ride; full of challenges, growth, and yes, some regrets, too. But don’t worry! We don't dwell there. Instead, we use these reflections as stepping stones towards understanding and doing better.
So, if you're feeling a little lost or just need some reassurance that you aren't in this alone, you've come to the right place. Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with my lat...
What do I do if I've pushed my anxious child too far?
Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast with Dawn Friedman, where listeners' questions about child and teen anxiety are answered by a seasoned child anxiety expert. In this episode, Dawn discusses what to do if you've pushed your anxious child too far, illustrated through a common scenario featuring 'Joan,' a 10-year-old with school refusal. Dawn explains how the family's efforts to manage anxiety may unintentionally exacerbate it by creating restrictive routines. Instead of focusing solely on conflict points like the morning routine, Dawn advises examining broader family dynamics to identify and untangle various 'Parenting Pitfalls.' If you...
Is my anxious child coping or overwhelmed?
Welcome to "The Child Anxiety FAQ" podcast, where we dive deep into the everyday challenges and questions that parents face when dealing with child and teen anxiety. I'm Dawn Friedman, and with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families, I'm here to offer practical advice and support. In each episode, I aim to tackle the questions you're losing sleep over, like how to differentiate between healthy coping crying and when your child might be overwhelmed or in distress. This episode references episode 120: What does healthy coping with child anxiety look like?
If you like what...
How do I deal with my child's hurt feelings when I push them to face their anxiety?
This is an issue that's present for many of the families with whom I've worked so I thought I'd bring it here to the podcast and talk about the underlying concerns for parents when they bring this up. Our empathy and concern can make anxiety intervention difficult and we have to address it as we move forward.
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Why shouldn't I ask my anxious child why they're anxious?
A better question might be WHEN shouldn't I ask my anxious child why they're anxious but this episode gives us a good start to the topic. Besides, of COURSE you're going to ask your anxious child why they're anxious but lots of us are anxious for no reason except that we have anxious brains. And getting too stuck in the question can keep our families stuck in anxiety. Learn exactly what I'm talking about in this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ.
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<...How do I tell if it's my child's anxiety or mine?
In this episode, we explore the dynamics of family functioning patterns and what the research has to say about how to intervene when families are struggling. If you're not sure if child anxiety is an issue for your family, I recommend you take my Parenting PItfalls Quiz. This will help you identify where you're struggling (and where you should start) and also give you the chance to catch my free webinar and subscribe to my Sunday Newsletter, where you can learn more about child and teen anxiety.
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What does healthy coping with child anxiety look like?
In today's episode I'm talking about what healthy coping really looks like—it’s not always pretty, but understanding this helps us prepare to keep going even when it's hard. Realistic expectations and an understanding that (to quote Jessica Baird), "Crying is coping" makes it so much easier to power through as we support our kids in overcoming their anxiety.Â
Learn more about Jessica Baird and her services at Kids Can Cope
And submit your questions to the podcast by going to my website Child Anxiety Support
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How do I help my anxious child deal with worries about real life events?
In this episode we're discussing how to talk about real-life worries, the big worries that maybe are already keeping you up at note, too, like climate crisis, economic uncertainty, or natural disasters. It's hard to be a regular old adult when we're facing these kinds of anxieties let alone being a growing kid or teen who's just trying to get a handle on how the world works! I look forward to your feedback on the topic and hope you'll come by my site at ChildAnxietySupport.com or message me on social media where I'm @dawnfriedmanmsed to let me know...
How can I determine if my own anxiety is influencing my parenting of my anxious child?
(Sorry about the audio quality -- I'm having some issues with my editing software!)Â
Welcome to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast!Â
Today's episode answers the question: "How can I determine if my own anxiety is influencing my parenting of my anxious child?" We'll talk about the ways in which parental anxiety can impact child anxiety, what the research has to say about it and discuss strategies for breaking the cycle.
If you find our conversations helpful, I invite you to subscribe to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast and leave a rating or review. Yo...
How do I set limits for my anxious child without feeling guilty?
In today's episode, we're diving into the  topic of setting limits for your anxious child without succumbing to guilt. We talk about the complexities parents face, particularly those who are working to heal their own childhood wounds while supporting their children. We'll address why feelings of guilt are a natural part of parenting and how understanding anxiety can help in making informed, beneficial decisions for our children.  If you're ready to unpack the mess of emotions and strategies around parenting an anxious child, stay tuned!
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What are some practical steps I can take to encourage my child to tolerate their anxiety?
In today's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, host Dawn Friedman MSEd addresses a crucial question from our listeners: What are some practical steps I can take to encourage my child to tolerate their anxiety? With over 30 years of experience working with children and families, I offer general strategies that can be adapted to different age groups and situations. The goal is not to eliminate anxiety, but to help children understand and tolerate it. I emphasize education about the normalcy of anxiety, externalizing it by giving it a name or character, and developing strategies to engage with it. Join...
How do I deal with my anger towards my anxious child?
Welcome back to another episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, where your questions about child and teen anxiety are answered. I'm your host, Dawn Friedman, and today we're diving into a challenging but common issue many parents face: dealing with anger towards their anxious children. With over three decades of experience working with families, I'm here to help you understand the roots of this anger, often linked to catching your child's anxiety, and offer strategies to manage it. Join me as we explore how to create space for yourself, recognize anxiety's role in these emotions, and foster forgiveness and...
How can I support my anxious child while also addressing their behavior?
In today's episode, we tackle a common but complex question: "How can I support my anxious child while also addressing their inappropriate behavior?" Using a real-life example of a parent dealing with their 10-year-old's morning meltdowns before school, I explore some of the root causes of school refusal, the importance of ensuring a supportive environment, and strategies for managing anxiety and inappropriate behavior. From assessing whether the issue could be due to a poor school fit, separation anxiety, or lack of sleep, to planning and setting boundaries, I offer comprehensive advice on creating a balanced approach that supports both...
Should I let my anxious child have a phone?
Hey, everyone. Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, where we tackle your pressing questions about child and teen anxiety. I'm Dawn Friedman, your host, with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families. In this week's episode, we'll confront a dilemma many parents face: should you let your anxious child have a phone? This question isn't straightforward, especially when considering the myriad complications of digital life, such as social media, online games, and the addictive nature of screens. I'll guide you through the difference between restriction and caution, provide insights into how to navigate these choices, and...
What are some practical ways to address the academic pressures and expectations that contribute to my child's anxiety?
Welcome back to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, where we tackle listener questions about child and teen anxiety. I'm your host, Dawn Friedman, and with over three decades of experience working with kids and families, I aim to bring you practical advice and insights. As the school year kicks off, many parents are concerned about the academic pressures their children face. Today's episode is all about exploring those pressures and finding ways to manage them effectively. We'll discuss the different kinds of academic stress kids encounter at various stages, from second graders to high school juniors, and how external...
Do already anxious children struggle more with anxiety as they enter adolesence?
In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, we’re talking about whether already anxious kids struggle more with anxiety as they enter their teenage years. I’ll be sharing my experience working with kids and families for over 30 years and diving into the effects of hormone changes on anxiety. Join me for a casual, informative chat about child and teen anxiety and how it impacts parents.
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How can I create a bedtime routine that helps my anxious child feel more secure and comfortable?
Welcome back to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast! In this week's episode, we're diving into the world of bedtime routines for anxious children. I share insight to help parents create a bedtime routine that fosters a sense of security and comfort for their anxious children. From the essential steps of a bedtime routine to addressing potential pushback from kids, I provide practical and actionable advice. I also introduce my 6 week coaching program, "Bedtime Navigator," designed to support parents in helping their anxious children get a good night's sleep. \Stay tuned for expert tips and strategies on promoting a peaceful...
What are some tangible signs that my child's anxiety is impacting their sleep?
In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we talk about the tangible signs that a child's anxiety is impacting their sleep. Drawing from my extensive experience working with children and families, I explain how to recognize when anxiety is affecting a child's ability to sleep well. I also highlight the importance of addressing sleep issues alongside anxiety and offer insights into how improving a child's sleep can positively impact their overall anxiety functioning. If you want to learn more about my better sleep program for parents of anxious kids, you can check out my Bedtime Navigator 6-week coaching...
How can I prioritize both my child's sleep needs and my own well-being as a parent without feeling guilty or overwhelmed?
This month, we're focusing on sleep, to coincide with the launch of my 6-week coaching program, Bedtime Navigator. Today's question addresses the challenge of prioritizing your child's sleep needs and your own well-being as a parent without feeling guilty or overwhelmed. We'll explore how guilt and overwhelm affect sleep, why consistency is crucial, and how to find balance in meeting both your child's and your own needs. Stay tuned for practical advice and insights on this common parenting struggle.
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How do I know if my anxious child is having typical sleep struggles or something more serious?
In this episode of The Child Anxiety Back podcast, we dive into the topic of sleep and child anxiety. We address a common concern: how to distinguish between typical sleep struggles and something more serious. I emphasize the importance of recognizing the validity of a child's sleep struggles and discusses the strong link between child anxiety and sleep issues. Delving into the definition of pediatric insomnia, we highlight the impact on both the child and the family and stress the need for parents to seek support and intervention if sleep struggles persist, offering insights into behavioral interventions and the...
What are some ways to set limits and consequences for my anxious child's behavior without causing shame or distress? 2
In this week's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we continue to explore the delicate balance of setting limits and consequences for anxious children without causing shame or distress. Addressing feedback from previous episodes, I delve into the challenge of protecting both the anxious child and their family members from the natural consequences of anxious behavior. I emphasize the importance of understanding and supporting the child's developmental journey, especially in situations where the child struggles to control overwhelming feelings. With practical insights and empathy, I offer advice for parents navigating this complex terrain. Tune in to discover valuable strategies...
What are some ways to set limits for my anxious child's behavior without causing shame or distress?
In this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ, we challenge the notion of avoiding distress and emphasizes the importance of helping children learn to cope with discomfort, a fundamental tool in managing anxiety. We explore the difference between punishment and consequences, emphasizing the effectiveness of logical consequences in guiding children's decision-making. We also discuss the role of shame in parenting anxious children and offer insights on utilizing time-out as a protective measure rather than a punishment. Join us as we unravel effective strategies for setting limits and consequences while nurturing our anxious children without causing undue distress or shame.<...
I am super busy, how can I prioritize working on my child's anxiety?
This week's question is a common one: "I am super busy. How can I prioritize working on my child's anxiety?" In this episode, we'll explore the importance of addressing anxiety, finding the time to do so, and a unique program designed to work with busy parents. So, if you've been wondering how to make anxiety a priority in your family's busy schedule, tune in for some valuable insights.
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How can I help my anxious child understand their feelings of resentment and blame toward me as a parent?
In this week's episode we talk about helping anxious children understand their feelings of resentment and blame toward their parents. As children navigate the tumultuous teen years and battle with anxiety, it's natural for them to push back against their parents. We discuss the complexities of this issue, providing understanding and guidance for parents on how to navigate these turbulent emotions. I emphasize the importance of being bigger than the conflict, setting boundaries, and fostering healthy communication with their children. Tune in to gain insight into supporting your anxious child through this difficult and transformative stage.
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How can I manage the guilt and emotional struggles that come with parenting an anxious child?
In this episode, we talk about how guilt can hinder decision-making and the importance of moving forward despite feeling guilty. I emphasize the significance of setting boundaries, managing anger, and maintaining loving connections with our anxious children. Tune in to gain practical advice on navigating the complexities of parenting an anxious child.
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What are some effective strategies to help my child when they engage in negative self-talk?
In this episode, we're getting into some solid strategies to help out kids dealing with negative self-talk. We tackle the challenges of the tween and early teen years, discuss the impact of social anxiety, and give parents some practical tips to support their anxious children.
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What are some practical strategies for reorienting myself to a less anxious mindset so I can better support my child?
This week we talk about the importance of acknowledging and working through personal anxieties, and I share specific techniques to help parents manage their own worries while supporting their child's journey to coping with anxiety.
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Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!
My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up...
How can I identify specific areas to work on with my anxious child without overwhelming them?
This week I share insights on disrupting anxiety patterns, identifying manageable starting points, and honoring both parental and child capacities.
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Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!
My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions!
RESILIENCY SPRINT<...
What do I do when I'm not enjoying my anxious child?
This is such a painful place to be! But pain can also be the motivation we need to revisit what we're doing and start doing something different! Mostly I want to reassure you that loving your kids doesn't mean you'll always love parenting those kids and that's ok.
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My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to...
How do I help my anxious child process their feelings?
You know what's hard about this one? Well, first not all anxious kids WANT to process their feelings and second sometimes processing their feelings gets them stuck. Learn more on this week's episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ
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Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!
My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and...
What did I do to cause my child's anxiety?
Spoiler alert -- you're not the cause but yes, you are the solution. Both things can be true! I talk about the fallacy that a child's diagnosis ALWAYS goes back to what the parents are doing. Nonsense!Â
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Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!
My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then s...
Is my anxiety causing my child's anxiety?
This question is less important than the asker thought it was and I use this episode to explain why. I also talk a little bit about why it's ok if two households are handling the anxiety diffrently (mostly because there's not necessarily anything we can do about it)!
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My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to...
What are some specific tips you have for parents of anxious teens?
Specifically? Help your teen get more sleep! It's my number one wish for ALL anxious kids and other humans! Learn more this week on The Child Anxiety FAQ
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Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!
My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the...
What can I do about my anxious child's low self esteem?
Poor self esteem is super common in child anxiety and no wonder -- anxiety upends our ability to do the things they want to do or that are expected of them. Let's talk about what we can do as loving, supportive parents.
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Do you have any tips for an overwhelmed parent dealing with my child's anxiety? the child anxiety FAQ episode 96
I have several tips, mostly about finding new ways to consider what parenting an anxious child is supposed to be, which might help you feel less pressured to "fix" things.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!
My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50...
