When Your Child Is Feeling Anxious, Here’s How You Can Best Support Them As A Parent
It’s not unusual for kids to feel anxious at times. But how do you know when their level of anxiety is out of the ordinary?
When a child’s fears and worries are constant and unrelenting and start to hinder their ability to perform in school or participate in play, it might be time to seek out a professional opinion on whether they’re experiencing anxiety or not.
If you’re wondering if your kid is struggling with anxiety, here are some signs to look out for:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Has trouble sleeping
- Muscle tension
- Irritability
- Excessive worrying
- Tiredness/fatigue
Due to a limited vocabulary, children may not have the words to describe what they’re feeling. So they often want to avoid places that make them feel distressed.
Or their anxiety might manifest as physical symptoms, like headaches or upset stomachs.
It’s normal for all people to experience some nerves and worries. But there’s a significant difference between typical anxiety and an anxiety problem.
If your child’s anxiety is becoming a serious concern, consult your doctor to evaluate how the anxiety is affecting your child’s life.
Aside from getting professional medical help, you can support your child through their anxiety right at home.
Allistair F/peopleimages.com – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only, not the actual person or child
It’s crucial to respect their feelings and empathize with them. While their fears may seem inconsequential to you, they are a huge cause of stress for your child.
Validate their emotions and let them know what they’re feeling is important. Try to remember what it was like to be at that age and put yourself in your child’s shoes.
Avoid minimizing their experiences and telling them to “just suck it up.” Statements like that are not helpful or effective when it comes to facing a fear.
Speaking of facing fears, you might be bent on having your child do the opposite because no parent wants to put their kid in a position where they’re uncomfortable.
We’re here to tell you to refrain from doing that, even if it makes your child feel upset. Avoiding situations that cause anxiety only works to enable your child’s fear and prevent them from learning how to handle their emotions.
The goal is not to eliminate anxiety altogether but to learn how to manage it. When presented with something that induces anxiety, practice coping strategies to get through it.
The more obstacles they overcome, the more confident they will feel in tackling challenging situations. Another way you can support your kid is by establishing routines. Routines help your child know what to expect each day, reducing stress and creating a sense of safety and structure for them. For example, have them follow a specific order of habits at bedtime.
First, take a bath, change into pajamas, brush your teeth, and finally, get tucked into bed. As a result, your child will feel more confident and stable when their daily activities are familiar to them.
In conclusion, let your child know they do not have to navigate this alone and that you will be a pillar of support for them, no matter what.
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