The Worry Edit
Helping Children with Anxiety: Tips and Resources for Parents from Parents
As parents, we often find ourselves seeking support and advice, especially when it comes to navigating our children’s emotions. Anxiety is a common challenge for many kids, and if your child struggles with worries, you’re not alone. When I shared about my 6-year-old son's anxiety on Instagram, (his is particularly around new people and situations), I received some incredible tips from other parents, which I’m excited to share here.
These strategies have made a real difference for my son and may help your child feel more supported and understood.
1. Worry Monsters: A Fun Way to Externalize Anxiety
One of the first tools we tried was a Worry Monster (aff link). These cuddly creatures are designed with a zipper mouth where kids can place written-down worries. The idea is simple: the monster "eats" their worries, giving kids a sense of release and control.
My son, Ivan, loved choosing his own Worry Monster—it made him feel involved and empowered. If your child enjoys tactile and imaginative activities, this might be a fun and effective way to address their worries.
2. Books That Normalize Worries and Teach Coping Skills
Reading together can be a powerful way to help your child understand their feelings. Two books we found particularly helpful are:
- Ruby’s Worry (aff link): A beautifully illustrated story that helps children recognize, acknowledge, and manage their worries.
- The Wobbler (aff link): While focused on anger, it also addresses emotional dysregulation, which often overlaps with anxiety.
These books open up opportunities for meaningful conversations and give kids relatable ways to see their emotions in action.
3. Practical Strategies to Support Your Anxious Child
Here are some tried-and-true techniques for helping children manage their anxiety, shared by my community on Instagram:
- Name the Anxiety: Giving it a name can help externalize the feeling. For example, “Oh, Andy Anxiety is back! What can we tell him today?” This creates emotional distance and helps your child feel more in control.
- Validate Their Feelings: Statements like, “I can see your tummy is hurting because you’re feeling nervous about school,” show empathy and build trust.
- Prepare for New Experiences: If new places or situations are a trigger, explore them together in advance. Look up photos, watch videos, or even do a quick visit to familiarise your child.
- Use Comfort Items: A small object like a photo, a scented tissue, or matching love-heart tattoos can act as a calming reminder of your connection.
- Social Stories: These short, personalised narratives can help children visualize and prepare for upcoming events, reducing their anxiety.
4. Helpful Resources for Understanding and Managing Anxiety
We’ve also created tools to support children’s understanding of anxiety and teach practical coping strategies. Our mindful activity range has received wonderful feedback, especially the anxiety workbook that guides kids through identifying their feelings and learning how to manage them.
You can:
These resources are great for both home and classroom use and can provide ongoing support for anxious moments.
Final Thoughts
Helping a child with anxiety is a journey, but small, consistent steps can make a big difference. Whether it’s through books, hands-on tools, or strategies like naming emotions, every effort helps your child feel more supported and resilient.
If you’ve found these tips helpful or have other strategies that work for your family, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s keep this conversation going—together, we can make a difference.
Warmly,
Kim x
