Use the Power of Positive Parenting to Help Your Anxious Kid

An anxious kid needs a lot of attention and care. This article will give you some great tips on how to prevent mistakes when it comes to raising an anxious kid.

Your child is anxious. You feel helpless and confused. It’s a terrible feeling, but you are not alone. Thousands of parents deal with this issue every day. After all, kids are increasingly more pressured as they grow up. Fortunately, your child will grow out of their anxiety phase sooner rather than later. In the meantime, it is important that you stay calm and provide them with support in order to ease their fears. However, as with most parenting challenges, you need to be armed with the right information so that you can make things easier for your child and for yourself as a parent. This article will give you some great tips on how to prevent mistakes when it comes to raising an anxious kid from an anxious parent.

Dwell on the positives

Some parents make the mistake of dwelling on their child’s anxieties. This will only make your child feel more anxious, not less. Let’s say that your child is very anxious during social situations. You decide to hold their hand and be with them every time they are around other people. This will only make your child feel even more anxious. What should you do instead? Focus on the positives. Make sure you praise your child for their successes. Remind them that they are smart, kind, and capable. If your child has a friend over, don’t hover. Instead, make sure that you are friendly and welcoming. Let your child know that you will be nearby and that you will step in if there is ever a problem.

Talk to your child about their anxiety

If your child is old enough to understand and talk about their anxieties, encourage them to do so. Talk to your child about the different situations that make them anxious. Make sure they are aware that they may talk to you if they are having problems with their schoolwork. Your youngster needs to understand that feeling nervous is normal. You can urge them to take risks and accept their worry as a temporary state. Your child should also know that they can talk to you about their anxieties. Tell them that you are there for them and that you will do everything in your power to make things easier for them.

Don’t reprimand or punish your anxious child

Some parents make the mistake of disciplining their anxious children. This will only make things worse. Don’t punish your child for being anxious. They can’t help it, and punishing them for it will only further confuse and frustrate them. Instead, try to be patient and compassionate towards your child. Be supportive and make sure that they know that you will help them with their problems. If your anxious child is having a meltdown, stay calm. Make sure that you are not yelling, as this will only agitate them further. Talk to your child about their anxieties and make sure that they know that you are there for them.

Help your child build confidence

Anxious children are often very self-critical. They see every mistake as proof of their inadequacy. If your child is experiencing difficulties in one of their classes or sports, help them to see the situation as a learning opportunity. Make sure your child knows that it is okay to make mistakes. Mistakes are actually a good thing because they help your child to grow. Don’t dismiss your child’s concerns. Instead, talk to them about their problems and see what you can do to help.

Exercise with your child

Exercise is a great way to relieve anxiety. If your child is already exercising, great. If not, encourage them to start. Exercising is not just great for your child’s health. It is also a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. If your child is not interested in sports, find another way to get them exercising. This might be gardening, walking, or even yoga. Exercise is a great way for your child to de-stress and build their confidence.

Establish a healthy routine

Anxious children crave routine. If your child is anxious, they will want to know what is coming next so that they can prepare themselves. If your child is anxious, try and stick to a regular routine. Make it as consistent as possible. This will help your child to manage their anxiety better. Your child’s anxiety might be triggered by things like school starting and ending, the weather, or even the time of year. Try and plan accordingly.

Ask for help from professionals

If your child is struggling with their anxiety, they could benefit from seeing a professional. Professional help could consist of one-on-one sessions with a psychologist or a group therapy session. This type of help is especially important if your child is suffering from an extreme case of anxiety. Your child’s anxiety could be so severe that it causes them to miss school. If so, it is crucial that you seek professional help for them.

Try CBT with your child

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful for children who are experiencing anxiety. CBT focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors by encouraging the individual to become more aware of their thought processes. It is often used with adults who are experiencing anxiety, but it can be very effective with kids too. CBT can help your child gradually confront their fears in a safe environment by using relaxation techniques, mental imagery, or other coping mechanisms. It may also help to keep a journal or discuss worries openly with a therapist. Once your child has learned how to manage their stress and negative thinking, they can use these skills to cope with other challenges in their life as well.

Build a safe environment at home for your anxious child.

Consult your child's doctor about the best methods to make your house a safe place if they have been diagnosed with an anxiety problem. You might want to consider eliminating potential sources of anxiety, such as a high volume of noise, frequent visitors, a lack of privacy, or a lack of control. You can also try to create an environment that helps your child feel safer, such as a predictable daily routine, a dedicated source of comfort, and calm, soothing voices.

Help them to feel more in control of their surroundings by creating an anxiety-free zone in their bedroom. Offer them a quiet space where they can go to calm down when they feel stressed or overwhelmed. This can be anything from a favorite blanket, a teddy bear, or a beloved book. Help your child to recognize their own signs of anxiety and understand what they can do to help themselves when they experience these feelings. It might help to create an ‘ANX’ chart where they can record their anxieties and the things they do to help themselves when these happen.

Provide a supportive, non-judgmental ear when they need to talk. Be open to their concerns and let them know that you’re there to listen if they need to talk.

Conclusion

Anxiety is a very real issue that affects many people of all ages. Anxiety can be a completely normal reaction to stressful situations, but it can also be triggered by normal situations that people without anxiety would find to be minor. But no matter what causes your anxiety, it is a very serious and life-altering condition. If you or one of your children is dealing with anxiety, try applying these tips to help make life a little bit easier. Keep in mind that things may not improve overnight, but with a lot of hard work and patience, you can overcome your anxiety and lead a happier life. Visit Kidsactivitypage.com for more information on how to help your children deal with the troubles they face and grow into capable and independent adults.