One of my most powerful memories from childhood involves a fear of thunderstorms and lightning. We grew up in the Midwest, where severe summer storms were quite common. I can remember looking for my mom one day in the house, and finding her out in the middle of the garage with the garage door open, … Continue reading Reflections: Life Lessons for Children in the Midst of the Co-Vid Crisis
Category: Anxiety
Comforting Your Child’s Heartaches
Is your child struggling with a broken heart? Broken hearts in childhood happen for all kinds of reasons, and children's reactions vary based on their season of growth and development. Sometimes, a broken heart is due to something obvious like grieving the loss of a loved one. Other times, it could be due to having … Continue reading Comforting Your Child’s Heartaches
Guarding a Child’s Heart From Anxiety: A Faith Perspective
Many argue that anxiety is an adaptive coping skill, a feeling that helps us to stay on top of things. For example, we may get anxious about a project at work being completed which then makes us remember deadlines. We may be anxious about our children eating well and therefore make sure their diet is … Continue reading Guarding a Child’s Heart From Anxiety: A Faith Perspective
Playing Pretend With Your Child Brings You Into Their World
Want to do something that will expand your child's love for creativity, help to stabilize her emotions, and build your relationship? Play pretend! A child's mind benefits from imaginative play, and there is little more that will bring a child joy than when a parent joins in for the fun. Pretending is healthy, fosters out … Continue reading Playing Pretend With Your Child Brings You Into Their World
Communicating with a Child Who is Struggling Emotionally
Is your child struggling with anxiety, fear, anger, hostility, resentment, sadness, or irritability? Is it hard to tell what could be causing the problem behavior? Is your child isolating or does he seem more depressed? Let's talk about how you can talk to your child in a way that garners a response. Regardless of your … Continue reading Communicating with a Child Who is Struggling Emotionally
Teaching Your Child to Embrace Change and New Experiences
Is your child afraid to try new things? New is not always easy for kids. Whether it is a new town, school, activity, sport, diet, or food, new means change, and change means the unexpected and uncertain. For most of us, change induces a bit of anxiety. It leads to a sense of not being in … Continue reading Teaching Your Child to Embrace Change and New Experiences
When Your Child’s Desire to Be Cool Turns Into Loneliness And Isolation
Fitting in is hard. It is hard when you are an adult...let's be real. It's a million times harder when you are a kid and trying to find your way. It is difficult enough trying to figure out who you are, but trying to figure out where and with whom you fit in only adds … Continue reading When Your Child’s Desire to Be Cool Turns Into Loneliness And Isolation
Seeking Answers for Your Fearful Child
Anxiety is an adaptive mechanism for humans. Anxiety helps people to show up on time for work, to manage their tasks, to be organized, and to care for others. After all, thinking about something over and over can cause our minds to remember what is important in our lives. However, anxiety that becomes consuming turns … Continue reading Seeking Answers for Your Fearful Child
Avoiding Bedtime Anxiety
For parents, daytime is busy and filled with activity. As the days wind down, our environments become quieter and our bodies are more still. Naturally, our thoughts in turn become louder and many of us mentally rehash the day and what needs to be planned for tomorrow. Those who are anxious tend to become more … Continue reading Avoiding Bedtime Anxiety
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