Watching your child struggle with worry can be difficult, and whilst feeling worried is a normal part of our lives, there are moments when worrying about something too much can be overwhelming – and this is known as anxiety. What anxiety looks like can be different for everyone. Some people might find that they feel it physically (such as breathlessness, sweating, shaking, feeling tense) whereas others might feel emotions like anger, frustration, confusion and sadness. Anxiety can also make us feel like we are unable to do certain things or make us obsess over our thoughts, compelling us to do specific tasks.

As a parent / carer it’s natural for us to want to rescue our children from these feelings by removing them from situations that might cause them worry. However, a more helpful approach is to empower the child and promote their confidence in their ability to cope with any situation they find themselves in. When your child is showing signs of being anxious, you might want to try breathing slowly with them, counting to five as you breathe in, and then counting to five again as you breathe out. It can also be helpful to reassure your child that the anxiety they are feeling will pass and that they will feel okay again. You could describe it like a wave that they can ride or surf until it peaks, breaks and gets smaller. 

If you want to learn more about how to support your child when they are feeling worried, here are some websites and downloads that you might find helpful.

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