Is Your Child's 'Little Worry' Destroying Their Future?

Is Your Kid a Bit Worried? Is it more than Just a Phase? Do you care?

It's not always easy to know what's normal kid-stuff and what's something a little more, like anxiety.

Parents, can be caught in a bind: wanting to fix it, hoping it'll just go away, or simply feeling lost about what to do when we've already got so much to do.

We're all trying to balance work, family, and our own well-being. Throw in hobbies, social lives, and the general chaos of family life, and it's easy for a child's worries to sometimes slip under the radar. Perhaps we allow ourselves to succumb to the allure of complacency. But the problem of course is then that ignoring it won't make it disappear. In fact, it can often make things worse.

 Anxiety manifests in a whole host of ways. Think beyond the obvious nervousness. Are there unexplained aches and pains – recurring tummy aches or headaches? Have you noticed changes in their behaviour – more irritable, withdrawn, or clingy than usual? Are they struggling to sleep? These can all be signs of underlying anxiety.

How do you distinguish between everyday worries and something that needs attention? Occasional nervousness is normal. Persistent worry, avoidance of everyday activities, or significant changes in behaviour – these are red flags. Trust your gut instinct. If something feels off, it probably is. 

You can tune in to Episode 128 of the Huddle Wisdom Podcast to learn more about this: CLICK HERE

Why should you care? Because a consistently anxious child can impact the whole family. It can create tension, disrupt routines, and make family life feel constantly stressful. More importantly, addressing these anxieties early gives kids the crucial tools they need to manage better. 

 What can you actually do? First off, pay close attention, but don't get sucked into coddling it. Notice the signs. Not just the big red flags, but the little whispers too. Are they ghosting their friends? Zoning out in class? Suddenly eating like a bird or a bear? Those are clues. Caring means being present, listening without jumping to conclusions, and letting them know their feelings are legit. You're there for them, no matter what. 

Now, when you approach that anxiety, don't tiptoe around it like it's a bomb. You're not scared. Be warm, but firm. Gentle, but crystal clear. Straight up with your message.

Check out the 'Making Sense of Anxious Children' program. It's worth your time and your children's health.