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?

Let's be honest. Kids and anxiety – it's real stuff. And it's not always easy to know what's normal kid-stuff and what's something more. As parents, we can be caught in a bind: wanting to fix it, hoping it'll just go away, or simply feeling lost about what to do. So?

Parenting is a constant juggling act. 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 in kids isn't just about the usual butterflies before a big test. It can manifest 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 Have you noticed changes in their behaviour – more irritable, withdrawn, or clingy than usual?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.

The key question is: 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. 

Okay, so 'resilience' is a word we hear all the time these days, right? It's supposed to be something we help them build up. Like hitting the gym. Some days, you just wanna stay in your PJs and blob out, but to get that 'resilience' going, you must do the reps...and that takes more than just a quick burst of motivation. We have to decide where we want to be and work towards it. It will take time and effort, no two ways about it, but it's worth it.

Now, there's obviously stuff you can use to make this easier, like mental models and frameworks. (If you're keen, check out www.huddlewisdom.com/courses for our self-paced programs). Basically, resilience is about teaching kids to bounce back when things go sideways, figure out problems, and believe they can handle whatever comes their way.

We can help by making a chill, supportive space where they feel safe to try stuff and learn from their mistakes. Practically, this looks like:

• Saying their feelings are okay: Let them know it's fine to feel worried or scared. Don't just brush it off with stuff like "Don't be silly" or "It's nothing."
• Showing them how to chill out: Teach them stuff like deep breathing or mindfulness. Get them talking about how they feel and finding good ways to let it out.
• Helping them figure stuff out: Break down big problems into smaller bits. Get them brainstorming and trying different things.
• Building their confidence: Focus on what they're good at and celebrate their wins, even the little ones. Help them believe in themselves.
• Letting them do stuff on their own: Give them chances to try new things and take on stuff they can handle. This helps them get confident and resilient.

It's easy to hope they'll just "grow out of it," but anxiety rarely fixes itself. It's not something you can just ignore. It needs a little attention (but not too much), understanding, and sometimes, a bit of professional help.

Alright, so 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.

And sometimes, you'll need more than just your own support. Knowing when to get a pro involved is key. Don't be afraid to talk to your GP, a child therapist, or a school counselor. They can give you expert advice and support. You don't have to have all the answers. 

Before we finish up here, I want to leave you with this. There's a silver lining to anxiety. 

We often hear about ADHD and ASD being reframed as "superpowers." And there's a growing understanding of the unique strengths that can come with neurodiversity. In a similar way, while anxiety isn't a superpower, it can be reframed too.

A child with well-managed anxiety can be incredibly insightful, empathetic, and detail-oriented. They often think things through carefully, anticipate potential problems, and have a strong sense of fairness.

It's about learning to work with that sensitivity, not against it. It's about helping them understand and manage their worries, turning them from a source of stress into a source of strength.

Thanks for reading. 

If you want to really know this stuff well. Then check out the 'Making Sense of Anxious Kids' program. It's worth your time.