Supporting Anxious Children: Empowering Carers/Parents with Proven Strategies

Helping Anxious Kids Thrive

Expert Tips from a Child Psychiatrist

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR CHILD'S ANXIETY TODAY

 Choosing 'Good Enough' in a World Full of Choices

good enough parenting Apr 30, 2024

Navigating the endless sea of parenting choices can feel like trying to find a quiet moment in a house full of kids—nearly impossible.

 

We're all striving to make the 'right' decisions, but let's face it, the 'best' choice is often elusive because:

 

  • Decision Overload: Every day, we face a barrage of decisions. Organic snacks or whatever's on sale? Another extracurricular or some much-needed downtime? It's enough to make anyone's head spin.

  • The Habit Loop: It's tempting to follow the crowd or stick with what's familiar. After all, who has the time to research every single option when you're already juggling a million things?

  • The Myth of the 'Best': In a world where every product claims to be a game-changer, it's easy to get caught up in the hype. But sometimes, the best option is just the one that gets the job done.

  • The tyranny of choice: Picking a show on Netflix shouldn't be hard, yet there we are, scrolling endlessly. Sometimes, the best choice is...

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Navigating the Silent Treatment: A Parent’s Guide

Navigating the Silent Treatment: A Parent’s Guide

Parenting is a journey, one that is filled with unique challenges. One such challenge that we often encounter is dealing with the silent treatment from our children. This can be a frustrating situation, but it’s important to remember that it’s not about us, even if it feels personal. It’s about their emotions—they might be overwhelmed, frustrated, or misunderstood, possibly lacking the words to articulate their feelings.

A Simple Framework

Before we delve into the silent treatment specifically, let’s talk about a simple framework that can guide us in reacting to confounding behaviors in a helpful way. This framework is based on giving our children the benefit of the doubt and asking two questions:

  1. What’s going on in the environment?
  2. What skills does my child need to deal with the environment?

This framework won’t guarantee perfect solutions, but it will keep you in reasonably good...

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What to do when your kid starts hanging out with the wrong crowd?

There's a sense of helplessness when our kids start hanging out with the 'wrong crowd', so to speak. 

 

We get anxious when our innocent sensitive kid gravitates to others who don't have their back. It's painful when your kid disagrees with your assessment.

 

So what's a parent to do? You can't exactly lock them away in a tower for 40 years (tempting). Forcing them to stop hanging out with said scoundrels is probably going to backfire! 

 

You are going to have to play the long game. You'll have to be subtle. A bit sneaky. Strategic. You're going to Trojan Horse the sh** out of this situation (I like to call it a sh*tuation. It presents an opportunity for your relationship to grow stronger over time).

 

The goal is to have the sort of connection with our kids that is predicated upon trust and security. Now. I do not mean trust that they are not going to do something stupid. And I don't mean security like Liam Neeson style parenting (we don't want to use...

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Navigating the Digital Age with Empathy: A Guide for Parents

 

The digital age has brought us many wonders, but it has also brought a host of dangers, especially for our children. As parents, we must be the guiding light that illuminates their path. With so many things vying for their attention, how can we connect with them? The key to this is empathy.

Empathy is vital because it fosters trust, which is the foundation of human connection. While much has been said about the cognitive and affective components of empathy, it's important to note the richness of the perceptual aspects of empathy.

To cultivate this often neglected but powerful aspect of empathic connection, we must first understand how to empathize with our children. By doing so, we can create a deeper understanding of their perspectives and feelings. As parents, we can then use this knowledge to provide better guidance and support.

Let me show you how you can start to cultivate this crucial aspect of empathic connection with your children.


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How do I parent my emotionally sensitive child? [A brief guide]

Children who experience intense emotions can be incredibly imaginative, empathetic, and intuitive. They may have heightened awareness of their surroundings but struggle with filtering information. This rich inner life can be both a gift and a challenge for them, especially as their brains are still developing. Big emotions can lead to big behaviors, which can confuse both the child and their parents.

Identifying Traits of Sensitive Children:
  • May experience heightened stress, anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed.
  • May struggle to cope with change, challenges, and criticism.
  • May have frequent and intense emotional outbursts and difficulty regulating emotions and impulses.
  • May feel isolated, misunderstood, or rejected by peers and have low self-esteem or confidence.

Our emotionally sensitive children need more guidance and support to help them manage their emotions and develop their God given strengths. Obviously this means parents may need to be a lot more patient than they...

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Why is parenting getting tougher?

mental parenting May 01, 2023
 
 

The Challenges of Modern Parenting
Parenting in today's world is becoming increasingly difficult, with several factors contributing to this phenomenon. Here are some of my observations:

  • We have grown accustomed to comfort, which has made the energy required for parenting seem more demanding.
  • Our children are constantly exposed to social media and its influencers, which can be unhealthy. How can parents keep up?
  • Children are pushed towards independence too soon, leading to detachment from their parents and closer connections to their peers.
  • Our desire for more money, freedom, and experiences has increased. We crave quick results and are intolerant of boredom.

To address these issues, we need to take a step back and reset. We must slow down and embrace discomfort. Reconnecting with each other and revisiting the basics is essential.

 Tune in to the Parenting with Huddle Wisdom Podcast to learn more
 
 
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Stop feeling guilty about setting boundaries with your children!

mental models parenting Aug 31, 2022

 

 Empathy as a Parenting Tool: The Importance of Setting Boundaries

Empathy is a crucial tool in connecting with our children, but it is not synonymous with yielding to their every demand. As adults, it is our responsibility to demonstrate that boundaries must be respected in life, whether these are legal boundaries or simply a person's private space. Although it is natural to feel guilty when a child pushes back against boundaries we set, it is important to avoid caving in, as this is not in anyone's best interest.

Our upbringing can play a significant role in where we draw the line when it comes to rules and boundaries, so it is essential to reflect on our own experiences. Similarly, our children's struggles to come to terms with boundaries are expected and should be anticipated. We need to be prepared for pushback and provide a clear rationale if questioned about certain rules, but we should also not be surprised if our kids whine or complain. Expecting some degree...

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Getting through tough parenting seasons

Winters can be rough (or any season for that matter depending on your circumstances) in our lives and it can really feel like it's never-ending.

I think though that this could be our opportunity to take stock, rest and store energy we need for new growth. To plan what seeds we want to sow when the time come perhaps. 

It can be extremely hard when or if a cold bitter season arrives. I definitely struggle to remain hopeful and to be still especially when it feels like there are cold harsh winds of various demands and pressures bearing down - and all we're trying to do is to stand still!

But when I find moments of stillness, I do my best to capitalise on those moments and spend energy really meditating on the ordinary things - what else can I really do in the midst of overwhelm? I can't think too far ahead because that might just heap anxiety onto what I'm already feeling, I don't want to think about the past too much lest it fills me with whatever unhelpful stifling...

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Instilling Values in Children: A Guide for Parents

parenting values May 07, 2022

 

 

As parents, we try our best to shield our children from negative influences. However, the reality is that children are like sponges, absorbing everything they see and hear, even if they don't fully understand it. That's why it's crucial for us to guide them through these experiences and help them make sense of the world around them.

Teachable moments are the best opportunities to teach our children about values. It's in the day-to-day moments of life that they see our values play out organically. For instance, instead of giving a didactic lecture on the merits and demerits of virtue ethics, children will learn more from watching how we handle conflicts and problems in the heat of the moment.

It's important to ask children questions about how they perceive situations and how they would respond. This helps to structure conversations around the values you would like to impart. Using stories from books or movies can also help to illustrate important values. Be sure to...

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Managing Sibling Jealousy: The Key to Maintaining Strong Family Bonds

Sibling rivalry, while a natural part of growing up, can strain relationships if not managed effectively. It’s crucial to stay alert to your children’s emotional health and respond suitably when signs of jealousy emerge.

A specific form of jealousy that demands our attention stems from the fear of losing parental affection. Children may react in various ways when they feel insecure, ranging from subtle hints to explicit actions. The remedy, however, remains constant - fostering connection. Empathy and quality time form the foundation of all personal relationships, and it’s essential to prioritize these for our children. We must strive to provide them with as much attention and connection as possible.

Inevitably, some children may require more attention than others. Hence, it’s vital to create unique traditions and rituals for each child. Allocate individual time for each of them and guard this time as if it’s indispensable. While maintaining equal...

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Meaningful Bonds for Lasting Influence

 

Struggling to communicate with your children?

Learn ways to support them even when words fail.

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