The Anxious Child

Each child is unique and grasps life’s reality according to his or her own personality, education. Doing some things can bring a feeling of anxiety to some children. Their lack of confidence in themselves makes it more difficult for them to do things on their own and may feel incapable. Anxious children require a special attention but be sure not to give a label to them or they will take this image of themselves for granted.

1. Don’t express your concerns and doubts about your child’s ability to do things. Your child might develop his own anxiety based on yours.

2. Reassure your child about his feelings. Give him the right to have them and show the importance to talk about them. You also feel feelings like anxiety, sadness, anger… Emphasize the fact that it’s normal.

3. Don’t do things for your child. Let him try, it will help him feel more confident in himself regarding what he’s afraid of. Talk about your own failures, what you’re incapable of doing. Help him put things into perspective.

4. Accompany your child through small steps toward each of his goals.

5. Role play with your child about the situations he’s anxious about.

6. Don’t set expectations that are too high for your child. Don’t seek perfection but rather help him accept his failures, see things as more simple and realistic to make him less anxious about doing them and not afraid of disappointing you. He can’t disappoint you but he needs help feeling courageous and knowing he’s capable of doing things.

Being the parent of an anxious child demands a constant encouragement from you. Your child will be grateful if you help him without putting too much pressure on him. He’ll share his anxiety and trust you while starting to trusting himself and it will improve his ability to achieve his goals, little by little. It’s essential.

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