Parenting Anxious Kids

October 2, 2023
Psychologist Galanti (Anxiety Relief for Teens) delivers a cogent manual for helping children cope with anxiety. Emphasizing the need for children to face the “things that they fear unreasonably,” Galanti contends that kids who aren’t encouraged to confront the sources of their anxiety learn to cope with discomfort through avoidance, which can backfire (for instance, she suggests that driving a kid to school because they feel anxious about riding the bus can worsen their distress if they later have to start taking it). Galanti tailors her strategies to six age groups, from toddlers to college students. She recommends that parents teach toddlers to identify their feelings by playing “emotional charades” (making exaggerated expressions and having a child guess which emotion is being portrayed), and suggests that expressing confidence in preschoolers’ abilities will help them push through discomfort (“I believe in you”). Much of the advice addresses how parents can avoid passing on their own anxieties; for instance, Galanti encourages parents who feel compelled to do their child’s homework for them to consider what fears of theirs drive this behavior and whether those worries are reasonable. Galanti’s straight-shooting tone complements the uncomplicated advice. It adds up to a thoughtful handbook on how parents can prepare children to handle emotional distress.

December 1, 2023
Toddlers demanding to sleep with their parents. Grade-schoolers resistant to taking the bus. Teens glued to social media. Adult children who won't move out. Every parent wants a happy, healthy, anxiety-free child. But anxiety is a part of life according to Galanti, a cognitive behavioral therapist. The trick is determining what is normal and what is cause for concern, and this book, broken down by age and developmental stage from toddler through adult, helps parents make the distinction. Galanti offers a series of quizzes and exercises to help readers assess their child's behavior and spot red flags. Parents need not be therapists, says the author, but they can help their children face their fears rather than avoid them. This involves parents first identifying and regulating their own emotions and anxieties so that they can talk about emotions, build routines, and model healthy behaviors. This very practical, accessible book will be welcomed by parents trying to help their children ease into independence at any age.

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February 1, 2024

Clinical psychologist Galanti, who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy, has expertise in anxiety disorders and parenting. She says that anxiety is the body's alarm system, and 30 percent of children are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder by the age of 18. That number continues to rise. She penned this book to inform parents how to best help their children. An age-organized guide to what youths worry about, the book starts with examining parenting styles and values in order to look at how parents may be contributing to the problem, in spite of good intentions. She includes specific fears around mealtime, school, separation, night waking, independence, and more. Each chapter contains a "What To Expect" section, her observations on common challenges during that age level, and a guide on what readers should say to their children about their concerns. She encourages parents to help their children work through negative thoughts. The chapters also include surveys and some questions for journaling and further self-reflection. VERDICT With epidemic levels of anxiety on the rise, especially for youths, this guide will benefit many parents who are looking for ways to be of help, instead of a hindrance, to their children.

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