In this episode, Dawn Friedman, an experienced child anxiety expert, answers a listener's question about how to involve siblings in the management of a child's anxiety. Dawn discusses the impact of family dynamics on siblings, the importance of recognizing and addressing parenting pitfalls, and strategies to ensure that non-anxious siblings receive the attention and support they need. She emphasizes the significance of understanding each child's unique needs and offers practical advice such as taking her Parenting Pitfalls Quiz to gain insights into family patterns. The episode highlights the balance between supporting an anxious child and maintaining a healthy environment for all siblings.

00:00 Introduction and Host Background

00:32 Understanding Sibling Involvement in Anxiety

01:50 Identifying Family Patterns and Pitfalls

03:44 Addressing Guilt and Insight

04:21 Practical Steps to Support Siblings

06:14 Reflecting on Personal Experiences

06:53 Case Study: Joan's Family

09:35 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

10:16 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode, we address a common concern among families—distinguishing between a child's anxiety and personal preferences. We explore how to identify if a child's behavior is driven by anxiety or simply a lack of interest in certain activities. Tune in to gain insights on this important topic and learn strategies to better understand your child's needs. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to my podcast for more valuable content!

Takeaways:

• Understanding the distinction between a child's anxiety and their preferences is crucial.
• Avoidance behaviors in children may indicate anxiety, requiring careful observation and support.
• Encouraging children to experiment with their fears can help differentiate anxiety from preference.
• Social anxiety often overlaps with introversion, necessitating nuanced approaches for understanding children's behaviors.
• Parents should consider their child's interests and motivations when addressing anxiety-related issues.
• Regular engagement in anxiety-provoking situations can enhance a child's coping skills and resilience.

Links referenced in this episode:

• childanxietysupport.com/podcast

In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses a listener's question about the use of reward charts for anxious children. Dawn shares her extensive experience working with families and discusses the complexities of using rewards and charts. She explains her flexible stance on rewards, noting the potential pitfalls, such as children focusing on rewards rather than the process. Dawn also highlights the importance of celebrating family efforts and accomplishments holistically. For more insights and to post your own questions, visit ChildAnxietySupport.com/podcast.

00:00 Introduction to Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast

00:29 Thoughts on Reward Charts for Anxious Children

02:09 The Problem with Rewards

03:21 Effective Use of Charts and Celebrations

04:25 Implementing a Family Plan

06:56 Focusing on Family Behavior

10:06 Conclusion and Support

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!

My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions!

RESILIENCY SPRINT

In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses a listener's question about why a child's progress in therapy can seem to wear off over time. Dawn explains that anxiety in children is often reinforced by family patterns, termed 'Parenting Pitfalls', which unknowingly support avoidance behaviors. She discusses the importance of continuous practice and parental involvement in managing anxiety and reinforces that setbacks are a normal part of the learning process. Listeners are encouraged to revisit therapy if needed and to apply the skills learned consistently across different contexts and developmental stages. For submitting questions, visit ChildAnxietySupport.com/podcast.

00:00 Introduction to the Child Anxiety Fact Podcast

00:28 Listener Question: Why Did Therapy Stop Working?

01:21 The Role of Parents in Managing Child Anxiety

01:40 Understanding Anxiety Patterns and Accommodations

04:29 Therapy Success and the Need for Continuous Effort

07:25 Practical Tips for Parents to Support Anxious Children

10:46 Conclusion and How to Submit Your Questions

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!

My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions!

RESILIENCY SPRINT

In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses how to encourage children to become more independent in managing their anxiety. Dawn emphasizes the importance of self-education on child anxiety, modeling coping strategies, practicing these strategies with your child, and consistently offering encouragement. She also discusses allowing children to make their own choices and decisions, even if it involves experiencing failure. Dawn shares personal anecdotes and insights on guiding children to be resilient and independent in managing their anxiety. Listeners are invited to submit their questions on her social media or website.

00:00 Introduction to Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast

00:37 Encouraging Independence in Anxious Children

01:32 Educating Yourself on Child Anxiety

02:12 Modeling Anxiety Management

03:08 Practicing Coping Tools with Your Child

04:12 Encouraging and Supporting Your Child

05:45 Letting Go and Trusting Your Child's Journey

07:17 Personal Anecdotes and Final Thoughts

09:10 How to Submit Your Questions

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!

My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions!

RESILIENCY SPRINT

In this episode, I get personal and share lessons and reflections from my own parenting experiences—specifically, what I wish I’d done differently with my anxious child. Parenting is a wild ride; full of challenges, growth, and yes, some regrets, too. But don’t worry! We don't dwell there. Instead, we use these reflections as stepping stones towards understanding and doing better.

So, if you're feeling a little lost or just need some reassurance that you aren't in this alone, you've come to the right place. Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with my latest episodes, and if you find the discussion helpful, please take a moment to rate the podcast. Your feedback helps me reach more parents who are navigating the world of child anxiety.

Come on over to childanxietysupport.com if you’ve got more questions or to learn more about how we can work together.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!

My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions!

RESILIENCY SPRINT

Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast with Dawn Friedman, where listeners' questions about child and teen anxiety are answered by a seasoned child anxiety expert. In this episode, Dawn discusses what to do if you've pushed your anxious child too far, illustrated through a common scenario featuring 'Joan,' a 10-year-old with school refusal. Dawn explains how the family's efforts to manage anxiety may unintentionally exacerbate it by creating restrictive routines. Instead of focusing solely on conflict points like the morning routine, Dawn advises examining broader family dynamics to identify and untangle various 'Parenting Pitfalls.' If you have a question about child anxiety, visit ChildAnxietySupport.com to submit your inquiry for future episodes.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!

My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions!

RESILIENCY SPRINT

Welcome to "The Child Anxiety FAQ" podcast, where we dive deep into the everyday challenges and questions that parents face when dealing with child and teen anxiety. I'm Dawn Friedman, and with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families, I'm here to offer practical advice and support. In each episode, I aim to tackle the questions you're losing sleep over, like how to differentiate between healthy coping crying and when your child might be overwhelmed or in distress. This episode references episode 120: What does healthy coping with child anxiety look like?

If you like what you hear and find it helpful, please subscribe to "The Child Anxiety FAQ" wherever you get your podcasts. And while you’re at it, rate and review the show—I appreciate your feedback and it helps other anxious parents find us. Let's figure this out together and create a supportive community where we remind each other: you’re not alone on this journey. Thanks for listening, and I look forward to being part of your support team!

Mentioned in this episode:

Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!

My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions!

RESILIENCY SPRINT