When kids are anxious, it’s natural to want to help them feel better. But by trying to protect kids from the things that upset them, you can accidentally make anxiety worse.
The best way to help kids overcome anxiety is to teach them to deal with anxiety as it comes up. With practice, they will be less anxious.
When a child gets upset in an uncomfortable situation and their parents take them out of the situation, they learn that getting upset is a good way to cope.
Instead, it’s helpful for parents to let kids know that they’re going to be okay, even if they’re scared. You can’t promise your child that nothing bad will happen. But you can express confidence that they can face their fears and feel less afraid over time.
Teaching children to become resilient in the face of adversity is the key to helping them thrive in life. A child who can deal with set backs and life’s hurdles is a child who can achieve anything.
Over the past two years, children across the world have had to be resilient and cope with so much change, restrictions and isolation. Most have coped well but for some it’s been unbearable. I see it in the work I do with young people every week, by teaching them to become resilient we offer them the greatest gift!
Do you want to learn how to use EFT with children? Jo “Tappy Jo” Picken offers a range of workshops and training to help parents, teachers and practitioners support children and young people.
