Many of our kids have a hard time being social with other kids. Some have social anxiety that makes them fear rejection and criticism. Others often feel too overwhelmed and depleted to be social. Unfortunately with the global shutdown, many kids are finding themselves even more isolated from their peers. School closures are limiting social connections and for those with social issues – the isolation is even more severe.
When you are a parent raising kids with anxiety or OCD you can encounter some awkward situations. Like what do you do when a close friend says ignorant things about your child’s anxiety or OCD. Or how do you handle sleepovers when you know your child might not make it through the night?
People think OCD is about germs or neatness, but many don’t realize that OCD can cause images to get “stuck” in a child’s head.
This isn’t about seeing something upsetting and worrying about it. This is about a particular image, scene or character literally “stuck” in their head.
Our kids worry about death. They worry about disease. They worry about germs. And even if they don’t worry about those things now, who’s to say they won’t start? So how are we supposed to explain the Coronavirus to kids with anxiety or OCD?
In this monthly series on the AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I interview parents from the AT Parenting Community as part of our member spotlight. In this month’s episode, I talk to Tiffany as she shares with us her trials and tribulations of raising a child with OCD. She discusses how she learned her son’s tics were really OCD compulsions and the struggle she had finding a professional skilled in treating OCD.
No one likes the idea of throw up. No one likes getting sick. But when you have a child with Emetophobia (the fear of throwing up), they are consumed with the idea of throw up. Will they see someone who throws up? Will they throw up? Will they catch something that will make them throw up?
You make the appointments. You drive your child each week. You hand over your credit card. But how do you really know if your child’s therapy is working. What should you look for? What are some red flags? Therapy can be time consuming and expensive, so it is important you know you are on the right track sooner rather than later!
Motivating Kids by Asking, “What is Anxiety or OCD Ruining for You?” It can be hard to motivate kids to work on anxiety or OCD. It can be a hard sell to tell them that the more they do hard things, the easier it will become. Anxiety or OCD can be demanding and convincing. So how are we supposed to motivate our kids to work […]
When I began my journey parenting kids with anxiety or OCD, it was a lonely experience – and I am an anxiety and OCD child therapist! I felt my judgement was questioned. I felt the diagnoses were questioned.I felt like my parenting was questioned.
To tell or not to tell. That is a common question I get asked by both parents and children alike. Is it a good idea for their friends to know they have anxiety or OCD? Could it be harmful?
Parenting a child with OCD can be overwhelming and lonely. The first Tuesday of every month, I am highlighting a member of the AT Parenting Community. We can learn from the real stories of others living a life, similar to ours. In these stories we can see our own.
Do I Tell My Child They have Been Diagnosed with Anxiety or OCD? Often one of the initial hurdles parents face when their child has been diagnosed with anxiety or OCD is what to tell their child. Do they even tell them at all? If they do, is it going to help or hurt the situation? I do have some strong opinions about this […]
Sometimes it just seems impossible. Beating anxiety or OCD seems like an insurmountable task that is not worth taking. This is especially true for our kids. When just getting them to do their homework or eat healthy is an uphill battle, how on earth can we encourage them to take steps towards their fear?
Helping Kids with Anxiety or OCD who have Holiday Overwhelm What can be wrong with lots of time off, plenty of parties, some pent up excitement and gift giving? Lots actually, especially if you are a child with anxiety or OCD. It is not unusual for kids to struggle a bit more during the holidays. The reason for this varies depending on the child’s […]
Anxiety and OCD can take its toll. It can be exhausting, overwhelming and traumatizing for the whole family. So, when your child starts to make some big improvements, it’s normal to be worried about how long it will last. It’s normal to doubt the progress. You might ask yourself, “Is this for real? Is this the new normal?”
