Issues that Like to Partner with Anxiety or OCD Anxiety and OCD don’t live in an isolated bubble. I wish they did! But unfortunately they often like to hang out with several other issues. The tricky part is knowing how to handle those issues differently, because they require us to do so. In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I talk about five common issues […]
Kids Who Worry Stuffed Animals and Toys Have Feelings Most kids get attached to stuffed animals or cute toys. But what if they thought those objects had feelings and it was their job to keep them safe? When you add anxiety or OCD into the mix, it could become a full time job. It can impact their sleep. What if I roll over them? It […]
Helping Kids Process an OCD Diagnosis It can be overwhelming to realize that your child or teen has OCD. It can be even more overwhelming to tell them. How do you explain it? How do you help them have a positive mindset? In this week’s kid/teen Youtube video, I talk to kids who were recently told they have OCD. I talk about hope, I talk […]
Handling Toddler & Preschooler Sleep Issues One of the first signs of anxiety in young children is sleep disturbance! Sleep disturbance can have a ripple effect throughout a child’s day. It can make them more cranky, anxious and irritable. It can make us, as parents, exhausted and impatient. That’s why I thought it would be helpful if I brought Allison, a sleep and wellness coach, […]
Helping Kids with Limiting Beliefs Around Anxiety or OCD I can’t do it. I’ll never beat it. It will always be like this! Those types of limiting beliefs are not only hard to hear, but they can become a self fulfilling prophecy. In this week’s Youtube video for kids and teens I talk about limiting beliefs and how kids can take small steps to slowly […]
Ugly Parenting Moments and How to Repair Them We all have our ugly moments as parents. We all show up in ways we don’t want to show up for our kids with anxiety or OCD. But what do we do after those ugly moments are over? In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast I explore what triggers ugly parenting moments and how we can repair […]
Calling out Anxiety or OCD When a Child is Angry We talk about helping our kids realize when it is their anxiety or OCD ruling their behavior. But what happens when we get a loud bark when we do it? Is it a bad sign if our child gets angry? Should we stop? In this week’s AT Parenting Survival Podcast, I talk about when and […]
How to Help Our Kids with Social Anxiety Social anxiety isn’t about being an introvert. It isn’t about being shy. Yes, those attributes can coexist with social anxiety, but it doesn’t have to be present. Social anxiety is about the fear of rejection. It is about the concern that others will judge or criticize you. When we have social anxiety we let others define us. […]
Is Anxiety or OCD Taking Over Your Child’s Identity? It is wonderful for our kids to recognize they have anxiety or OCD. It is also helpful for them to communicate when they are struggling with these issues. But sometimes our kids can over identify with their anxiety or OCD. I have OCD, I can’t! It’s my OCD, leave me alone! You know I can’t go. […]
You stare as your daughter lines up her toys, first by color and then by size. You’ve long ago ignored the well-intentioned friends and family who told you her behaviors were “typical.” There was nothing typical about it. You spend most of your morning sitting where she wants you to sit, following her very specific demands. Demands that if not followed to the letter, will result in a catastrophic meltdown that can go on for hours. You are pretty sure your child is showing early signs of OCD. That is not rocket science to you. But what you really want to know is how to deal with OCD – especially in a child this young.
It’s bedtime and instead of winding down, your house is winding up. “I’m scared,” you hear. “I’m too scared to sleep!” You hear over and over again. Your child pleads. Can they sleep with you? Can you sleep with them? Can they sleep on the couch next to you? You’ve tried everything. Threatening, negotiating, sympathizing…nothing works. Are you doomed to a life of sleepless nights or can this be fixed?
Your child clings to you for dear life when anyone even glances her way. Trying something new is a major event. Your shadow is 3 ft tall and calls you mama. People tell you she’ll grow out of it. Your relatives whisper in silent judgment. But your gut instinct is telling you this isn’t your fault. Your gut instinct is telling you this isn’t right. Should you turn a blind eye and hope for the best or should you face this problem head on? What can be done for anxiety in young children? Can young kids even get anxious?
Yes, they can. Anxiety doesn’t have to be about life events. Sometimes it is about genetics. Anxiety is thought to have a strong genetic basis and can be passed along, just like blue eyes and blonde hair.
It’s bedtime. You are arming yourself for battle. You muster up all your energy. It’s going to be a long night. You are already running on fumes from the frequent interruptions in your sleep the night before. How long can you function like this? What on earth can make a child so afraid to sleep? Especially a child who has experienced nothing but security and stability?
Some kids beg their parents for a pet. Some kids love to dig for bugs. In your home, dogs and bugs are what keep your child up at night. Play dates are dictated by the size and existence of a friend’s pet. A relaxing day by the pool can be ruined by a traveling bee. Is this going to pass or will your child have a fear of animals and insects their whole life?
Your child is paralyzed. She stares at the bathroom door unable to go through. She grabs the door handle with her shirt, fumbling to get it open. You’ve watched her wash her hands until they are raw. It seems like most questions that come out of her mouth are about germs. What is going on with her? This new fear of germs is taking over her life. How can you help?
