There’s nothing to worry about.” Done and done, right? We all wish it were that simple. You know there is nothing to worry about, so you say, “Trust me. To this end, I created an anxiety relief program for kids called GoZen! Here are 9 ideas straight from that program that parents of anxious children can try right away: 1. What is possible is to teach kids how to go beyond just surviving to really finding meaning, purpose and happiness in their lives. What is possible is to try to reach as many kids and parents as possible with these coping skills. I wish I could go back in time and teach the younger version of myself how to cope, but of course, that’s not possible. WAIT! Why didn’t my parents know about this? Why didn’t I know about it? Why don’t they teach these skills in school? What I also learned is that while there is no one-size-fits-all solution for anxiety, there are a plethora of great research-based techniques that can help manage it - many of which are simple to learn. Many parents suffer from frustration and a feeling of helplessness when they witness their child in this state day in, day out. Many kids miss school, social activities and a good night’s rest just from the worried thoughts in their head. In fact, 40 million American adults, as well as 1 in 8 children, suffer from anxiety. What I’ve learned over the last two decades is that many people suffer from debilitating worry. I’d spent the better part of my childhood covering up a persistent, overwhelming feeling of worry until, finally, in my early twenties, I decided to seek out a solution. We call this response anxiety and I know it well. And even perceived threats can create a real nervous system response. Here’s the thing: To your child’s mind, these situations are genuinely threatening. It hurts to watch your child worry over situations that, frankly, don’t seem that scary. Parents of kids with anxiety would move planets and stars as well. Most parents would move mountains to ease their child’s pain. If any of this sounds familiar, know you are not alone. No iPad for one week!” He looks at you as if you’re making him walk the plank. You resort to anger: “Timothy Christopher, you will get on this bus RIGHT NOW, or there will be serious consequences. A few seconds later he whispers, “Please don’t make me go.” Timmy, look at me… you trust me, right?” Timmy nods. “Timmy, we walk an extra four blocks to catch this bus because this driver has an accident-free driving record!” He doesn’t budge. You want to ease the excessive worry that’s become part and parcel of his everyday life. You look at Timmy and see genuine terror. What should be a simple morning routine explodes into a daunting challenge. Please don’t make me go.” You cringe and think, Here we go again. As all the kids line up to go to school, your son, Timmy, turns to you and says, “I don’t want to take the bus.
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