AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety

When your child is stuck in an endless cycle of reassurance, it can feel impossible to break free. Reassurance may bring temporary relief, but for kids with OCD it actually fuels the disorder and makes things worse in the long run.

In this episode, I talk about how reassurance becomes a compulsion, why it keeps your child trapped in OCD’s cycle, and what you can do differently instead. You’ll learn practical alternatives you can use right away that support your child without feeding OCD.

If you’re looking for more tools and strategies to help your child, check out my free video series, Survival Tools for Parents Raising Kids with Anxiety or OCD. You can sign up at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com.

To get the PDF mentioned in this episode go to www.natashadaniels.com/handouts 

To watch the Reassurance YouTube video click here.

To get the OCD Themes PDF click here.

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parents often rely on their usual parenting strategies to help their child with OCD — but those same strategies can actually backfire. 

In this episode, I break down the most common approaches parents try and explain why they don’t work when it comes to OCD.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, repeating the same things without progress, this episode will help you understand why and what to do differently.

To get the PDF handout that supplements this episode go to www.natashadaniels.com/episode440

✨ Get 50% off all my courses and workshops until October 18, 2025 11:59pm in honor of OCD Awareness Week. Go to AT Parenting Survival School and use the coupon code OCDAWARENESS2025.

Links mentioned in podcast:

Podcast: Validation vs Accommodations in OCD

Podcast: Developing Effective Incentive Plans

Reel: Distraction vs Refocusing

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD loves to change costumes. One week it’s germs, the next it’s harm or moral worries—and parents are left wondering, “Are we back at square one?” In this episode I explain why theme changes are common, what’s actually staying the same beneath the surface, and how to respond without chasing content.

You’ll learn:

• Why themes change (and why that doesn’t mean regression)
• 
  
• How to spot the OCD cycle across any theme
• 
  
• Practical ways to keep coaching and exposures on track when the fear looks “new”
• 
  
• Language you can use with your child when OCD suddenly pivots
• 
  

Want weekly free OCD parenting support delivered right to your inbox? Get on my newsletter by going to: www.Natashadaniels.com/newsletter.

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Join the AT Parenting Community

Core Fear YouTube Playlist

OCD is an Octopus video

Offense and Defense video

Moral OCD YouTube Playlist

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this podcast episode, I sit down with Dr. Tamar Chansky to talk about the newly revised edition of her classic book, Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Dr. Chansky has helped countless families better understand OCD and learn practical, compassionate strategies to support their children. 

In our conversation, we discuss what’s new in this updated edition, how the field’s understanding of OCD has evolved, and the tools parents need today to help their kids face intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey with OCD or looking for fresh tools to strengthen your child’s progress, this conversation will give you both hope and direction.

Get your updated version of Freeing Your Child from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OCD can show up much earlier than most people realize — and often in ways parents don’t immediately recognize. For younger kids, compulsions might appear before they can even describe intrusive thoughts. You might see rigidity, controlling behaviors, repetitive actions, or big meltdowns over things that don’t seem to make sense.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through how OCD can look in young children and share practical strategies for helping them. From personifying OCD as “Mr. Bossy,” to creating superheroes who fight back, to slowly reducing accommodations and even gamifying the process — I’ll give you tools to make OCD something your child can actually face.

If you’ve ever wondered how to support a younger child with OCD, this episode will give you a roadmap to start.

Also, check out my new children’s picture book to help children with OCD: Chloe and the Bossy Cloud.

***

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Contamination OCD can be easy to spot, but often, it runs much deeper than what you are observing.

In this episode, I break down the common mistakes parents make when trying to support a child with contamination OCD, such as:

• Assuming it’s always about germs or illness
• Focusing only on visible rituals instead of the underlying fear
• Overlooking how contamination spreads from “ground zero” to more and more things
• Missing the importance of tailoring exposures to the specific fear or feeling

Most importantly, I’ll share how to uncover the true root fear and ground zero behind OCD contamination, and why that shift changes how exposures are designed and carried out.

Resources mentioned during episode:

New Book: Chloe & The Bossy Cloud

Core Fear Series on Youtube

Core Fear Workshop

Contamination OCD videos for kids and teens

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moral OCD can be tricky for parents to recognize because it often looks like strong values, deep guilt, or honest confessions. 

In this episode, I break down the most common pitfalls parents fall into when trying to support their child with Moral OCD like:

• Mistaking OCD-driven fears for good morals
• Treating compulsive “confessions” as real
• Worrying that if you don’t respond, your child will bottle everything up. 
• Confusion around if it is OCD or your child’s religious or personal beliefs and preferences.

Most importantly, I’ll share practical ways to shift your responses: how to separate OCD from true values, recognize when you’re debating with OCD instead of your child, respond in a consistent way to “confessions,” and support healthy communication without fueling compulsions. 

You’ll walk away with concrete strategies to reduce accommodation while still staying connected and compassionate.

Moral OCD Instagram Accounts:

Rev. Katie O'Dunne

Justin Hughes

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenting a child with OCD, anxiety, and ARFID changes you in ways you can’t fully understand until you’re living it. 

Over the years, I’ve learned some powerful lessons — often the hard way — that have reshaped how I show up for my child and for myself. 

In this episode, I’m opening up about five insights that have made the biggest difference in our journey, and how you can begin to apply them in your own life.

If you’re looking for deeper support, practical tools, and a community of parents who truly understand, join us inside the AT Parenting Community at www.atparentingcommunity.com. Doors close on Thursday, August 4, 2025.

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When our child is in distress, it’s natural to want to jump in and fix things. But with OCD, that urge to solve, control, or protect can actually get in the way of long-term growth.

In this episode, I talk about one of the most powerful mindset shifts we can make as parents of kids with OCD: moving from “fixer” to “anchor.” You’ll learn how to step out of the cycle of urgency and step into a role that’s calmer, steadier, and more supportive—not just for your child, but for your own well-being too.

We’ll explore:

• Why trying to fix OCD backfires
• 
  
• What it really means to be an anchor
• 
  
• How this shift empowers your child’s progress
• 
  
• The internal script that helps you let go: “This is their journey. I’m just the support.”
• 
  

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or like you’re carrying too much—this episode is for you.

⚓️ Want an in-depth guide on how to be an effective anchor for your child with anxiety or OCD? Register for my free series at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com 

***

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re reading the books, watching the videos, and learning everything you can to help your child with OCD. But your child? They’re shutting down, avoiding exposures, or flat-out refusing to engage. Sound familiar?

In this episode, I talk about what’s really going on when you’re more motivated than your child to fight their OCD — and how to respond in a way that builds connection and long-term progress. You’ll learn what not to do, how to shift your approach, and why your role is still incredibly powerful even when your child is stuck.

🎧 Listen in for encouragement, clarity, and next steps.

⚓️ Want an in-depth guide on how to be an effective anchor for your child with anxiety or OCD? Register for my free series at www.atparentingsurvivalseries.com 

****

This podcast episode is sponsored by NOCD. NOCD provides online OCD therapy in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. To schedule your free 15 minute consultation to see if NOCD is a right fit for you and your child, go to

https://go.treatmyocd.com/at_parenting

This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the guidance of a qualified professional.

Parents, do you need more support?  

🌸 Here’s are resources I offer parents 👇🏻❤️

Online classes for parents raising kids with anxiety and OCD:

https://atparentingsurvivalschool.com

Join the AT Parenting Community (A membership designed to support parents raising kids with anxiety or OCD):

https://atparentingcommunity.com

Take one of my FREE webinars:

www.Natashadaniels.com/webinars

Check out my books: 

www.Natashadaniels.com/books

🌸 Other social places I hang out:

http://www.facebook.com/ATparentingSurvival 

http://www.pinterest.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.instagram.com/ATparentingSurvival

http://www.twitter.com/Parentingsurvival

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.