Emotions With Ease

Is your child's "stomachache" really worry in disguise? Or maybe their irritability is more than just a bad mood? In this episode of Emotions with Ease, I sit down with my friend Kaitlyn Torres, APCC, a child and teen anxiety specialist, to unpack the everyday signs of anxiety—and how parents can respond with calm confidence.

Kaitlyn is a San Diego-based therapist (and mom of two!) who brings warmth, humor, and seriously practical tools. We cover everything from "frequent flyers" to the school nurse, to what to say in the middle of an anxious spiral, to how parents' own anxiety plays into the mix.

Whether you're parenting a worrier or just want to strengthen emotional wellness in your family, this conversation is packed with lightbulb moments.

[00:00] Welcome & Introduction Why I invited Caitlyn on the show and her passion for helping kids with anxiety and ADHD.

[05:04] Surprising Signs of Anxiety

• Irritability as a hidden anxiety symptom

• Avoidance (sports, school, social events)

• Headaches, stomachaches, muscle tension

[08:28] When Parents Are Anxious Too

• Why anxious parents often over-accommodate

• How your own childhood anxiety shapes your parenting today

• Shifting from "fixing" to helping kids build tolerance

[12:28] What an "Anxious Spiral" Looks Like

• The difference between externalizing (meltdowns) and internalizing (shut down) behavior

• How to respond when your child is spiraling

[19:29] The Power of Co-Regulation

• Why your calm is step one

• "Be the thermostat, not the thermometer"

• Why logic doesn't work in the heat of the moment

[22:21] Avoiding Over-Dependence

• Spotting and praising bravery in everyday life

• Using the Support Statement (Empathy + Confidence)

• Why parents should "say it, then stop talking"

[28:25] Everyday Routines That Calm Anxiety

• Anchor points (like nightly reading)

• Modeling your own self-talk around stress

• Building silliness and playfulness into the day

[34:19] The Goal Isn't to Eliminate Anxiety

• Helping kids learn to tolerate discomfort

• Why tolerating anxiety builds resilience for life

[36:12] Kaitlyn's Personal Shares

• The emotion she gets stuck in as a mom

• Her go-to regulation tool right now (hint: sometimes it's watching a fun show guilt-free!)

• Anxiety in kids often shows up as irritability, avoidance, or stomachaches, not just panic attacks.

• Parents with their own anxiety may over-accommodate—try shifting toward helping kids tolerate discomfort instead of removing it.

• In the middle of an anxious spiral, don't try to reason—regulate yourself first, then co-regulate with your child.

• Use a simple Support Statement: "It makes sense you feel nervous… and I'm confident you can handle this." Then stop talking and let it land.

• Create anchor points in your day—like reading together or dancing in the kitchen—that bring predictability and joy.

• Remember: the goal isn't to erase anxiety, but to help kids grow the confidence to handle it.

📖 Breaking Free from Childhood Anxiety and OCD by Eli Lebowitz

👉 Follow Kaitlyn on Instagram: @kaitlyntorrestherapy

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who needs a little extra calm in their parenting toolkit. And don't forget to subscribe to the Emotions with Ease podcast so you never miss practical tools for raising kids with confidence and connection.

💌 Want more strategies for worry and anxiousness? Grab the BACK TO SCHOOL WORRY TOOLKIT https://sacredgroundcoaching.myflodesk.com/q27kuxqpid

Welcome back to Emotions with Ease for Families! In this episode, we kick off a brand-new series on anxiety, worry, and fear. These three words often get lumped together, but they're not the same. Understanding the difference can help you guide your kids (and yourself!) through anxious seasons, especially during high-stress times like back-to-school.

You'll also hear why anxiety spreads "like glitter" in families and how to recognize when worry is running the show. Plus, get a free resource to help parents calm back-to-school stress.

[00:00] Welcome + Why We're Talking Anxiety Jami introduces the new series and explains why anxiety is one of the most common emotions families get stuck in.

[02:00] Back-to-School Stress Is Real How the transition back to school sparks anxiety and what parents are reaching out about most.

[04:00] Free Back-to-School Worry Toolkit Jami shares her free 10-day email challenge with quick, practical tools for parents and kids.

[06:30] Defining Fear Fear is a response to an immediate, real threat. Example: a barking dog running toward you. Fear's purpose is to keep us safe.

[10:00] Defining Worry Worry is a behavior — spinning "what if" thoughts that imagine a future we don't want. It's our brain trying to predict and control outcomes.

[15:00] Defining Anxiety Anxiety is the body's physical reaction to perceived danger. Unlike fear (real threat) or worry (thoughts), anxiety shows up in the body as energy in motion.

[18:00] Parental Anxiety Why parents who experience anxiety often see it reflected in their kids — and how awareness can turn that into a strength.

• Fear, worry, and anxiety are different — knowing the distinction helps kids (and parents) respond more effectively.

• Fear = real, immediate threat (dog charging, thunder clap).

• Worry = imagination at work creating negative "what if" futures.

• Anxiety = body's reaction to perceived danger, even if no threat is present.

• Parents who have experienced worry or anxiety are uniquely equipped to guide their children through it.

• All emotions serve a purpose — even the hard ones — when we understand their messages.

✨ Ready for quick, practical tools to help your child navigate worry and anxiety? Grab Jami's free Back-to-School Worry Toolkit — a 10-day email challenge packed with easy strategies for parents and kids.

👉 Follow Jami on Instagram @sacredgroundcoaching and click the link in her bio to get your toolkit today!

In this episode of Emotions With Ease, I talk with Cambria Bratcher, a Working Genius Consultant, about how discovering your "zone of genius" can transform parenting.

You'll learn how the six Working Genius types show up in family life, why parenting feels harder when we work outside our strengths, and how to bring more clarity and calm to your decisions as a parent.

• [00:05] What the Working Genius is and why it matters for families

• [12:45] How comparison steals joy in parenting

• [18:10] Making clearer decisions with your genius zones

• [25:00] Strengths of each genius & the reminder: "What we water grows"

• Lean into your natural genius zones as a parent.

• Stop comparing yourself—your strengths are unique.

• Water your strengths and watch them grow.

• Clarity in your genius = calmer parenting.

Grab the Back to School Worry Toolkit here!

Contact Cambria Bratcher @ [email protected]

Follow Jami on Instagram @sacredgroundcoaching

An episode that was taken from the full emotions with ease online course.