How do you talk to kids about the hard stuff — without making their worries worse?

In this Thriving Kids Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about how to talk with kids and teens about difficult, emotionally loaded topics in calm, developmentally appropriate ways.

Drawing on clinical experience from his work at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Anderson walks through what helps — and what often backfires — when kids ask about scary news, big life fears, or sensitive issues at home.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Talking to kids about anxiety, disasters, and frightening news
• Helping children cope with worries about climate change
• Supporting kids dealing with unkind friends or social rejection
• How to respond when kids fear losing a parent
• Discussing financial stress without passing on adult worry
• How to talk about suicide safely and openly
• Explaining substance use and addiction in age-appropriate ways

Throughout the episode, Dr. Anderson emphasizes validation, honesty, emotional regulation, and keeping conversations open — even when a parent feels they didn’t handle a moment perfectly the first time.

Further reading

• Helping Children Cope With Frightening News – Child Mind Institute
• Kids and Climate Anxiety – Child Mind Institute
• Big Talks: How to Have Important Conversations With Kids – Child Mind Institute