In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, I address a common concern from parents: whether to tell their children they have anxiety. I explain the importance of giving children the language to describe their feelings and emphasizes that anxiety is a normal part of being human. I highlights that labeling anxiety can empower children rather than limit them, and encourage parents to focus on coping strategies and overcoming avoidance behaviors. I also discuss the potential benefits of diagnosis and how it can help children better understand their experiences. Ultimately, I reassure parents to support their children in navigating their feelings while fostering resilience and courage.00:00 Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:25 Should You Tell Your Child About Their Anxiety?00:57 Understanding Anxiety: A Common Human Experience02:01 Talking to Your Child About Anxiety04:52 The Real Issue: Avoidance, Not Anxiety07:06 The Importance of Labels and Diagnoses10:13 Empowering Your Child Despite Anxiety12:44 Final Thoughts and How to Reach Out

In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, I address a common concern from parents: whether to tell their children they have anxiety. I explain the importance of giving children the language to describe their feelings and emphasizes that anxiety is a normal part of being human. I highlights that labeling anxiety can empower children rather than limit them, and encourage parents to focus on coping strategies and overcoming avoidance behaviors. I also discuss the potential benefits of diagnosis and how it can help children better understand their experiences. Ultimately, I reassure parents to support their children in navigating their feelings while fostering resilience and courage. 00:00 Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast 00:25 Should You Tell Your Child About Their Anxiety? 00:57 Understanding Anxiety: A Common Human Experience 02:01 Talking to Your Child About Anxiety 04:52 The Real Issue: Avoidance, Not Anxiety 07:06 The Importance of Labels and Diagnoses 10:13 Empowering Your Child Despite Anxiety 12:44 Final Thoughts and How to Reach Out

In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, I address a common concern from parents: whether to tell their children they have anxiety. I explain the importance of giving children the language to describe their feelings and emphasizes that anxiety is a normal part of being human. I highlights that labeling anxiety can empower children rather than limit them, and encourage parents to focus on coping strategies and overcoming avoidance behaviors. I also discuss the potential benefits of diagnosis and how it can help children better understand their experiences. Ultimately, I reassure parents to support their children in navigating their feelings while fostering resilience and courage.00:00&nbsp;Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:25&nbsp;Should You Tell Your Child About Their Anxiety?00:57&nbsp;Understanding Anxiety: A Common Human Experience02:01&nbsp;Talking to Your Child About Anxiety04:52&nbsp;The Real Issue: Avoidance, Not Anxiety07:06&nbsp;The Importance of Labels and Diagnoses10:13&nbsp;Empowering Your Child Despite Anxiety12:44&nbsp;Final Thoughts and How to Reach Out

Should I tell my child that they have anxiety?

Tell Me It Will Be OK is the conversation for parents of anxious kids who have read all the books, listened to all the experts, and still feel like something is missing.

Host Dawn Friedman, MSEd, has spent over thirty years in the trenches with families as an educator, family case manager, and clinical counselor. She knows that in a world of climate crisis, political upheaval, and digital noise, there is no such thing as a "quick-fix" script or a one-size-fits-all solution. Parenting bright, sensitive, and anxious children requires more than just a new technique—it requires a paradigm shift.

Each week, Dawn moves beyond the "how-to" to dig into the "why" and the "what now?" through:
--Deep-Dive Interviews: Conversations with researchers, activists, authors, and practitioners who look at the big picture of raising children today.

--Practical Wisdom: Evidence-based clinical insights (including SPACE and infant-toddler mental health) applied to the messy reality of daily life.

--The "No-Need-To-Be-Perfect" Philosophy: Shifting away from anxious perfectionism and toward the inner wisdom that helps us connect with our kids when things are hard.

To learn more about Dawn and the work that she does, you can check out her site, Open Book Parenting.

Health & Fitness

Mental Health

Parenting

Kids & Family

Tell Me It Will Be OK is the conversation for parents of anxious kids who have read all the books, listened to all the experts, and still feel like something is missing. Host Dawn Friedman, MSEd, has spent over thirty years in the trenches with families as an educator, family case manager, and clinical counselor. She knows that in a world of climate crisis, political upheaval, and digital noise, there is no such thing as a "quick-fix" script or a one-size-fits-all solution. Parenting bright, sensitive, and anxious children requires more than just a new technique—it requires a paradigm shift. Each week, Dawn moves beyond the "how-to" to dig into the "why" and the "what now?" through: --Deep-Dive Interviews: Conversations with researchers, activists, authors, and practitioners who look at the big picture of raising children today. --Practical Wisdom: Evidence-based clinical insights (including SPACE and infant-toddler mental health) applied to the messy reality of daily life. --The "No-Need-To-Be-Perfect" Philosophy: Shifting away from anxious perfectionism and toward the inner wisdom that helps us connect with our kids when things are hard. To learn more about Dawn and the work that she does, you can check out her site, Open Book Parenting.

Share Should I tell my child that they have anxiety?

Sign up to save your podcasts

Should I tell my child that they have anxiety?

Should I tell my child that they have anxiety?

More shows like TELL ME IT WILL BE OK

Planet Money

Criminal

Hidden Brain

Marketplace

Heavyweight

The Daily

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

The Indicator from Planet Money

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Anxiety in school aged children

Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry

The Ezra Klein Show

Handsome

Good Hang with Amy Poehler