How to Help An Anxious Child

I like these. I like them because I have a number of lovely clients who have children and I am SO heartened when I hear them wanting to do the very best for those wee ones they can. And sometimes it is not easy. Kids are not easy. They are lovely and precious and often a challenge and sometimes, 'pains in the butt'!

For parents to be able to say or do the things below also requires them to be in a somewhat regulated state: calm, thinking...breathing. This takes practice...and it can be achieved! IT CAN!

Here is a video from Deb Dana, a therapist working with Polyvagal Theory and how each of us can learn to soothe ourselves, regulate our bodies...be fully present. www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-naiAdVMzk Take a look. She has several on YouTube.

Another lovely benefit, I believe, of these 8 things to say to an anxious child is about soothing and calming ourselves. Learning when that small child, or teen, inside us gets triggered and saying and doing exactly - to that part of us that is scared or anxious - what we would do for children. 

Double benefit! 

If you want to learn more watch some of Deb Dana's videos and maybe follow other links to learn how to calm yourself and how to help others. And remember, a calm you 'mirrors' calm so the other will energetically pick up on it and, hopefully and with some time and practice, learn how to regulate themself also.