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Is your child or teen struggling with anxiety? Are you looking for practical, easy-to-implement advice to help them navigate through their fears and worries? Welcome to The Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, the essential weekly podcast for parents seeking expert guidance on managing anxiety in their children.
Each week, Dawn Friedman MSEd -- a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience—answers listener questions about child and teen anxiety. Whether it's understanding the root causes, learning effective communication strategies, or finding the best ways to support your anxious child, this podcast provides you with succinct, deep, and practical answers to your pressing questions.
Why Listen to The Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast?
🌟 Expertise You Can Trust: With a rich background as a preschool teacher, parent educator, family case manager, clinical counselor, and now as the owner of Child Anxiety Support, Dawn has dedicated her career to supporting little kids, big kids, teens, and their parents. Her insights are grounded in years of hands-on experience and evidence-based practices, ensuring you receive advice you can rely on.
🌟 Convenience for Busy Parents: Each episode is designed to fit seamlessly into your hectic life. Lasting just ten to fifteen minutes, you can easily listen during a school pick-up, while making dinner, or whenever you have a small pocket of time. No long lectures—just concise, actionable guidance you can start using right away.
🌟 Real Questions, Real Solutions: This isn't just any podcast. It's a community-driven resource where your questions take center stage. Listeners submit their most pressing concerns about child and teen anxiety, and each week, I provide thoughtful, detailed responses. You’ll hear valuable tips and strategies that directly address your specific challenges, making each episode highly relevant and immediately useful.
🌟 Compassionate and Relatable: Parenting an anxious child can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Dawn's approach is warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental. She aims to create a supportive space where you feel understood and empowered to make positive changes in your child's life.
What You’ll Learn:
Effective Communication Techniques: Discover how to talk to your anxious child without making things worse and learn the right words to alleviate their fears.
Anxiety Management Tools: Get practical strategies for helping your child manage their anxiety.
Parenting Tips for Anxious Kids: Learn how to create a supportive home environment and practice parenting methods that reduce anxiety.
Handling Specific Situations: Find out how to address common anxiety triggers such as school, social situations, sleep issues, and more.
Subscribe to The Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to make a meaningful difference in your child's life. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app.
Each week, Dawn Friedman MSEd -- a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience—answers listener questions about child and teen anxiety. Whether it's understanding the root causes, learning effective communication strategies, or finding the best ways to support your anxious child, this podcast provides you with succinct, deep, and practical answers to your pressing questions.
Why Listen to The Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast?
🌟 Expertise You Can Trust: With a rich background as a preschool teacher, parent educator, family case manager, clinical counselor, and now as the owner of Child Anxiety Support, Dawn has dedicated her career to supporting little kids, big kids, teens, and their parents. Her insights are grounded in years of hands-on experience and evidence-based practices, ensuring you receive advice you can rely on.
🌟 Convenience for Busy Parents: Each episode is designed to fit seamlessly into your hectic life. Lasting just ten to fifteen minutes, you can easily listen during a school pick-up, while making dinner, or whenever you have a small pocket of time. No long lectures—just concise, actionable guidance you can start using right away.
🌟 Real Questions, Real Solutions: This isn't just any podcast. It's a community-driven resource where your questions take center stage. Listeners submit their most pressing concerns about child and teen anxiety, and each week, I provide thoughtful, detailed responses. You’ll hear valuable tips and strategies that directly address your specific challenges, making each episode highly relevant and immediately useful.
🌟 Compassionate and Relatable: Parenting an anxious child can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Dawn's approach is warm, empathetic, and non-judgmental. She aims to create a supportive space where you feel understood and empowered to make positive changes in your child's life.
What You’ll Learn:
Effective Communication Techniques: Discover how to talk to your anxious child without making things worse and learn the right words to alleviate their fears.
Anxiety Management Tools: Get practical strategies for helping your child manage their anxiety.
Parenting Tips for Anxious Kids: Learn how to create a supportive home environment and practice parenting methods that reduce anxiety.
Handling Specific Situations: Find out how to address common anxiety triggers such as school, social situations, sleep issues, and more.
Subscribe to The Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to make a meaningful difference in your child's life. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app.
137 Episodes
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Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, hosted by Dawn Friedman, who has over three decades of experience working with children and families. In this episode, Dawn addresses the widespread anxiety caused by unprecedented times and political upheaval, particularly since the Trump administration. She shares her experiences as a progressive therapist serving diverse clients and discusses the impact of societal issues on personal anxiety, emphasizing the importance of self-care. Dawn offers practical advice on managing news consumption, setting priorities, and finding meaningful ways to contribute to societal issues without overwhelming oneself. She encourages listeners to focus on maintaining strong relationships with their children and recognizes the long-term challenges and emotional toll of these times.00:00 Introduction to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:33 Addressing General Anxiety in Unprecedented Times01:15 Impact of Political Climate on Mental Health03:49 Body Image and Anxiety During Political Turmoil06:07 Navigating Anxiety in the Current Political Landscape11:01 Strategies for Managing Anxiety and Staying Informed14:15 Balancing Personal Well-being and Civic Responsibility22:37 Concluding Thoughts and Listener Engagement
In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, we've got a listener's question about handling backsliding in anxious children. I emphasize that backsliding is a natural part of managing anxiety, particularly during times of increased stress, such as the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. I explain that children with anxious brains are more prone to see negativity and potential disaster, and learning to manage anxiety is an ongoing process. I discuss various scenarios that may trigger backsliding and advise parents to reframe it as an opportunity to reinforce coping skills rather than viewing it as a regression. I also highlight the importance of supporting children through these periods and being kind to both the child and oneself. I encourage listeners to consider the context of their child's backsliding and offers guidance on how to navigate these challenging times.00:00 Introduction to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:29 Understanding Backsliding in Anxious Children04:46 Reframing Backsliding as Progress05:28 Common Triggers for Backsliding06:56 Managing Expectations and Support08:45 Handling Stressful Situations and Behaviors10:32 Consistency and Flexibility in Parenting12:28 Conclusion and How to Submit Questions
Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, hosted by Dawn Friedman, an expert with over 30 years of experience in working with children and families. In this episode, Dawn addresses the question, 'How can I help my anxious child build distressed tolerance skills?' She explains the concept of distress tolerance skills, emphasizing their importance in coping with anxiety. Using relatable examples, Dawn provides practical strategies for parents to help their children tolerate anxiety and distress. She underscores the importance of acknowledging small successes and gradually building these skills, highlighting that growth in managing distress is a gradual process. Dawn also discusses the challenges parents face, including their own distress, and offers understanding and support for both children and parents on this journey. Listeners are encouraged to reach out with questions and explore additional resources available on the Open Book Parenting website.00:00 Introduction to Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:40 Understanding Distress Tolerance Skills02:35 Practical Examples of Distress Tolerance06:39 Building Distress Tolerance in Children13:41 Managing Parental Irritability14:46 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
Taking a Summer Break and Future PlansHi everyone and welcome to the Child Anxiety Fact Podcast. My name is Dawn Friedman, and I've spent over three decades working with children and families in various roles. In this episode, instead of answering questions, I explain why I'm taking a break for the summer and discuss my future plans. I'll be busy with increased speaking engagements and working on a book proposal titled 'Tell Me It Will Be Okay,' focusing on supporting anxious children. On a personal note, my daughter is moving back home to start college, and we'll be navigating the challenges of living together again. For continued learning, I recommend subscribing to my newsletter right here: https://openbookparenting.kit.com/497c86cec7I'll be back with the podcast in September, and I hope you have a great summer!00:00 Welcome to the Child Anxiety Fact Podcast00:35 Why I'm Taking a Summer Break00:58 Summer Plans and Speaking Engagements01:56 Book Proposal: Tell Me It Will Be Okay03:28 Personal Update: My Daughter's Move05:15 Navigating Parenting Pitfalls14:48 Returning in September: Stay Connected
Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, hosted by Dawn Friedman, a seasoned expert in child and family support with over 30 years of experience. In this episode, Dawn addresses a common concern from parents: what to do when their anxious child is upset, especially when the goal is not to make them feel better immediately. Dawn explains the importance of helping children face their fears gradually through exposure plans, and highlights the value of teaching children to tolerate discomfort. The episode offers practical strategies, such as modeling calm behavior and validating the child's feelings without agreeing with their fears, to help children develop skills to manage anxiety. Dawn emphasizes the role of parents in supporting and guiding their children through anxiety-provoking situations, making it clear that holding space for their child's learning and growth is crucial. Listeners are invited to submit their questions for future episodes through Dawn's website, OpenBookParenting.com.00:00 Introduction to Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:30 Understanding Your Role in Managing Child Anxiety00:47 Creating an Exposure Plan01:44 Practical Examples of Exposure Techniques04:54 Validating Your Child's Feelings06:00 Teaching Anxiety Management Skills08:32 Role Modeling and Supporting Your Child11:05 Conclusion and How to Submit Questions
In this episode, Dawn Friedman, an experienced child anxiety expert, answers a listener's question about how to involve siblings in the management of a child's anxiety. Dawn discusses the impact of family dynamics on siblings, the importance of recognizing and addressing parenting pitfalls, and strategies to ensure that non-anxious siblings receive the attention and support they need. She emphasizes the significance of understanding each child's unique needs and offers practical advice such as taking her Parenting Pitfalls Quiz to gain insights into family patterns. The episode highlights the balance between supporting an anxious child and maintaining a healthy environment for all siblings.00:00 Introduction and Host Background00:32 Understanding Sibling Involvement in Anxiety01:50 Identifying Family Patterns and Pitfalls03:44 Addressing Guilt and Insight04:21 Practical Steps to Support Siblings06:14 Reflecting on Personal Experiences06:53 Case Study: Joan's Family09:35 Final Thoughts and Encouragement10:16 Conclusion and Call to Action
In this episode, we address a common concern among families—distinguishing between a child's anxiety and personal preferences. We explore how to identify if a child's behavior is driven by anxiety or simply a lack of interest in certain activities. Tune in to gain insights on this important topic and learn strategies to better understand your child's needs. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to my podcast for more valuable content!Takeaways: Understanding the distinction between a child's anxiety and their preferences is crucial. Avoidance behaviors in children may indicate anxiety, requiring careful observation and support. Encouraging children to experiment with their fears can help differentiate anxiety from preference. Social anxiety often overlaps with introversion, necessitating nuanced approaches for understanding children's behaviors. Parents should consider their child's interests and motivations when addressing anxiety-related issues. Regular engagement in anxiety-provoking situations can enhance a child's coping skills and resilience. Links referenced in this episode:childanxietysupport.com/podcast
In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses a listener's question about the use of reward charts for anxious children. Dawn shares her extensive experience working with families and discusses the complexities of using rewards and charts. She explains her flexible stance on rewards, noting the potential pitfalls, such as children focusing on rewards rather than the process. Dawn also highlights the importance of celebrating family efforts and accomplishments holistically. For more insights and to post your own questions, visit ChildAnxietySupport.com/podcast.00:00 Introduction to Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:29 Thoughts on Reward Charts for Anxious Children02:09 The Problem with Rewards03:21 Effective Use of Charts and Celebrations04:25 Implementing a Family Plan06:56 Focusing on Family Behavior10:06 Conclusion and SupportMentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses a listener's question about why a child's progress in therapy can seem to wear off over time. Dawn explains that anxiety in children is often reinforced by family patterns, termed 'Parenting Pitfalls', which unknowingly support avoidance behaviors. She discusses the importance of continuous practice and parental involvement in managing anxiety and reinforces that setbacks are a normal part of the learning process. Listeners are encouraged to revisit therapy if needed and to apply the skills learned consistently across different contexts and developmental stages. For submitting questions, visit ChildAnxietySupport.com/podcast.00:00 Introduction to the Child Anxiety Fact Podcast00:28 Listener Question: Why Did Therapy Stop Working?01:21 The Role of Parents in Managing Child Anxiety01:40 Understanding Anxiety Patterns and Accommodations04:29 Therapy Success and the Need for Continuous Effort07:25 Practical Tips for Parents to Support Anxious Children10:46 Conclusion and How to Submit Your QuestionsMentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
In this episode of the Child Anxiety FAQ podcast, Dawn Friedman addresses how to encourage children to become more independent in managing their anxiety. Dawn emphasizes the importance of self-education on child anxiety, modeling coping strategies, practicing these strategies with your child, and consistently offering encouragement. She also discusses allowing children to make their own choices and decisions, even if it involves experiencing failure. Dawn shares personal anecdotes and insights on guiding children to be resilient and independent in managing their anxiety. Listeners are invited to submit their questions on her social media or website.00:00 Introduction to Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast00:37 Encouraging Independence in Anxious Children01:32 Educating Yourself on Child Anxiety02:12 Modeling Anxiety Management03:08 Practicing Coping Tools with Your Child04:12 Encouraging and Supporting Your Child05:45 Letting Go and Trusting Your Child's Journey07:17 Personal Anecdotes and Final Thoughts09:10 How to Submit Your QuestionsMentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
In this episode, I get personal and share lessons and reflections from my own parenting experiences—specifically, what I wish I’d done differently with my anxious child. Parenting is a wild ride; full of challenges, growth, and yes, some regrets, too. But don’t worry! We don't dwell there. Instead, we use these reflections as stepping stones towards understanding and doing better.So, if you're feeling a little lost or just need some reassurance that you aren't in this alone, you've come to the right place. Hit that subscribe button to stay up to date with my latest episodes, and if you find the discussion helpful, please take a moment to rate the podcast. Your feedback helps me reach more parents who are navigating the world of child anxiety.Come on over to childanxietysupport.com if you’ve got more questions or to learn more about how we can work together. Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
Welcome to the Child Anxiety FAQ Podcast with Dawn Friedman, where listeners' questions about child and teen anxiety are answered by a seasoned child anxiety expert. In this episode, Dawn discusses what to do if you've pushed your anxious child too far, illustrated through a common scenario featuring 'Joan,' a 10-year-old with school refusal. Dawn explains how the family's efforts to manage anxiety may unintentionally exacerbate it by creating restrictive routines. Instead of focusing solely on conflict points like the morning routine, Dawn advises examining broader family dynamics to identify and untangle various 'Parenting Pitfalls.' If you have a question about child anxiety, visit ChildAnxietySupport.com to submit your inquiry for future episodes.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
Welcome to "The Child Anxiety FAQ" podcast, where we dive deep into the everyday challenges and questions that parents face when dealing with child and teen anxiety. I'm Dawn Friedman, and with over 30 years of experience working with kids and families, I'm here to offer practical advice and support. In each episode, I aim to tackle the questions you're losing sleep over, like how to differentiate between healthy coping crying and when your child might be overwhelmed or in distress. This episode references episode 120: What does healthy coping with child anxiety look like? If you like what you hear and find it helpful, please subscribe to "The Child Anxiety FAQ" wherever you get your podcasts. And while you’re at it, rate and review the show—I appreciate your feedback and it helps other anxious parents find us. Let's figure this out together and create a supportive community where we remind each other: you’re not alone on this journey. Thanks for listening, and I look forward to being part of your support team!Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
This is an issue that's present for many of the families with whom I've worked so I thought I'd bring it here to the podcast and talk about the underlying concerns for parents when they bring this up. Our empathy and concern can make anxiety intervention difficult and we have to address it as we move forward.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
A better question might be WHEN shouldn't I ask my anxious child why they're anxious but this episode gives us a good start to the topic. Besides, of COURSE you're going to ask your anxious child why they're anxious but lots of us are anxious for no reason except that we have anxious brains. And getting too stuck in the question can keep our families stuck in anxiety. Learn exactly what I'm talking about in this episode of The Child Anxiety FAQ.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
In this episode, we explore the dynamics of family functioning patterns and what the research has to say about how to intervene when families are struggling. If you're not sure if child anxiety is an issue for your family, I recommend you take my Parenting PItfalls Quiz. This will help you identify where you're struggling (and where you should start) and also give you the chance to catch my free webinar and subscribe to my Sunday Newsletter, where you can learn more about child and teen anxiety.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
In today's episode I'm talking about what healthy coping really looks like—it’s not always pretty, but understanding this helps us prepare to keep going even when it's hard. Realistic expectations and an understanding that (to quote Jessica Baird), "Crying is coping" makes it so much easier to power through as we support our kids in overcoming their anxiety. Learn more about Jessica Baird and her services at Kids Can Cope And submit your questions to the podcast by going to my website Child Anxiety SupportMentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
In this episode we're discussing how to talk about real-life worries, the big worries that maybe are already keeping you up at note, too, like climate crisis, economic uncertainty, or natural disasters. It's hard to be a regular old adult when we're facing these kinds of anxieties let alone being a growing kid or teen who's just trying to get a handle on how the world works! I look forward to your feedback on the topic and hope you'll come by my site at ChildAnxietySupport.com or message me on social media where I'm @dawnfriedmanmsed to let me know your thoughts and challenges on the topic. Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
(Sorry about the audio quality -- I'm having some issues with my editing software!) Welcome to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast! Today's episode answers the question: "How can I determine if my own anxiety is influencing my parenting of my anxious child?" We'll talk about the ways in which parental anxiety can impact child anxiety, what the research has to say about it and discuss strategies for breaking the cycle. If you find our conversations helpful, I invite you to subscribe to The Child Anxiety FAQ podcast and leave a rating or review. Your feedback not only helps the podcast grow but also helps the information get in front of the families who need it. You can visit childanxietiesupport.com/podcast to submit your questions, or connect with me on social media where I'm @DawnFriedmanMSEd.Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
In today's episode, we're diving into the topic of setting limits for your anxious child without succumbing to guilt. We talk about the complexities parents face, particularly those who are working to heal their own childhood wounds while supporting their children. We'll address why feelings of guilt are a natural part of parenting and how understanding anxiety can help in making informed, beneficial decisions for our children. If you're ready to unpack the mess of emotions and strategies around parenting an anxious child, stay tuned!Mentioned in this episode:Sign up for Resiliency Sprint at a discount!My signature course, Resiliency Sprint, is available at a discount JUST for podcast listeners in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month! Head to my site to learn all about this 4-week program to build greater confidence and competence in your anxious child and then sign up with code PODCAST to get 50% off the coached and un-coached versions! RESILIENCY SPRINT
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