Episode 134

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Published on:

1st Sep 2025

How can I help my anxious child build distress tolerance skills?

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 Podcast

00:40 Understanding Distress Tolerance Skills

02:35 Practical Examples of Distress Tolerance

06:39 Building Distress Tolerance in Children

13:41 Managing Parental Irritability

14:46 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

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About the Podcast

The Child Anxiety FAQ
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.

About your host

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Dawn Friedman