Episode 132

full
Published on:

1st Jul 2025

What do I do if I can't make my anxious child feel better?

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 Podcast

00:30 Understanding Your Role in Managing Child Anxiety

00:47 Creating an Exposure Plan

01:44 Practical Examples of Exposure Techniques

04:54 Validating Your Child's Feelings

06:00 Teaching Anxiety Management Skills

08:32 Role Modeling and Supporting Your Child

11:05 Conclusion and How to Submit Questions


Listen for free

Show artwork for The Child Anxiety FAQ

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

Profile picture for Dawn Friedman

Dawn Friedman