How to Parent a Child with Anxiety Issues

Parenting a Child with Anxiety Issues

Parenting Kids with Anxiety Issues

by Amy Egan

This past year I had a  few coaching sessions with a couple of two elementary aged kids.  Collin, a fifth grader and Cara, a second grader. Our first two visits we spent mostly working on  new, more effective parenting skills when handling Collin.  He was a pretty good-natured boy but his parents had typical tweenaged frustrations with him.  He was a little disrespectful, a little argumentative and tended to pull them into power struggles.  They were becoming beaten down by these things – but more than that, concerned about his anxiety level. Collin was a very anxious boy.

We mostly developed plans for handling his disrespect and the power struggles.  After reading suggested materials and a couple of coaching sessions,  they began to do the following on a consistent basis.

Forgive Yourself; You are a Great Parent

Forgive yourself; you are a great parent

Learn to Forgive Yourself

by Amy Egan

As a parenting coach I often notice that when a parent or couple first meet with me, they have such guilt that things are less than perfect in their homes.  The fact that they yell, are angry with their children, or can’t figure out how to make things more peaceful – makes them feel like failures.  I have empathy for them because I can relate.  For many of us, being a great parent is the most important thing in our lives. Therefore, when we feel frustrated with parenting it is easy to get down on ourselves for not getting it right.

8 Ways to be a Good Role Model for Kids

Dad and son eating vegetables - being a good role model

Being a Good Parent is Being a Good Role Model

Guest post by Kids ‘R’ Kids DFW

Being a good role model to your children will go a long way in their development. Here are some practical tips to help love and influence your child.

  • Be Predictable: Children want to know the rules and in a world full of contradictions and change, a parent should be predictable.
  • Forgive a lot: If a child makes a mistake, they need to know what was expected. Parents’ position should be clear and a few simple rules, firmly enforced, are more effective than many rules loosely enforced.