If your child is experiencing anxiety, there are things you can do to help. As a parent, it can be difficult to watch your child suffer and not know how to make it better. Luckily, there are some concrete steps you can take to ease your child’s anxiety and help them cope. Here are some tips on how to help your 12 year old with anxiety.
Understand what your child is going through – anxiety can manifest itself in different ways in different people
Being a parent can be difficult as you strive to not only understand what your child is feeling but also find the best way to help them manage it. When it comes to understanding anxiety, this difficulty can become even more intense as its signs and symptoms may look different from one person to another. While studying common indicators of anxiety, such as fear and worry, may prove useful, talking through with your child about how their own emotions manifest themselves is key in recognizing the issue and beginning an effective plan for managing it. With patience, understanding and lots of communication between parent and child, children can learn self-care skills that will help them better cope with anxiety throughout their lifetime.
Talk to your child about their anxiety and how they’re feeling – let them know that it’s okay to feel this way and that you’re there for them
When our children are feeling anxious, it is so important to take time and talk to them. Providing a safe space to express their emotions and listen without judgment is key in helping them understand those feelings and work through them. If a child is having difficulty understanding their anxiety or expressing it, having a discussion can help them process what they’re feeling while providing reassurance that they aren’t alone. It’s so important to communicate that being anxious when faced with hard situations or changes is normal, but also reminding them of the hope and comfort you can provide—it’s crucial for helping kids gain confidence in themselves and feel supported as they go through tough times
Help them develop a plan to cope with their anxiety, including deep breathing exercises, journaling, or other relaxation techniques
Trying to manage anxiety can be quite difficult and overwhelming, but there are many tried and true methods of coping that can help. It’s important for someone to find their own plan for managing their anxious feelings. Working with your doctor or therapist to develop a plan tailored to your needs is key. This may include deep breathing exercises, journaling, progressive muscle relaxation, or other calming techniques such as mindfulness meditation or yoga. No matter which approach you choose, the goal is the same – to take control of your thoughts and feelings so that you can move forward despite any anxiousness that may be present. With practice, both the individual and those around them will see positive results in managing anxiety long term.
Encourage positive thinking and self-talk – remind them of their strengths and accomplishments when they’re feeling down about themselves
Practicing positive thinking and self-talk is a great way for us to build our confidence and resilience. When we take the time to acknowledge our strengths, capabilities, and accomplishments, this can go a long way in helping us push through tough times and difficult challenges. It’s important to remember that small victories are significant milestones too! No matter how insignificant it may seem, celebrating every success helps us stay focused on all the good things that have come out of our journey. Encouraging positive self-talk and shining a light on different areas of strength can help build overall self-esteem too.
Seek professional help if the anxiety is proving to be too much for your child to handle on their own
If your child is struggling with anxiety, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Anxiety can be a debilitating and disabling condition, so it is important to address it in the most effective way possible. A mental health care provider can work with your child to develop effective coping strategies to help them manage their worry. They may also be able to recommend additional interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or medication, if needed and appropriate. Professional treatment from a psychologist or psychiatrist may create a shift in perspective that leads your child to experience less distress associated with their anxiety and a better understanding of how to cope with it.
