Fears are part of being a kid. Monsters in the closet. Dogs who come too close. Loud thunder. As parents we always want to make kids feel better. But experts say parents can’t — and shouldn’t — always be there to help kids calm down. Teaching kids how to manage childhood fears on their own builds confidence and independence. So how do we help kids start feeling braver? First, kids need practice. Which means parents must get comfortable letting kids be a little uncomfortable as they figure things out.

Help your child talk about what’s frightening them. Kids don’t always have the words to explain what they are afraid of. Help by asking specific questions. For example, if a child is afraid of dogs, you could say, “What makes dogs scary?”

Let your kids know you take their fears seriously, even if they don’t seem scary to you. For example, instead of, “Oh come on, that wasn’t scary!” try, “Wow, it sounds like you were scared!” Once they feel reassured, you can talk about how you’ll work together to help them be brave. Setting goals that are easy to reach, like agreeing to pet one friendly dog, is a good place to start.

Managing fears takes time, so be patient and give kids lots of praise. Most fears are a normal, natural part of childhood. However, if a child is afraid all the time, or has fears that stop them from having fun or interfere with their daily life, this could be a sign of anxiety and it may be time to get some professional help.

Source: https://childmind.org/article/help-children-manage...

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• Emotional Health