Every kid experiences anxiety so parents need to be on alert and ready to help their kids navigate it successfully.
Talking Points:
- There are many signs of anxiety in kids. Here are a few: can’t concentrate, bad dreams, easily angry or irritable, negative or fearful thoughts, tense and fidgety.
- Anxiety can come from many sources. Your kids might have a fear of failure, social isolation, stranger danger or have suffered a trauma. Philippians 4:6-7
- You can help your kids manage their anxiety by:
- Assuring them that anxiety is a normal thing.
- Help them face their fears.
- Give practical strategies for what to do when they’re anxious 2 Timothy 1:7
- Seek professional help if it interferes with their quality of life.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How anxious were you as a kid?
- What signs of anxiety have you noticed in your kids? How have you responded to those signs in the past?
- What are the situations that seem to invoke fear in your kids? Do you know if they have experienced trauma that could be making things worse?
- Read Philippians 4:6-7. What are Paul’s instructions to us in this passage? How can you help your kids move past anxiety and trust God with that situation? How do you do at modeling trust in God over fear to your kids?
- Read 2 Timothy 1:7. What are some helpful strategies your kids can implement when faced with things that bring them angst? Be specific to each situation. How can you encourage them to remember that God gives them strength to overcome?
- What are some good indicators to know if it’s time to seek a professional?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
