Helping Children Manage Feelings of Anxiousness

“My tummy hurts.” “I don’t want to go to school.” “I can’t sleep.”  These are all common phrases that many of us have probably heard the kids in our lives use at some point.  While it’s important to trust and believe what children tell us, sometimes these phrases are a way of saying they’re feeling anxious. 

Melissa Griffing, a child therapist and mom, posted a video on TikTok sharing 15 common phrases kids may say when they are anxious. Griffing believes that the first step in helping children manage their anxiety is by recognizing they’re anxious and helping them understand what they are feeling.

Continue the conversation about anxious feelings and let your young people know that you are there for them. A great way to learn more about how to cope with feelings of anxiety is through reading. Click here to hear our friend Rachel Vinciguerra read her children’s book, Mary Canary and the Worried Feeling. You can also click here to purchase your own copy of Rachel’s book to share with the young people in your life. Rachel is the Director of National Programs with Hello Neighbor and a Technical Assistance Consultant with TMP.