Coping with anxiety for parents, kids and teens

The times we are living in are, shall we say…challenging?  It is hard enough as adults to navigate these difficult waters while still looking after our mental and physical health.  But what if you have children to care for as well?  As a parent myself, I know how much we worry about our kids—if they are eating right, getting enough exercise, getting good quality rest, and living well-balanced lives so they will grow up to become happy, healthy and productive adults.  We take a lot of responsibility on ourselves to keep things together for the sake of our children, both within our external, physical world and our internal, mental world.  But no matter how prepared you are, no matter how well-stocked your pantry is and no matter how cheerfully you go about your business, the world can be a scary place for both adults AND children.  It is important to acknowledge your own feelings, worries, and anxieties, and be willing to talk with and listen to your children about what they are thinking and feeling as well.

When the World Feels Like a Scary Place: Essential Conversations for Anxious Parents & Worried Kids (155.4 Gew) is an excellent resource to start with.  This book guides parents and caregivers in how to broach difficult topics with their children and to make them (and ourselves) feel comfortable discussing what’s on their minds.  The Opposite of Worry: The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears (155.4 Coh) helps parents compassionately and effectively navigate their children’s tough emotions with humor and empathy.  Growing Up Brave: Expert Strategies for Helping Your Child Overcome Fear, Stress and Anxiety (649.64 Pin) encourages parents and caregivers to be proactive in their approach to opening a dialog with their children about their anxieties and concerns, learn coping tools and also what to do if professional help is needed. 

For young children, it may be helpful to read materials together that are written specifically for their age group and then talk about what happened in the book.  Did they ever feel the way the characters in the book did?  What are some things they can do when they feel that way?  A Feel Better Book for Little Worriers (J 152.46 Bro) is a rhyming book that offers just those kinds of strategies.  Feeling Nervous (J 152.4 Bul) helps children identify their emotions and learn how to manage them in a positive way.  Sitting Still Like a Frog Activity Book: 75 Mindfulness Games for Kids encourages children to become aware of both their minds and their bodies and to practice techniques to calm themselves when big emotions hit.  Guts (J 155.418 Tel) is a wonderful graphic novel about a young girl who has to deal with the physical manifestation of her anxiety.

The library also has excellent resources geared toward teenagers that help them develop coping strategies for the unique challenges and anxieties that their age group faces.  Parents can read these books together with their teens or use them as a conversation starter to get parents and teens talking about and sharing their thoughts, feelings, and struggles.  Helpful titles include The Mindful Teen: Powerful Skills to Help You Handle Stress One Moment at a Time (155.518 Vo); Helping Your Anxious Teen: Positive Parenting Strategies to Help Your Teen Beat Anxiety, Stress, and Worry (649.125 Jos); and The Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens: CBT Skills to Overcome Fear, Worry & Panic (155.5 Sha).

Finally, as adults, parents and caregivers, it is important to set aside time and attention to take care of your own mental and emotional well-being.  The library can help with that as well!  Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence, the Groundbreaking Mediation Practice (158.12 Sie) can help parents become and remain focused and calm.  The Power of Breathwork: Simple Practices to Promote Well-Being (613.192 Pat) provides 40 exercises to reduce tension and improve mental and physical health.  Stop Reading the News: A Manifesto for a Happier, Calmer and Wiser Life (070.43 Dob) is a very timely and relevant guide to intentionally turning away from outside influences that trigger our feelings of stress and anxiety.  And a brand-new book, First Art Kit: Creative Papercraft Remedies for What Ails You (745.54 Pat) helps you to stop worrying and start crafting.

Any of our friendly and knowledgeable staff in the Circulation, Youth Services or Reference Departments of your library would be happy to help you locate these resources, and more.  Stop by today and check us out!