This Is So Awkward Parenting Anxiety
Jun 10, 2025
Lynn Lyons, a seasoned psychotherapist focusing on anxiety disorders, shares valuable insights from her three decades of experience. She dives into the complexities of parenting anxiety, discussing the importance of emotion labeling and the pitfalls of avoidance. Listeners learn how parental anxiety can affect children, and she highlights strategies like fostering independence and proactive communication. Humor and practical advice abound, making it easier to navigate the challenges of raising resilient, emotionally intelligent kids.
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Anxiety as a Cult Leader
- Anxiety becomes problematic when it causes significant impairment and prevents participation in desired activities.
- Anxiety acts like a cult leader, dictating rigid rules that control behavior and restrict independence.
Normal Feelings Over-Pathologized
- Normal big feelings like sadness or rejection are often pathologized by labeling them as disorders.
- Over-pathologizing leads to kids feeling broken and resistant to fixing their feelings.
Teach Tolerance for Uncertainty
- The key skill to teach anxious kids is tolerating uncertainty and discomfort.
- Struggling with rejection, embarrassment, and failure is essential for growth and independence.
