Parenting Anxious Kids: Understanding Anxiety in Children by Age and Stage

Clinical psychologist Galanti, who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy, has expertise in anxiety disorders and parenting. She says that anxiety is the body’s alarm system, and 30 percent of children are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder by the age of 18. That number continues to rise. She penned this book to inform parents how to best help their children. An age-organized guide to what youths worry about, the book starts with examining parenting styles and values in order to look at how parents may be contributing to the problem, in spite of good intentions. She includes specific fears around mealtime, school, separation, night waking, independence, and more. Each chapter contains a “What To Expect” section, her observations on common challenges during that age level, and a guide on what readers should say to their children about their concerns. She encourages parents to help their children work through negative thoughts. The chapters also include surveys and some questions for journaling and further self-reflection.