The back-to-school season is often filled with cheerful snapshots of well-dressed children, capturing the excitement of new beginnings. For many families, this time of year is a celebration of fresh starts. However, for those with children facing anxiety, it can be a bittersweet experience.
In our household, we faced these challenges head-on. Both of my kids have battled anxiety, exacerbated by diagnosed autoimmune conditions. The term “diagnosed” is crucial, as anxiety often goes unseen and is difficult to articulate. It manifests in tears, stress, loss of appetite, and a lack of laughter. Watching a once-vibrant child become withdrawn is heartbreaking and bewildering.
Anxiety can feel like an unrelenting weight. At one point, it turned our home into a cycle of distress: restless pacing at night, gasping for fresh air, and a constant fear of nausea. It impacted all of us, leaving no one untouched.
But here’s the hopeful news: improvement is possible! Over the years, we have explored various strategies to manage anxiety. While therapy and medication have been beneficial during the toughest times, self-awareness has proven invaluable on more manageable days.
When anxiety creeps in, we begin by asking a few key questions:
- What emotions are you experiencing?
- Can you articulate what’s causing these feelings?
- What activities help you feel your best?
- What safety measures do you already have in place?
- How have you navigated through this before?
As a parent, it’s essential to strike a balance between acknowledging your child’s struggles and encouraging them to keep moving forward. It can be a heart-wrenching process, but gently guiding them to try new experiences each day is vital for returning to a sense of “normal.” And when we achieve small victories, we celebrate them, reminding ourselves of the steps that helped us get there.
Recently, my son brought home his first homework assignment of the year, focused on self-awareness. The prompt asked, “What is a challenge for you?” He bravely wrote, “I find it hard to focus when I’m with friends because I have anxiety.” I found it poignant to witness his struggle for expression—self-awareness is so crucial for his well-being and not something most children his age typically grasp.
“I have anxiety,” he wrote, detailing how it often surfaces in the morning when uncertainty looms. But he also noted, “Once I’m settled, I usually feel better. If I need you when I’m anxious, I will let you know.” Reflecting on my own childhood struggles with anxiety, I recognize that I never had the words to articulate my feelings.
Both of my kids are thriving now, but anxiety can resurface unexpectedly. Experiencing both the weight of anxiety and the relief of its absence has given us a unique perspective on what “normal” feels like. As the school year progressed, my son has engaged with the school nurse, enjoyed walks with the therapy dog, and utilized meditation apps provided by the school.
While I cherish the joyful back-to-school photos, I am most thankful for my child’s ability to understand himself—beyond the smiles—and articulate his needs.
Summary
Childhood anxiety is a significant challenge for many families. It can manifest in various ways, making it essential for parents to foster self-awareness and open communication with their children. By encouraging them to express their feelings and guiding them through their struggles, parents can help their kids navigate anxiety more effectively. Resources like American Pregnancy are excellent for understanding these issues further, while Make A Mom offers insight into boosting fertility, and Intracervical Insemination provides additional support on related topics.