Don’t expect your Lil’ Worrying Warrior to figure it out on their own. Help them understand the way they are feeling and offer reassurance. Contact your pediatrician if you feel anxiety is preventing your child from enjoying and participating in life. They’ll need a little extra support and techniques to move them forward. Also, the child’s school can help too by making special accommodations for children with anxiety. Ask to speak to a school psychologist or counselor when you arrive at your new location and ask for help.
More importantly, be present yourself. Children will look to parents for reassurance. Moving can be very stressful for the entire family; being calm and in the present is good role modeling for your anxious child.
What happened to the Lil’ Worrying Warrior on the park bench with his mother? I’m not sure, but I offered what I could to help. I called my two kids over to me and whispered in their ears, “See the boy on the bench. I think he’s a little nervous and needs a friend. Remember last year when you were really scared of this new place? I think he might need a friend to tell him it will be ok. I think he might be a Lil’ Worrying Warrior like you.” Both kids looked over their shoulder and nodded. My son picked up a soccer ball, my daughter a bottle of bubbles and walked over to him. My son approached cautiously, nervous himself.
“Hi, my name is Erik. Wanna play?”
The boy looked up for the first time. And, a faint smile appeared. Then the mom looked over at me. She mouthed the words to me that connected us from that moment on.
“Thank you.”
For more information about anxiety in children and how to help them, visit AnxietyBC –Youth and Worry Wise Kids.
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