R. Meredith Elkins, Ph.D.

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Clinical Services

Clinical Services

Clinical Services

Parenting through anxiety isn’t about fixing every feeling–in yourself, or in your kid. It’s about learning to stay steady when emotions run high. When you commit to tolerating your own discomfort, you help your child learn they can

Anxiety thrives at the extremes.

When parents overprotect, kids learn “I can’t do this without you.”
When parents give too little support, kids learn “My feelings don’t matter.”
The balance? Supporting enough that

We often think the problem is anxiety itself—but so much of the struggle comes from the beliefs we hold about anxiety.

❌ If you believe anxiety is harmful, unsafe, or a sign that something is “wrong,” you’ll naturally want to

Avoidance brings quick relief, but it also teaches the brain that anxiety is dangerous. Over time, the cycle grows stronger.

The way forward? Facing anxiety in small, supported steps. 💡

👉 Save this post as a reminder the next time worry shows up.

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Download When to Worry About Worry to learn three research-backed indicators that can help parents tell when worry crosses the line.