Sherianna Boyle - The Conscious Parents Guide to Childhood Anxiety: A Mindful Approach for Helping Your Child Become Calm, Resilient, and Secure

Avon, Massachusetts

Dedication

I dedicate this book to you, your children, and family. May your journey be filled with love, possibility, growth, and inner strength.

Copyright 2016 by F+W Media, Inc.

All rights reserved.

This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

Published by

Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc.

57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.

www.adamsmedia.com

Contains material adapted from The Everything Parents Guide to Overcoming Childhood Anxiety by Sherianna Boyle, MEd, CAGS, copyright 2014 by F+W Media, Inc., ISBN 10: 1-4405-7706-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-7706-2.

ISBN 10: 1-4405-9414-7

ISBN 13: 978-1-4405-9414-4

eISBN 10: 1-4405-9415-5

eISBN 13: 978-1-4405-9415-1

This book is intended as general information only, and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition. In light of the complex, individual, and specific nature of health problems, this book is not intended to replace professional medical advice. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions in this book are intended to supplement, not replace, the advice of a trained medical professional. Consult your physician before adopting any of the suggestions in this book, as well as about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and F+W Media, Inc. was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

Cover design by Alexandra Artiano.

This book opportunity arrived in the heat of summer. I want to thank my family for allowing me the time and space to write it. I also want to thank Adams Media for giving me the privilege to author this book. The subject matter couldnt be closer to what I choose to contribute to. To parents supporting their children through anxiety: I hear you, I commend you, and I truly honor your journey.

What we have learned about the brain has dramatically changed over the past ten years. New scientific research has substantiated how vast, viable, and intricately connected our brains are. Yes, the number of diagnoses of anxiety in children and teens seems to be on the rise, but so are reliable and sound strategies proven to alleviate anxiety. Also increasing is the number of parents who are committed to conscious parenting. Rather than be paralyzed by their childs challenges, conscious parents choose to expose their children to life skills, tools, and strategies they may have never learned otherwise.

As a conscious parent, you can help your child use mind-body strategies and relaxation techniques to understand and work through the symptoms of anxiety. You can help your child learn that he has a choice in how he interprets and responds to the symptoms. If he feels overwhelmed or fearful of what can happen, he may select responses that do more harm than good. On the other hand, viewing his mind and body as a resource increases his ability to move through stress and fears with more confidence and ease.

Picking up a book on how to parent a child with anxiety may be the last thing you ever expected. No doubt it can feel a bit disheartening and uncomfortable. You may even experience a bit of your own fears and insecurities rising to the surface. But youve taken the first step in supporting your child through the symptoms of anxiety while building your childs inner resiliency.

The Conscious Parents Guide to Childhood Anxiety recognizes anxiety as a journey of self-awareness, not just for your child, but for the entire family. Without this awareness, anxiety treatments and strategies may fall short, providing only short-term relief. As a result, your childs faith in his own abilities and progress may be compromised. Self-awareness takes knowledge, skills, and practice, but once acquired, your child will be one step closer to confidently taking control of his emotions and fears.

In the end, anxiety will no longer be something your child needs to beat, but rather an opportunity to strengthen his identity and character. Consider this book to be a doorway to revealing the true nature of your child.

Anxiety is not your childs identity, nor is it his future. It is an opportunity for your child to learn skills that allow him to become closer to who he is, rather than be stuck in who he isnt.

Being a conscious parent is all about building strong, sustainable bonds with your children through mindful living and awareness. Traditional power-based parenting techniques that promote compliance and obedience can disconnect you from your children. Conscious parenting, on the other hand, helps you develop a positive emotional connection with your child. You acknowledge your childs unique self and attempt to empathize with his way of viewing the world. Through empathetic understanding and tolerance, you create a safe environment where your child feels his ideas and concerns are truly being heard. When you find yourself in a stressful situation with your child, rather than reacting with anger or sarcasm, conscious parenting reminds you to instead take a step back, reflect, and look for a peaceful solutionone that honors your childs individuality and motivations. This approach benefits all children, especially children with anxiety. You dont need to fix your childyou need to work with him to understand what triggers feelings of anxiety and how he can learn to overcome the symptoms. The strong bond built between you and your child, along with your own calm, respectful attitude, help him to feel calm, confident, and secure.

Conscious parenting isnt a set of rules or regulations that you must follow; rather, it is a system of beliefs. Conscious parents engage and connect with their children, using mindful and positive discipline rather than punishment. They try to be present when theyre spending time with their children, avoiding distractions like TV and social media. Conscious parents respect their children and accept them as they are. The most important part of conscious parenting is building an emotional connection with your child so you can understand the underlying reasons for behavior.

Conscious parenting is about listening with full attention, and embracing an acceptance of yourself and your child without judgment. As you engage in the act of becoming, you will discover a heightened sense of emotional awareness of yourself and your child, a clearer self-regulation in the parenting relationship, and a greater compassion for yourself and your child.

Conscious parenting brings with it a number of benefits including improved communication, stronger relationships, and the feeling of greater happiness and satisfaction in life. Some of these benefits appear more immediately, while others take some time to emerge. The benefits of conscious parenting and mindfulness are a result of making it a part of your daily life. With practice, conscious parenting becomes an integral part of who and how you are in the world, and will in turn become a central part of who your child is, as well.