Experts Say This Common Parenting Habit Is Quietly Causing More Anxiety: HuffPost Article
In this article from HuffPost, Experts Say This Common Parenting Habit Is Quietly Causing More Anxiety, features insights from our very own Hannah Scheuer, a therapist here at Self Space who works with children and teens.
Hannah joins other leading therapists to discuss why well-intentioned "accommodation" - the habit of rescuing children from stressful or anxious situations - can actually fuel long-term anxiety.
Helping children manage anxiety isn't a natural instinct for many parents, but as Hannah notes, facing those fears is exactly how we build confident, capable kids.
Key Takeaways from Hannah in this article:
The Avoidance Trap: While it feels good in the moment to let a child skip a scary activity, Hannah explains that this reinforces the idea that the situation is truly dangerous, preventing them from building necessary coping skills.
Building Resilience: Instead of removing the obstacle, Hannah suggests parents provide a mix of emotional validation and confidence. By saying, "I know you're feeling scared, but I also know you can do hard things," parents help children push through temporary discomfort toward lasting resilience.
When to Seek Help: Hannah highlights red flags for parents, such as when anxiety begins to interfere with friendships, sleep, or daily activities, noting that professional support can provide both kids and parents with the tools needed to navigate these symptoms together.
Helping children manage anxiety isn't a natural instinct for many parents, but as Hannah notes, facing those fears is exactly how we build confident, capable kids.
“...what we need to do as parents is to provide support and confidence. What that looks like is supporting and validating the feelings while also showing confidence in their child’s ability to actually do the thing to cope with the anxiety.””
Support Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You don't have to carry this alone.
More help for Families:
Real Examples of Communication Shifts and When Should a Family Consider Therapy?Connect: Call or email our team at Self Space Seattle to schedule a session with Hannah or get help finding the right therapist for you.