Little Kids, Big Worries

If your child has ever expressed their worry to you, you’re not the only one. Unfortunately, worrying is an incurable disease, but there are some helpful strategies kids can use to tame the worry monster anytime it rears its ugly head.

Make a list

Sit down with your child and make a list of things that worry him or her. Rank the amount of worry each item causes from most to least, and talk about some. You can ask your kids to include thoughts they have when they get worried and how their body feels. This can help you decide which worries you can work on together.

Turn in on time

Inadequate sleep can leave anyone ill-equipped to handle their stressors, so ensure your child is getting enough rest. The National

Sleep Foundation recommends 11 to 13 hours for children ages 3 to 5, 10 to 11 hours for children ages 5 to 12, and 8.5 to 9.25 hours for teens. Better Zs will have them ready to keep worries at bay.

Practice the positive spin

Come up with positive reassurances for your child’s worries, and talk them through. Are they worried their usual ride won’t pick them up from school?

Instead of thinking

“What if someone forgets to pick me up?” have them remind themselves

“I’ve never been left at school before, so I will be picked up today, too.” Using worrisome thoughts from their list and working together on reassurances will help them comfort themselves when you’re not around.

Prepare a distraction

Think about when you try to talk to your little one and they just will not stop what they’re doing to listen. What is it they’re paying attention to?

A TV show? The family pet? Riding bikes? Any time you see a worrying spell come over your kid, immerse them in that distraction activity that requires all their brain power, leaving none behind for anxious thoughts.

Try a Worry Eater

Polli here is a pro at gobbling up worries so they’re never to be seen again. Worry Eaters feature a zip closure mouth so kids can write down or draw their concerns, crumple them up and feed them to their Worry Eater. No worry monster can compete with their softness and adorable patterns. $22.99, haywiregroup.com.

Ease Your Worries › WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A WORRY EATER? › We’re giving some away this month at facebook.com/ocalastyle › Just Like our Facebook page and stay tuned for details on how to enter.