Guest Blogger - Daniel Sherwin
When Your Worries Become Theirs: How Parental Anxiety Impacts Children and What to Do About It
Parenting is filled with daily decisions, constant responsibilities, and emotional ups and downs—all of which can trigger or heighten anxiety. But when that anxiety begins to ripple through the household, children often pick up on it in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Many parents don’t realize how closely their kids are watching and absorbing their emotional cues. Recognizing when your anxiety is affecting your child’s well-being is a crucial first step toward protecting their mental and emotional health.
Spot the Signs in Your Child
Children rarely come right out and say, “I’m anxious.” Instead, anxiety shows up in their behavior—clinginess, irritability, trouble sleeping, headaches, or even school refusal. Some children withdraw and seem distant, while others lash out or become overly emotional in situations that don’t seem to warrant it. If your child is acting differently for more than a few days, take it seriously and look for patterns. They might be mirroring your own stress without even knowing it, and they often don't have the tools to explain what they're feeling.
Get Outside Together
Spending time in nature is one of the most natural ways to ease anxiety. Just 20 minutes outdoors can lower stress hormones, boost your mood, and help you and your child feel more grounded. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a hike through the woods, or playing in the backyard, these shared moments outdoors not only benefit your mental health but strengthen your bond. When you make the outdoors part of your parenting toolbox, you create healthy rituals that bring calm and joy to the entire family.
Address the Root Cause at Work
Sometimes, the source of anxiety isn’t in your home—it’s in your career. If your job is contributing to constant stress, it might be time to consider your long-term professional path. For example, if you work in nursing and want better working conditions, shifts, and pay, working toward earning a family nurse practitioner master's degree can position you for a more hands-on approach and see improved pay and hours. Regardless of your career track, online degree programs make it easier to handle parenting and work duties more easily, and online nurse practitioner programs and licensure can help you gain flexibility while preparing for a better professional future.
Create a Safe Space for Their Feelings
If your child doesn’t feel safe to speak openly, they won’t tell you when something is bothering them. Make it part of your everyday rhythm to check in with your children—not just when things seem off, but regularly. Ask questions without judgment, and listen without jumping to fix or dismiss what they share. When your child knows that their feelings are welcome and taken seriously, they’re more likely to open up, feel supported, and learn how to manage their emotions more confidently.
Look in the Mirror First
It’s not easy, but one of the most powerful things you can do is reflect on your own anxiety. Ask yourself: Am I constantly on edge? Do I overreact to small issues? Is my stress driving the energy in the household? When you take the time to explore your own emotional habits, you begin to see how your children might be reacting to your tone, tension, or tendencies. This self-awareness helps you parent with more intention and patience, even on the hardest days.
Be the Calm You Want to See
Children learn far more from what you model than what you say. If they see you handling stress with yelling, avoidance, or constant worry, they’re likely to do the same. Instead, show them what healthy coping looks like. Take deep breaths out loud when you’re overwhelmed, say, “I need a few minutes to calm down,” or talk about how you’re working through a stressful situation. These simple habits help normalize stress while showing that it can be handled in healthy ways.
Reach Out for Support
There’s no shame in needing help. If your anxiety feels unmanageable or is starting to impact your parenting and relationships, consider talking to a mental health professional. Therapy can give you the space to unpack your thoughts and learn coping tools that work for your specific needs. In doing so, you also set a powerful example for your kids—that taking care of your mental health is both strong and smart.
When you're intentional about your own emotional health, you're doing more than just managing your anxiety—you're protecting your children from inheriting unnecessary stress. You can’t shield them from every hardship, but you can give them the tools to cope by modeling resilience, compassion, and emotional honesty. It starts with recognizing the signs, having honest conversations, and being brave enough to ask for help when you need it. When you do, your calm becomes their safe place, and your healing becomes part of their emotional legacy.
Embark on a playful educational journey with Peter Dargatz and discover innovative strategies to bring nature and creativity into your classroom today!
