The Emotional Toll of Helping My Son Through His Anxiety

I wanted to share a personal experience  that was emotionally draining and challenging. My 9-year-old son had a math exam coming up, and the level of anxiety he was experiencing was overwhelming for both of us. It wasn’t just the usual exam nerves—it was much deeper, with him worrying about whether he’d remember the material, whether he’d be able to finish in time, and the pressure he put on himself to do well.

As a parent, watching him struggle with these thoughts was heart-wrenching.

It’s one of those moments where you just want to take their anxiety away, but you know you can’t. 

One major benefit of being a parent coach? Being able to coach myself through big moments like this. I knew that while I couldn’t remove his anxiety completely, I could offer him a steady presence and remind him that doing his best was enough.

I want to share a few tips to help you navigate a similar situation:

• Validate Their Feelings: Let them know that it’s okay to feel anxious or scared. Acknowledge their emotions rather than trying to dismiss them. This helps them feel heard and understood.

• Stay Calm and Present: Even when you feel overwhelmed, your calmness can help your child feel more grounded. Sometimes, your steady presence is the most comforting thing you can offer.

• Focus on Effort, Not Perfection: Remind them that the goal isn’t perfection but doing their best. This helps relieve some of the pressure and encourages a healthier mindset toward challenges.

Sometimes, the greatest thing we can do is just be there, be present for our children in these tough moments even when it’s emotionally exhausting and challenging.

If you're ready to take your parenting to the next level, or feel stuck in your parenting journey, message me directly or a book a free Parenting Roadmap call.

Best,
Dr. Sarita