More Than Tummy Trouble: Signs Of Anxiety In Young Children And The Ways You’re Making It Worse

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Tantrums

It can be easy to believe that your toddler losing his/her ish in Target when all you need is toilet paper, batteries and bananas is a conspiracy to make you lose your mind. Every time I sit through a staff meeting that could’ve been an e-mail, I’m tempted to throw the projector across the room too, but a part of parenting is teaching your child to relieve their stress in healthy ways. If your child is acting the fool because they can’t get the Lucky Charms or have to leave the hamsters in the pet store (my daughter literally broke down after a trip to Petco for dog food the other day) try giving them alternatives. I told my daughter we would be visiting the zoo in the next few weeks, which was completely true and helped her recognize this would not be the last small furry mammal she witnessed in her lifetime. Part of relieving anxiety is helping children realize that one moment doesn’t require panic and helping them gain perspective.

Toya Sharee is a sexual health expert who has a passion for helping young women build their self-esteem and make well-informed choices about their sexual health. She also advocates for women’s reproductive rights and blogs about everything #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy. Follow her on Twitter @TheTrueTSharee or visit her blog, Bullets and Blessings.