Joshua says he and Christi began noticing worry in their own kids manifesting as other things like anger and disobedience. Once they sat down and began talking to their kids, they realized that the defiance and anger were often masking a different feeling, such as embarrassment, that caused their children to worry.

All children worry, even younger children. They worry about school, being bullied or soccer practice. They worry about whether or not they will belong. They worry that you’re going to make broccoli for dinner. They worry that their grandma is going to get sick. You may not think your child worries because most kids don’t know how to vocalize their worries but trust me, they worry.  

The good news is you can help with their worries. Joshua and Christi’s book provides excellent guidelines for how kids can deal with their worries and how parents can help them.

Say worries out loud.

“Kids don’t have language for [their worries],” Joshua says. “They don’t know how to voice their worries.”

When you take the time to sit down and ask your child what he’s worried about, it will give him great relief. This is because, as Joshua explains, when we put…