Parenting Great Kids Podcast - Episode 157
Teaching Your Kids Not to Worry
with guest Dr. Joshua Straub
Hosted by Dr. Meg Meeker | February 22, 2022 | 40:57 min.

Today's Guest(s)
Josh is most renowned for his role as a husband and dad. He is also a recovering human, an ongoing journey that includes therapy, coaching, a tight-knit faith community, and staying fit. On stage, Josh is a speaker, author, marriage and leadership coach, and a podcast and TV cohost.
He and his wife, Christi,lead Famous at Home, a company equipping leaders and corporations in emotional intelligence and healthy family systems. Josh is also a Fellow of the Townsend Institute for Leadership andCounseling.
Josh most enjoys coaching leaders to be famous at home so they can thrive on their stage. He also speaks regularly for Joint Special Operations Command and serves military families across the country.
Josh is author/co author of seven books including Safe House: How EmotionalSafety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well. He and his wife, Christi, host the Famous at Home podcast and co-wrote two children’s books, What Am I Feeling? and What Do I Do With Worry? to help parents foster emotional awareness in kids.
EPISODE NOTES
Children don’t often know how to voice their worries, and they may even think the things they are worried about are silly or unimportant. Today’s guest, Dr. Josh Straub, along with his wife, Christi, co-wrote the children’s book, “What Do I Do With Worry?” as a way to help parents foster emotional awareness in their kids. Listen in and be equipped to help your kids deal with worry and anxiety in a positive way.
Dr. Meg & Guest Dr. Josh Straub (Part 1)
If a child doesn’t have the language to express what they are worried about, it can manifest in ways that show up as disobedience, anger, fear, or in other ways. Experiencing this firsthand with their own children was a major reason why Dr. Josh felt compelled to write, “What Do I Do With Worry?” While many parents focus on addressing the outward manifestation of negative behaviors, Dr. Josh explains how they can dig deeper into their child’s heart to find out if their child may actually be feeling worried – while manifesting a different, negative behavior. The focus should be on the emotion that the child is experiencing, not just the behavior being exhibited.
Dr. Meg & Guest Dr. Josh Straub (Part 2)
As the conversation continues, Dr. Josh Straub explains the difference between worry and anxiety in children. What causes anxiety in kids? How can we best help our kids deal with anxiety? Dr. Josh uses examples from the book to teach parents how to connect with their children when it comes to dealing with anxious thoughts and behaviors: Talk about it. Label specific worries. Be grateful. In a very finite way, parents can help calm their children’s brains when they are worried or anxious, when they sit with them and listen to what they have to say.
FROM THE PRODUCER
Thanks for listening to Episode #157, What Do I Do With Worry? and for helping Dr. Meg’s parenting revolution reach more than FIVE MILLION downloads!
View More Episodes

Tackling Mom Guilt
Episode 206 | Alli Worthington, an author and speaker on an all too familiar topic – mom guilt. Alli’s groundbreaking national survey investigating the pains of motherhood led to her latest thought-provoking book, Remaining You While Raising Them.

Building Great Communication with Your Almost Grown Kids
Episode 205 | Harvard-trained psychologist Dr. Emily Kline guides parents through the challenging task of having real conversations with their almost grown kids to foster meaningful connections and navigate the conflict and desire for autonomy that comes with adolescence.

Navigating Children’s Gender Dysphoria: The Hidden Dangers of Transgender Treatments
Episode 204 | Dr. Meeker and Dr. Simons encourage listeners to ask themselves some tough questions, challenging popular narratives and encouraging informed decision-making.

Time Saving Hacks for Busy Parents
Episode 203 | Crystal Paine is the founder of MoneySavingMom.com, host of The Crystal Paine Show podcast, and a New York Times bestselling author. Her desire is to help women across the globe live with more joy, purpose, and intention in their everyday lives.

Dads Unfiltered: Exploring Parenting Challenges on Father’s Day
Episode 202 | Father’s Day episode, Dr. Meeker and her special guests explore the worries, joys, and unwavering love that fathers experience in their parenting journey.

Impossible To Keep Your Kids Off Social Media? Think Again.
Episode 201 | Nate Randle, CEO of Gabb Wireless, shares how to protect our kids from the negative effects of social media through kid-safe tech.