Keys to Parenting Your Anxious Child

by Katharina Manassis

How can parents recognize anxieties that affect their child's happiness and well-being, and how can they help their child overcome them? An experienced child psychiatrist answers this important two-part question by describing various anxiety-caused behavior patterns and advising parents on ways to help their child within the context of both family and school environments. New in this edition is an exploration of timely topics such as bullying and cyberbullying; the use and abuse of social media; threats, consequences, and the anxiety conditions that result from them; school refusal, avoidance, and phobias. The author also discusses warning signs that indicate a need for professional counseling and tells parents how and where to find it. Titles in Barron's Parenting Keys series cover a wide range of child-care topics and are written by experts in pediatrics, child psychology, and related fields.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

189 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Dr. Katharina Manassis is the author of eight mental health-related books for parents and professionals. She is a retired Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist with two wonderful adult children, one on the autism spectrum.
Career highlights included developing and directing a clinical-research program in Childhood Anxiety Disorders at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; studying the causes and cognitive behavioral treatment of Anxiety Disorders with over 90 related peer reviewed papers; being a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and supervising numerous graduate students at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and the Institute of Medical Science; and managing a diverse private practice in her home community of Pickering, Ontario.
Since retiring from practice, she continues to write, teach, and volunteer with her church and with Parks Canada.

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended by the family counselor and I found it helpful. It did not provide much new information I haven’t learned already but I found it was organized well into practical tips and ways to work with your child as they learn to cope with their anxiety. It had a good flow to it that helped see the connection between different areas and causes for situations that can cause anxiety in individuals.

Most of the concepts are based around CBT which is effective when managing anxiety. The hard part is putting it into practice and helping your child build healthy habits and coping strategies.

[Mitzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this wasn't as thorough and as helpful as I was hoping, there was enough to glean from this book that I would recommend it to others with kids who are mildly anxious, to really phobic. Some things like belly breaths, and validating without feeding the anxiety were helpful for any parents whose kids ae sometimes worried/anxious. While the desensitization program she outlines is helpful for kids with more severe problems.

[My Effing Life · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you know NOTHING about anxiety, then this book is for you.
Most children with anxiety, have parents who have dealt with anxiety, therefore they have first hand experience and understand what anxiety is.
This book was relevant when it was first published in 1996, it no longer is.

[Jenni Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains logical common sense approaches to helping children with anxiety. I was reminded of coping techniques I have used to deal with my own anxiety.

[Erin Overstreet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting more. I think because I taught Psychology for years and was a Psych major this was just a simplistic review with a few helpful hints as a parent. It also didn't apply to my situation as much as I would have liked. However, if you don't have a psych background this isnprobably a 4 or 5 star read as it is quick, to the point, gives good info and does offer god suggestions.

[Mistie · Rating 5 out of 5]

my friend amanda lent me this book, and I loved it! Many simple insights to help you understand why this is happening in your child, and how real it is to them. Love the simple truths and tips of how to cope, and how to help them cope.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

For now I have to give this 3 stars. Most of the stuff in this book was common sense to me (granted I was a psych major in college). There were a couple of techniques I highlighted and hope to use, perhaps how well they work will change my rating of this book.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave some good ideas, but nothing earth-shattering.

[Marie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Herein lay practical advice for parents of the anxious child. Best to read the latest edition of this book published last year.

[Kristin M von Ranson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, practical information and advice for parents of kids with anxiety.