Change can be very difficult for children to handle.
Facing new situations means a new set of unknowns and a new set of fears.
It's important to be respectful and empathic towards your child's fears.
Encourage your children to talk about what they are afraid of and help them to understand that it is normal to feel afraid.
* Avoid Shaming Your Child.
Be careful of using phrases such as "Big kids don't get afraid.
" First of all, this just isn't true! Secondly, this only shames a child into thinking fear is something to deny.
Try saying things like, "When I was your age, I was afraid of monsters too!" * Make a List of Fears.
Help your child to make a list of their fears so that you can both address them thoroughly.
While you're at it, make a list for yourself! Be a healthy emotional role-model by acknowledging the things that make you feel afraid.
* Respect and Encourage Questions.
Curiosity is a natural response to the unknown.
Encourage your children to ask questions, and answer them with honest, short and simple responses.
* Remove the Mystery From New Situations.
Keep your children aware of upcoming changes in advance.
Take some time with your child to read a book about what it is they fear.
Visiting the website for a child's new doctor will allow your child to see exactly where they are going and who they will meet.
* Encourage Independence.
Beware of becoming overly protective of your child.
Acknowledge and respect a child's fears but do not indulge them.
Allowing children to attempt new things on their own will help them to develop higher levels of self-confidence and self-esteem.
* Teach Relaxation Skills.
Deep breathing, visualization and counting out loud are good ways of teaching your child to decrease anxiety in stressful situations.
* Stay Informed.
Maintain an open emotional dialogue with your child.
Ask about any new situation into which your child may enter and any new fears that they may have.
Being aware of what your children fear will help you to be empathic when fearful situations arise.
The more that you know about how your child is feeling, the better you can address their fears.