How Parents Shape Their Child’s Stress - and What Actually Helps

In this Thriving Kids Q&A episode, Dave Anderson, PhD, answers parent questions about child stress, anxiety, avoidance, burnout, and emotional coping.

Building on a recent conversation with Dylan Gee, PhD, professor of psychology at Yale University, this episode focuses on how kids learn to respond to stress — and how parent behavior can either ease anxiety or reinforce it over time.

Dr. Dave addresses common situations parents face, including school anxiety, physical symptoms of stress, overscheduling, achievement pressure, and burnout. He explains why avoidance often makes anxiety worse and how parents can support kids without pushing too hard or accommodating in ways that keep stress stuck.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How kids model parental stress — and how to change your own venting habits
• Why avoidance increases anxiety over time
• Why anxiety often shows up as stomachaches or headaches
• How to help kids face stress without overwhelming them
• When reassurance backfires — and what to do instead
• How accommodation can unintentionally reinforce anxiety
• How to support overscheduled teens under college pressure
• What teen burnout looks like after prolonged stress
• Simple tools to reset a child’s nervous system before tests, games, or performances

This episode draws on evidence-based approaches from cognitive behavioral therapy, child development research, and clinical practice. It’s designed for parents of elementary-, middle-, and high-school-aged kids navigating anxiety, perfectionism, stress, and emotional overload.

Thriving Kids is a parenting podcast from the Child Mind Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children with mental health, behavior, and learning challenges.

Resources mentioned:

• How do I help my child cope with stress? https://childmind.org/positiveparenting/coping-with-stress
• Anxiety resources for teens and parents https://childmind.org/topics/anxiety
• The art and science of mindfulness https://childmind.org/article/the-art-and-science-of-mindfulness

For more expert guidance and free family resources, visit:

https://childmind.org/resources

Creators and Guests

Host

Dave Anderson

Dave Anderson, PhD, is the Vice-President of Public Engagement and Education and a senior psychologist in the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. Dr. Anderson focuses on the expansion of our awareness-building and prevention programs while also leading initiatives that build the Child Mind Institute brand, foster strategic partnerships, and forge new relationships with policy makers and youth mental health leaders.

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Producer

Andrew Dearling

Andrew Dearling is the Digital Director at the Child Mind Institute, where he leads strategy and execution across web, email, social media, and digital campaigns. He focuses on using digital tools to connect more families with mental health resources, expand the organization’s reach, and drive measurable impact. Andrew combines deep expertise in content, platforms, and performance marketing with a clear understanding of how to reach people where they are, and move them to take action.

Producer

Chad Garber

Chad Garber, a seasoned Creative Producer with over 15 years of experience, shapes branded video, digital, and experiential content for Fortune 100 companies, agencies, and in-house teams to Child Mind Institute. Known for building high-performing creative operations, he led pro-bono productions to multimillion-dollar campaigns for brands like Verizon, Microsoft, New Balance, Budweiser, and FedEx. His sharp storytelling, deep production expertise, and collaborative leadership move ideas from concept to screen with impact.

What is Thriving Kids?

Parenting can feel overwhelming when kids struggle with anxiety, behavior, school, or big emotions. Thriving Kids is a podcast for parents and caregivers who want clear, honest answers about child and adolescent mental health.

Hosted by Dr. Dave Anderson, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, each episode focuses on a common parenting challenge — from tantrums to school struggles — with practical strategies grounded in science.

You’ll hear direct, expert guidance from clinicians who work with kids and families every day.

New episodes every week, with companion newsletters for easy reference.