Anxiety is contagious, so parents be calm!

Your child’s anxiety isn’t the only thing in the room - yours is too.And I don’t say that to blame us. I say it because it’s true. I’ve felt it myself. My child anxious, and suddenly my own body tightens, my thoughts speed up, my voice sharpens. And in that moment, I’m not calming anything… I’m amplifying it.Because children don’t just listen to us. They feel us. They borrow our nervous system.If we’re anxious, it tells them there’s something to be anxious about. But if we can steady ourselves - even just a little - that’s what they catch instead. And we don’t have to feel calm to do this. We can slow our breathing, soften our voice, create a bit more space. And their body responds, often without them even realising it.It’s like when a small child falls and looks to us - “How bad is this?”Our reaction becomes their reality.So this isn’t about being perfectly calm. That’s not possible. It’s about noticing when we’ve been pulled into the spiral… and gently bringing ourselves back. Because in doing that, we’re not just helping them in that moment. We’re teaching them something they will carry for life: How to feel anxious… and still find their way back to steady.Thank you for pausing with me. Take care. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kimmccabe.substack.com/subscribe