Reassurance Loops & Helping Anxious Kids

Happy New Year! I’m back after a longer break and excited to dive into one of my favorite topics: anxiety and OCD in kids. In this episode, we’re talking about reassurance—why kids ask the same questions over and over (“Did I pack my lunch?” “Will everything be okay?”) and why telling them “you’ll be fine” actually doesn’t help. I break down what’s happening in the brain, why reassurance can make anxiety worse, and three practical shifts parents can make: Validate the feeling, not the fear Offer confidence, not certainty Gently reduce repeated reassurance If your child struggles with worry or OCD, this episode will help you understand the reassurance loop and give you tools to help them cope with uncertainty—without wearing yourself out.