Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids

A timely, practical, and innovative look at the relationship between parent and child anxiety, with actionable strategies to help parents break the cycle—from a clinical psychologist with expertise in treating anxiety disorders in children, adolescents, and in parents.

How do you raise resilient kids in this age of uncertainty? How do you parent your kids if you yourself are anxious? How do you make sense of the avalanche of parenting advice and best support your child’s mental health—or, at the very least, not make things worse?

Parents who struggle with anxiety themselves, or who have anxious children, are looking for guidance. Influencers have responded with an explosion of content, which is awash in cultural narratives around what makes a “good” parent. But much of this guidance encourages parents to act in ways that actually increase the risk of child anxiety in the long term. And ironically, the hyper-availability of this content, delivered as one-size-fits-all solutions, can contribute to even more confusion and anxiety for parents seeking clarity. 

Dr. Meredith Elkins, a clinical child psychologist and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, demystifies anxiety and empowers parents to rethink “negative” emotions like fear, sadness, and guilt. A parent herself, Dr. Elkins argues that modern parenting pressures are major contributors to the current state of parent and child anxiety. She urges parents to clarify their values and embrace a “love and limits” approach to anxiety—balancing compassionate support with healthy boundaries while resisting the urge to shield children from every discomfort. With warmth and understanding, she provides concrete, evidence-based techniques to help families experiencing normal levels of anxiety and those coping with anxiety disorders. This indispensable guide offers readers a roadmap for understanding and addressing anxiety in children and parents, and promotes adaptability and resilience across all stages of development.