Show Notes
Everyone's talking about "anxiety bags" on TikTok — but is packing your child a bag full of comfort objects actually helpful, or does it risk making anxiety worse? In this episode, child therapist Saskia Joss and her mum Vanessa Phelps unpack the trend, explore the psychology of transition objects and sensory tools, and share why reframing it as a "confidence kit" might work better. We also tackle a listener question about a 9-year-old suddenly terrified of lions despite living nowhere near any — and what it reveals about how children's fears actually work. Plus, what real resilience looks like (hint: it's not about not feeling scared), and this week's "Never Felt So Good" — a silly, free game to bring some laughter back into an anxious household this summer. In this episode: What's actually in a TikTok "anxiety bag" (and the science behind it) Why labelling it an "anxiety bag" might backfire — and a better alternative How to handle sudden, seemingly random fears in children What resilience really means (and why it's hard for adults too) A free, silly game to try with your kids this week
Got a question about your child's anxiety? Send it to us on Instagram @HelpMyChildsAnxiousPod or email [email protected] — we'd love to help. Join the Whatsapp Channel so you never miss a thing: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbA6W9EEAKWNqBHTKn0G If this episode helped, please subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review — it really helps other worried parents find the show.
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Are today’s children really a “snowflake generation”, or are they dealing with levels of anxiety that previous generations simply didn’t face? Vanessa Feltz and child therapist Saskia Joss unpack the growing mental health crisis among children and young people, following Professor Peter Fonagy’s argument that today’s young people are not “snowflakes” and that it has genuinely become harder to be young. Saskia explains why the pandemic may have left a lasting imprint on children’s anxiety, how prolonged emotional states can influence the way we respond to the world, and why parents should listen before immediately trying to fix an anxious child’s problem. They also answer a difficult question from a parent whose seven-year-old has started calling herself “fat” and restricting her food, discussing body image, self-esteem and what parents can do when children begin criticising their bodies. Plus, Vanessa discovers that sometimes the best childhood memories cost absolutely nothing… provided you have an enormous marrow. Subscribe for more honest conversations about childhood, parenting and anxiety. Produced and distributed by 11-29 Media.