Is Anxiety Good for You? 3 Steps for Building Confidence in Kids When They’re Trying New Things with Ivy Ruths, PhD

Is anxiety good for you? 

That’s the question at the heart of this week’s episode, where I sit down with Dr. Ivy Ruths, a licensed specialist in school psychology, specializing in treating anxiety, OCD-related disorders, and parenting challenges.

Ivy shares three concrete steps for helping your child try new things and dealing with childhood anxiety. She also shares the hidden benefits of anxiety and how these moments (even when challenging) can be crucial for building confidence in kids.

Dr. Ivy Ruths and I break down the idea that anxiety isn’t something to eliminate—it’s something to harness. And we’ll share exactly how to do it.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• “Is anxiety good for you?” isn’t just a question—it’s a mindset shift that can help you reframe scary moments with your child.
• The biggest mistake we make when dealing with childhood anxiety—and how to flip it to strengthen your child’s self-confidence.
• Building confidence in kids: the 3-step framework to help them try new things.
• How to stop accidentally sending the message that anxiety is something to avoid, and instead show your kids the benefits of anxiety.
• Why your role as a parent is more than just safety—it’s helping your child take small, brave steps forward, even when you’re feeling anxious too.

Listen to the full episode now and learn how to turn anxiety into your child’s superpower!

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