Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry

Flusterclux With Lynn Lyons: For Parents Who Worry

Parenting isn't easy, and it's normal to worry. Lynn Lyons, therapist, author, and speaker is one of the world's experts on helping parents, kids, and teens manage anxiety. She talks with co-hosts sister-in-law Robin Hutson and brother Ed Gerwig in a weekly podcast full of laughs, and practical advice without the psychobabble. Since 2020, they've been talking about anxiety and worry, their love for Mr. Rogers, and the crazy things the mental health field gets WRONG about anxiety. Anxiety Expert Lynn Lyons has been a therapist for over 35 years. She's an author of 3 books with a new one coming out in October and has traveled around the US and Canada training hundreds of audiences teachers, school nurses, counselors and parents about managing anxiety. Flusterclux represents that feeling of overwhelm. Each episode is filled with practical advice for parents how to better manage their worry and big feelings like anger and sadness so that they are modeling healthy emotional awareness. Lynn answers listener questions and gives parents concrete strategies for developing the traits that are their kids' best defenses against anxiety and depression later in life: flexibility, resilience, autonomy, and problem solving. New episodes every Friday at 5AM EST. Find us at flusterclux.com https://www.facebook.com/flusterclux https://www.instagram.com/flusterclux/

Episodes

What To Do When Your Kid Wants to Stay Home: School Avoidance 101 for Parents

October 17, 2025 • 41 mins
What do you do when your child starts missing too many days of school? In this episode, Lynn and Robin address a mom’s question about her middle schooler who wants to stay home. Does she give consequences? How does she work with the school? What happens when home is more “cozy” or interesting than school? And have expectations around opting out of school changed since the pandemic? (Spoiler alert: yes, they have.) WE'VE MADE PLA...
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Why Kids Who Contribute Do Better Emotionally and Socially

October 10, 2025 • 31 mins
The research is clear: when children (and adults) contribute in a useful way, their confidence, autonomy, and self-efficacy improve. Mood gets better, too, which is why volunteering helps with depression. Do your kids contribute? We’ll talk about how to make it happen…and what gets in the way. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start He...
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How To Teach Your Child To Handle Frustration

October 3, 2025 • 29 mins
This episode tackles a few listener questions that we think are relatable to many. First, how do you work on increasing your rigid child’s frustration tolerance? And another mom wants a list of phrases to use in addition to “You can handle it!” Lynn offers a little variety, but as Robin points out, getting bored with worry’s tactics is actually the point! Here are the past episodes that Lynn references in this week's show: htt...
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Sounding the Alarm On Smartphones and the Impact On Kids With Dr. Jean Twenge

September 26, 2025 • 47 mins
Dr. Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego University, has been a consistent voice of warning on the impact of smartphones and social media on children and teens. Her latest book, 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World, compiles over a decade of research into solid guidance that she and Lynn walk listeners through. She’s a mom to three teen girls and an all-around delightful person. Find Jean's book here: http...
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Concrete Reminders About Avoidance and Accommodation

September 19, 2025 • 30 mins
Parents consistently ask Lynn for the language to use with their children and teens when the family is moving away from avoidance and accommodation. In this episode, Lynn provides a list of four key phrases and conversation starters that help navigate a shift into action. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here⁠ For those brand new...
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Why Manners and Social Awareness Are Important In A Disconnected World

September 12, 2025 • 36 mins
Manners and social skills are important for some basic reasons: we want our children to learn how to move through the world with decency and respect. But in this episode, Robin and Lynn go deeper, talking about manners and etiquette as a potential bridge to kindness and connection. Oh, and there’s some crying. WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxio...
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In Session: I Want My 13-Year-Old Out of My Bed!

September 5, 2025 • 49 mins
Mary is looking for help with her 13year old daughter Reese who was Diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety in third grade. Successes are many, but after years of individual therapy, Mary wonders what tools Reese is learning. Mary wants this middle schooler to sleep in her own bed, something she hasn’t done for years. Dad is relegated to the couch. Both parents need a plan and some solid coaching. They know it’s important to support Reese’...
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How "Productive Struggle" Helps Decrease Anxiety and Depression

August 29, 2025 • 34 mins
Struggle is a vital part of learning, growing and mastery. As the new school year begins, Lynn and Ed discuss the movement from awkward and uncomfortable beginnings toward mastery, a process that is repeated throughout life. How can parents tolerate, support and even foster struggle as a key skill? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Sta...
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Best Of: Off to College: Let's Talk About Roommates

August 22, 2025 • 38 mins
Is your child heading off to college this fall? If it’s their first year, then the roommate uncertainty may be dominating your household. Sparked by a compelling listener question, we tackle the perks and the problems of roommates and what you can (and can’t) do to help.  Here is the past episode that Lynn & Robin reference regarding preparing your children for college: https://www.flusterclux.com/raising-kids-who-are-really-rea...
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A Back-To-School Reboot For Anxious Kids and Parents

August 15, 2025 • 40 mins
Here comes school…which means it’s time for reminders and a chance for a reset. From morning routines to screens, from the language of uncertainty to using less language in general, we cover it all. So, go for a walk with Lynn and Robin and hear how to actively move into fall! WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: Parents of Anxious Kids, Start Here⁠ For those br...
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In Session: How Trying To “Talk Through” Bedtime Worries Backfires

August 8, 2025 • 45 mins
In this In Session episode, Lynn talks with Sarah about her 11-year-old daughter who has become increasingly insistent about her bedtime ritual of ruminating and catastrophizing. Sarah gets pulled in, trying to “talk through” her daughter’s worries and doubts, but it’s only getting worse. What does Sarah need to do to break out of this pattern? WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. ...
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With Anxious Kids, We’re Getting the Idea of "Consistency" All Wrong

August 1, 2025 • 38 mins
Parents are encouraged to provide “consistency” with their anxious children. But the type of consistency that’s often prescribed is the opposite of what Lynn teaches families. In this episode, Lynn goes after the “consistency trap” and explains the important difference between working to give your child certainty & predictability vs. consistently helping your child move to develop key anxiety-management skills. WE'VE MADE PLAYLIS...
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In-Session: Is Bossiness During Playdates An Anxiety Issue?

July 25, 2025 • 41 mins
Sam and Vincent are struggling with the rigidity and bossiness of their six-year-old daughter, Jody. They’ve made great strides with her separation anxiety, but during playdates (and many other times, as well) Jody needs things to go her way. Mom’s discomfort with Jody’s distress and Dad’s similar temperament are targets we need to address! WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here...
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Best Of: 911 Marriages: Tips From Divorce Prevention Expert Michele Weiner Davis

July 18, 2025 • 48 mins
What happens when children are the absolute focus of a family? Marriages suffer, says Michele Weiner-Davis, a renowned relationship expert who pulls couples back from the brink. We asked Michele to bust some couples myths and set us straight. Boy, she knows her stuff.    Books by Michelle Weiner-Davis: Divorce Busting, The Divorce Remedy, Healing from Infidelity, The Sex-Starved Marriage, The Sex-Starved Wife. The Sex-Starved Ma...
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Letting Your Kids Learn to Manage Conflict and Problem Solve

July 11, 2025 • 36 mins
Do your kids bicker? Teaching kids how to manage conflict both with friends and siblings is important…and exhausting! In this episode, Lynn describes how to determine when to step in and when to let them problem solve. Here are the two past episodes that Lynn references in today's show: https://www.flusterclux.com/how-to-find-a-good-child-therapist-for-your-kids-anxiety/ https://www.flusterclux.com/how-to-help-your-child-with-...
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Best Of: The Anxiety Around Your Kid's Health with Pediatrician Dr. Jessica Hochman

July 4, 2025 • 40 mins
Pediatricians and family physicians are on the front lines of our children’s mental health needs. In fact, they are reporting more and more that it’s the most common (and often most challenging) issue they are addressing with families. On this episode, Lynn and Robin are joined by Dr. Jessica Hochman, whose practice and podcast (Ask Dr. Jessica) focus on helping families feel more confident and informed. What is it like to be a ped...
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How Phobias Like Fear of Vomiting Can Spiral and Take Over Families

June 27, 2025 • 42 mins
Emetophobia is the fear of vomiting. It’s powerful and can take over a family in dramatic fashion. In this episode, Lynn talks throwing up: how families accommodate, how it can be viewed through an OCD lens, what parents can do to help, and how to get the right help. Here is the past episode which Lynn mentions regarding picky eaters: https://www.flusterclux.com/picky-eater-kids-preventing-and-managing-food-anxiety/ Here is the l...
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Best Of: How To Support Your Anxious Child 101

June 20, 2025 • 38 mins
This episode tackles the question we hear most often from our new listeners: how do I support my anxious child? Lynn lays out the three keys for parents: information about how anxiety works, owning family patterns, and moving away from the belief that your child’s worries are unique and what must be addressed. There’s a lot parents can do to help; here’s a roadmap.  Referenced resources from today's episode: The Physical Symptoms...
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Postpartum Anxiety and Depression: What Moms and Dads Need To Know

June 13, 2025 • 40 mins
Being a new parent brings up every emotion…including anxiety. Does it show up differently in moms and dads? (Yes.) Are there ways to make it less powerful? (Yes.) Are all those parenting apps helping? (Lynn has thoughts.) Whether you’re a new parent or hoping to support those in your life, there’s information here for you. Here is the link to her September webinar that Lynn discusses in this episode: https://lynn-lyons-llc.ce-g...
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"Parents Still Matter!" Lynn Discusses Recent Research Surrounding Our Kids

June 6, 2025 • 28 mins
As we dive into summer, Lynn zips through three recent research findings that are great reminders about prevention, exercise, labels and warmth. (And not summer warmth. A different kind.) Here is the link to Michael Yapko's talk, How to Recover from Depression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVgQ_tgWMyU WE'VE MADE PLAYLISTS OF OUR EPISODES TO HELP YOU FIND RESOURCES ON SPECIFIC TOPICS. Here is our first: For those bran...
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