Overcoming parental anxiety Rewire your brain to worry less & enjoy parenting more

Anxious parents raise anxious kids, according to the three anxiety psychologists who authored this very practical book. The team offers parents concrete ways to "rewire" their "parent brains," changing their worry and guilt to self-compassion and peace. The trick is to stop the brain from kicking into panic mode every time there's a real or perceived threat, a holdover from our primitive ancestors. The book is filled with quizzes to help readers assess where they stand on the worry chart, prompts to guide written explorations in their "training manual" or notebook, and examples from parents using the techniques. Links are also provided for downloading helpful worksheets. Readers are asked to be aware when their thoughts begin to spin, to evaluate the reality of the threat, and to come up with action steps. Good enough rather than perfection is the goal, and parents are urged to use meditative techniques and mindfulness to ease the need to control, celebrate the immediate, and model successful ways to control anxiety. This is a useful and reassuring approach to today's parenting.

Penned by therapists with a specialty in anxiety, this book addresses the often-contradictory information in literature about this medical disorder in children. According to the authors, parents must practice self-care and remember that it isn't solely about relaxation; it's also about finding ways to handle and cope with one's own challenges first and then help their children. The authors start with a scientific approach, exploring each area of the brain that can be somewhat rewired to reduce anxiousness and nervousness. Each chapter contains journaling prompts that helps achieve that rewriting. There are also breathing exercises and techniques for progressive muscle relaxation, sensory experience, and grounding. The end of the book includes a guide to help parents find their own go-to tools. VERDICT In an era when parents and children can reach crisis levels of anxiety, this is a valuable guide to navigating personal struggles, in order to be more present to guide children in theirs.