Dear Readers,

 Living in the northeast I admit that winter is my least favorite season. It’s lovely to watch the first snowfall from the warmth and safety of my home, but after that if the weather pattern takes a turn like it has this winter I turn into a whiner—a big one. For many years I’ve thought that if I had a totem it would be a bear. Eat enough during the spring, summer and fall then when the temperature dips below 40, hibernate until the crocus crown the following spring.

 The cold, snow and ice have disrupted almost every aspect in daily living ( like trying to get to my car without breaking my neck on the ice) including frequent delays and closings for schools.  For many anxious children who I see in therapy these weekly changes in school routine have led to increased upset and agitation about going to school when it resumes. Because so much of anxiety is worry about the future, the “what ifs,” any change in their daily routine throws these kids a curve ball.

 Here are tips to help your anxious child adapt:

1. Talk to your child about the possibility that storms are likely to disrupt school.
2. Ask her how she feels about this.
3. Calmly mention that when her routine changes she may feel increased tension about going to school the next day. If that has occurred in the past, you can bring it up without judging her by saying, “Hey, remember that happened before and though anxious, you did it.”
4. With your child plan how to cope with her anxiety if this occurs. Problem-solving is taking action, the opposite of helplessness, a main feature of anxiety. Working with you on the problem will help your child know that she is not alone in this. Teaching your child to be pro-active also helps turn on rational thinking while turning off the distorted thinking characteristic of anxiety.
5. Engage your child in learning about weather and weather prediction by reading books about it, watching TV and doing research with you on the computer. Learning and interest in something often lessens fears—who knows your child may be a budding meteorologist One word of caution, be careful about any disturbing images of storms, etc—as a parent of an anxious child you know that visual impact can jump start worry.

I look forward to comments and questions.

Warm regards,

Diane