I had kids young. I’ve spent most of my adult life knowing very little about what I’m doing, and feeling like a sub-par mom...like there’s some secret I don’t know, or some code I can’t crack.

So take this advice as such. I am not an expert, but I’ve mom-ed for a while now.

If you have a kid who tends toward anxiety, be honest with them about it. Name it. Teach them coping mechanisms. Validate it.

Having words for things seems to be one of the best things you can give an anxious kiddo.

When one of my sons asked me what I do when I’m anxious, I told him how if I wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety, I read the Bible.

He asked if he could read the Bible too.

So now we read it together.

And, you know, people say kids can’t understand the “real” Bible, but my kids are asking amazing questions, and actually understand a lot.

So, for whatever it’s worth, I think we adults underestimate what kids 1. Feel; 2. Experience; 3. Can understand.

Teach kiddos how to pray. Teach them memorized prayers. Pray for them. All of these things help even if they don’t have anxiety.

We’re living through a very scary time, but God’s Word is good. Let them hear it however they want to hear it.