5 Simple Ways to Calm Your Child’s Anxiety
Navigating a Child’s Mental Health Crisis: What I’ve Learned as a Mom
Honestly, I never thought I’d have to write a blog like this. For the most part, my kids have been carefree. Up until a few months ago, I could just tell them to pray, and they’d move on from whatever was bothering them. Then one day, we started my son on medication for his asthma, and his world—and ours—was turned upside down.
He began having intrusive thoughts that tomorrow might not come. He was convinced he wouldn’t be around for Christmas, then New Year’s, and then his upcoming MRI. The MRI had been ordered because he’d been experiencing other symptoms—head issues that didn’t seem related to anything the doctor could pinpoint. Blood work came back normal, so the next step was imaging. As of writing this, the MRI is six days away. *Update, MRI came back normal* PRAISE GOD!
When it comes to mental health, this has been a steep learning curve for me. My husband has anxiety, and I’ll be honest—I’ve mostly done a terrible job helping or supporting him. I’m more of a “buck up and move on” kind of person. But parenting has a way of pulling you out of your comfort zone, forcing you to grow in ways you never expected.
At some point, my son became afraid to go to bed. We decided to take him off the medication and gave it a few weeks to leave his system, but the weird brain feelings didn’t stop. That’s when we decided to proceed with the MRI.
In the meantime, bedtime became a battle. He was so scared, worried he wouldn’t wake up the next morning. Seeing him struggle like that broke my mama heart. I felt helpless, anxious for him, and burdened by my inability to fix it all. But through this experience, I found some strategies that helped both of us—and I hope they help other moms walking a similar road.
1. Pray and Read the Bible Together
I know this sounds like a given—“Of course, pray.” But for me, this was the most powerful thing we could do. Honestly, during this time, both of us started to question God. My son began asking deep questions: Why do bad things happen to believers? How do we know God is real? Why is this happening to me?
It hit me that his mind was no longer that of a little child. He was growing into a young man, and the simple answers we’d relied on weren’t enough anymore. We started having deeper conversations about faith, evidence of God’s existence, and how He walks with us through even the hardest times. I also began praying scripture over him daily. Every time he came to me feeling scared, we’d pray together.
Want my “The Anxiety Scripture Guide” to download? Click below to download!
2. Drink Water and Eat Healthy
This might seem basic, but it’s essential. During his blood work, we found out my son was slightly dehydrated, so I started making hydration a priority. I also tried to balance out holiday treats with plenty of healthy meals and snacks. Drinking water and eating nutritious foods helped him feel better physically, which in turn supported his mental well-being.
Staying hydrated is critical for brain function, mood regulation, and overall health. Encouraging this habit gave my son something proactive to focus on instead of just his fears.
3. Spend One-on-One Time Together
With five kids, homeschooling, and working part-time, I’ll admit that one-on-one time with each child isn’t always easy to prioritize. But during this season, it became a necessity.
We started doing puzzles, watching movies, and taking walks together. These moments gave him a safe space to share his thoughts while I practiced listening without interrupting or rushing to offer advice. Sometimes, just being there and letting him talk was exactly what he needed.
4. Encourage Physical Activity
Exercise became another helpful outlet for both of us. Movement helps release endorphins, which naturally improve mood and reduce anxiety. Even simple things like tossing a ball outside, going for a walk, or playing a family game of tag made a difference.
If your child isn’t up for vigorous activity, start small. The goal is to help them reconnect with their body and release some of the tension they’re carrying.
5. Take Care of Your Own Mental Health
This was one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. As moms, we want to give everything to our kids—but you can’t pour from an empty cup. Watching my son struggle took an emotional toll on me. I realized I needed to take steps to care for my own mental health, too.
For me, this looked like carving out time for prayer and journaling, reaching out to a close friend for support, and setting small boundaries to ensure I didn’t burn out. By taking care of myself, I was better equipped to help my son.
Final Thoughts
If you’re walking through a similar season, know that you’re not alone. Supporting a child through mental health struggles is hard, but it’s also an opportunity for growth—for both of you. Lean on God, seek support when you need it, and trust that He will guide you through.
What strategies have helped you during tough seasons with your kids? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
