Does your young person's anxiety feel overwhelming, and you’re not sure how to help them? You’re not alone. Anxiety is becoming a bigger challenge for kids and teens every year, and as parents, we often wish we could wave a magic wand and just - poof! - make it disappear.

Now, while we can’t make the anxiety go away instantly, we can equip our young people with a powerful, science-backed tool to help them manage it in a healthy way—both in the moment and long-term. It’s called the Catch-Cancel-Change tool, and it’s a game-changer.

In this episode, I’m sharing how this 3-step strategy works, why it’s so effective, and how I used it to help my own daughter during one of her toughest struggles with anxiety. By the end of this episode, you’ll not only have a proven method to help your young person manage their anxious thoughts, but you’ll also have a way to help them build a life skill they can rely on for years to come.

• (4:07) Why anxiety in kids and teens is more common today and how you can be part of the solution to help them manage it.
• (5:47) The powerful psychological principle that makes this anxiety tool so powerful
• (7:41) The secret to stopping anxiety in its tracks—learn how anxious thoughts trigger negative emotions and unhelpful behaviors.
• (13:38) Step 1: Catching the Thought—how to help your child or teen recognize their unhelpful thoughts before they spiral into anxiety.
• (19:08) Step 2: Canceling the Thought—why teaching your young person to mentally reject anxious thoughts can break the cycle of anxiety.
• (26:23) Step 3: Changing the Thought—how to guide your young person to reframe negative thoughts into balanced, positive ones that reduce anxiety.
• (28:13) Practical examples of how to change anxious thoughts for elementary, middle, and high school students.
• (32:20) How Catch-Cancel-Change helped my daughter move from feeling stuck to finding balance, and how it can do the same for your young person.
• (38:38) This tool isn’t just for kids—how you can use Catch-Cancel-Change to manage your own stress and anxiety as a parent.
• (39:42) Your weekly challenge: Use Catch-Cancel-Change with your child or teen this week and try it for yourself—experience the difference in real time.

Stop letting anxiety control your household. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel empowered with a practical tool that helps your young person manage their anxious thoughts and teaches them a skill that will serve them for life. You’ll walk away feeling confident that you can guide them through their toughest moments and give them the emotional resilience they need to thrive.

For more parenting support and resources tailored to your needs, check out these options:

• Join the Modern Parenting Facebook Group
• Take My Court-Approved Online Parenting Classes
• Explore My Library of Free Parenting Resources
• Take My Quiz & Find Out If Your Parenting Style Leans More Traditional, Modern - Or Somewhere In Between!

Resources Mentioned In The Episode:

• Free PDF Guide: The Ultimate Guide To Making Better Parenting Decisions

Connect With Dr. B:

• Email: Podcast@ModernParentingSolutions.org
• Get Daily Education, Inspiration, and Support on Instagram