As a parent, your deepest instinct is to protect your child from distress. And when summer rolls in—with its bright skies, popsicles, and pool days—it brings a fresh batch of both magic and meltdowns.

Your instinct is to help them feel safe. Maybe you offer constant reassurance, answer every anxious question with extra patience, or agree to skip the BBQ, the pool party, or the overnight trip. Maybe you keep tight to your usual routines—even when the season invites spontaneity.

But what if some of those loving efforts to reduce their anxiety are actually helping it grow?

Summer can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing for children, especially those who thrive on routine. By teaching kids tools like anxiety scaling, visual schedules, and self-care menus, parents can help them navigate new situations with confidence. Empower your child to embrace summer as a time of growth, resilience, and fun.

Why are some kids more anxious than others? Anxious children tend to overestimate the likelihood and severity of negative outcomes while undervaluing positive possibilities. Understanding their thought patterns and validating their fears is the first step to helping them face and manage anxiety effectively.

Understanding the Polyvagal Theory provides parents with powerful insights into how their child’s nervous system responds to stress and safety. By using coregulation—modeling calmness, validating emotions, and offering soothing interactions—parents can help their anxious child feel secure and foster emotional regulation and resilience.