Being a parent can be a difficult job and a certain amount of worry is normal.

However, if you are a parent who experiences anxiety or has a child with anxiety symptoms, it can make even the smallest parenting decision feel overwhelming. You are not alone in this struggle, and anxiety can be managed.

Parenting Through Anxiety is a new group for parents who recognize anxiety symptoms in themselves and also have children exhibiting signs of anxiety. These may include separation anxiety, school avoidance, sleep disturbances due to worrying, and the need for endless reassurance.

The focus of Parenting Through Anxiety is twofold: to give parents confidence in using skills and resources to help their children cope, and to provide parents with practical support to manage their own journey with anxiety. This includes introducing parents to simple mindfulness-based practices and hands-on tools proven to enhance self-regulation and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Parenting Through Anxiety is a free group funded by Child and Youth Mental Health (MCFD) and Comox Valley Family Services Association. The group this January is for parents with children ages 5 through 10 years old. However, if your child falls outside of this age group please still contact us, as we are assessing the need for future Parenting Through Anxiety groups.

This session will run Tuesday evenings, 6:00-7:30, for six consecutive weeks, starting Jan.30. Registration is required for this group. To register or for more information, please contact Sarah Hoffman at 250-338-7575, ext 222, or sarah.h@cvfsa.org.