Helping Anxious Kids Do Hard Things with Cynthia Coufal - 406

Helping Anxious Kids Do Hard Things with Cynthia Coufal - 406

Author: Pam Howard May 19, 2026 Duration: 32:26
Less Drama More Mama
KidsKids & FamilyEducationFamilyParentingSelf Improvement

"I don't want to go."
"Can I just stay home?"
"I don't even care about that anyway."

When your anxious child says these things, it can feel kinder (and easier) to let them skip the party, stay home from school, or avoid taking the bus.

But short-term relief often creates bigger anxiety in the long run.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, I'm sharing an episode from Cynthia Coufal's podcast, The Teen Anxiety Maze. Cynthia is a school counselor and teen anxiety coach who has spent more than 25 years helping kids understand and manage anxiety while building confidence and independence.

In this episode, Cynthia breaks down the connection between avoidance and anxiety, why some kids convince themselves they don't care about things they deeply want, and the powerful shift from "I have to" to "I choose to."

At the end of the episode, I share a few of my own thoughts about what stood out to me and how it connects to the work I do with moms.

This episode is packed with practical examples and an important perspective on discomfort, resilience, and what helps anxious kids (and moms) grow.

https://lessdramamoremama.com/406


Pam Howard brings a refreshingly practical voice to the often chaotic world of parenting with Less Drama More Mama. Drawing from her unique background as a Master Certified Life Coach, a licensed clinical social worker, and a former school counselor, she moves beyond theory to offer real, usable strategies for everyday family life. This isn't about achieving perfection; it's about replacing overwhelm with a sense of grounded confidence. Each episode feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend who truly gets it. Pam weaves together personal anecdotes from her own journey as a mom with anonymized case studies from her coaching practice, creating a relatable and insightful listen. You'll find specific life coaching tools and perspectives designed to transform those moments of feeling frazzled or disconnected into opportunities for calm and stronger bonds with your kids. The Less Drama More Mama podcast is a resource for any parent looking to cultivate more peace and less reactivity at home, covering topics that span child development, educational challenges, and personal growth. It’s a space where the focus shifts from simply managing behavior to understanding the underlying dynamics, empowering you to handle what comes your way with more grace and less guilt.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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