315: Helping Our Kids Overcome Anxiety (with David Thomas and Sissy Goff)

I have the honor this week of having not just one but two guests in the studio, both of whom I love dearly - David Thomas and Sissy Goff! David and Sissy discuss their new children's books focused on building resilience and courage in young kids. The books, featuring therapy dogs as the main characters, aim to help children with common challenges such as anxiety, fear, and emotional regulation.

Listen as Sissy and David share how they have witnessed the powerful impact of therapy dogs in their counseling practice, helping kids open up and feel more comfortable expressing their feelings. They also discuss the scientific research showing the mental health benefits of interacting with dogs, including reduced stress and increased feel-good hormones.

Our conversation explores how even very young children, as early as preschool age, can struggle with anxiety and fear that manifests in rigid behavior, meltdowns, and an inability to cope with change or big transitions. David and Sissy provide some practical strategies for parents, such as using "breath prayers" and feelings charts to help kids identify and work through their feelings.

Highlighting the importance of building emotional intelligence from an early age, Sissy and David also reflect on some personal stories of how they've seen this make a profound difference, even in the lives of older kids who initially resisted. The books' themes of resilience and courage are brought to life via relatable examples that kids can connect with, and not only do I strongly encourage you to grab yourself some copies, I also really hope that you enjoy this incredibly informative conversation with David Thomas and Sissy Goff!

[Episode Timeline]

[0:35] - Welcome to the show, David and Sissy!

[2:42] - Why are the dogs at the center of David’s and Sissy’s children’s books?

[4:52] - Hear how training a therapy dog revealed how deeply kids and dogs reduce stress.

[7:49] - Sissy argues that dogs tend to put children in touch with an otherwise hard to access tenderness.

[9:46] - Owen’s reluctance to enter the room became a metaphor for overcoming overwhelming moments.

[11:59] - I reflect on my fear of entering a gym class and the relief after committing.

[13:39] - David looks back on how his dad and Owen comforted each other, proving closeness can heal loneliness and fear.

[15:56] - David explains how READing Paws shows kids read with less anxiety when accompanied by nonjudgmental dogs.

[17:13] - Sissy points out how rising childhood anxiety often appears as rigid control.

[20:46] - My jump-rope fear illustrates how we often exaggerate obstacles that actually prove simple.

[23:27] - Hear how Sissy helps her nephew face Disney ride fears with the phrase, “a little scared, a lot fun.”

[24:36] - I recall forcing my anxious daughter into school, a decision that ultimately changed her life.

[26:45] - Fear often masks itself as anger in children, making it more difficult to recognize and address.

[28:26] - David distinguishes normal challenges from debilitating ones by asking if a child can still move forward.

[30:49] - David recommends workbooks and parent consultations as first steps before pursuing therapy.

[32:24] - Sissy highlights the importance of finding warm, trusted therapists and framing therapy as building a child’s support team.

[34:31] - David and Sissy describe using tools like feelings charts and thermometers to teach kids emotional awareness.

[36:49] - I praise teaching kids emotional language at a young age, preventing unresolved feelings from damaging adult relationships later.

[Links & Resources]

Crystal Paine  

READing Paws  

Daystar Counseling  

Books:

- *Lucy Learns to Be Brave* by Sissy Goff  

- *Owen Learns He Has What It Takes* by David Thomas  

- *Happy Finds Her Calm* by Sissy Goff & David Thomas  

- *Pippa Learns to Share the Spotlight* by Sissy Goff & David Thomas  

- *Braver, Stronger, Smarter* by Sissy Goff  

- *Strong and Smart* by David Thomas  

Social Media:

Crystal Paine on Instagram (@moneysavingmom, @crystaliscleaning)  

Crystal Paine on LinkedIn, Twitter, Goodreads  

Money Saving Mom on Facebook and Deal Seekers group  

Email: [email protected]

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