About this episode

This episode explores the impact of parental anxiety on children and discusses strategies for managing anxiety in both parents and kids.

Both my husband and I have anxiety. So yeah, we are two anxious people raising kids and watching closely for signs of anxiety in them. The irony is very real. But it also means I am deeply invested in understanding where childhood anxiety comes from, and how much of it we as parents are actually influencing. In this Follow Up episode, I brought back child psychiatrist Dr. Helen Egger to break down the nature vs. nurture of anxiety, what it actually looks like in kids and parents, and how we can interrupt the cycle without losing our minds trying. In this episode we cover: Why having anxiety as a parent puts your child at 4-6 times higher risk for anxiety, and what that actually means The difference between normal anxiety and anxiety that needs support How fear can be "contagious" in a family environment, even without realizing it The genetic component of anxiety explained as risk, not destiny Why anxious kids often also have heightened empathy and sensitivity (the strengths side of the coin) How to address your child's anxiety while managing your own The different types of anxiety: generalized, social, separation, and phobias Why getting mental health support as a parent is one…

More episodes of The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom

• The Follow-Up: Understanding Early Intervention · July 20, 2026 · 15 min
• Beyond “Kids Are Resilient”, What Kids Actually Need to Cope · July 15, 2026 · 36 min
• The Follow-Up: Perinatal Rage · July 13, 2026 · 11 min
• Mom Needs a Moment: Why You Still Yell Even When You Know Better (And How to Stop) with Dr. Cassidy Freitas · July 8, 2026 · 1h 2m
• The Follow-Up: Raising Multilingual Kids · July 6, 2026 · 13 min
• Bed-Sharing and Safe Sleep Guidelines: Pediatricians Gets Real About Risk & Shame with Dr. Michael Milobsky · July 1, 2026 · 59 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The PedsDocTalk Podcast: Child Health, Development & Parenting—From a Pediatrician Mom podcast page.