How do you talk to kids about the hard stuff — without making their worries worse?

In this Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A episode, Dr. Dave Anderson answers real questions from parents about how to talk with kids and teens about difficult, emotionally loaded topics in calm, developmentally appropriate ways.

Drawing on clinical experience from his work at the Child Mind Institute, Dr. Anderson walks through what helps — and what often backfires — when kids ask about scary news, big life fears, or sensitive issues at home.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• Talking to kids about anxiety, disasters, and frightening news
• Helping children cope with worries about climate change
• Supporting kids dealing with unkind friends or social rejection
• How to respond when kids fear losing a parent
• Discussing financial stress without passing on adult worry
• How to talk about suicide safely and openly
• Explaining substance use and addiction in age-appropriate ways

Throughout the episode, Dr. Anderson emphasizes validation, honesty, emotional regulation, and keeping conversations open — even when a parent feels they didn’t handle a moment perfectly the first time.

Related Articles & Resources

• Helping Children Cope With Frightening News
• Kids and Climate Anxiety
• Big Talks: How to Have Important Conversations With Kids
• Parents Guide to Problem Behavior
• Tips for Communicating With Kids
• Parents Guide to Substance Use and Mental Health
• Anxiety Resources for Kids and Teens
• Supporting vs. Enabling a Child With Challenges

Dr. Dave Anderson sits down with science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about what kids actually need to cope, connect, and grow up healthy today.

They cover:

• Why letting kids have big feelings builds resilience
• How listening (not lecturing) strengthens connection
• What parents get wrong about screens and tech
• Why avoiding hard topics doesn’t protect kids
• How everyday conversations shape empathy and judgment

This episode is about practical, research-backed parenting — not perfection.

• How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation? - Child Mind Institute
• Helping Kids Handle Big Emotions at Different Ages - Child Mind Institute
• How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes - Melinda Wenner Moyer
• Hello, Cruel World - Melinda Wenner Moyer

Thriving Kids Podcast Q&A: Handling Big Feelings, Screen Time Battles, and More

Join Dr. Dave Anderson in this special Q&A edition of the Thriving Kids Podcast, where he addresses a range of parenting questions. From managing a 6-year-old's meltdowns over small issues to navigating screen time battles and teaching empathy between siblings, this episode covers it all. Dr. Anderson provides insightful advice on emotion regulation, developing coping skills, and setting effective boundaries. Learn how to talk to kids about inequality, media literacy, and tackle the common issues of homework difficulties and friendship dramas. Tune in for practical strategies to support your children's emotional and behavioral development.