The Opposite of Worry

The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears

By: Lawrence J. Cohen

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

Whether it's the monster in the closet or the fear that arises from new social situations, school, or sports, anxiety can be especially challenging and maddening for children. And since anxiety has a mind of its own, logic and reassurance often fail, leaving parents increasingly frustrated about how to help. Now Lawrence J. Cohen, PhD, the author of Playful Parenting, provides a special set of tools to handle childhood anxiety.

Offering simple, effective strategies that build connection through fun, play, and empathy, Dr. Cohen helps parents: start from a place of warmth, compassion, and understanding teach children the basics of the body's "security system": alert, alarm, assessment, and all clear promote tolerance of uncertainty and discomfort by finding the balance between outright avoidance and "white-knuckling" through a fear find lighthearted ways to release tension in the moment, labeling stressful emotions on a child-friendly scale tackle their own anxieties so they can stay calm when a child is distressed bring children out of their anxious thoughts and into their bodies by using relaxation, breathing, writing, drawing, and playful roughhousing.

With this insightful resource of easy-to-implement solutions and strategies, you and your child can experience the opposite of worry, anxiety, and fear, and embrace connection, trust, and joy.

©2013 Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D. (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This book will help you calm the storm of worrying that floods so many children and teens. Take these hard-earned lessons and make them your own. Peace and clarity in your family are just pages away!" (Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., The Whole-Brain Child)

Good book with valuable insights for parents.

Easy read with sufficient examples to be very practical. The author gets you to understand and empathise with the anxious child's state. He also does a good job of explaining how many typical parental responses can be improved upon.

Provides a good perspective

My daughter tends to worry a lot. Recently it grew worse. I had no idea how to help. This book gave me tools, ideas, and perhaps most importantly, a friendly way to frame the worry problem so that I could talk to my daughter about it in an easy way. I believe I’ve seen improvements by following the principles taught in this book.

Great for parents of anxious kids

So many great thoughts and ideas! Very easy to listen to and understand. Recommend for any parents with anxious children.

Anxious mama if an anxious child

I’ve been listening to this book on audible on my drive to and from work and it’s been so helpful - not only at understanding my daughters emotions and behaviors but also recognizing my own unconscious anxieties. Highly recommend all parents

a useful resource

The author does a great job of teaching parents the sources of childrens' anxiety and provides many techniques parents and kids can use to relieve anxiety.

Nailed It

Gave lots of creative and practical ideas on how to deal with anxious child. Described my child so accurately it's as if he knew her.

Practical Ideas!

There is a wealth of creative, practical ideas for helping your child through anxiety. I think this book has also helped to inform me about my own anxiety. I bought a hard copy for reference and plan to listen to the audible version many more times!

Huge help for my anxious children

I have both the print version and audio of this book. I often don't have time to sit and read but referencing information is helpful with a printed book of course. The audio was easy to follow and understand. The reader was great with a soothing voice. Cohen gives great practical solutions to facing anxieties in a realistic way. He understands anxiety and he understands how to connect with children. It's already made a big difference in my family of anxious children.

Great tactics for parents

I thoroughly enjoyed Larry's words and recommendations. My son and I are already using his creative play strategies, and helping him take control his anxiety. I highly recommend this book to all parents, especially those with anxious little ones.

good resource

definitely worth the time. lots of valuable insights and ideas. i liked the games and fun activities to manage anxiety in a different way than the traditional talk therapy format.