The Follow-Up: Anxious Parents, Anxious Kids
6/29/202613 min
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 of the most powerful things you can do for your child
- How modeling help-seeking behavior actually breaks the anxiety cycle
Want more? Listen to the full, original episode.
Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and subscribe to PedsDocTalk.
Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. Join the newsletter!
And don’t forget to follow @pedsdoctalkpodcast on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.
We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships page of the website.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you may not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions, and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. National average 12-month savings of $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.
Mona Amin· Host0:37
Hey, it's Dr. Mona, and you are listening to The Follow-Up [upbeat music] where we bring back a past episode of the PedsDocTalk podcast in less time than it takes your brain to convince you something is definitely wrong at 2:00 AM. I know you've been there. True story, both my husband and I have anxiety, so we are literally the anxious parents anxiously monitoring our kids for anxiety. [laughs] The irony is not lost on me. So far, our kids are doing great, but I'm very aware of how our own worry and anxiety can quietly shape theirs, and I'm genuinely fascinated by how much of this is nature versus nurture. Remind you, anxiety is not a bad thing. It's when it consumes us and overtakes us, which is sometimes what happens to me