Welcome back to the savvy psychologist. I'm Dr. Ellen Hendrickson and every week I'll help you

meet life's challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

Childhood is full of little worries, like who you'll sit next to at lunch,

passing this week's spelling test, or walking past that scary barking

dog at the end of the block. But sometimes kids' worries grow bigger than your teen's

Instagram audience, faster than your tween in a growth spurt, or are

more numerous than fidget spinner's in the lunchroom.

And especially at

kids' transition times, back to school, the holidays, heading to summer camp,

worry can eat away at kids' comfort and confidence.

It's heartbreaking to watch your kid do things that set them apart from their peers,

like clinging to you at soccer practice, crying at birthday parties, or refusing to

participate in school to the point that their grades suffer.

And it can be exasperating to hear them worry about things that seem irrational

or to worry about the same things over and over again. Luckily you can help. By request from listener

Ivana in Copenhagen Denmark, here are five ways to soothe your kids worries.

And guess what?

They work just as well for grown-ups.

Tip number one is help them make a game plan.

Sometimes kids forget that they have the power to cope with challenges. Help

them realize that they can solve most age-appropriate problems themselves or with a little help. If they express worries to you, say, it sounds like

you're worried about X or I hear that you're nervous about Y. This gives them a name

...