Does your child wrestle with fearful or anxious feelings? If so, they’re not alone! Anxiety is common. In fact, it’s one of the most frequent mental health issues children face.

Surveys show that in 2021, 30-40% of kids grappled with feelings of anxiousness. And as parents, it’s essential we know how to support them.

Here are some signs of anxiety in children to look out for:

Do any of the signs above sound familiar? If so, we want to help! Here are a few tips on coaching your child through anxious feelings.

How to Help Kids with Anxiety

Tip #1: Relax their environment

Anxiety is a powerful emotion, and kids who grapple with it can easily get overwhelmed. One of the best things you can do when your child is feeling anxious is to reduce sensory stimulation, activity commitments, and pressure on their performance.

Tip #2: Help them name their worries & fears

When children have a good understanding of their feelings, they’re better able to cope with them. And that’s backed by research! In 2003, a study found that kids who could label their emotions in first grade had fewer anxiety symptoms four years down the road.

So, how does labeling emotions work? When kids name their feelings, it reduces the physiological stress response and shame attached to them. It also normalizes the human experience and helps them develop a healthy EQ.

Tip #3: Coach them to be brave

The only way to overcome fear is to face it. If we consistently run away from what makes us anxious, our anxiety only grows.

Support your child in confronting their fears, but make sure to move at a pace that feels comfortable and remind them – “You can do hard things.”

Tip #4: Reach out for support

Is your child struggling? If so, we’re here to help! With everything from therapy to in-home caregiver support and more, we provide services tailored to the unique needs of each child we serve designed to empower families in treatment.

Contact us online to learn more about getting your child support through any of our locations across Montana.

Did you find this article helpful?

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Feeling the pressure to be a perfect parent? Mindful parenting offers a better path—one grounded in research showing that practicing presence, connection, and emotional awareness can lower family stress, strengthen parent-child bonds, and support healthy emotional development.

At its core, mindful parenting means bringing intentional, nonjudgmental awareness to your interactions with your child—staying open, present, and compassionate, even when things get tough. It’s not about perfection. It’s about embracing imperfection, navigating difficult emotions, and choosing to respond with intention instead of reacting on autopilot.

Practicing mindfulness deepens your bond with your children—and strengthens every relationship in your life.

7 Ways to Practice Mindful Parenting

Here are seven ways to bring mindfulness into your parenting—and beyond.

Make space for your emotions.

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “what we resist persists”—and it’s true. Emotions that we push away tend to grow stronger.

Mindful parenting starts with allowing yourself to sit with your feelings without judgment. When big emotions surface, take a moment to pause, name what you’re feeling, and move through it with compassion.

The more we make space for our own emotions, the more space we create for others’ too.

Practice acceptance.

Life isn’t perfect. Some days you’ll burn dinner, your kids will act out, and everything will feel off track. Mindful parenting is about releasing the illusion of control and meeting each moment as it is—not as you wish it would be.

Practicing acceptance with your kids builds your muscle to practice it with partners, friends, and coworkers too.

Stay flexible.

Plans fall apart. Routines get disrupted. Kids—and adults—struggle with change. Mindful parenting invites you to stay flexible, pausing before reacting and responding thoughtfully instead.

Flexibility not only eases conflict with kids—it makes all your relationships more resilient.

Lead with compassion.

When kids are hungry, tired, or overwhelmed, their behavior often spirals. Instead of focusing only on the behavior, mindful parenting invites us to look beneath it—to the need underneath. Compassion doesn’t eliminate boundaries; it makes them more human.

In every relationship, compassion opens doors that criticism never can.

Forgive often.

Parenting offers daily lessons in forgiveness—for yourself and for your children. Mindful parenting reminds us that mistakes aren’t failures—they’re opportunities to repair and reconnect.

Learning to forgive in small moments with your child lays the groundwork for deeper forgiveness with everyone in your life.

Practice gratitude.

Mindfulness and gratitude go hand in hand. When you intentionally notice the good—the moments of laughter, connection, and growth—you nurture a mindset of joy and abundance.

Gratitude naturally spills into how you show up with everyone, from your family to your community.

Stay present.

The past is behind you, and the future isn’t guaranteed. All you truly have is this moment.

Mindful parenting is about showing up fully—whether you’re reading a bedtime story, cooking dinner together, or simply listening.

Presence transforms relationships, creating the trust and connection we all crave.

Want more?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Who said raising teens was easy? I don’t know about you, but I always thought things would get easier as my kids got older. But once they reached puberty, parenting became a whole new playing field.

Raising teens means your people skills need to be on point. Empathy, mindful communications, patience—all are essential for guiding your soon-to-be adult.

Below are twelve quotes on raising teens.

12 Quotes to Guide You in Raising Teens

#1: Don’t ever pass over an opportunity for connection with your teen.

Quote: No matter what kind of day you had today, if your teen comes to you and wants to talk or hang out, drop everything and do it. Don’t miss a golden opportunity to connect on their terms. – Raising Teens Today

#2: Let your teen talk and really listen.

Quote: Take the time to listen to your teenager, no matter how emotional or ridiculous their statements sound to you. When someone doesn’t feel valued or heard, their desire to participate in a relationship disappears. – Parenting Teens & Tweens

#3: Sometimes, your teen doesn’t want you to fix anything. They just want to be heard.

Quote: Sometimes, when our teens open up to us, they are not looking for us to fix their problems. They are just looking for a safe place to share their pain. – Parenting Tweens & Teens

#4: Don’t meet your teen’s aggression with aggression. Squash it with good communication, empathy, and kindness.

Quote: The louder your teen gets, the quieter you should be. The angrier your teen becomes, the gentler you should become. The meaner your teen behaves, the kinder you should be. – Eva Rito

#5: Read between the lines and look for the communication behind the behavior.

Quote: I knew I was finally becoming the kind of parent my teen needed when I stopped taking everything they said personally and started becoming compassionately curious about what they were really trying to communicate. – Raising Teens Today

#6: Sometimes, natural consequences are the best teacher. No lectures are needed.

Quote: When my child has made a poor decision that has led to a painful lesson, the last thing they need is a side of belittlement and condescension from me. – Raising Teens Today

#7: Your teen will learn to navigate relationships based on the one they have with you. Teach them healthy conflict resolution skills.

Quote: Setting an example for healthy conflict resolution skills and modeling forgiveness is better than never having conflict. – Inspired by Sarah Boyd

#8: Your teen needs unconditional love and acceptance.

Quote: Most teens need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice. – Bob Goff

#9: Help them develop a healthy sense of confidence.

Quote: Nothing can shake our teen’s confidence more than being fed the notion that something’s wrong with them simply because they don’t measure up in our eyes. – Raising Teens Today

#10: EQ is critical! Foster it in your teen! Studies show that emotional intelligence is one of the single most significant contributing factors to success in adulthood.

Quote: If a child can do advanced math, speak three languages, and receive top grades, but can’t manage their emotions, practice conflict resolution, or handle stress—no amount of education is going to matter. – Unknown

#11: Mistakes are part of the learning process. Don’t make your teen’s acceptance conditional on achievement.

Quote: Children who are too obsessed with perfection can become hard on themselves, have unreachable expectations, and avoid challenges. Work with them to develop a healthier attitude about achievement. – Benjamin Mizrahi

#12: Your teen needs to know that nothing will make you love them anymore or less.

Quote: Teenagers long to know that there’s nothing they can do to make us love them more, and there’s nothing they can do to make us love them less. – Mark Gregston

Want more?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Let’s be real—parenting can feel overwhelming. With advice coming from every direction, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. When things feel especially tough, these positive parenting keys will help you refocus on what truly matters: connection, calm, and collaboration.

Below are three strategies that can bring clarity and intention back to your parenting—even on the hard days.

3 Positive Parenting Keys

🗝️ Relationship Comes First

Rules and structure matter—but without relationship, they often fall flat. When kids feel emotionally connected and seen, they’re more likely to cooperate and trust your guidance. If that connection breaks down, you’ll often see it show up in their behavior.

Try this: Slow down. Listen without jumping to fix. Make time for small moments of connection. When your relationship is strong, everything else becomes easier.

🗝️ Co-Regulate to Calm Emotions

Big emotions are contagious—and so is calm. Kids don’t learn to regulate their emotions on their own. First, they borrow our calm presence until they’re able to build that skill for themselves.

Try this: Take a deep breath together. Get down on their level. Offer your steady presence. This kind of co-regulation is a core piece of positive parenting and helps build emotional strength—for both of you.

🗝️ Work Through Solutions Together

Is your child facing something challenging? Work through it with them, not for them. This teaches problem-solving, encourages trust, and builds their confidence over time.

Try this: Ask, “What do you think we can do about this?” Collaborating like this supports kids in building skills for life and can turn moments of conflict into connection—helping kids feel capable and seen.

Keep the Keys Close

You don’t need to have all the answers. On the hard days, come back to these three positive parenting keys:

🗝️ Build connection
🗝️ Co-regulate emotions
🗝️ Solve problems side by side

Let go of perfection—and stay focused on what matters most.

Need Support?

Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR) provides a full continuum of children’s behavioral health care designed to wrap families up in support and empower caregivers. Contact us today to learn more.

Want More?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.

Article adapted from a Facebook post by Krysten Taprell @ The Therapist Parent.

Feeling exhausted? You’re not alone.

In today’s world, caregiver burnout is more common than ever—especially for those juggling parenting, work, and the endless demands of life. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent or balancing a full-time career with caregiving responsibilities, the emotional and physical toll adds up fast.

In fact, an article by Investopedia reports that stay-at-home parents work an average of 98 hours per week—and for working caregivers, that number only increases.

Without a strategy to manage stress and prevent caregiver burnout, it’s easy to run on empty. Here are six practical tips to help you recharge, protect your well-being, and bring your best self to those who depend on you.

Tips to Combat Caregiver Burnout

Connect with others.

Social support is a must for parents! Studies show that when caregivers are connected and have an open dialogue on stress and burnout, it serves as a buffer against it. So, carve out time for friends, family, and build a tribe you can lean on.

Re-evaluate your stress.

Mindset is a critical component of navigating stress. The truth is, how we look at our circumstances directly affects how they impact us. So, explore areas of your life that make you grateful. And if you’re confronting parenting challenges, ask yourself, “How can I use these as opportunities to grow?”

Make small changes.

Do you feel trapped by your parenting responsibilities? If so, make small changes to help you manage stress over the long haul. For example, try delegating tasks among family members, cutting down on commitments, or scheduling carpools with other parents.

Let go of perfectionism.

No one’s perfect. And when we shoot for such an unrealistic mark, we put unnecessary pressure on ourselves—creating stress and fostering feelings of shame when we don’t live up to our expectations.

So, drop the “should” statements and swap them for “it would be great if I had more energy to…” instead. Reframing like this will help you deal with your current reality rather than what you think it should be.

Take microbreaks.

Self-care is a critical component of managing stress and burnout recovery. Yet, being a caregiver is a full-time job, so taking long breaks or vacations for yourself isn’t always realistic. But you can take tiny moments throughout your day.

Try sitting in your car to listen to a guided meditation after grocery shopping or going into the bathroom for five minutes to practice deep breathing to enhance your resilience.

Find meaning.

Has stress brought you to the point of detachment? If so, take the time to re-explore and connect to your values.

What are the meaningful aspects of parenting? Don’t get lost in the drudgery of your role. Instead, dive deep, and don’t forget the purpose behind your work.

Need support?

We provide a wide range of wraparound mental health services that support caregivers and help kids heal. Contact us online to learn more about help available through Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch (YBGR).

Want more?

Check out the rest of our blog and follow us on social media. You can find us on LinkedIn at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, Instagram at @ybgr_cares, and Facebook at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch.