Best Parenting Books for Coping with Childhood Anxiety

14 February 2026

As parents, we all want to see our children thrive—emotionally, mentally, and physically. But when childhood anxiety rears its head, it can feel overwhelming for both the child and the parent. If you’ve ever been stuck, wondering how to best help your anxious child, you’re not alone. In fact, many parents experience a sense of helplessness when their child struggles with worries big or small.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. There are fantastic resources available, and one of the best ways to feel empowered is to seek knowledge. What better way to do that than diving into some incredible books specifically geared toward helping parents manage and understand childhood anxiety?

Let’s talk about the best parenting books for coping with childhood anxiety—the kind that leave you feeling like you’re armed with practical tools, real-life advice, and the knowledge that you’re not in this alone.

Why Parenting Books Are Essential For Helping Children with Anxiety

Before we dive into the list of books, it’s worth asking: why should you even bother with parenting books? After all, aren’t you living the experience? Do you really need a book to help guide you?

Here’s the deal: raising a child with anxiety is a lot like navigating a maze. Some days, you feel like you know the way, and other times, you're hitting dead ends. Books written by experts provide not only emotional support but also practical, research-based strategies to help both you and your child feel more empowered.

And rest assured, you don’t have to be an expert to understand these books. They’re written with you—the parent—in mind and cater to real-life situations you’ll totally relate to.

Now, without further ado, let’s dive into the top parenting books that tackle childhood anxiety head-on.

1. "The Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens" by Jennifer Shannon, LMFT

Okay, so this one is technically aimed at teens, but it’s a must-read for parents too, especially if you have an older child dealing with anxiety.

Why You Should Read It

This book really stands out because it walks readers through a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach. CBT is considered one of the gold-standard tools for dealing with anxiety, and its principles are simple enough for both teens and adults to grasp. The best part about this guide? It breaks everything down in a way that’s actionable. Think: easy-to-do exercises that help your child—or even you—manage anxious thoughts.

Key Takeaways

- Step-by-step strategies for tackling anxiety
- Practical CBT exercises for both you and your child
- Real-life examples you can relate to

Who It's For

While it’s technically aimed at teens, I think any parent of a child older than ten would benefit. Plus, it’s a great tool to read together with your teen—they’ll appreciate the fact that you’re willing to understand what they’re going through.

2. "Freeing Your Child from Anxiety" by Tamar E. Chansky, Ph.D.

If you’re looking for something that really digs deep into the heart of childhood anxiety and offers long-term solutions, this book is a lifesaver. Tamar Chansky is a child psychologist, so you’re getting advice from someone who truly knows what they’re talking about.

Why You Should Read It

Chansky’s book is legit filled with practical tools that make anxious feelings manageable—and not just for your child, but for you too! It’s like a parenting toolbox for anxiety—it’s comprehensive without feeling overwhelming. She covers everything from general anxiety to specific issues like school anxiety and test stress.

Key Takeaways

- A thorough understanding of the different kinds of childhood anxiety
- Loads of techniques for calming anxious children, including relaxation practices
- A deep dive into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, but written in a way that’s super easy for non-therapists to understand

Who It's For

Parents with kids of any age, though it’s especially helpful if your child is around elementary or middle school age.

3. "Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents" by Lynn Lyons, LICSW, and Reid Wilson Ph.D.

This one’s a real gem because it tackles a truth many parents might shy away from: sometimes, our own anxieties feed into our child’s anxiety. If that sounds familiar at all, this book shines a light on how to break the cycle.

Why You Should Read It

I like to think of this book as not just a way to help your child, but also a gentle nudge to reflect on your own parenting habits. The authors give you steps to help shift from an “accommodating” style—where you might unintentionally enable anxiety—to a stronger, more supportive stance where anxiety is faced, not avoided. Plus, it’s refreshing to hear authors acknowledge that parenting an anxious child is exhausting—and give tips on managing that burnout.

Key Takeaways

- Focuses on how anxiety is a family matter
- Simple but effective steps to break anxiety cycles, both in yourself and your child
- Strong emphasis on resilience-building for kids

Who It's For

This is a great book for parents who feel like they’re tiptoeing around their child’s anxiety, afraid to rock the boat. It’s empowering and gives you the tools to build a more resilient household.

4. "What to Do When You Worry Too Much" by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.

This is a hands-on workbook for younger kids (think ages 6-12), but trust me—it’s a game-changer. If you want a book that helps your kid actively participate in managing their own anxiety, this is it. Plus, the illustrations are adorable!

Why You Should Read It

A lot of books focus on the parent’s role in helping their anxious child, but this one is a direct-to-kid resource. It’s interactive, so your child can literally work through their feelings while following along with concepts presented in simple, child-friendly language. There are plenty of fun exercises designed to keep kids engaged while learning how to handle anxious thoughts.

Key Takeaways

- Engaging activities for kids to manage anxiety
- Shows children how to identify their worries and challenges them with CBT-based strategies
- Boosts confidence in kids by giving them a sense of control over their fears

Who It's For

Perfect for kids aged 6-12 and their parents. It’s like giving your little one their very own toolbox for tackling worry.

5. "Helping Your Anxious Child" by Ronald M. Rapee, Ph.D., Ann Wignall, and Contributors

This book is one of the most comprehensive guides out there for parents dealing with childhood anxiety. It covers everything from simple separation anxiety all the way to more complex anxiety disorders. You’ll feel like you’re getting expert-level advice written in a way that’s easy to digest.

Why You Should Read It

The authors take you step-by-step through lots of different anxiety scenarios your child might encounter, helping you understand why anxiety happens (like genetics or stressful life events) and how to support your child through it. This book is packed with step-by-step instructions and methods that have been proven effective—not only for anxiety but for building your child’s overall emotional resilience.

Key Takeaways

- Covers a broad range of anxiety symptoms and disorders
- Extremely thorough and evidence-based
- Teaches you how to get on the same team with your kid when tackling anxiety

Who It's For

This is a book for parents who are dealing with any kind of childhood anxiety, whether mild, moderate, or severe. I’d also recommend it to parents who suspect their child might have an anxiety disorder but aren’t 100% sure yet.

6. "The Opposite of Worry" by Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D.

If you’re looking for something a bit more playful that does an excellent job of making anxiety feel less scary, Lawrence Cohen has you covered. This book is playful yet practical, offering up methods grounded in emotional connection.

Why You Should Read It

Cohen emphasizes the use of play to help children overcome their anxious feelings. He believes that so much of our world as adults is about control and management, but for kids, the opposite of worry is play! It’s a fresh perspective that feels very approachable, especially for younger kids who respond well to games and imagination.

Key Takeaways

- Focuses on the power of play to reduce anxiety
- Helps shift children’s and parents' perspectives on how to handle fear
- Emphasizes emotional connection between parent and child

Who It's For

Ideal for parents of younger children (ages 4-10) or parents looking for less of a clinical approach and more of an emotion-based, playful method.

Wrapping It Up

Parenting an anxious child isn’t easy—but it’s also not impossible. With the right tools and knowledge, you can help your child overcome their worries, feel more secure, and build resilience that will last a lifetime.

The parenting books on this list are designed to be your secret weapon as you navigate this sometimes tricky road. They provide valuable strategies, empathy, and actionable advice that you can start using right away. Don’t forget: seeking help in the form of reading is not a sign that you’re failing. It’s a sign that you care, that you want to do everything in your power to support your child.

### Which one will you pick up first?