Are you comforting your child... or confirming their fear? Dr. Sarah Bren explains that when kids feel anxious - especially about being apart from us - our instinct is to comfort or stay close. But sometimes, that comfort unintentionally confirms the fear: “I really do need my parent here to be safe.” Each time we step in too soon, we strengthen the association between fear and rescue. The child learns, “I can’t handle this feeling. Someone else has to fix it.” Instead, Dr. Bren encourages gradual steps toward independence. Stay close at first, then step out for a few minutes, then a bit longer next time. Each successful stretch rewires the fear, teaching: “I can feel anxious and still be okay.” That’s how confidence grows: not by removing fear, but by helping kids face it safely, until their courage starts to lead. It makes us wonder: when our kids are afraid, are we calming them or confirming what they fear most? Speaker: Sarah Bren Source: Parenting Without Power Struggles: Chores, Allowance & Handling Separation Anxiety w/ Dr. Sarah Bren | KOH Podcast w/ Michael Chernow