Abstract

Why does your toddler get upset when his or her routine is disrupted? Why do they follow you from room to room and refuse to play on their own? Why are daily routines such as mealtimes, bath time, and bed time such a struggle?

This accessible guide demystifies the difficult behaviors of anxious toddlers, offering tried-and-tested practical solutions to common parenting dilemmas. Each chapter begins with a real life example, clearly illustrating the behavior from the parent's and the toddler's perspective. Once the toddler's anxious behavior has been demystified and explained, new and effective parenting approaches are introduced to help parents tackle everyday difficulties and build up their child's resilience, independence, and coping mechanisms. Common difficulties with bath time, toileting, sleep, eating, transitions, social anxiety, separation anxiety, and sensory issues are solved, along with specific fears and phobias, and more extreme behaviors such as skin picking and hair pulling.

A must-read for all parents of anxious toddlers, as well as for the professionals involved in supporting them.

Natasha Daniels is a child therapist and has worked with young children and their families for over 15 years. She currently works in private practice in Phoenix, Arizona. Natasha has her Masters in Social Work from Arizona State University and completed her postgraduate training at the prestigious Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Institute at Southwest Human Development.
A wonderful resource for families and therapists. Natasha has broken down anxiety into a variety of shapes and sizes to assist parents in understanding what it can look like. She has given the child a voice to offer different perspectives. In the end it comes down to what can I, as a parent, do to make this easier for my child. This book offers an abundance of possible ways to help your child manage anxiety.
Sandie Miller, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Private Practice
I love this book! It covers an extremely wide range of issues that may present in the anxious toddler... Each chapter begins with a vignette that gives voice to the toddler as well as the parent. Many chapters provide "scripts" for parents to use or adapt. After 33 years as a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, even I learned new things, but, as the author states, no one is perfect.
Daniel B. Kessler MD, FAAP, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician
This book is written by a well qualified and experienced American Child Therapist, Natasha Daniels, who is also a mum of three... The book, aimed at parents, carers and professionals, (...) a very accessible read, divided into chapters tackling common difficulties. It's a very instructive and enjoyable read and I have been happily recommending it.
Elizabeth Cox, Early Years, SEN Teacher
AuKids Magazine
Natasha provides sound advice and methods that work. Our family has gained sanity in a world that, before receiving her help, was out of control. So many situations in this book described our anxious child exactly and it has become a favorite reference. I feel as though I have someone in my corner who understands the daily struggles of being a parent to an anxious child and is there to help.
Caren Valls, mother of two

One of the hardest things about parenting a child with anxiety is a feeling of isolation - when all the "handy tips" and parenting advice is working for other children but not solving issues for your own, where do you turn?
This book is quite literally a companion for the journey. Practical advice - explanations that make you sigh with relief at the recognition that you aren't alone and can help your child feel safer in the world.

Sensory Smart