How do I address my child's fear?

Fear is an emotion that often says, "be safe." Its job is to protect us. We need to address fear depending on the situation.

Question for introspection: Am I giving my child a safe space to express their fears freely with me? Please take a moment to reflect.

Example scenario: When a child comes to a parent and says, "I’m scared of today's exam; I don’t want to go to school," how would you respond?

I personally believe it's important to acknowledge the fear, not neglect it. When we say, "It's okay if you get lower marks, just go and do the exam," such responses dismiss the child's experience. As a result, the child may not know how to deal with fear in the future. So, it's crucial to educate the child—how do we do that?

Step 1: Identify and address the fear. Sit with the child and ask, "What’s so scary about the exam?" Every child’s experience is unique, so take the time to understand their perspective.

Step 2: Don't dismiss or invalidate the child’s experience. What they’re feeling at that moment is real—respect that.

Step 3: After understanding the child’s fear, work together to find solutions. Help the child understand how they can approach their fear constructively.

By addressing fear this way, we empower the child. So, even in the future, when they feel fear, they won’t just step back. They’ll take a pause, reflect, and then make a decision.

Most importantly, for all of these steps to work, parents need to be aware of their own emotional state. Only then can they create a safe space where the child can communicate freely, without fear or judgment. This is why conscious parenting is essential—it’s not just a one-time practice, but a way of living. Small, consistent practices every day will lead to greater clarity and confidence for both parents and children.