Fear: Turning Anxiety Into Fun | Empowering Kids to Conquer Their Worries!

Secret #2: Make Fear Fun!

According to the Encarta Dictionary, fear is defined as “an unpleasant feeling of anxiety or apprehension caused by the presence or anticipation of danger.” The most commonly use synonyms are panic, anxiety, and worry. How often do we hear those words in the media these days?

The key words in that definition are the “presence” or “anticipation.” There are different types of fear that people feel. Some are instinctive and helpful while others are invented in the mind and hurtful.

The instinctive fears show up in the “presence” of danger. It is your fight or flight response. These fears require little or no conscious thought. The instinctive part of our brain takes over and reacts for us.

It is the “anticipation” that is the problem with so many kids (and adults) in our society. Several studies and surveys have been conducted over the years ranking the Top 10 Strongest or Most Common Fears. The fear of public speaking is always ranked number one or two, yet the fear of death is always in the middle of the pack. Does that make any sense to you?

Here is Secret #2 for Empowering Kids – Make Fear Fun!

Change the association of fear in the minds of your kids and yourself. When you and your kids confront the things you are fearful of and overcome them, the power of your identity grows. When you attack something that you were afraid of and discover, “that’s it? That’s what I was afraid of?” it’s incredibly empowering.