Anxiety Runs in Families: What Parents Can Do to Break the Pattern

 Parent Anxiety Is Real: My Story, Nervous-System Tools, and How to Build Your Support Team

Introduction

Anxiety is rising—and it often runs in families. In this episode of Emotions with Ease, I (Jami Glenn, Emotional Wellness Coach for Families) share how anxiety showed up in my childhood, how counseling flipped the lights on in my 20s, and the simple, body-first tools I still use as a mom. If you’re an anxious parent raising an anxious kid, you’ll find validation, language for what you’re feeling, and practical next steps you can try today.

Episode Highlights & Timestamps

00:02 – Welcome & Topic
Setting the stage: today we’re talking about my journey with anxiety and what actually helps.

00:22 – Why this episode matters
Anxiety is up across the board; many anxious kids have anxious parents.

01:14 – What you’ll get
Not just story—tools you can use for yourself, your co-parent, and your kids.

01:47 – Listener love & reviews
Thank you for messages and reviews (and yes, they really help!).

02:33 – Childhood context
A unique two-state family meant I was functionally raised by a single mom.

03:44 – Separation fears
Terrified to be away from mom; early school anxiety surfaces.

04:03 – Preschool panic & a pivot
Leaving preschool; sitting quietly in mom’s grad classes—early coping.

05:33 – Fear of loss
Hyper-vigilant thoughts about mom dying; “if I don’t go, she’ll crash.”

06:16 – The “other shoe” feeling
Persistent dread with no language for what it was.

06:42 – Magical thinking at the lake
Seeing rainbows on boat wake as “signs” something terrible would happen.

07:33 – Outside thriving, inside spiraling
Good grades, sports, social—while intrusive worries stayed secret.

08:18 – A mentor appears
Jennifer enters in college; steady support during big transitions.

09:11 – Mom moves states
Why that amplified worry—and how mentorship helped.

10:00 – “Try counseling”
Getting engaged, starting a career, and the nudge to seek therapy.

10:34 – When therapy doesn’t fit
First counselor mismatch; people-pleasing through sessions.

11:29 – Try again (and everything changes)
Finding the right counselor: a before/after moment.

12:46 – Naming what’s happening
Hearing DSM criteria read back: separation anxiety, GAD, and OCD patterns.

13:54 – “OCD? But I don’t line up pencils.”
Learning about intrusive thoughts and different OCD manifestations.

14:52 – Validation is medicine
Compassion + accurate language = relief and hope.

15:16 – 20 years of growth
Why counseling became a long-term anchor (with seasons of more/less).

16:23 – Diagnosis vs. paperwork
Why a formal code wasn’t necessary for me; clinical clarity was.

17:27 – How anxiety shows up today
Quick to frustration/agitation; rumination; medical catastrophizing.

19:01 – Body → brain
Anxiety starts in the body 80% of the time; why it can look like irritability.

19:25 – The 4:00 a.m. spiral
A real-life rumination example (hello, “are my kids eating enough veggies?”).

21:08 – What’s gone now
That constant generalized dread from childhood? No longer there—because tools.

21:53 – Tell me your story
DM/email invite to share how anxiety shows up for you.

22:17 – Tool 1: Counseling
How I became a sponge—books, podcasts, practices from a trusted pro.

23:18 – “Do I have to go forever?”
No. My cadence shifted over the years (monthly → quarterly → as needed).

24:46 – Grief season
Why I’m back monthly after my mom’s 2024–2025 cancer journey and loss.

26:07 – Build your team
Counselor, coach, Enneagram coach—resource yourself for the season you’re in.

26:43 – Tool 2: Life-giving content only
Protect the amygdala. Curate inputs. Be aggressive about it.

27:08 – No more TV news
I read headlines/articles instead; kids don’t overhear scary reels.

28:17 – Practical home tip
Post-game remote race—turn off news lead-ins before kids hear them.

29:42 – Tool 3: Body movement
My #1 regulator. Walks, runs, classes—move the energy so it doesn’t spiral.

30:23 – Dashboard warning lights
If I’m waking at 4 a.m. to ruminate, it’s time to move my body.

31:09 – Tool 4: Friends & community
We heal in relationship. Coffee chats, Zoom, walks = regulation + support.

32:24 – Points system (fun, but true)
Text = 1 point, call = 10, face-to-face + walk = double bonus.

33:02 – Tool 5: Keep building the team
PCP/holistic/Chinese medicine—experts who see the whole picture.

33:45 – Tiny hinges swing big doors
Vitamins, labs, small adjustments that shift how you feel.

35:40 – Why a local team matters
Being able to call someone when something flares = peace.

36:23 – Big takeaways
Validation, empathy, and body-based tools change the day-to-day.

37:27 – Your tools count, too
Notice what already helps you—name it and use it on purpose.

37:48 – Share your tool kit
DM/email your favorite strategies so we can crowdsource wisdom.

38:01 – Coming next week
Interview with my husband: supporting a spouse with anxiety patterns.

38:21 – Gratitude & close
Thanks for listening, reviewing, and sharing—my goal is to help.

Key Takeaways

• Anxiety is often intergenerational. Many anxious kids have at least one anxious parent. Naming that reduces shame.

• Validation is powerful. The right counselor + compassionate language can immediately bring relief and direction.

• Anxiety is a body-first experience. Move the energy (walks, runs, classes) to prevent rumination and agitation.

• Curate your inputs. Swap TV news for reading; don’t expose kids’ developing brains to scary loops.

• Relationships regulate. Coffee with a friend, a phone call, or a walk-and-talk can downshift your nervous system fast.

• Build your support team. Counseling, coaching, medical/holistic care—different seasons call for different resources.

• Track your “warning lights.” Early cues (like 4 a.m. spirals) mean it’s time to use your tools on purpose.

Try-It-Today Toolkit

• 5-Minute Reset: Go outside and walk to the end of the street and back—notice your breath and feet.

• Content Audit: Mute one account, turn off autoplay news, or switch to reading headlines only.

• Connection Cue: Text a friend for a 10-minute call or schedule a coffee walk this week.

• Name the Spiral: Write the worry once; set a 2-minute timer; then choose one small action (drink water, stretch, step outside).

• Team Builder: List 2 pros you might add (counselor, coach, PCP/holistic practitioner) and send one inquiry.

Resources Mentioned 

• Counseling/therapy (find a good fit; it’s okay to try again)

• Body movement you actually enjoy (walks, runs, group classes)

• Supportive friends/community (coffee, calls, walk-and-talks)

• Holistic/medical support (labs, vitamins, whole-person care)

Next Steps:

If this episode was helpful, share it with one parent friend who needs some calm today.

👉 Ready for practical scripts and step-by-step responses to big feelings? Grab the self-paced Good & Angry Workshop to learn how to respond to anger, frustration, and “short-fuse” moments with confidence—and teach your kids what to do with all that energy.

Have a tool that helps your anxiety? DM me on Instagram (@sacredgroundcoaching) or email [email protected] —I’d love to feature listener strategies in a future episode.