As parents, it can be heartbreaking to see our children struggling with anxiety—especially when they won’t or can’t talk about what’s going on. We want to help, but we don’t always know how to reach them.

The key? Asking the right questions and creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where they feel seen and heard.

In this guide, we’ll walk through practical questions to help your child open up about anxiety—and explore how to respond when all you hear is silence or “I don’t know.”

Why Open Conversations About Anxiety Matter

When children can talk about their feelings, they’re more likely to:

• Understand and regulate their emotions

• Feel less isolated in their struggles

• Build emotional resilience

• Strengthen trust with the adults who care for them

Your goal isn’t to interrogate or “fix” them—it’s to open a door for connection and help them feel safe enough to step through it.

Questions That Help Uncover Anxiety

Start with gentle, open-ended que...