Roksana Bahramnejad

Dear Mom, First and foremost, remember: anxiety is not a “stubbornness” or a “weakness.” It’s a sign that your child is experiencing pressure and worry. In the first step: Instead of saying “Don’t be afraid” or “It’s nothing,” accept what they’re feeling: “I see that you’re worried.” Stay with them calmly, and allow them to talk about their worries—without judgment or rushing to advise. If their anxiety has caused problems with sleep, school, play, or relationships, or if it continues for a long time, it’s best to have it assessed by a child psychologist so the underlying cause can be identified and the appropriate treatment started.

Dear Mom, Confidence isn’t built with praise, advice, and too much talking; rather, it is formed through the experience of “I can.” To get started: - Give your child small responsibilities appropriate to their age so that, along with the success of the outcome, their sense of capability grows more. - Encourage their effort and persistence more than the result; provide verbal and non-verbal affection. - Avoid comparing them with their sister, brother, or peers. - If you feel their low confidence in relationships, school, or daily activities has had an impact, it’s better to have the underlying causes assessed by a child psychologist and seek help from a counselor.

Dear Mom Your child’s bad behavior or unwillingness is usually not due to inherent stubbornness; rather, it is often a message that a need has not been met. Factors such as fatigue, anxiety, feeling ignored, changes in the environment, unclear rules, or difficulty expressing feelings can lead to these behaviors. Give her eye contact and emotional attention. Comfort her with kind words and nonverbal affection, and provide her with a sense of safety so that, little by little, she can receive calm from your behavior. Before punishment, yelling, or getting into a struggle and power struggle, try to find the cause of the behavior—focus on the cause! Once the root of the problem is identified, solving it will be much easier.

“Dear Mom, sweetheart, Control of cyberspace doesn’t only happen by limiting screen time. Set clear, consistent rules for using the phone and stand firm on what you say. Be careful: firmness is different from coercion and force. Please be a good role model yourself too. Choose content that’s appropriate for your child’s age. And replace part of your child’s time with play, exercise, and connection with the family. It’s not about keeping your child busy or filling their time—it’s about guiding their mind. A warm, sincere conversation and trust are more effective than any control app! Be sure that: Your words are your miraculous wand.”

Dear Mom, First of all, remember: you are no longer the parent of a child—so become a teen mom! To connect with a teenager, be more of a listener than a giver of advice. Before judging, understand his/her feelings; accept them without any emotional reaction in your face or words. Respect his/her privacy and independence. Set aside times for conversation without blame or interrogation, and even during disagreements, prefer the relationship over winning the argument. Communication is about creating a “healthy relationship,” not a battlefield. So instead of setting up conditions for a winner–loser dynamic, focus on a win–win conversation. A teenager who feels safe and accepted is more likely to share their heart with their parents.