Meredith Elkins, Ph.D.
Clinical psychologist, faculty member of Harvard Medical School, and co–program director, McLean Anxiety Mastery Program, McLean Hospital
Rebecca Jenkins
Superintendent of Libertyville School District 70 in Libertyville, IL
Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids
Bonus After-Hours Event: Webinar attendees are invited to join an After-Hours event hosted by Elkins that will start immediately after the webinar. Click HERE to join the After-Hours meeting.
Parenting is hard—especially for families navigating anxiety. Today’s parents face an overwhelming volume of advice shaped by rigid cultural ideals of what “good” parenting looks like, particularly when it comes to managing children’s fears and worries. How do you raise resilient children in an age of uncertainty? How do you parent effectively when you yourself are anxious?
Much of the advice parents encounter, unfortunately, encourages responses that can increase the long-term risk of anxiety in children. In trying to protect kids from discomfort, well-intentioned parents may block experiences children need to build courage, confidence, and resilience.
In her new book Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids, Meredith Elkins, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and faculty member at Harvard Medical School, brings clarity to this increasingly urgent conversation. Drawing on her clinical work with children and families—and her own experience as a parent—Dr. Elkins helps parents rethink so-called “negative” emotions such as fear, sadness, and guilt, and understand how modern parenting pressures contribute to anxiety in both children and adults. She encourages families to clarify their values and adopt a “love and limits” approach—balancing compassion with healthy boundaries while resisting the urge to shield children from every discomfort.
Dr. Elkins offers concrete, evidence-based guidance for families experiencing everyday anxiety as well as those coping with anxiety disorders. This indispensable resource provides a clear roadmap for helping both children and parents build adaptability, emotional flexibility, and resilience across all stages of development.
Dr. Elkins will be in conversation with Rebecca Jenkins, superintendent of Libertyville D70 in Libertyville, IL. Jenkins has presented about leadership at the National Conference on Education by the American Association of School Administrators, the award-winning PowerTrip conference for women in education; at the Illinois Association for Superintendents; and with Google at the ASU+GSV summit, a global meeting for leaders in education, technology, and workforce development.
This event is suitable for youth ages 12 and up. It will be recorded and available on FAN’s website and YouTube channel.
Event Sponsors
- The Alliance for Early Childhood
- The Avery Coonley School
- Avoca D37
- Baker Demonstration School
- Barrington D220
- Beacon Academy
- Bennett Day School
- Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School
- Brickton Montessori School
- British International School of Chicago
- Catherine Cook School
- Chiaravalle Montessori School
- Compass Health Center
- Countryside Day School
- The Cove School
- Evanston Scholars
- Evanston Township High School D202
- The Family Institute at Northwestern University
- Family Service Center
- Foundation 65
- The Frances Xavier Warde School
- Francis W. Parker School
- Glencoe D35
- Glenview Public Library
- Gorton Center
- Hyde Park Day School
- Illinois Student Assistance Commission
- Kenilworth D38
- Lake Bluff D65
- Lake Forest Community High School D115
- Latin School of Chicago
- Leo Catholic High School
- Libertyville D70
- Lycée Français de Chicago
- Near North Montessori School
- North Shore Country Day
- Northwestern University Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations
- Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy
- Pope John XXIII School
- Regina Dominican College Preparatory High School
- Resurrection College Prep High School
- Rogers Park Montessori School
- Roycemore School
- Sacred Heart Schools
- St. Bernard’s School
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- Science & Arts Academy
- The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School
- Stevenson High School D125
- Township High School D113
- Township High School D214
- TrueNorth Educational Cooperative #804
- Wilmette D39
- Wilmette Public Library
- Winnetka D36
- Wolcott College Prep
- Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
- Youth & Opportunity United (Y.O.U.)
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