Parenting is hard. And when anxiety enters the picture, it can feel impossible. If your child is struggling and you're not sure what to do next, this is the podcast for you. 

Join broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and her daughter, child therapist Saskia Joss, as they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of raising kids - especially when anxiety or emotional overwhelm start to take over. With a powerful mix of professional insight, real-life stories, and no-judgment honesty, each episode offers clear, compassionate advice to help you feel more equipped and less alone.

From school refusal and separation anxiety, tricky teens to bedtime battles, they tackle the hardest parenting moments with warmth, humour, and expert guidance - because while parenting doesn’t come with a manual, this podcast might be the next best thing.

Listen and subscribe on Global Player, download the app, or head to globalplayer.com.

Vanessa Feltz and childhood mental health expert Saskia Joss unpack the real meaning behind anxiety: why it happens, how it speaks through behaviour, and what it’s trying to signal - not just in children, but in all of us.

They explore how to spot the early signs of anxiety in young people, and share the essential first steps parents can take to support their child - without blame, shame or guilt. Vanessa also opens up about her own anxiety, including how it caught her off guard during her time on Strictly Come Dancing.

Whether you're a parent, carer, or just curious about mental health, this podcast blends expert insight with heartfelt conversation. Don’t forget to subscribe or follow, so every episode will appear automatically for you each week. 

This week, Vanessa Feltz and Saskia Joss dive into the emotional rollercoaster of separation anxiety. That all too familiar moment when a simple goodbye turns into a full-scale meltdown. Whether it’s school drop-off, bedtime or just stepping out of the room, they explore why some children struggle so deeply with separation, what’s really going on beneath the tears and how parents can support their children without losing their own sanity in the process.

Vanessa opens up about a memorable trip that brought separation anxiety to the forefront in her own family. And together with heartfelt stories, psychological insight and practical advice, the duo talk through the subtle signs of anxiety that parents often miss, the dos and don’ts when emotions run high and how to build confidence and trust in children who find goodbyes just too hard.

This week, Vanessa Feltz and her Child Therapist daughter Saskia Joss discuss bedtime anxiety. From not wanting to go to bed to being scared of sleeping alone, the duo breaks down what bedtime anxiety looks like in children and the first steps you can take to support your child. They also share what they did with their own children to try and ease the struggles of bedtime anxiety.

Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz teams up with her daughter, Child Therapist Saskia Joss, to break down the walls of social anxiety in children. Together, they explore what social anxiety looks like, how it shows up in everyday life, and—most importantly—how parents can help. Saskia offers expert tips and practical strategies, while Vanessa shares her personal experience as a mum and what she did to help her own children build confidence and social ease. We also ask the question where should and shouldn't you put jelly!?

Join us as we explore the hidden impact of bullying on children's mental health. From playground fears to silent anxiety, we unpack what kids really go through and how parents, teachers, and caregivers can help them feel safe, seen, and strong.

We'll also hear how Vanessa Feltz dealt with her child being bullied with help from a very special person.

Divorce can shake the foundation of a family — but how does it really affect children, especially when it comes to anxiety? In this episode, we explore what kids feel when their parents split, how anxiety shows up (even when it’s hidden), and what parents and caregivers can do to help.

Vanessa Feltz opens up about navigating her own divorce — reflecting on what she did well when it came to parenting and things that she regretted handling the way she did.

What happens when you leave for the hospital and come home with... a brand new baby? For many kids, it sparks anxiety, confusion and even the fear of being replaced. This week the dynamic duo discusses sibling anxiety! What to look out for and how to overcome it before the babies brought home. 

Vanessa shares what she did when she gave birth to Saskia to make sure her older child, Allegra, felt comfortable with the situation.

Is body image anxiety starting too young? In this powerful episode, Vanessa Feltz and child therapist Saskia Joss dive into the growing issue of body image struggles in children. Together, they explore why so many kids are feeling anxious about how they look and what parents can do to help.

Vanessa opens up about her own experiences with body image, sharing real stories from her childhood.

Why can’t siblings just get along? In this episode, Vanessa Feltz and Saskia Joss dive into the world of sibling rivalry, the fights, the jealousy, and the chaos in between. What’s really behind the bickering, and how can parents calm the storm? Tune in for laughs, insights, and real talk.

Is your child feeling anxious about going back to school? You're not alone. In this episode, broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and her daughter, Child Therapist Saskia Joss, dive into the common worries children face as the new school year begins, from separation anxiety to social fears and academic pressure.

Together, they share practical tips, expert insights, and real life strategies to help parents support their children through the transition and make the return to school a little less overwhelming.

This week, the dynamic duo are joined by the incredible Cat Sims!

Cat explains what the mental load is, how she manages her own anxiety, and how she supports her children through theirs.

We also hear what Cat likes to do with her children on this week Never Feltz So Good!

How safe are our children in the digital world? In this episode, we explore the rise of childhood anxiety in the age of constant screen time and online pressures.

 Vanessa opens up about her own struggles with going digital world, reminding us that if adults can feel overwhelmed online, the impact on young, developing minds can be even greater. Join us as we ask the tough questions about protecting children, supporting their mental health, and creating a safer online space for the next generation.

Does your child get stuck trying to be perfect? Maybe they avoid challenges, get stuck over small mistakes, or feel crushed by the pressure to always get it right.

In this episode, we explore how perfectionism fuels anxiety in kids, why it shows up, and what you can do to help. With practical tips and compassionate insight, we’ll help you support your child to let go of perfection and build confidence instead.

In this week’s episode, the dynamic duo are joined by none other than the Rapping Science Teacher himself, Matt Green! We talk to Matt about why he started creating educational raps, how teachers can support anxious children in school, and he even shares a personal story about anxiety at home. This episode has it all including Matt’s “Never Feltz So Good.”

This week, Vanessa and Saskia dive into the world of child health anxiety, why it shows up, what it might look like in your little one, and how you can support them when worries take over.

In this week’s episode, we dive into how the constant stream of headlines and breaking news can fuel anxiety not just for adults, but for our children too. We explore the troublesome world of Current Affairs Anxiety and what parents can do to help their kids feel informed without feeling overwhelmed.

We also discuss sleeping anxiety for older children and get ready for some REALY good limericks!

We are joined in the studio today by one of our favourite people ever - Tash Gershfield! She graciously joined us in the studio to talk all things divorce and the power of regrowth. She was also nice enough to answer some of your questions!

On this weeks episode we look into a really interesting anxiety which is centred around both you and your child - is your child anxious about your wellbeing? When your child learns more about dangers in the world and you may not be able to do all things you used to do for them they get anxious. Their routine is changed and for a child that's frightening. But don't worry Vanessa and Saskia are here to help address these issues and give you useful tips and ticks to help you and your child.

On this week’s episode, the dynamic duo discusses panic attacks; what to do if you’re having one, and how you can help someone who’s experiencing them.

This week on the podcast, the dynamic duo is joined by the amazing Gemma Alster! Gemma, a much-loved mumfluencer, opens up about her experiences with imposter syndrome and how social media fame has shaped her journey. Together, the gang dives into what imposter syndrome really is, why so many of us struggle with it, and how you can support your child in building confidence and self-belief.

Join the dynamic duo as they dive into the fascinating world of phobias; exploring what they are, why children develop fears of certain things, and how parents and caregivers can support little ones in overcoming them. Whether it’s spiders, the dark, or something in between, this episode sheds light on childhood fears and offers practical tips to help your child feel safe and confident.

This week, the duo talk about fears of the future, the uncertainty of what will happen as the year comes to a close, when the nights grow incredibly long and summer feels so far away. How do we support our children during times of such uncertainty?

Ben Rebuck joins us on the podcast this week to talk about what it's like to be a good dad. There's a lot on emphasis on being a mother and the dads often get left to figure it out on their own. Ben opens up about the struggles on becoming a second time father.

This week we discuss the top news story of last week, is my child actually anxious? How can I tell if my Childs actually anxious or just doesn't like doing certain things? With doctors over diagnosing how can I tell if my child is actually anxious?

Warning!! This is a much more serious conversation than what we're use to! This week we talk about pregnancy anxiety and all the fears that come with pregnancy!

This week our two Turtles Doves deliver us some incredibly useful help on how to deal with Christmas anxiety for both yourself and your child!

This week we asked you all on our instagram at Help! My Childs Anxious Pod what questions do you want answered and they came in thick and fast and so we have answered a good chunk of them on this special episode - perfect for Christmas Day listening!

Happy Christmas Everyone!

Do you know what Janxiety is? It's the anxiety you get at the start of the year where you may feel a little bit lost when the date rolls over. We discuss how you as a parent may feel letting your kid go back to school and how tracking them may not be the right thing to do...

Welcome back! This week we talk all things social media. It's a dangerous place online so should we actually be allowing our children to use it? Australia has just banned children under 16 from using it should the whole world follow suit?

There was really only one thing this week we could be discussing and that is OF COURSE Brooklyn Beckham talking about his anxiety of being born into a celebrity family. Saskia shares how she can understand Brooklyns pains.

You asked us for advice so we're responding! How do you talk to your kids about Mummy and Daddy cuddles in the safest way and how do you inform your child about their changing bodies without embarrassing them. Its all explained in this weeks episode!

This new trend of FAFO Parenting really has started taking off and our lovey duo discuss if it's the right way to parent OR do they think it'll harm the child in the long run?

This week the dynamic duo aren't alone! We are blessed to be in company of the lovely Helen Flanagan who has just written a book all about her anxiety growing up called Head and Heart, which is out now. She opens up about her eating disorder and how she's noticing her anxieties growing in her children.

After our chat with Helen Flanagan we decided we'd do a full episode on how to not push your anxieties onto your children.

Parenting burn out happens to even the best parents. It doesn't make you a bad person it makes you human - but luckily we have a dream team who are happy to help you out!

The internet is a very odd place sometimes and we are discussing one of those times. Mummaxxing is a new trend taking over the world but is it a playful online thing or is it actually surprisingly damaging?

When the world is in such tricky times where the news has never been so busy. Your child may hear or watch a news story that may upset them. The dynamic duo discuss the best way to help your child understand such terrible news in the safest way possible!

This week we discuss the best ways to discipline a child. Every generation has their own style of parenting none of which are perfect but we talk about why some are better than others

We had the incredible Narinder Kaur on the show this week and she shares her anxiety she has about her daughter at university. What can you do when your child has left the nest to know that they're safe? We answer all of these questions on the podcast!

Welcome back! This week on the podcast we're talking about how to assist your Childs anxiety with events or objects. If your child doesn't like dogs, parties or clowns you may think the best way to get over these fears is by making them experience the things that scares them. This may not actually be the case...

This week we're doing things a little differently - instead of focusing on one form of anxiety we're looking into what you should actually say to your anxious child. We're sort of scripting what you need to be saying to assist your child.

A big thing lots of children therapists are noticing in children is burnout. You make think these little characters in your life have bundles and bundles of energy but they're actually getting burnt out - And we're here to help you!

This week we talk about the accusation that anxiety isn't real or being blown out of proportion. We have an anxiety specialist (our very own Saskia Joss) break down how anxiety is in fact VERY real.

Wellcome back all for another episode this week we're talking about 'Gentle Parenting'. Does gentle parenting work or does it raise rabid children?

Social anxiety is such a debilitating anxiety but as you'll hear in todays conversation it doesn't just stick to kids.

We didn't lie to you this is part 2 to our social anxiety episode. Last week we spoke about anxiety for littlens and this week we're talking about teenagers. The signs are slightly harder to notice but we're here to help with that!

Child therapist Saskia Joss explains Survival Mode and how to escape it to her mother Vanessa Feltz. Saskia gives us some simple tips to help parents go from surviving to thriving.

Watch this episode on the Youtube Channel:

https://youtu.be/9hicNxbeqZA

Follow the Show on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/helpmychildsanxiouspod/

You can make your child have the safest home and build them a strong network of people but bullying may still take place when they're at school. We talk about the signs to spot and how you can help your child with opening up to you

Vanessa Feltz chats to her child therapist daughter about why parents feel they are in constant competition and what parents can do to address this feeling. Saskia also answers a very funny listener question and they also hear from comedian Francine Lewis.

Subscribe to the Help! My Child's Anxious Youtube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@VanessaandSaskia