Helping Anxious Children Feel Safe in New Situations: A Simple Parenting Hack

Wild & free, just as they should be

When it comes to children who experience anxiety, it’s important to understand that they don’t yet have the emotional tools to handle stressful situations the way adults can. For many anxious children, there isn’t a gradual build-up of stress—they can go from feeling perfectly fine to overwhelmed or terrified in an instant. They haven’t developed the emotional "safety buffer zone" that helps regulate their responses or de-escalate a stressful moment. That’s where parents and caregivers come in.

One powerful way we can support our children is by creating a sense of safety and predictability—especially in unfamiliar environments. One parenting strategy that’s worked incredibly well for me over the years is something so simple, yet so effective: pointing out key landmarks and explaining their surroundings when we arrive somewhere new.

Parks can be big spaces if you don't know where your family is

Whether we’re going to a park, the beach, a campsite, or even a busy festival, I always take a moment before the kids run off to play. I show them where we are sitting or where we’ll be staying. I’ll say things like:

• “This is where we’ll be sitting—under this tree near the playground.”

• “See that building over there? That’s the bathroom.”

• “This is our tent, and here’s the big tree next to it—remember that.”

  
  

The important thing is to really draw your child's attention to the landmarks, and where you are in regards to them. Why does this help? Because if they do get separated or start to feel unsure, they now have a mental map that anchors them. They know where “home base” is, and that alone can make them feel more confident and less anxious. If they feel lost or afraid, they can remember, "I know where I started, and I know how to get back."

It's the little things that allow anxious children to feel safe in the world

Even if they can’t find you right away, this small step gives them the language and reference points to ask for help. They can say, “I was near the red slide” or “my family is sitting by the tree near the bathrooms.” That can make all the difference in how quickly they’re reunited—and how safe they feel in the moment.

This parenting hack is about more than just preventing kids from getting lost. It’s about giving them a sense of security and control in a big world that can sometimes feel scary. By consistently taking the time to orient your child and gently talk them through their surroundings, you're helping build emotional resilience—and teaching them that they can navigate the world with a little more confidence.

So next time you're out and about take that extra minute to point things out. It might seem small but to your child it's a big step toward feeling safe, supported, and seen.