Is your child struggling to get to school? In this bonus episode, psychologist Dr. Carolyne Keenan explains emotion-based school avoidance — why it’s very different from truancy, how anxiety fuels avoidance, and what parents can do to help.
We explore:
The difference between truancy and school avoidance
Why avoidance eases anxiety short term but worsens it long term
How parents can validate emotions while building resilience
Practical strategies for supporting children with school anxiety
The importance of parental self-care and co-regulation
Whether your child is anxious about school mornings, coping with big emotions, or navigating neurodiversity and sensory sensitivities, this episode offers guidance and hope.
📌 Learn more about Dr. Keenan’s self-paced online course for families at https://www.carolynekeenan.co.uk/
👉 Subscribe to Mind Cake for more conversations on mental health, resilience, and well-being.
#SchoolAnxiety #SchoolAvoidance #ParentingTips #ChildMentalHealth #MindCakePodcast
