Congratulations! | LUNA Teen Caregiver Module 3

Congratulations! Module 3 of LUNA is complete. This week we talked about avoidance behaviors and quick fixes, and how to identify and manage them. Here are some summary points:   

1. Your child may engage in avoidance behaviors or quick fixes when they are anxious. These behaviors may help your child feel better at first, but they do not help them overcome anxiety in the long run. 
2. It's helpful to be able to identify your child’s avoidance behaviors and quick fixes. When watching out for quick fixes, ask yourself- Is this behavior helping my child accomplish their goals? Or is this behavior restricting my child’s life and causing more stress?
3. Notice ways you accommodate your child’s avoidance or quick fixes. Every caregiver accommodates to some degree - it is the natural reaction to your child experiencing anxiety.
4. Think about ways to reduce accommodation behaviors, while maintaining supportive communication. 

Over the next week, remember to...

1. Work with your child to identify quick fixes and avoidance behaviors. Use the Accommodation Worksheet to start thinking about the ways you accommodate your child’s anxiety. 
2. Try to be aware of how you communicate with your child while you are reducing accommodation. Use supportive statements that show acceptance of your child’s emotional experience and confidence in their abilities.