Ep. 98 – Dr. Chinwé Williams: How to Build Resilience in Children

The rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm have been steadily increasing for the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic did nothing to slow it down. If anything, it made it worse. How are dads to deal with their kids’ mental health? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by Dr. Chinwé Williams to talk about how to raise emotionally resilient kids.

Why This Matters

Empathy is powerful, but a lot of us are bad at it. Learning to be a more empathetic father makes us a better father.

Dr. Chinwé Williams is a Licensed and Board-Certified therapist who has extensively studied child and adolescent development, anxiety, and trauma management. She’s the author of multiple books, a public speaker, and consultant who has dedicated her career to empowering individuals and families. Dr. Williams is a wife and mother of three.

Key Takeaways

  • -Our kids need help: Statistics show that 16 percent of adolescents (aged 12–17) have a diagnosable anxiety disorder.
  • -Anxiety is the No. 1 mental health issue: Anxiety is the top mental health issue for modern children. Researchers cite academic pressure and fitting in socially, among other factors, as major reasons for the rise in anxiety.
  • -Cyberbullying and harassment are common: Kids now are getting less face-to-face interaction than previous generations and that leads to increased online dangers.


Practical Tools for Dads

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or wondering how to help your kids build emotional resilience, start with these steps:

  1. 1. Know the red flags.
    Sleep disturbances, changes in food intake, mood shifts, and avoidance of friends are all signs dads can look for that indicate kids may be struggling with their mental health.
  2. 2. Stay calm-ish.
    “You actually don’t have to feel calm to be calm.” – Dr. Williams
  3. 3. Initiate a pause or break.
    Pausing for 10–90 seconds gives you a long enough break to make a wise decision, have calm-ish reactions, and keep you from saying things you may regret with your kids.
  4. 4. Emotional connection matters.
    If we want emotionally resilient kids, we must be emotionally present with them. “It sounds squishy or soft… but it really is powerful.” – Dr. Williams.
  5.  

Important Episode Timestamps

  • 00:00 – 01:13 | Introducing Dr. Chinwé Williams
    Ted welcomes counselor, author, and therapist Dr. Chinwé Williams to discuss raising resilient kids.
  • 01:13 – 02:17 | A Personal Story of Panic Attacks
    Ted shares how Dr. Williams’ book helped his family navigate his daughter’s anxiety.
  • 02:17 – 03:55 | The Power of Empathy
    Williams explains that empathy isn’t natural for everyone but is a skill all dads can learn.
  • 03:55 – 05:04 | Why Resilience Matters
    They introduce the week’s big question: how do parents raise emotionally resilient kids?
  • 05:04 – 09:04 | What’s Behind Rising Anxiety
    Williams outlines root causes of anxiety and depression in kids, including social pressures and digital influences.
  • 09:04 – 12:31 | The Role of Social Media and Global Stressors
    From climate change to gun violence, kids today face fears far beyond their developmental stage.
  • 12:31 – 15:30 | Spotting Behavioral Red Flags
    Sleep issues, appetite changes, and mood shifts can reveal hidden distress in children.
  • 15:30 – 19:41 | Calm-ish Parenting and the Power of Pause
    Williams shares how parents can use short pauses to stay calm and model regulation.
  • 19:41 – 26:47 | Emotional Connection Over Perfection
    The conversation emphasizes that dads don’t need to be perfect but must stay emotionally present and connected.
  • 26:47 – End | Pro Move
    Ask your child, “What would be your best day ever?” Then start thinking of ways to make that happen and put it on the calendar.


Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at
FamilyFirst.net.

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