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Germophobia: How to Assistance Kids Who are Afraid of Germs

In that location is an enemy lurking behind every doorknob, every toilet seat, every handshake and buss. There is a deathly affliction backside every shared sip and every shared bite. When kids are agape of germs they alive their lives like this. They live in terror that their next touch on, taste or wipe volition be their last. Germophobia can paralyze children and rob them of a carefree childhood.

Germophobia can be a debilitating fright. So, debilitating that some kids can't function without avoiding or washing throughout their twenty-four hours.

So how are y'all supposed to assist your child who is agape of germs?

[Coil down to the bottom of the page to watch my Kids Youtube video on this topic]

Bubble him upward in a contamination-complimentary zone? Bathe him in antibacterial soap each night? Carry enough wet wipes to supply a small army?

No.

The more you clean, wash and wipe downwards the worse the problem will go.

Unfortunately, when kids are afraid of germs you are on an endless loop of avoid, wash and echo. The only way to end the cycle of Germophobia is to get off.

So how are y'all supposed to do this when your child will scream encarmine murder?

Teach Them Nearly Anxiety or OCD

The first step in beating your enemy is understanding your enemy. All too ofttimes we skip the educational component of anxiety or OCD. Kids need to understand why they feel like they are going to die if a germ touches them. They demand to fully understand why they are so deathly afraid of germs, but other people are non.

A bang-up therapist can help you teach your child. You tin also watch my Kids Youtube video that explains anxiety or explains OCD to them in plain English.

Besides, teach yourself so you can teach your child. My online classes How to Teach Kids to Crush Anxiety and How to Parent Kids with OCD offer a treasure trove of data.

Teach Them About Germs

Information technology tin can help for kids to realize two things. #one germs aren't all bad and #2 you can never avoid all germs.

Germs aren't all bad…

I talk to kids almost their allowed system using the analogy that they have "fighters" inside of them. These Ninja fighters help fight off germs. They need exercise, they need practice.

Everyday nosotros come into contact with germs all over the place. These germs teach our fighters how to beat those item germs. When our fighters go some do, they get stronger and smarter.

When nosotros don't allow our fighters to practise, they don't know how to fight germs as well. They fall asleep on the job. So, allowing a few germs to naturally be introduced to our fighters isn't such a bad thing.

Germs are everywhere…

Anxiety and OCD similar us to believe that nosotros have some semblance of command. We don't. Germs are everywhere. They are on objects. They are in the air. They are unavoidable.

Our kids believe that they have the power to avoid germs. Although information technology may seem counterintuitive, it is helpful to tell a child who is agape of germs that germs are everywhere. They cannot exist avoided – and if they recall they can, they are assertive anxiety or OCD's lies.

Model Not Being Afraid of Germs

If you are pouring half a bottle of antibacterial soap on your easily a million times a solar day you aren't helping. You tin't tell your child to not be afraid of germs as you are literally bathing in antibacterial lather.

Model good for you, appropriate beliefs for your child.

When kids are agape of germs I tell parents to dial back the talk of germs in general. Y'all don't demand to remind a kid to not touch something or to wash their hands when that is their feet theme already.

Sometimes making a list of when it is advisable to launder hands can help.

I usually tell kids with an acute fear of germs they tin can launder their hands after only these iii things:

1. After going to the bathroom
two. Earlier eating
3. When there is literally something on their hands (dirt, food, gummy material)

Feet and OCD can give kids a skewed perspective on reality, so these concrete rules tin assist.

Fix Exposure Challenges to Conquer Germophobia

Hopefully your child is seeing a therapist who specializes in anxiety or OCD. If so, they might already exist having you do exposure challenges.

ERP (Exposure Response Prevention) is the simply evidenced-based therapy approach for OCD and is highly effective in both anxiety and OCD problems.

You want to learn all you tin can well-nigh ERP and how to do it with your child. You lot tin learn more here.

Permit Me Help

Lastly, you desire to empower your child to piece of work on their ain problems. After all this is their journeying, non yours. If your child doesn't desire to piece of work on their fear of germs, you won't have much luck making progress.

I fabricated a Kids Youtube video to talk to kids directly about their fear of germs. You can picket it below:

Practise you know someone who is raising a child who is afraid of germs? Transport them this article and video!

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Source: https://www.anxioustoddlers.com/germophobia-afraid-of-germs/

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