Stopping the Cycle of Whatifs

🌟 Helping Kids with the “Whatifs”

Sometimes children (and even adults!) get stuck in worry loops called “whatifs.” These worries usually start with the words “What if…” and can make kids feel nervous or anxious.

Examples of “whatifs” might be:

• What if I get the answer wrong on my test?

• What if nobody plays with me at recess?

• What if I forget my homework?

• What if people laugh at me?

Over time, one “whatif” can lead to another and another, creating a cycle that makes worries feel even bigger. Kids might notice these worries in their bodies too, like a stomachache, sweaty hands, or a racing heart.

💡 The good news: Kids can learn to “flip” a negative whatif into a positive one!

Examples:

• Instead of “What if I mess up?” → “What if I do a great job?”

• Instead of “What if I trip during PE?” → “What if I keep going and laugh it off?”

• Instead of “What if no one plays with me?” → “What if I ask someone to join me?”

👉 How parents can support at home:

• Listen when your child shares a worry, and help them reframe it with a positive “whatif.”

• Encourage them to notice how their body feels when they worry and how it feels when they flip it to a positive.

• Practice turning different “whatifs” into positive ones together, almost like a game.

• Celebrate their effort and remind them that practicing positive thinking can help them feel calmer and more confident.
  
  

This lesson is about giving kids tools to recognize their worries, understand how they affect them, and practice replacing negative thoughts with more hopeful ones.