Hope for the Holidays: Tools to Help Kids Cope with Stress, Anxiety and the Winter Blues

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 5, 2025 — School counselor and award-winning children’s author Jennifer Licate cautions parents that while the holiday season is a symbol of hope, this time of year can be especially difficult for kids who are already juggling academics, sports, friendships and the pressure to excel.

 

“While the holidays are a time of excitement for many, they can also cause children who are struggling with their mental health to feel even more alone and different,” Licate said. 

 

Recognizing when normal stress begins to cross into anxiety is essential, Licate explains. Physical signs such as headaches, stomachaches or sleep disruptions before a big event may signal something deeper. But emotional clues matter just as much. A child who suddenly withdraws from activities they once loved may be struggling beneath the surface.

 

“You know your child best. You know their history. If your child has always loved going to basketball practice and suddenly doesn’t want to go, starts complaining about it — that’s a really big sign,” said Licate, whose chapter book My Anxiety is Messing Things Up centers on a hardworking student athlete named Oscar who feels the relentless pressure to be perfect — in school, in sports and in friendships.

 

Oscar’s drive to succeed earns him praise in the classroom and on the field — but also leaves him wracked with anxiety. Unable to sleep and increasingly irritable, Oscar lashes out at his friends. When a teacher invites him to a school support group, Oscar must decide if he’s willing to seek help and try new strategies for relief.

 

Licate expertly combines a fast-paced, relatable story with guided questions and activities at the end of each chapter. These tools help young readers explore their own feelings, while giving parents, teachers and counselors a structured way to start meaningful conversations about anxiety.

 

“I wrote the book to help children understand anxiety,” said Licate. “Not all symptoms look the same, and not all strategies will work for everyone. My hope is that kids learn there are multiple tools they can try to feel more confident and less overwhelmed.”

 

The release comes at a time when educators are reporting increased stress levels among students. According to recent studies, more than one in three children experience anxiety symptoms, and sleep disruption is one of the most common side effects. Licate, who has worked as a school counselor for more than a decade, believes early intervention and open discussion can help prevent anxiety from becoming debilitating later in life.

 

“Children do not need to wait until anxiety is debilitating before using strategies to help their symptoms,” Licate added. “Using strategies to deal with anxiety can help children and anyone reduce their symptoms so they can live their best lives, work toward achieving their goals and feel confident.”

 

My Anxiety is Messing Things Up

Publisher: Boys Town Press

ISBN-13: ‎978-1944882891

Available from https://www.amazon.com/Anxiety-Messing-Things-Navigating-Friendship/dp/1944882898