There’s a moment many parents reach - quietly. When the strategies are gentle.
The tone is calm.
You’re doing everything you were told would help. And instead of easing … the anxiety is getting worse. That moment isn’t a failure of parenting.
It’s a signal. Because once fear is driving the nervous system, effort alone can’t turn it down. Reassurance stops landing.
Consistency stops helping. 
And parents start blaming themselves - even when nothing they’re doing is wrong. This is usually the point where families realise: Something has shifted.
And support needs to shift with it. If this question has been sitting in your chest lately,
you’re not behind - you’re at a decision point. This account is for parents navigating school refusal. I’m a university-trained mental health mum who’s lived this - and come out the other end - Jules ❤️ #schoolrefusal #schoolanxiety #anxiouskids