Parents Are Influencers: Embracing the Power You Already Have

Parents, you hold more sway than you realize. Even when your child pushes back or says "No!" with conviction, your presence—your steadfast love—is shaping them in ways they may not understand yet. You've walked beside them through waiting rooms and white coats, through uncertainty and fatigue. You’ve shown up. That counts.

But when every appointment ends with unclear answers—"The scan is clear," or "Maybe it's anxiety?"—it can feel like you're stuck in a maze with no map. What do these phrases even mean? And how do they explain symptoms that persist without visible causes?

Here’s the truth: diagnostic uncertainty is more common than it seems. It doesn’t mean you’re imagining things, or that your child isn’t truly experiencing pain or dizziness. It simply means it's time to pivot. If everything you've tried hasn't worked... maybe that’s a strange kind of good news. It means the door is still open. A new approach might make all the difference. Also, skepticism at this point in time is healthy!

Uncertainty—especially when it's shared between you and your child—can unintentionally feed fear. Pain-related fear and avoidance can build and build, making once-loved activities feel unreachable. The result? Disrupted schooling, missed connections, and a shrinking world. It doesn’t have to stay that way.

Ask the hard questions. Seek a mindbody-informed physician. Even if there

are structural findings, it’s important to clarify whether they are creating the

pain or dizziness.

• Ask: Do you believe the structural findings explain my

child’s symptoms? If there are no structural or pathological findings,

• Ask:Do you believe a mindbody approach could be helpful in addressing my

child’s symptoms?

Your curiosity is not just valid—it’s vital. If appropriate, we also encourage your child to ask these questions.

So yes, parents are influencers. You have power. Not just because you're involved, but because you’re brave enough to look uncertainty in the eye and say, We’re still moving forward.

If you’d like to dive deeper, take a look at our workbook—written in clear, accessible language and designed for both clinicians and parents seeking practical answers. When you're ready to take the next step, explore our online course on chronic pain, specially created for youth ages 9–16. This seven-week, self-paced course also includes helpful tips and guidance for parents!