HeroMe is an AI-powered platform that creates personalized bedtime stories for children ages 4-12. Each story is designed to help children overcome specific challenges like anxiety, fears, and big emotions through engaging adventures where they are the hero.

How does HeroMe work?

HeroMe works in 3 simple steps: 1) Tell us about your child and their challenges, 2) Our AI creates a unique 12-chapter adventure with research-informed storytelling elements, 3) Read one chapter each night at bedtime and watch your child grow.

Is HeroMe safe for children?

Yes, HeroMe is fully COPPA compliant and designed with child safety as a top priority. All content is reviewed for age-appropriateness and quality. We use child-safe AI that never collects personal information from children.

What age range is HeroMe designed for?

HeroMe is designed for children ages 4-12. Our AI adapts the story complexity, vocabulary, and themes based on your child's specific age to ensure the content is engaging and appropriate.

At what age do children typically develop anxiety?

Anxiety can appear at any age, but certain fears are developmentally normal at specific stages. Separation anxiety peaks around 18 months, fear of the dark emerges around ages 3-4, and social anxiety often develops between ages 8-12. When these fears persist beyond typical developmental windows or significantly impact daily functioning, professional guidance may be helpful.

How is childhood anxiety different from normal worry?

All children experience worry—it's a normal part of development. Anxiety becomes a concern when worries are persistent (lasting weeks or months), disproportionate to the situation, and interfere with daily activities like school, friendships, or sleep. If your child's worry seems to control their decisions or causes regular physical symptoms, it may be more than typical worry.

Can anxiety in children go away on its own?

Some childhood fears naturally resolve as children develop coping skills and cognitive abilities. However, anxiety that goes unaddressed can sometimes intensify or evolve into different forms. Early intervention with appropriate support—whether through parent guidance, therapeutic techniques, or professional help—typically leads to better outcomes.

How do bedtime stories help with childhood anxiety?

Therapeutic storytelling works through a process called 'bibliotherapy'—using stories to help children process emotions. When children see characters facing similar challenges and overcoming them, it provides a safe psychological distance to explore their own feelings. Personalized stories that mirror a child's specific situation are particularly effective because the child deeply identifies with the protagonist's journey.

Should I talk to my child about their anxiety or avoid the topic?

Open, age-appropriate conversations about feelings are beneficial. Avoiding the topic can inadvertently signal that anxiety is too scary to discuss. Instead, validate their feelings ('It makes sense you feel worried'), help them name the emotion, and focus on coping rather than elimination. The goal isn't to remove all anxiety but to help children manage it effectively.

When should I seek professional help for my child's anxiety?

Consider professional support if anxiety persists for several weeks, significantly impacts school or social life, causes regular physical symptoms, leads to avoidance of age-appropriate activities, or if your child expresses hopelessness. A pediatrician or child psychologist can provide assessment and guidance tailored to your child's needs.

Proven Strategies for Anxious Kids

Helping Your Child Overcome Anxiety

Childhood anxiety is more common than you think—and more manageable than it feels. Learn the signs, discover what really helps, and find tools that work.

1 in 8 children experience anxiety

Highly treatable with right support

Learn the signs first

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Illustration for childhood anxiety guide

Personalized for your child

What Are the Signs of Anxiety in Children?

Children with anxiety typically show three categories of signs: emotional (excessive worry, fear, irritability), physical (stomach aches, sleep trouble, restlessness), and behavioral (avoiding activities, school refusal, seeking constant reassurance). These signs often intensify at bedtime and during transitions.

Anxiety doesn’t always look like worry. It often shows up as physical symptoms, behavioral changes, or emotional reactions that can be mistaken for other issues.

Emotional Signs

Excessive worry about everyday situations
Fear that seems bigger than the situation warrants
Irritability or emotional outbursts
Difficulty being separated from parents
Persistent need for reassurance

Physical Signs

Stomach aches or headaches without medical cause
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Restlessness or feeling 'keyed up'
Fatigue despite adequate rest
Changes in appetite

Behavioral Signs

Avoiding activities they used to enjoy
Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
Seeking constant reassurance
Refusing to go to school or social events
Perfectionism or fear of making mistakes

Remember: Every child is different. These signs don’t mean your child definitely has an anxiety disorder—but they do suggest your child might benefit from additional support and coping strategies.

Research-Backed

How Can Parents Help an Anxious Child?

The most effective strategies for anxious children combine validation, calm modeling, predictable routines, taught coping skills, gradual exposure to fears, and protected bedtime. You don’t need to be a therapist — consistent, patient support makes a real difference.

You don’t need to be a therapist to help your anxious child. These research-informed strategies can make a real difference in daily life.

Validate, Don't Dismiss

Acknowledge your child's feelings without amplifying them. Say 'I can see you're worried about this' rather than 'There's nothing to worry about.' Validation helps children feel understood and more open to guidance.

Try: 'It sounds like your tummy feels worried about tomorrow. That happens to lots of kids.'

Model Calm Responses

Children learn emotional regulation by watching adults. When you encounter stressful situations, narrate your coping process: 'I'm feeling a bit nervous, so I'm going to take some deep breaths.'

Your calm presence is more powerful than any technique you teach.

Create Predictable Routines

Anxiety thrives in uncertainty. Consistent daily routines—especially around transitions and bedtime—provide the predictability anxious children need to feel secure.

Visual schedules can help younger children know what to expect.

Teach Coping Skills

Help your child build a 'toolkit' of strategies: deep breathing, counting, visualization, or physical movement. Practice these during calm moments so they're accessible during anxiety.

Make it concrete: 'Let's practice our brave breathing together.'

Gradual Exposure

Avoiding anxiety triggers provides short-term relief but reinforces fear long-term. Gently and gradually help your child face fears in manageable steps, celebrating small victories.

Break big fears into tiny, achievable steps.

Protect Bedtime

Anxiety often peaks at night when distractions fade. Create a calming bedtime routine that includes connection time, reduces stimulation, and ends with something soothing like reading together.

The 30 minutes before bed shape how your child processes the day.

The Power of Stories

Why Bedtime Stories Are More Than "Just Reading"

For generations, parents have instinctively turned to stories at bedtime. Modern research confirms what they sensed: stories are uniquely powerful tools for emotional development.

When a child hears a story about a character facing fears, something remarkable happens in their brain. They experience the challenge with the character from a safe distance. They feel the fear, witness the coping, and internalize the triumph—all without the pressure of it being "about them."

This is called bibliotherapy, and when stories are personalized to mirror a child’s specific situation, the effect is amplified. The child sees themselves in the hero. The hero’s victory becomes their possibility.

92%

of parents report improved bedtime experience

15min

of connected reading before bed recommended

What Makes HeroMe Different

Personalized to Your Child

Stories feature your child's name, age-appropriate challenges, and their specific anxiety triggers transformed into conquerable adventures.

Evidence-Based Framework

Every story arc is built on evidence-based approaches from child psychology research, woven naturally into engaging narratives.

Perfect for Bedtime

12 chapters designed to be read one per night—creating a ritual that children look forward to and parents treasure.

Parent Guidance Included

Each chapter comes with discussion prompts and activities to deepen the learning and connection.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions parents ask about childhood anxiety.

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Your child's journey to courage starts tonight

In just 5 minutes, create a personalized story that helps your child face their worries with the bravery of a true hero.

Takes 5 minutes

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