Let's meet Max! 

Max is a 10 year old boy who loves to skate around his block, plays some Minecraft after school (when he's done with his homework, duh!) and he loves spending time with his Mom, Dad and dog Bolt— he's really fast! 

Max is turning 11 soon and his mom wants to throw a party and invite his friends from school. But every time Max thinks about talking to anyone from class, his heart beats really fast like its trying to get out of his chest and he gets so nervous, he can't find any words to say!

Well hello hello human! 

I'm Bolt! 

I'm here to give tips and tricks to help Max out with his Social Anxiety. WOOF! That's a big term. 

Let me help!

Social Anxiety is a fear reaction to something that isn't actually dangerous — although the body and mind react as if the danger is real. 

It's like how Max said his heart beats really fast and he doesn't know what to say!

Max plans to ask someone from his math class because that is where he knows the most people, they've been going to school together since elementary. 

Max sits next to another boy named Mason. Mason is an awkward 10-year-old who is always messing around with his curly hair. They don’t hang out or talk much in class but they do say hi when they pass each other on their way to history. Mason seems like a pretty chill guy! Max wants to invite him to his party but he's scared he's going to laugh at him and say, "No!"

Sounds like Max is afraid of his friends not wanting to attend his party, which is known as rejection. This is a normal part of life. We don't let it stop us from trying though! 

A helpful tip to deal with rejection is to remind yourself that you will be okay! It sucks when it happens but remember your friends, family and teachers who care about you! They will be happy you did your best and that's what matters! 

After playing outside with Bolt, Max’s mom wanted to talk about who he invited to his party. Max told his mom that he had not invited anyone because he wanted to make invitations to give to his friends instead.

When Max said this, his mom caught that something else was bothering him. When his mom asked what's wrong. Max started to tell her that he gets nervous talking to his classmates, that his heart starts racing, and then he can't think of anything to say.

Max explains to his mom that it feels like a whole baseball stadium of people are staring and laughing at him, and he asks his mom for help with what to do. 

Max’s mom walks over to where he is sitting, gives him a big hug and asks him to name one person he wants to invite to his party. 

Max responds that he wants to invite Mason to his party because he’s known him the longest. 

This makes a lot of sense to his mom and she tells him, “Max there is nothing wrong with the way you talk and Mason will be happy to attend your party, you just have to ask him.” 

Max tells his mom that he starts to panic when he thinks about asking Mason to his party and he doesn't understand why.

Max’s mom explains, “That is your body responding to the new thing that you’re doing.” 

Max looks at his mom very confused as she continues to explain, “when we try something new our body starts to react by giving us more energy and sometimes this energy is too much, and it can feel like something bad is going to happen,” she smiles at Max as she says, “and when this happens I want you to close your eyes and take a deep breath to fill your belly and then blow it out with your mouth, do this until you feel calm again.”