I have a lovely friend having a really tough time with her DC at the moment. She has two, aged 9 and 6. Oldest is very anxious and has been refusing to go to school, getting very worked up, having to come home some days and worrying about his own health; he is very afraid of illness and being around people who might be ill. Younger child has been refusing to go into school in the mornings too, saying he is scared, trying to hang on to mum. She is pulled in all directions, dreads mornings as children so hard to handle and they start saying they won't go to school/go in from the moment they wake up. Can't have kids for her as at the moment they won't come to others' houses. They are refusing out of school activities like swimming and football too. So hard to observe as my friend and her DH are completely strung out and dreading school mornings. She works part-time and so does her DH, GPs do some childcare in the week. Wondered if wise MNetters could suggest ways to help other than offering sympathetic ear and hugs? Is also huge production if parents need to leave house at other times for eg work or appointments; kids act up and delay parents leaving for ages, makes them late and stressed and often in tears. :( Any suggestions gratefully received.