Maybe sharper children worry (5)
I believe the answer is:
cheat
'maybe sharper' is the definition.
(to sharp is to cheat at cards)
'children worry' is the wordplay.
'children' becomes 'ch' (genealogical abbreviation).
'worry' becomes 'eat' (eating is a kind of worrying).
'ch'+'eat'='CHEAT'
(Other definitions for cheat that I've seen before include "Con" , "Act dishonestly to gain an advantage" , "Welsh" , "fleece" , "Take unfair advantage of" .)