Help Your Child Manage Stress
Today’s children are under an enormous amount of pressure to succeed, and sometimes that can induce stress or anxiety. While a certain amount of stress is a natural, human response to tense situations, it’s important that we teach our children how to cope with these feelings so that they learn how to plan, problem solve, and set healthy boundaries.Don’t Over CommitTeaching children the power of saying “no” to overscheduling is a skill they will use for the rest of their lives. Sit down with your child and explain that she works hard at school all day and comes home to homework or extracurricular activities, and it’s important that she takes time for herself. Take a look at your child’s weekly schedule. If she seems to be overburdened, offer to lighten her load by helping her simplify her schedule. The Power of Play TimeEncourage your children to spend time doing physical activity that isn’t structured or sport-related. While it feels ironic, it may be necessary to schedule out a block of time for your child to relax and play, and if you treat it as an appointment that cannot be moved, it will certainly happen.Teach Children to Listen to Their BodiesHelp your child listen to what his body needs. If it’s been a busy day of eating fast food on the go, your child’s stomach might hurt; help him understand that he may be lacking some nutrients and offer to stop for a salad, fruit, or water. Encourage him to pay attention to when he’s tired or has a headache so that he can take care of what his body needs.Take a Break — It’s OkayYou are your child’s role model. The next time you feel stressed, demonstrate your coping mechanism by verbalizing, “I’m feeling really stressed right now. I’m going to take a 10-minute break to go read my book or take a run, and then I’ll be able to finish my task.” The next time your child is stressed out, she might ask to take a break, and you can support her. Maybe you can take a break together!Have a ConversationIf you notice your child feels stressed, approach him. If you can, name the feeling you think he is experiencing. Naming feelings is especially helpful for younger children; they learn to communicate and develop emotional awareness, and it’s a step toward teaching them to explain their feelings, rather than showing them with strong behaviors. Listen attentively, patiently, and calmly. Aim to minimize your interruptions. After your child has finished sharing, confirm his feelings to show you understand what he felt, why, and that you care. Sometimes your child will need you to sit, listen, and help brainstorm possible solutions to their stress. Other times, it is best for you to simply be there through a shared activity like baking cookies or tackling a new art project. Private schools in Lakeland, FL proclaim the Gospel message within an academic environment of excellence that challenges students to be creative and critical thinkers. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us at 407-246-4800.