Helping Your Child Deal with Stress

You might remember your childhood as a fun, simple time. . However, it’s easy to forget that children experience stress. Busy schedules, bullying, and growing pains are just a few things kids deal with on a daily basis. Adults typically can tell when other adults are stressed, but children may not know how to express their feelings. While you can’t take all of your child’s stress away, you can help them deal with it. Here’s what we suggest.

Talk About It

If your child seems upset, ask what’s wrong. Sometimes, that’s all it takes. Tell your child that you notice that they seem upset, and if they don’t tell you why, see if you can guess what they’re feeling and why. If they’re ready to talk about it, the worst they’ll do is tell you they’re not ready for a discussion. Use language that accurately describes how they say they’re feeling. That can help them relate to their own feelings better and help them cope.

Listen Attentively

Any time your child expresses a negative emotion, take the time to listen. Be calm, patient, and engaged with what you hear them say. Your child may believe they’re upset about something minor, when in reality something else is stressing them out, and this was the straw that broke their back. Make affirming comments like “that must have been really upsetting,” and avoid judgmental phrases like “you shouldn’t cry about that.”

Brainstorm Together

Workshop ideas with your child to help them handle a stressful situation. Encourage your child to think of solutions, and add on to those ideas as needed. This will reframe the situation from a stressful one to something they’re empowered to get through. Even if they go with their own ideas, they will see you as a trusted advisor next time they need help. If you’re there for your child when something small happens, they’ll be more inclined to go to you when they really need someone. 

Encourage Prayer

Talking to God can be just as helpful as talking to a friend or trusted adult, and your child might feel more comfortable expressing private thoughts to Him. If they feel that their prayers will be answered by a trusted guide, they may feel more hopeful about the situation. It may also help your child to write down their thoughts and feelings in a journal.

Take Time to De-stress

Teach your child positive coping skills, like thinking before speaking from a place of anger and practicing deep breathing exercises. Encourage them to relieve stress through exercise, art or other engaging activities. Do something fun with your child to help them take their mind off whatever is causing stress. If it seems like they can’t move past it, try changing the subject. This will help them understand that the stressful situation is not the end of the world.

It’s important for children to learn early on how to manage stress so they’re better prepared for the life ahead of them. Our Polk Catholic schools foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us online.