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Kids, Stress and How Parents Can Help

Girl in snowParents often think about their carefree childhood.  They forget that those days were not always so carefree. It is true that children do not worry about paying the bills or losing their jobs like adults do.  But there are many things that place stress on them. This is especially true for students who struggle in school because they feel that no matter how hard they try they will still fail. I once had a friend who is learning disabled tell me that he barely remembers being in high school because it was so painful for him.

Some common stressors in children’s lives are:

  • Too much going on.  Many children leave school and go directly to sports, music lessons, or other extracurricular activities.  These are healthy for children, but if there is no "down time" in your child’s life, they can put too much stress on them.
  • Disagreements with friends.  Children have arguments with their friends just like adults do.  They need to learn ways to deal with their disagreements without losing their close friends.  This is where parents can help—first talking with them about the problem and then helping them figure out what they need to do about it.
  • Worry about high stakes testing in school.  Children are constantly reminded by both parents and teachers that they must pass certain standardized tests in school or they "won’t be able to graduate."  Children should be encouraged to do their best on these tests, but they should not worry constantly about them.  There are ways to help your children do better on these tests but telling them how important it is to do well is not one of them!
  • Concern about school failure. Struggling students do not often experience success. They spend much of their day feeling inept. They need help figuring out what the root of the school problems are and figuring out what to do about them.

What can parents do to help their children?

  • First of all, when you notice your child seems unusually stressed or unhappy, talk to them about it.  Use a tone that conveys that you genuinely care about what is happening in their life rather than a, "What is it now?" kind of tone.  Children (especially boys) often have trouble expressing their emotions, and helping them to identify their feelings can be helpful.  You can ask, "You seem to be worried about something. What’s on your mind?"  This may open the door for a heart-to-heart conversation about what is stressing your child.
  • Secondly, help your child think of positive ways to relieve their stress. Children need exercise and creative play time.  They might need a healthy snack to eat or to get a little extra rest. Encourage them to do something really fun that takes their mind off of what is worrying them.
  • Seek help for your child in school. If your child’s stress comes primarily from problems in school, call your child’s teacher or the school psychologist to request their help.

Be sure to spend some quality time with your children during the holiday season. Allow them to play (even your older children), rest, watch television, and totally forget about the things that place stress on their lives. I hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with plenty of family fun.

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Comments   

#2 Livia McCoy 2010-12-21 21:40
Thank you, Robin. Your website has some great information on it. I will definitely spend more time there. There is a new store that opened near me called "Save Recess." I LOVE that name! Children need to have more fun in their day. A local school near me decided to cut out recess so they could work more on standards testing. I just could not believe what I was hearing! Keep up the good work at Masterful Kids.
#1 Robin Schafer 2010-12-21 20:25
Dear Livia:
Everything you say is so true. Kids are under more stress today then years ago. There is more homework, curriculum is accelerated and there is more competition to get into college. Kids don't get physical exercise everyday which helps with the stress. This bothered me becasue it was hurting my kids. I devleoped a free site called Masterful Kids(www.masterfulkids.com), which keeps students happy, positive ,goal setters and stress free. There are journals and videos where other students discuss their winning strategies for success and happiness. Thank you, Robin Schafer

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Do you allow your children to watch TV or play on the computer before doing their homework?

Yes - 31.6%
Sometimes - 25.4%
No - 37.4%

Total votes: 4919
The voting for this poll has ended on: June 25, 2016